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Tag: Bayelsa

  • In Bayelsa, expectant women smile to the bank

    Safety of pregnant women and children under the age of five has become a major concern of the Bayelsa State Government. In today’s Bayelsa, women need not worry about pregnancies. Men need not bother about the cost of impregnating their wives especially the ante-natal and neonatal cares.

    Following the new policy introduced by the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, once a woman residing in Bayelsa is pregnant irrespective of his state of origin, the government steps in to take over the antenatal burden from her and her family.

    Besides, the government pays the woman a monthly stipend of N7000 for a period of 10 months. Every cost about the pregnancy and the health of the woman is borne by the state government. The government is also making deliberate efforts through many programmes to safeguard the health of children under the age of five.

     

    Bayelsa’s demographic survey problem

    The government is jolted by the high maternal mortality rate in the state. Despite previous efforts by Dickson to reduce the death rate, Bayelsa is still ranked among the riskiest states to give births.

    Commissioner for Health Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu recently said 1,870 expectant mothers die in the state in every 100,000 births. He described it as a sad state of affairs insisting that it bellied investments on improved health facilities dotting different parts of the state. He said despite the provisions of health infrastructures, pregnant women in the state still preferred other alternative local means of giving birth.

    The professor also blamed the sorry state of expectant mothers in the state on unwholesome practices of most Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs). Though he cited the World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, indicating that over 100 women die every day in the country for causes related to child birth, he said Bayelsa case was not better than the national statistics.

    In a paper titled, Management of Bleeding During Pregnancy, Labour, delivered recently during the launching of a safe motherhood campaign in Bayelsa, a notable gynecologist, Dr. Andrew, Igbafe listed major causes of complications in pregnancy as excessive bleeding during pregnancy and after child birth, prolonged labour, unsafe abortion, harmful religious and traditional practices.

    Igbafe called for zero tolerance for maternal and infant death in the state; girl-child education; enlightenment campaigns to every nooks and crannies of the state; support from traditional rulers, elders,  chiefs, medical practitioners and TBA’s among others to stem the tide of infant and maternal mortality.

    In January this year when the Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) visited Dickson, the governor did not mince words on his government’s concerns about expectant mothers’ safety in Bayelsa.

    He told the group led by its National President, Prof. Oluwarotimi Akinola, that the issue of infant and maternal healthcare was critical in the state. But he gave his assurances that the government would reduce the infant and maternal mortality rate in Bayelsa.

    He said: “I want the Bayelsa rate to be the lowest in the federation, which is why we are building the best of health care facilities. I have instructed the Commissioner for Health to devise a special scheme within the confines of the Health Insurance System that will incentivise our pregnant and nursing mothers to register and be captured.

    ‘’I want a situation where every woman who gets pregnant is captured within the first three months for us to know where she lives, what becomes of her pregnancy and we will support her to deliver safely and monitor the health of both mother and child”.

     

    The Incentives

    The government through the Ministry of Health designed the first Maternal and Infant Mortality Summit. The event attracted all stakeholders within and outside the state. During the summit, the government launched Safe Motherhood in Bayelsa. The campaign for deliberate and coordinated programmes to force down the figure was inaugurated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Dickson read out the state policy. The governor said his government would give N3000 monthly allowance to each pregnant woman in the state. But there is a caveat. For a pregnant woman to benefit, she must first tell the government about her pregnancy by reporting to any of the nearest government-controlled clinics.

    Her pregnancy will be documented and automatically she and her unborn baby will become the “property” of the state. Immediately, she will be qualified to receive the allowance. In addition, the government will freely nurture the beneficiary and her pregnancy till the birth of the child.

    The policy is to encourage pregnant women to use health facilities provided by the government. It is to discourage them from visiting TBAs which have high mortality risk. Dickson immediately released N100million to the Ministry of Health for the payment of the special allowances.

    To make health facilities accessible to pregnant women across the state, Dickson directed the ministry of health and his team to build health centers in each of the 105 wards in the state. He gave the ministry a cheque of N1.2bn to commence the project.

    He said his government would not do it alone. He, therefore, called on community leaders, women, opinion leaders and other stakeholders to be part of the process of ensuring that no death of pregnant woman is recorded in Bayelsa.

    He said:  “Every pregnant woman living in Bayelsa is entitled to N3, 000, until delivery and it will be accessed upon registration for anti-natal programme at the nearest medical facility for safe delivery.

    “This is to ensure that, the health team gives me information on the number of pregnant women in the state. I want a report on their delivery; that’s how serious we take this issue of infant and maternal mortality.

    “In the event of any thing going wrong, I will give directive for a special coronary inquest, check the integrity and conduct of medical personnel involved or the traditional birth attendant responsible, so that I will know the consequences that will follow.”

    Dickson’s action attracted plaudits from Obasanjo. He observed that the governor built adequate healthcare facilities in the state adding that with the existing health infrastructure no pregnant woman should die during pregnancy and after delivery.

    He said: “What gladdened my heart most is what Bayelsa State is doing, because the state according to the governor will meet the standard of Ondo State and surpass it in the shortest time possible. Bayelsa has taken the solution to where the problem is.

    “Already, there are hospitals in all the local government areas and the governor has told me that we are going beyond local government to individual community so that no pregnant woman will have to travel beyond allowable distance to get ante natal care which is very necessary for safe delivery.

    “There will be training of people who will address and deal with those who are pregnant. I want to assure you that whatever you do here that can be copied by any other state, l will be your advocate. Advocacy and raising awareness is one thing that we have to do.

    “If we have the facility that is of world standard for medical checks and treatments, why should our children and pregnant women be dying? I am a witness that you are changing the face of Bayelsa on daily basis?”

    Dickson’s wife also applauded her husband for the special interest his administrations continually give women in the state. She said with the initiative, it was obvious her husband was committed to ensuring that pregnant women give birth safely.

    “With the huge investment by the government in the health sector, the infant and Maternal death rate in the state would be drastically reduced”, she said calling in women to take advantage of the initiative.

     

    Cash incentive increases from N3000 to N7000

    To underscore its seriousness, the government through the ministry of information inaugurated a committee with a mandate to take the messages to all nooks and crannies of the state.

    The sensitisation committee headed by Chris Odi, a Director in the ministry, was asked to break communication barriers and ensure all women living in hard-to-reach areas such as fishing ports and creeks get actionable information on the programme.

    Inaugurating the sensitisation committee, the Commissioner for information, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said Dickson was determined to drastically reduce the mortality figure.

    He said: “Some days ago, the governor launched the safe motherhood initiative which is one very important programme. We are losing a number of our pregnant women due to cultural practices because they don’t go to hospital and there, they are not well informed of what to do.

    “We are taking the message to every nooks and cranny of our state. We will reach every single community because most fatalities happen there.

    “No woman should die during childbirth. We are deploying all our means to sensitise our people. We are going from door to door to get the message to those that matter. As long as you are pregnant, married or not, you are covered.”

    Pregnant women further received another cheering news from Etebu. The health commissioner said the ministry was adding N4,000 to the N3,000 earlier approved for pregnant women to make it N7,000 in about 10-month period of pregnancy.

    “At the level of the ministry we are going further. Because about 70 percent of our people go to primary health centres, they will no longer wait for people to come to them.

    “We will go from house to house. Get records and ensure that these women attend our facilities. The governor has said he is giving N3,000 to these pregnant women but we are adding some incentives.

    “For coming to the health centres we are insentivising them with N2,000 and at the antenatal, we are giving out another N2,000 and this is to ensure that they are motivated. The traditional birth attendants will also be motivated to ensure that they take these women to where they can get the right care.

    “We are giving them money to ensure they do this. The community governance structure will also be brought in. Traditional rulers, community groups etc will be involved. This is a continuius measure. All communities must be reached. We are taking this seriously,” he said.

     

    Other multifaceted programmes to reduce death

    Years before the launching of the safe motherhood campaign, Dickson has ensued active participation of the state in various programmes to safeguard the health of pregnant women and children. As part of Governor Dickson’s Safe Delivery Project, Bayelsa enrolled in the Saving One Million Lives (SOML) programme.

    SOML, a Federal Ministry of Health initiative was launched in 2012 in response to poor health outcomes in the country particularly women and children. It was repackaged and rebranded in 2015 to Saving One Million Lives Performance for Results (SOML PforR) following a $500m International Development Association (IDA) credit from the World Bank.

    Periodically, the State Steering Committee headed by Etebu meets to compare notes and review the performance of the state in its execution of SOML. In a recent meeting held in Yenagoa comprising all health workers in the project, the committee evaluated the programme’s reach and its challenges. Etebu also inaugurated Local Government Desk Officers and charged them to drive the implementation of the scheme in local government areas.

    Etebu explained that the rebranded SOML focuses on six important pillars of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) such as improving maternal, newborn and child health; improving routine immunization coverage and achieving polio eradication and elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV among others.

    Etebu said states are the greatest beneficiaries of the programmes receiving 82 per cent of the $500m with an initial grant of $1.5m to each state and funding for subsequent years based on disbursement linked indicators. He said Bayelsa under the leadership of Dickson put measures in place to ensure maximum and strict utilization of funds focusing on results and outcomes.

    The professor said his ministry set up implementation workplan that addressed all bottlenecks to ensure efficient healthcare service delivery in the six thematic areas of the programme.

    He said the ministry further introduced initiatives for quick wins to create a direct and massive impact on the people of the state especially mothers and children. He said the Dickson’s Eye Care Project and the Dickson’s Award for the Best Performing Primary Healthcare Centre per Ward strategy were all rolled out under the state’s SOML.

    The Programme Manager, Dr. Okoye Ebikapaye, said the grants from SOML were judiciously utilized in Bayelsa. He said In immunization, the committee ensured that vaccines and other materials were distributed to the health facilities. He, however, lamented lack of awareness and poor-health-seeking habit of pregnant women in the state as part of the challenges facing the programme.

    “To ensure that pregnant women deliver in health facilities, we provided cash incentives to the women. To help in the delivery services, we provided the governor Dickson’s Safe Delivery Kits where all that is required at the point of delivery is given to pregnant women.

    “We provided 2000 of the kits across the state. We want to improve. We have identified 500 women qualified for the cash grants and disbursement will be made soonest. The public awareness is not enough. We want it to be optimal.

    “People are not utilizing the opportunities available. There is poor-health-seeks g habit of our pregnant women. They prefer our TBAs to the health facilities. So even after registering in health facilities, they end up delivering in TBAs”, he said.

    Already, he said 11,000 persons accessed the Tele-health aspect of the programme adding that 2000 persons were attended to by skilled birth attendants. Ebikapaye noted that the immunization aspect of the programme increased from 43 per cent to 53 percent.

    According to him HIV/AIDS thematic area had about 6000 pregnant women, who were counseled and tested and a few of them found positive were connected to where they would get anti-retro viral drugs.

    Furthermore, the state participates actively in Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCH). A fresh week took off recently. Etebu said it was the implementation of the first round of the 2018 edition of MNCH.

    “It is a weeklong event organised to deliver integrated high-impact low cost result oriented and effective preventive and curative healthcare services”, he said adding that the programme would further increase maternal and child health indices.

    He explained that the indices were expected to increase in the areas of vitamin A supplementation in children, deworming of children, nutritional assessment of children, iron/folic supplementation for pregnant women, routine immunisation, birth registration, intermittent treatment of malaria in pregnant women, HIV counseling and testing and counseling on key household practices such as hand washing.

    He said the busy week would compel medical workers to improve access to high quality medical services to reduce high mortality rate and improve maternal health. He noted that a finding from the recent Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey indicates high neonatal, under five and maternal mortality.

    Etebu said: “In consonance with the foregoing, is the fact that the MMCH is implemented in two rounds. Indices from Bayelsa state from the recent multi indicator cluster survey and national immunisation cluster survey is undesirable”.

     

     

     

     

  • Bayelsa reduces TV mast to allow flights take off

    The Bayelsa State is reducing the state-owned Niger Delta Television (NDTV) mast to allow for test flights at its international airport, it was learnt.

    Commissioner for Information and Orientation Daniel Iworiso-Markson, who inspected the work, said the height of the mast was being reduced to 300 feet.

    Iworiso-Markson said with-out such reduction, it would be difficult for flights to operate because the station was at the gateway of the airport.

    He explained that following its importance, the government was temporarily suspending TV operations and apologised to viewers.

    The commissioner described the work as highly technical and encouraged the team to ensure they meet the deadline for completion.

    He said: “The mast from the report I am getting from the team of engineers, who are working on it, they are saying that at the end of this month it will come down to 300 feet.

    “Hopefully there will be test flight at the airport so airplane can land at the airport. The Mast at that time will not constitute any kind of obstruction, as we are hoping and believing that the engineers will not fail us as they have promised not to.

    “We have to evacuate the staff of NDTV given the danger that it poses to our workers. It is part of our pro-activeness to ensure that, we do everything to safeguard the lives of people especially workers here.

    “I want to ensure safety first. It will be a tragedy that anything happens to anybody here. Much as we want the mast to go down as quickly as possible, it is important to put safety first and we have taken measures to ensure that utmost priority is given to safeguard the lives of everyone here.

    “That is the reason why it is taking us time for the mast to come down but the antenna has come down already and other items will follow”.

    Head of the technical team Mr. Solomon Wongle promised they will meet the timeframe.

  • 23,000 applicants jostle for 1000 jobs in Bayelsa civil service

    The Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission Monday said it received 23,000 applications for 1000 job vacancies declared by the state government.

    The state Governor, Seriake Dickson, lifted an embargo on employment and directed the commission to recruit 1000 workers following the outcome of the ongoing public service reforms in the state.

    The Chairman of the commission in Yenagoa, the state capital, Dr. Peter Singabele, said in obedience to Dickson’s directive, the commission activated “a transparent recruitment process”.

    Speaking at the launching of the state civil service website, Singabele said the web portal was established to ensure transparency and give all applicants equal opportunities.

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    He said the creation of the website became imperative after about 23,000 applicants surged to the office to pick forms for the 1000 job openings.

    “Over 23,000 unemployed youths invaded the office of the commission and almost broke down the building. But with the website, they don’t need to come here. They only need to send their applications online”, he said.

    He said the creation of the website was part of the brainchild of the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson describing the initiative as “very important”.

    He said the launching of the website would restore the confidence of the people and stop the speculations that the government was out to deceive them adding that it would help all applicants to check and monitor the recruitment process.

    Giving the breakdown of the job applications contained in the commission’s technical report, the Commissioner III, Chief Kune Igoni-Claudius, said out of 23,000 applicants, 12,335 were cleared by the commission.

    He said those selected would participate in the job evaluation test and interviews adding that the timetable for the events would be uploaded in the website.

    Explaining further, Igoni-Claudius, said out of the 12,335 cleared applicants, Sagbama Local Government Area has the highest number of 2170 while Nembe has the lowest of 993.

    Others are Brass 1187; Ekeremor 1500; Kolokuma/Opokuma, 1230; Ogbia, 1417; Southern Ijaw, 2025 and Yenagoa, 1,812.

    He said the commission set up an examination body comprising sensors drawn from various ministries, departments and agencies adding that the timetable for the written examination would commence on August 21.

    He thanked Dickson for actualising the aim of the ongoing public sector reforms by lifting an embargo on employment.

    In his remarks, Iworiso-Markson, commended the commission’s initiative and said the government had made it clear that the recruitment process would not be business as usual.

    He said the process must be transparent and competitive to evolve an efficient civil service system noting that it must be so transparent that persons who failed to make it would have no reason to complain.

    He said: “There will be no hidden employment because the process will be made open and transparent. We want to give everybody equal opportunities and a sense of belonging”.

    Iworiso-Markson also said the governor was desirous of creating more employment opportunities.

    Launching the website, the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) said the initiative was aimed at empowering the people.

    He said the website would complement the ongoing automation of the civil service adding that other ministries would benefit from the portal.

  • Bayelsa challenges medical experts on health care delivery

    The Bayelsa State government yesterday called on medical professionals to make health care accessible to everybody, especially the poor.

    Deputy Governor John Jonah urged the professionals to improve health care delivery in the country.

    He spoke when the leadership of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) visited him at the Government House, Yenagoa.

    “I want you to come up with policies and ideas that will actually enhance the health care delivery system of the country considering our own local environment.

    “I have always challenged transplanting of ideas from advanced countries to our own side. We are not there yet. Those are facts. But fortunately, I’m sure most of you are exposed to the areas that things happen”, he said.

    Jonah lamented that most people die in the country because they could not afford medical services.

    “ It is not easy for average Nigerians to go for major surgery”,  he said.

    The deputy governor said the state was implementing several health polices and programmes to enable the people access quality health care delivery, including a contributory health insurance scheme backed by law.

    Jonah said the health sector was second to education in the scale of preference of the Governor Seriake Dickson-led administration.

    He applauded  the association for choosing to hold its NEC meeting in Bayelsa and wished them success.

    MDCAN’s National President Prof. Ngim E. Ngim said the association was in the state to hold its three-day National Executive Council meeting in Yenagoa.

    Ngim, who teaches at the University of Calabar, lauded the achievements of the administration in the Health sector, and the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS).

    He, however, urged the state to properly fund its College of Health Technology, Otuogidi, and provide equipment at Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri.

  • Obasanjo’s medical tourism in Bayelsa

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was in Bayelsa State recently. The Owu chief’s second coming this year to the Ijaw state was devoid of politics. He was in Bayelsa for his routine medical check-ups.

    The former President’s medical trip to Bayelsa surprised many a politician of his caliber. Usually Obasanjo would take his health matters to an undisclosed hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

    Politicians in Obasanjo’s class most times shun hospitals in Nigeria and take their medical inquiries to notable health facilities abroad.

    They lack confidence in health facilities located within the country. They can’t imagine subjecting their lives to homegrown medical practitioners. It is risky. But Obasanjo shunned his American hospital and raced down to Yenagoa to undergo his annual medical procedures.

    What did Obasanjo, whom most people consider hard to please see in Bayelsa? It could be recalled that sometimes in February this year, the former President was a guest of the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson. The governor invited him for a working visit in the state.

    Obasanjo was taken round legacy projects of Dickson in different parts of the state. He saw Dickson’s projects in various sectors of the economy especially in the areas of education, health and agriculture.

    The former President who inaugurated and toured some of the projects poured encomiums on the governor. He was particularly impressed by the state-of-the-art medical equipment at the Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre (BDC) and the Bayelsa Specialist Hospital.

    He appraised the vision and mission of Dickson in the health sector.

    The Owu chief then reflected on the medical equipment obtainable in his hospital abroad and the ones he saw in Bayelsa. There was no difference. He immediately promised that instead of going abroad he would come to Bayelsa for his medical tourism.

    Obasanjo made good his promise. He came on Monday this week. Though, the former President arrived the state very late in the night, he reported to the specialist hospital close to the Government House. His medical procedures commenced that night.

    The former President himself gave reasons why he abandoned the USA for Bayelsa. He said the move was to fulfill a promise he made earlier in February when he inspected medical facilities built by Dickson.

    At about 8am on Tuesday, Obasanjo was already at the VIP wing of the specialist hospital where he ran some tests in various health departments accompanied by senior medical staff of the specialist hospital.

    The former President was later driven to the Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre (BDC) where some medical experts took him through medical equipment at the centre. Obasanjo, who emerged from the centre after spending a few hours was full of smiles.

    Explaining the medical procedures he went through and why he chose Bayelsa, he said: “Last time l was here in February, l did say that l would want to come and patronise the facilities here because l was impressed with what l saw then.

    “Having made that promise, l had to fulfill it. I started last night with the gadgets l had to wear to sleep with to check my blood pressure while l am awake and while l am sleeping. This morning, l started with blood, urine tests.

    “I went through the whole process of heart test. They looked at other internal organs such as kidneys, liver, spleen and all the internal organs. Eventually, l had semi-sleep in the MRI where my brains were examined.

    “It may be of interest for you to know that the doctor said my head is correct.  I want to thank all the staff for their commitments. I went through the machines, the way l used to go through them where I normally have my medicals at Atlanta, Georgia.

    “We have trained Nigerians and the machine here. I got my results and it is the same thing l had in USA. The difference is that it is cheaper here than there”.

    The former President praised the efficiency of the health insurance scheme instituted by Dickson. He is a registered member of the scheme.

    And he immediately his receipt to show that he pays N14,000 monthly to remain an active member of the scheme.

    He said: “I am also a beneficiary of the health insurance in Bayelsa and l pay monthly. And again, it is good to know that health insurance is very good because when you are need of attention and you don’t have money but you have insurance to take care of you. I have done and paid for one year and half. My health insurance is N14,000″.

    The former president insisted that it is more cost-effective patronising good medical facilities at home like the ones in Bayelsa than traveling to other countries for the same purpose. He said he spent N350,000 for all the medical procedures he went through in Bayelsa.

    He noted that it was cheaper compared to the cost of similar procedures abroad. He said it would have cost him to get similar services and standard in the USA. So, instead of traveling abroad, he advised others to come to Bayelsa. He said that the results of his tests showed that he is as fit as a fiddle adding that the doctor only asked him to drink more water.

    “I got my results and l am as fit as a fiddle. The doctor said the only thing l need to do is to drink more water. The same thing you can get anywhere in the world, you can get it here. Why do you have to travel?”

    He insisted: “Wherever we get best practices, let’s spread it. When l was here last February, l saw the standard of the facilities here that could be used by all Nigerians. There is no need for a Nigerian to say he is going to Dubai, UK, America for medical checkups.

    “I came here last night, before 1 pm what l started at 8am came to an end. I went through all the medical checks, that l would normally have gone through anywhere. The eye, the mouth, the head and the doctor showed me what my brains looked like.

    “When l looked at he said my brain is clean and clear and l said, it means my head is correct. Not only that the cost I reasonable. The services were superb. So, what people were going to Dubai, India, America, UK, Saudi Arabia for is here in Bayelsa”.

     

    Obasanjo prays with Dickson

    On the eve of his medical check-ups, Obasanjo prayed with Dickson. He joined the governor to observe the state’s monthly thanksgiving service at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, the chief hailed Dickson.

    He said under the governor, God took control of the affairs of Bayelsa and its people. He remembered that prior to the administration of Dickson, the state was notorious for militancy and insecurity.

    He urged leaders especially Governors who desired to perform well in their states to come to Bayelsa and learn the secret of Dickson’s success. The elder statesman expressed appreciation to God for giving the governor the spirit of praise and thanksgiving. He said nothing is more important than man’s relationship with God.

    He said: I want to thank God for the life of Governor Seriake Dickson, for doing this to honour God. This is what happens when youput God first. All other things happen the way God has ordained them to happen.

    “The peace of God is here. Bayelsa used to be dreaded for militancy and insecurity and now people are asking what is happening in Bayelsa State. If you are a Governor and you want to do well, come to Bayelsa and learn the secret”.

    In his remarks, Dickson thanked Obasanjo for being an instrument in the hand of God. He said God remained the state’s source of strength.

    He recalled that despite the 2016 recession that hit the country, his administration continued to break the frontiers in the health, education, infrastructure sectors among others.

    Dickson stressed that Bayelsa is the only state with a Thanksgiving Law in the country. He explained that he emulated the former President by building an Ecumenical Centre for the worship of God in the state, appointing clergymen, holding morning devotion  and state memory verse.

    He said the state went ahead of others in terms of infrastructural and economic development. He called for continued prayers, understanding and support for the state, its leadership and the country at large.

     

  • Bayelsa: Police confirm theft of three-year-old twins

    The Police Command in Bayelsa has confirmed the theft of a set of  three-year-old twins on Monday by unknown persons at a motor park in Yenagoa.

    The Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Yenagoa.

    Butswat said the incident occurred at Ekeki Motor Park in Yenagoa Local Government Area and that it had been officially reported to the command.

    “According to the report, the assailants stole the babies and ran to an unknown destination.

    “We have alerted our tactical team for investigations and the perpetrators will be brought to book,” he said.

    Narrating the incident to NAN, the victims’ eldest sister, Fumi, said it took place at a time their mother, Mrs Modupe Joseph, went to a mini market in the area to buy salt.

    She said, “Our mummy went to Etegwe-Tombia area of Yenagoa to buy salt to cook corn.

    “The four of us were left in the custody of one Aisha Ahmed at the motor park.

    “Suddenly, one man approached me and gave me N200 to buy food for my siblings but I refused and told him that we have already eaten,” she said.

    Modupe said that the man persisted and made her to collect the money and proceeded to buy the food.

    “Unfortuntely, before I could return, the man had carried my twin brothers away,” she said.

    She said that the assailant came in a black Sienna bus, which he parked nearby.

  • Dickson hails Muslims for sustaining peace in Bayelsa

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has commended the Muslim community for keeping the peace in the state.

    Dickson encouraged the Muslims living in different parts of the state especially in Yenagoa, the state capital, to remain law abiding and ensure harmonious and peaceful co-existence in their conducts.

    A statement signed by Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary, Francis Agbo, said the governor spoke in Yenagoa when members of the Islamic Affairs, led by its President, Alhaji Yakubu Otobo paid him a courtesy visit in Government House.

    The governor maintained Bayelsa remained home to all Nigerians regardless of their ethno-religious and political differences.

    He urged the people of the state to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by providing useful information on the activities of criminals insisting that it was the collective responsibility of everyone to promote peace and stability.

    Dickson observed that, there had not been any major incident of conflict involving the Muslims in the state and appealed to them to sustain the prevailing peace.

    Responding to their request for sponsorship to holy pilgrimage, the  explained that his government currently lacked the financial capacity to sponsor, both intending Christian and Muslim pilgrims to the holy lands.

    He, however, promised that in no distant time, the government would institute a policy to support churches, mosques, organizations and the private sector for their pilgrimages.

    Addressing the Muslims, he said: “I want to commend all of you; I want to say that, we are happy with the moslem community in this state. Let me commend all of you for the peaceful way you have been going about your activities so far. 

    “In this state, we have not had challenges; we have not had negative reports about the conduct of our moslem brothers and sisters and so you all deserve a round of applause. I want to request that you keep it that way.

    “The government of Bayelsa state is a government for all people. All Nigerians and all human beings, who live in Bayelsa state. In this state, I have said it over and over again that everybody who is here is a Bayelsan irrespective of where you come from and feel free to practice your religion and carry on with your business but you to respect and abide by the laws of this country and the laws of this state.

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    “I urge you to continue to work closely with our security leaders and they are on to listen to you to get information from you about activities of people who want to create problems in this peaceful state. 

    “Those from other places who may want to come here and hide under any guise to create any problem, we call on you, just as we call on all residents of Bayelsa to identify them; people whose mission and livelihoods are suspicious, let us know. The security agencies are there to work with you quietly to fish out any bad egg.

    “We want to work with all of you, with all leaders of state, both Christians as well as Muslims to ensure that the peace and stability that we have worked hard to establish continues to remain.” I want to use this opportunity to congratulate all of you for going through your religious obligation in the holy month of Ramadan.”

    Earlier in his remarks, the President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), Bayelsa State chapter, Alhaji Yakubu Otobo, commended Dickson for his visionary leadership and dogged commitment to the development of the state, especially in the areas of education, security, infrastructure and other key sectors of the economy.

    Otobo also expressed appreciation to the government on its policies and programmes, particularly as they affected non indigenes in Bayelsa, which he noted, gave them a sense of belonging, since the inception of his administration.

    He prayed God to grant Dickson and his team the wisdom, strength and goodwill to steer the ship of state to greater heights.

    He also solicited the state government’s assistance in the provision of a bus for the chapter, which the Governor granted.

  • Former Bayelsa governor’s aide docked over alleged rape

    Chief Richard Kpodo, a former Security Adviser to the former governor of Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva, was on Friday docked before a Magistrates’ Court in Yenagoa, for alleged rape.

    The accused was charged with unlawfully detaining one Teke Blessing on June 20 at Etegwe, Yenagoa,with an intention to defile her.

    He was also charged with raping the said Blessing on the same day.

    However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

    His counsel, Funilaifa Seibokuro, urged the court to grant the accused bail, which was opposed by the prosecuting counsel, Ayibatonye Jumbo.

    Seibokuro said that the offence for which Kpodo was arraigned was a bailable one, and assured that his client, a well-known politician, would be available to face trial.

    He also said that Kpodo had medical challenges and pleaded that he should be granted bail on self recognition.

    The prosecuting counsel, in opposing, said that if granted bail, the accused would interfere and influence the prosecution witness and, hence, jeopardise his trial.

    He also faulted the claim by the defence counsel that the accused had medical challenge as there was no medical report to support it.

    The court, presided over by Mrs E.T.M. Ere, adjourned the case until Aug. 10. for ruling on the bail application and ordered that the accused to be remanded in prison custody.

  • Bayelsa begins documentation of Dickson’s projects, policies

    Prior to the present administration of Governor Seriake Dickson in Bayelsa State, record keeping was not an integral part of governance. From the period of the late Governor Diepreye Alamiyeiseigha to the administration of Timipre Sylva, documentation of government activities was not given expected attention.

    It was difficult to have easy access to government’s information through the website and other researched documents. Even when it existed, the government’s website was empty. It lacked required contents.

    Therefore, it was a Herculean task to effectively track government’s projects, policies and programmes. It was also cumbersome for researchers especially students to compare achievements of various administrations in the state.

    But all that changed with the advent of Dickson’s administration. There have been more determined efforts to document and archive government’s policies, projects and programmes. The website of the state government is richer and more robust with lots of information on various arms of government and their activities. Even the public sector has been automated.

    To further deepen its commitment to ensure documentation of government activities, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson recently assembled a think-tank. He set up a special committee to carry out a comprehensive compilation of Dickson’s policies and projects from 2012 till date.

    It was a 14-man committee inaugurated at a brief ceremony in the Information House, Yenagoa. Iworiso-Markson gave the 14-member committee 60 days to complete its assignment. It was obvious from the membership of the committee that the ministry meant business.

    Dr. John Idumange was appointed to head the committee. Idumange, a lecturer and research expert is currently the Director-General, Programmes of Policies in the state. Other members of the committee are Mike Afenfia, Abigail Onekpe, Chris Odi, Marshall Edolo and Timipha Andrew. Others are Samuel Kikile, Wisdom Poyeri Maria ýOlode-Osume, Dr. Stephen Olali, Arc. Stella Raine and Barr. Amaemi Bekeyei-Alaki.

    Inaugurating the committee, Iworiso-Markson said the chronological compilation of the policies and projects would be produced and presented in different volumes and would serve as a guide for the incoming administration after inauguration.

    Iworiso-Markson who is also the chairman of the State Documentation Committee confirmed that part of the problem faced by government was the absence of a detailed working document from previous administrations. He said the administration of Dickson was desirous of correcting the malady.

    He maintained that with the number of projects embarked upon by the government and with various existing policies, it was only ideal to have a compendium that could also serve as an academic document for students of related and relevant field of studies.

    He urged members of the committee to painstakingly perform their duties adding that they would be remembered for their noble roles.

    He said: “This is one of the most important things that the ministry will be embarking upon. A number of you perhaps may not be aware that a lot have happened in our state in the last six years. We are getting to the finishing point. So, there is a need for us to begin to take stock.

    “Dickson is leaving behind a very significant legacy and for those of us who are privileged to serve in his government, we feel the need to chronicle the outstanding legacies of this administration in a book format and through a dedicated website to guide the next government.

    “It will also guide students of history and posterity. We have started a process of compiling some of the major achievements of this administration in a book titled ‘Finishing Strong’. It comes with a subtitle, ‘Footprints of Restoration’.

    “It will be the most complete account of restoration government developmental strides, the policies and achievements and the legacies. It will also feature photographs of all the projects with a clear narratives of projects embarked upon by this government.

    “If any one needed proofs that governor Dickson will be remembered as the greatest of all times, this book will provide the proofs. The government has been able to churn out policies and initiated projects that have helped to shape the course of government and put the state on a sound path for rapid growth.

    “The policies and projects cutting across various parts of the state are the foundations upon which the government has delivered key promises. Some of them have strong legal backing that will outlive this administration. It will serve as a future working document and also serve as an academic document for students of various areas of studies”.

    Addressing members of the committee, Iworiso-Markson said: “You have your job clearly cut out. You have been carefully selected because of your proven track record of service delivery. All of you are not strangers to the achievement of this government. So it is expected that you will do your best within the time frame.

    “It is important that we do what we are doing. This is not for us but successive government. We want a situation where it will not be difficult for the incoming administration to know the status of certain projects and the existence of some policies. So they can be guided properly as they settle down.

    “This government has done so much since inception. If we don’t have a record of what we have done, a lot of people will not know. So we are putting together this committee to do this tasking job and we believe at the end of the day they will do a good job”.

    Responding on behalf of other members Idumange assured that the the committee would deliver on its mandate. He said the initiative by the ministry was like putting all the achievements of the government in a brain box for future references.

    Idumange said: “Preserving the achievements is like putting them in brain box to serve as a deferent point as well enlighten the youths of tomorrow. If you go to the United State Library of Congress with a punch of a button, you can read all the speeches of JF Kennedy.

    “We shall work around it and ensure we deliver on our mandate. This is a task most administrations have failed to do. This is is going to be one of the most comprehensive documents that will preserve what has been done by this administration”.

    Also speaking, a member of the committee and Speechwriter to the governor, Mr. Michael Afenfia said the documentation would eliminate confusion in future about the achievements of the government.

    “There will be no confusion tow, three years from now, who did what and who started what during the restoration government. This initiative is laudable. The governor has done so much and it will be a shame if there is no document to highlight the projects and policies”, he said.

     

  • Bayelsa demands justice for victims of killings

    The Bayelsa State Government on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to ensure justice for victims of killings across the country especially those who lost their lives and properties in armed herdsmen’ attacks.

    The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said justice would ensure national integration, peace and curb other challenges facing the country.

    ‎Iworiso-Markson spoke in Yenagoa while delivering a keynote address at the 8th Executive Committee of the Supreme Council for Non-Indigenes (SCN) in the state and the investiture of the organisation’s patrons.

    He commended the leadership of SCN for its efforts in contributing to the social discourse to bring about development and peace.

    He said: “Justice is key to achieving, assuring and perpetuating peace in the country. When we seek peace and exclude justice from the picture we are just paying lip service to achieving peace.

    “To put it graphically, each time justice is missing in the foundation of our search for peace, it will be as if we place the cart before the horse. Certainly, we wont be able to achieve any serious movement towards our objective.

    “What is missing in the country today is justice. One precursor that will bring justice and ultimately guarantee peace is restructuring. The time has come to restructure the country in line with advance federation of the world.

    “I do not want to propose anything different from what our leaders in the South-South and our governors, especially my boss, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson have proposed.

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    “Suffice to say that President Muhamadu Buhari must quickly set machinery in motion to ensure that the issue of restructuring is addressed once and for all.

    “Incidentally, his party, the APC has also agreed that restructuring will be doing justice to every sector and region of our country. For the avoidance of doubt, the restructuring that the South-South envisaged will include fiscal federalism.

    “The issue of peace in the crisis-ridden North Central Nigeria where suspected Fulani Herdsmen have been accused of complicity in mass murder and expansionist tendencies, and myriad of other challenges facing the country could be resolved faster if everybody is served justice. Justice, to me, is one drug that cures all”.

    The commissioner said that Bayelsa State enjoyed sustained peace in the last six years because of the commitment of the government to ensure peace and social justice to all, regardless of creeds and tongues.

    ‎He said Dickson was conscious that lack of accountability, transparency and commitment to social welfare of the citizenry were also variants of injustice.

    He thanked the non-indigenes for their roles in boosting local economy ‎and living in peace with indigenes assuring them of a safer and more conducive environment for their businesses.

    ‎In his lecture titled, Peace-Building and National Integration in a Pluralistic Nigeria: the role of non-indigenes, The Guest Speaker, Raimi Lasisi said the threat to social integration came from persons, who provided incentives for violence, conflict and war in many parts of the country.

    He said: “Needless to say that when violent conflicts persist, the drums of disintegration become easily echoed in any society and this is particularly true of pluralistic or multiethnic countries like Nigeria.

    “Globally, there are several indicators that threaten peace and integration of nations. These indices all revolve around the balance of power issue which determines the level with which a nation lords over another especially for political, economic and social (ethnic and religious) reasons.

    “However, amongst the most pressing of these indicators that threaten peace building and social integration; negative ethnicity as well as religious extremism are the most vicious”.

    In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Special Adviser to the Governor on non-Indigenes, Alex Dumbo and the President, SCN, Alhaji Ade Bakare thanked the government for giving them a sense of belonging in the state.

    They said about nine non-indigenes in the state were serving as political appointees of the government, describing it as a clear indication of their acceptability by the government.