Gynaecologists pledge to tackle high maternal mortality rate of 1, 870/100, 000 in Bayelsa

Gynaecologists pledge to tackle high maternal mortality rate of 1, 870/100, 000 in Bayelsa

 Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) on Thursday agreed to partner Bayelsa government on  reduction of the alarming high infant and maternal mortality rate in the state.

The 2013 Nigeria Demographic and health survey (NDHS) put neonatal, under-five and maternal mortality rate in Bayelsa at 1870/100, 000) in Bayelsa.

The data shows that 1,870 babies out of every 100, 000 births die before their fifth birthday,  a situation Prof Ebitimi Etebu, Health Commisioner had described as one of the poorest in the south-south zone and by extension, the country.

Ongoing NUT strike paralyses academic activities in Bayelsa public schools

Academic activities were paralysed in public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa following strike by the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) over outstanding salaries.

Primary school teachers are being owed eight months salary backlog while secondary school teachers arreas stand at four months.

There was full compliance with the directive from the national headquarters of NUT to state chapters as teachers stayed away from the classroom in some of the public schools visited within the state capital and its environs.

IYC condemns beheading of security emmisary at Eleremor LGA in Bayelsa

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC)  on Monday condemned the murder and beheading of a security operative negotiating disarmament Of militants at Toru-Ndoro in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

It is recalled that residents of the coastal community started fleeing the area on January 4, 2018 following the alleged beheading of a security operative by militants.

Mr Eric Omare, President of IYC, who made the condemnation in a statement issued in Yenagoa pledged to collaborate  in fishing out the culprits but however decried the harasment and intimidation of innocent residents by soldiers in search of the culprits.

He claimed that there were reports of ongoing military bombardment of Toru-Ndoro Community from Saturday January 6.

Bayelsa Govt. say beheading of security official occured in Delta urges military to be professional in manhunt for culprits

The Bayelsa government on Tuesday condemned the killing and beheading of a security emmisary who was negotiating with armed militants to surrender their arms which resulted in mass exodus in Ekeremor council of Bayelsa.

Residents of Toru-Ndoro in Ekeremor stated fleiing the area on January 4, 2018, a development that compelled the state government to wade into the crisis.

 The government said the killing was actually in Edegbene community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta, describing the incident as barbaric, lawless and totally condemnable.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Gov.Seriake Dickson on Security Matters, Dr. Boma Spero-Jack said that the governor condemned the crude, barbaric and reprehensible act.

Ondewari community in Bayelsa boils again, rival gangs clash kills 2 youths

The people of Ondewari, a coastal settlement in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa are fleeing the area for safety over violent armed clash by rival youth groups over oil pipeline surveillance jobs at Agip’s oilfields.

Mr Alagoa Morris, a renowned Environmentalist, and Rights Activist who hails from the area said on Tuesday that the crisis had commenced on December 30, 2017 and left the community deserted.

He said that it was regrettable that the community lost two promising youths in the renewed clash which had earlier led to the death of two youths in July 2017, bringing the death toll to four.

Non-indigenes Council in Bayelsa honours 2 former leaders, applauds state government

The Supreme Council of Non-indegenes in Bayelsa has bestowed its merit award on two former President-Generals of the organisations as part of its end of year activities and festivities for the outgoing 2017.

The group, a coalition of non indegenes community associations from other states of the federation held the occasion with award of certificates of merit and presentation of plaques to the leaders at Ididi hotel, Ekeki in Yenagoa.

Mr Douglas Koko, pioneer leader of the group and Mr Adeshina Sanusi were the award recipients.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Chief Ade Bakare, President-General of the Council, noted that the two former leaders were selected due to their outstanding efforts in building the organisation to earn the respect and recognition by their hosts.

Police visit scene of armed atttack on Oronto Douglas’s residence two days after several distress calls

The Bayelsa Police Command has visited the scene of crime following armed attack by unidentified gunmen on Oronto Douglas' residence and Okoroba in Nembe LGA of Bayelsa on December 26, 2017, two clear days after the crime.

There had been claims by some persons in the community that the police did not respond to distress calls during the attack on some residences including that of the late Oronto Douglas, a former Commissioner for Information in the state.

The Command had lied and feigned ignorance of the crime when contacted for update on the siruation and later recanted, visited the crime scene albeit belatedly  as evidence of reports to Assistant Commisioner of Police in charge of operations and Nembe Police Division became public.