Violent storm destroys schools, churches and over 70 houses in Biseni community, Bayelsa

Hundreds of residents in Kilama, Tein,Tambiri,Egbebiri communities within Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa have been rendered homeless following a violent rainstorm.

The whirlwind that accompanied the storm blew away the roofs of over 70 houses, five churches and three schools and destroyed over electric poles, disrupting power supply to the area.

Suspected pirates kill 2 in Bayelsa

Despite bogus claims by Bayelsa  government on Monday during a visit by Chief f Army Staff gunmen suspected to be pirates  sameday invaded Ayama community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa  killing two and injuring three others.

It was gathered that the hoodlums entered the community at about 9pm on Monday, shot sporadically and caused pandemonium in the area.

A member representing Ogbia Constituency II, Mr. Munalayefa Edwin Gibson confirmed the development.

Gibson condemned the attack and lamented that the gunmen shot consistently for over 30 minutes.

Obi says Education, SMEs key to Nigeria, Africa development at SME roundtable in Bayelsa

Former Governor of Anambra State Mr  Peter Obi, on Friday in Yenagoa proffered panacea for Nigeria and Africa to overcome its economic challenges.

Obi made the recommendations while speaking at the ongoing 2018 African SME Round Table Forum holding at the Azaiki Library in Yenagoa..

According to Obi, Nigeria and Africa required huge investment in education and skill acquisition, as well as meaningful support for Small and Medium – scale Enterprises (SMEs).

He said Nigeria must focus on investing in education and skill acquisition in order to turn round its economy, and drastically reduce the levels of youth unemployment.

ERA/FoEN bemoans aggressive oil exploration, advocates more research into renewable energy sources

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has urged energy firms operating in the Niger Delta region to intensify research efforts into renewable and non-fossil fuels.

Mr Alagoa Morris, Head of Field Operations at ERA/FoEN, a Non-Governmental Organisation, made the call in an interview  in Yenagoa.

Morris said there was the need to diversify the nation’s energy mix and reduce the emphasis on oil and gas prospecting due to their adverse effects on the ecosystem.

He frowned at indiscriminate seismic activities by oil firms in the residential area in Yenagoa.

NSCDC decries activities of oil theft syndicates in Bayelsa

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Bayelsa Command says the activities of a powerful oil theft syndicate in Bayelsa was out to tarnish the image of the organization and its efforts against economic saboteurs.

The Bayelsa Command of the NSCDC said it is winning the war against oil theft in oilfields and pipelines crisscrossing the state.

The Command on Saturday pledged to sustain its efforts at check oil theft and pipeline vandalism despite smear campaign by oil thieves and syndicates behind the illicit act.

NAN Correspondents in Bayelsa barred from covering Gov. Dickson’s 6th anniversary

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondents in Bayelsa have been barred from the coverage of activities marking the 6th anniversary of Governor Seriake Dickson in office.

The incident is sequel a NAN report on build up activities to the 6th anniversary scheduled to climax on February 14.

Commissioner for Special Projects, Mr Fred Obua had slumped on January 30 at the Inter-ministerial briefing component of the ceremonies held at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre.

Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Commissioner of Information who was also at the occasion threatened that any journalist who reported the incident would be ‘sanctioned and dealt with’.

OBJ’s letter to Buhari: Jonathan’s associate, George Turnah tackles Ameh Ebute over comments

Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s ally and ‘political godson’ George Turnah , has lashed out at former Senate President, Ameh Ebute for his uncharitable comments against Jonathan.

Senator Ebute, in his reaction to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, on the state of the nation had disparaged  Jonathan’s tenure .

In a letter signed by Turnah and dated 6th February addressed to Senator Ebute, the former aide to former NDDC MD expressed the concerns that instead of the former Senate President to address Chief Obasanjo, he allegedly made unguarded statements against the administration of Dr. Jonathan, which he had commended back in 2013.