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Tag: Bayelsa

  • Dickson: we are working hard to fix Bayelsa

    Dickson: we are working hard to fix Bayelsa

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has just celebrated his six years in office by commissioning some projects. At the ceremony, he also rekindled hope in the ability of the ‘Restoration Government’ to tackle the socio-economic and political challenges confronting the Southsouth state. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports.

    Expectations were high when Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson succeeded Chief Timpreye Silva in 2012. There was division in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The two camps worked at cross purpose. Residents groaned over the failure of infrastructure battle. Government made efforts, but they paled into insignificance. It is more expensive to construct roads in the coastal state than in other states. Health care centres were in poor state. Many children were not in school. Also, militants threatened the peace of the state.

    Dickson, a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, assumed the reins at a difficult period. He came with a message of hope, promising to preside over a ‘Government of Restoration.’ Despite the predictable political distractions, the governor, according to observers, has made a difference in the last six years. But, in Bayelsa, it is not yet Uhuru.

    There appears to be a paradigm shift in governance in Bayelsa State. Dickson’s revolution in education, health, infrastructural development and agriculture is tending the tide of poverty and changing the fortune of the state. Oil-rich Bayelsa, despite its natural endowment, has been on the fringe of development for too long. But, a new foundation of progress is being laid by the former policeman, lawyer and one-time member of the House of Representatives. Dickson said he is working hard to fit the state.

    The governor’s policies, programmes and achievements may cast him in the mould of “a lone PDP progressive governor.” His implementation of free education programme, his welfare policies for labour, his style of fighting the infrastructure battle and his sense of probity and accountability mirror his antecedent as a member of the now distressed Alliance for Democracy (AD), which he served diligently as legal adviser, and his emotional attachment to the progressive creed.

    To mark the six years of the ‘Restoration Government,’ Dickson invited former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the commissioning of some laudable projects. They include the Bayelsa Specialist Hospital at the Government House, the Drug Mart along Hospital Road, the Diagnostic Centre at Imgbi Road, and the ‘Glory Land Drive,’-all in Yenagoa, the state capital;  a dual carriage way with bridges and street lights at Igbogene, the state capital; and the Bayelsa Aquaculture Village at Yenegwe. In September last year, the Bayelsa Specialist Hospital carried out a historic vascular recanalization surgery and other complex corrective heart surgeries. Dickson explained that the workers deserved the hospital because health is wealth. Other innovative steps include the Health Insurance Scheme, the establishment of the  pharmaceutical centre.

    The 500 Pond Yenegwe Fish Farm has 5,000 tons of fish. It provides 1,000 direct and indirect jobs for youths; 3,000 tons of fish are to be exported annually. It has a mechanized fish drywer with drying capacity of 500 fish daily.

    At the ceremonies were former Minister of Water Resources and deputy governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Mukthar Shagari, former Minister of Information Labaran Maku, Bayelsa State Deputy Governor John Jonah, House of Assembly Spaker Konbowei Benson, PDP chieftains, traditional rulers, youths and women groups.

    Excited at the performance of the governor, Obasanjo said: “Dickson has performed. The difference between what I saw here 12 years ago and now is the difference between day and night. Your governor knows where he is going to. Out of 100 percent, if you can get 60 percent plus, it is okay. Bayelsa is comparatively secured.”

    Like the defunct Unity Party  of Nigeria (UPN) governors of the Southwest, Dickson has blazed the trail in education in Bayelsa through his free education programme. Students now attend public schools free of charge from primary to the university. The administration has committed N70 billion to the construction and supply of learning facilities to schools. Twenty five constituency boarding schools have been established. Scholarship and grants are available to indigent students to stud abroad. A beneficiary of the scholarship even came top in the final examinations for his set at Lincoln University, United States. The investment in education has yielded dividends for the state, which has started recording improved performance in the secondary school certificate examinations. The schools are also well equipped to foster a conducive atmosphere for learning. A good example is the Ijaw National Academy, Kiama. Its students were drawn fom Ijaw-speaking states of Bayelsa, Edo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, and Delta. “This is a breeding place for future businessmen, scientists, inventors and technologists,” said Dickson, who said over 1,000 students of the school are on government scholarship.

    The baseline for the educational development was the signing into law of the Education Development Trust Fund Bill, which provides that 10 per cent of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and one percent of all contracts funds should be committed to the scheme.

    The Commissioner for Education, Jonathan Obuebite, said government has decided to use education to fight the ills of the society. The principal of the academy, Charles Johnson, said education will secure a good future for the youths of Bayelsa, urging students to utilise the opportunities. “Education is your future and the government has determined that you should have the opportunities. You should think as the future leaders of Bayelsa and Nigeria,” he told the students.

    Echoing him, Obasanjo, who described Dickson as a man of vision, said: “There can be no development without education. After food and health, the next important thing is education.

    In the last six years, Bayelsa has bidden farewell to business as usual. Accountability has become the watchword. The governor renders account regularly to stakeholders. There is no room for sharing money in Government House. Countryman Governor Dickson has not permitted opulence in the corridor of power. Gone are the days of kleptocracy. Through financial discipline, transparency and the blockage of loopholes, the resources available are channeled to development.

    Describing the governor as a reformer, Information and Orientation Commissioner Daniel Iworiso-Markson said his style of governance is antithetical to politics of waste and brigandage. Peeping into the future, he predicted that Dikson will finish well and strong. “The future is assured through strategic planning, innovative ideas and far-reaching human capital development. This is designed to create a quantum jump in socio-economic narrative of the state in due course. It will not be long, but it will have a lasting impact,” he added.

    To achieve rural-urban integration, roads have been constructed to link remote communities with urban centres. The most significant road is the Sagbama/ Ekeremor road project, which was conceived 40 years ago. Joy was bold on the faces of residents when the project became a reality. Other projects include the Yenagoa-Ekeremor-Agge Road, covering a distance of 110 kilometers, the Yenagoa-Ogbia-Nembe-Brass Road and the Yenagoa-Oporoma-KoluamaRoad designed to open up the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District. Others are the dualised Diete Spiff Road, Azikoro Road, Eradiri Road, Amassoma/Tombia Road, Hero’s Park Access Road, dulaised Hospital Road, Ovom, the access road to Igbogene, the Restoration Flyover, Ogbia Nember Road, Bayelsa Palm Road, Swali/Oxbow-Lake Road, dualised Road Safety Road, Swali Roundabout, Toru-Orua Angalabiri Road, Toru-Ebeni/Ogobiri Road, dualised Water Board Road, Deeper Life Road and Justice Tabai Road.

    Dickson has also constructed a super, ultra moden Government House in Yenagoa. Efforts are also being intensified on the Bayelsa International Cargo Airport. The contractor is ‘Dantata and Sawoe.’ It has a runway of 3.5 kilometers and 800 metres width. It is designed to boost the oil and agricultural potentials of the state. It is expected to be completed in May or June.

    The ‘Operation Doo Akpo’ has contributed immensely to security in the state. There is a five minute-distress response time anywhere within Yenagoa.As a result of government investment in security, Bayelsa is adjudged one of the safest and peaceful states.

    Despite being an oil-producing state, Dickson is looking at Bayelsa beyond oil. To diversify the economy of the state, agriculture has become a priority. Rice production is being promoted by government. The state has 4,000 hectares of rice farm at Peremabiri; 5,000 hectares at Isampor and 2,000 hectares at Kolo. The administration has partnered with Ostertrade Engineering and Manufacturing, KFT/DPP International APS, a Hungarian/Danish consortium, to establish a cassava starch processing plant with a capacity to produce 600 tons of industrial starch per annum and an out growers scheme of 600 hectares cassava farm. There is a seed multiplication farm on a 40 hectares land at Ebedbiri for the cassava farm. Also, Bayelsahas a palm plantation of 1,200 hectares, which could be expanded to 2, 000 hectares at its current location.

     

  • Gunmen abduct APC stalwart in Bayelsa

    Gunmen abduct APC stalwart in Bayelsa

    Gunmen have kidnapped a stalwart of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Mr. Robert Desmond.

    The victim, a supporter of ex-Governor Timipre Sylva in Brass Local Government, is said to be the leader of an APC campaign group, called the New Face.

    He was reportedly taken to an unknown place last Saturday after a social gathering at Nembe Local Government.

    The Nation learnt that the incident caused confusion, as APC members expressed fears over the life of the victim.

    Police spokesman Asinim Butswat confirmed the abduction.

    He said: “We are investigating the incident.”

    The Caretaker Chairman of Brass Local Government, Mr. Victor Isaiah, condemned the kidnap.

    He implored security agencies to ensure the release of the victim.

  • Send your child to school or risk jail term, Bayelsa Govt. tells parents

    Send your child to school or risk jail term, Bayelsa Govt. tells parents

    The Bayelsa State Government, on Thursday, said it would arrest and prosecute parents, who refused to send their children to school to acquire formal education.

    The order was issued following the signing into law of the Compulsory Primary and Secondary Education Bill by the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

    Speaking after the 89th State Executive Council (SEC) meeting‎, the Commissioner for Education, Jonathan Obuebite, said the new law prescribed that every child of school age must be enrolled into the various model schools of the government.

    Obuebite maintained‎ that any child caught loitering or hawking on the streets during school hours would be picked up while their parents or guardians would be dealt with as provided in the new law.

    He explained that the move was to underscore the‎ importance the government attached to education, adding that it would ensure full utilisation of the huge investment made in the sector.

    He said: “We have spent over N70bn building and equipping our schools. Today we have quality infrastructure and facilities across our schools in every local government area. We feel it is important to have this law to protect that investment.

    “The law will be fully implemented. We want to thank His Excellency for his assent and members of the assembly for passing it into law. Clearly the law is to demonstrate our commitment to education in the state”.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu‎ said the council expressed delight with the bill establishing the School of Midwifery which was also signed ‎into law by Dickson.

    He said the law would further boost primary healthcare delivery in the state adding that the new Primary Healthcare Development Board would be given the responsibility of coordinating and managing all health facilities built in every community.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Tourism Development, Ebiere Irene Musa noted that with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bristow Helicopters, shuttle services for the company’s seaplane from Yenagoa to other states in the Niger Delta as well as Lagos and Abuja had commenced.

    “We have brought our tourism potentials out ‎to the world. Just after the commissioning of the magnificent Grand Pavillion and Boat Club, Oxbow lake, we have today signed an MoU with Bristow helicopter. So it is a thing of joy that from Oxbow lake you can connect Lagos, Abuja and other states in this region”.

    The Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Kuroakegha Dorgu‎, further explained that the council resolved to acquire the land opposite the Grand Pavillion in Oxbow lake to expand the tourism site.

    He said fishing, farming, dredging and other related commercial activities had been banned to allow for smooth tourist operations in the area.

    Also, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said henceforth any community not receptive to some projects risked losing such development in their domain.

    Iworiso-Markson said the council frowned on the attitude of indigenes of some community who were always preventing the presence of meaningful development in their area because of their selfish purpose.

  • Education fund hits N800m in Bayelsa

    Bayelsa State Education Trust Fund (BSETF) has recorded N800 million contributions from workers, government officials and others within 10 months.

    Governor Seriake Dickson, on March 31, 2017, signed the BSETF and Higher Education Student Loan bills into law.

    BSETF makes it compulsory for workers, including contractors and civil servants, to pay education levies.

    Dickson inaugurated a board to administer the fund and appointed a famous educationist, Prof. Turner Isoun, as its chairman.

    Isoun, yesterday, while submitting its 2017 annual report  to the governor, said between March and December, the fund received N800 million from taxable stakeholders.

    Of the receipt, he said N300 million was spent, leaving a balance of N500 million.

    The governor urged the private sector, particularly corporate organisations and individuals, to contribute to the fund, to enable indigent children enjoy free and qualitative education.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Francis Ottah Agbo, quoted Dickson as saying that the programme was targeted at delivering “the democratisation of knowledge.”

    He advised people to take over ownership of the programme, saying the fund would strengthen education to increase the literacy level.

    Dickson hailed the chairman and members of the board for prudent management of the funds.

    He directed the board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Orientation, as well as the Education Ministry to create awareness for people to identify with the policy.

    The governor said: “I call on our people to own this programme, which is for your benefit. It will deepen education and deliver what I always call democratisation of knowledge, where we are taking children from the underprivileged circumstances and backgrounds and putting them in boarding secondary schools, taking responsibility for their feeding, clothing, books and everything.

    “We are doing this now and the schools are in the local governments. We are still working on more. I enjoin the board to increase their enlightenment.

    “I want to direct the commissioner for Education and Ministry of Information to work with the board, to increase awareness on behalf of the people about the benefits of this programme and then, most importantly, about their duties.

    “I also want to take this opportunity to call on the private sector, especially the international oil companies that have been making billions of dollars on this soil without giving much back. I call for collaboration.

  • Education Trust Fund hits N800m in Bayelsa

    Education Trust Fund hits N800m in Bayelsa

    The Bayelsa State Education Trust Fund (BSETF) has recorded N800m contributions from workers, government officials and other categories of persons within ten months.

    The state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, on March 31, 2017, signed the BSETF and the state Higher Education Student Loan bills passed by the state House of Assembly into law.

    The BSETF makes it compulsory for different categories of workers including contractors and civil servants in the state to pay education levies.

    Dickson inaugurated a board to administer the fund and appointed a famous educationist, Prof. Turner Isoun, as its Chairman.

    Isoun yesterday while submitting the 2017 Annual Report of the fund to the governor in Government House, Yenagoa, said between March and December, the trust fund received N800m from taxable stakeholders.

    Out of the total receipt, he said N300m was expended leaving a balance of N500m.

    Dickson urged the private sector, particularly corporate organisations and individuals to make contributions to the trust fund, to enable indigent children acquire free and qualitative education.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Francis Ottah Agbo, quoted Dickson as saying that the programme was targeted at delivering “the democratisation of knowledge” in the state.

    He called on the people of the state to take ownership of the education programme and explained that the Fund was aimed at strengthening education to increase the literacy level in the state.

    Dickson commended the Chairman and members of the board for the prudent management of the funds.

    He directed the board in collaboration with the Ministries of Information and Orientation as well as Education in creating the needed awareness for people to identity with the education policy.

  • FRSC @30: Security agencies hail Corps for reducing road crashes

    FRSC @30: Security agencies hail Corps for reducing road crashes

    Some security agencies have lauded the contributions of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC to nation building, saying its operations in the past 30 years were significant in reducing road crashes.

    They made the commendation in Yenagoa on the occasion of the FRSC Anniversary Evening with Stakeholders, tagged, “FRSC at 30: The Journey So far”.

    AVM Stephen Onuh, Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Bayelsa Mobility Command of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), commended the roles of FRSC in the past 30 years and urged the Corps to `keep the flag flying’.

    Onuh, represented by Air Commodore Wale Ogunmedede, Command Logistics Officer, described the contributions of the FRSC as `giant strides’ in national growth.

    “Looking at the history of the FRSC, you will see that road traffic crashes have reduced drastically; in the 80’s, people drove without license but with the effectiveness of the Corps since inception, people became conscious of rules on the use of roads,” Onuh said.

    Brig.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, Commander 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Bayelsa, said the FRSC contributions, especially in safeguarding lives and property on the roads, could not be over-emphasised.

    Aligbe, represented by Lieutenant- Col. Olusegun Olenigbogbe, described safety on the road as `Safety to Mankind’ and commended the FRSC on its achievements, so far.

    “The enforcement of safety rules and regulations for road users has been so significant to the society.

    “We as the Military, will continue to support the operations of the Corps so that the nation’s roads become completely safe for road users,” he said.

    Mr Don Awunah, the Police Commissioner in Bayelsa, pledged the support of the police to the activities of the FRSC in Bayelsa and Nigeria to enable it achieve more success.

    Awunah said the Police would continue to collaborate with the Corps in the enforcement of driving rules and regulations.

    Mr Godwin Nwachukwu, the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Bayelsa, said that FRSC had been very crucial in maintaining peace, order and tranquility, especially safety on the roads.

    The FRSC’s Sector Commander in the state, Mr Ikechukwu Igwe, noted that the journey so far in the past 30 years, yielded momentous results in the reduction of road crashes.

    Igwe expressed gratitude over the achievements recorded and reiterated their commitment to ensuring safety of lives on the highways.

    “In the 60’s, we recorded high rate of crashes till 90’s and early 2000, but with the efficient operations of the Corps, road traffic crashes have reduced across the country,” he said.

     

  • NSCDC personnel allegedly shot vigilance team member in Bayelsa

    NSCDC personnel allegedly shot vigilance team member in Bayelsa

    A team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) has allegedly shot a Neighborhood Watch member in Ikarama, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

    The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

    The NSCDC team had arrested a woman in place of her suspected husband and an argument with the local vigilance group led to the shooting.

    Mr Ben Warder,a youth leader in the area alleged that the victim, Perekurofa Odoyibo, was shot twice in the arm and leg by the Civil Defence men whom had taken custody of the lady when the husband was not available.

    “The local vigilance team noticed the NSCDC van at about 3 a.m. and was trying to find out why they had to take away a woman who has children, for an offence supposedly committed by her husband.

    “They shot one of the vigilance team members and sped off with the woman they had arrested.

    “They came from the oilfield in Ikarama operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company, and that is why the youths mobilised and blocked the road to the Okordia manifold.

    “So, this morning, the youths mobilised to protest the use of security men to molest oil communities, this is because we learnt that the arrest is linked to an oil spill incident,” the youth leader said.

    Our correspondent who visited the Ikarama oilfields reports that youths from the area had commenced a protest and barricaded the access road to the manifold chanting solidarity songs.

    The wife to the victim, Rebacca Odoyibo, regretted that her husband was shot and left in a pool of his own blood and had been in pains for hours.

    Odoyibo said that the incident had thrown his entire family and dependants into confusion.

    However, Mr Orukari Udoji, whose wife, Deborah, was taken away by the NSCDC personnel, told NAN that he was out in the forests for his timber lumbering work when they stormed his residence and took away his wife.

    “I am at a loss as to what to do because I do not even have an idea of where they took her to, and as we speak I don’t even have money to pay transport to go and search for her.

    “Everybody in this community knows that I do timber work and at the time they came I was in the bush working and they claimed that there was an oil spill in the bush near where I felled some timber,” he said.

    Mr Godwin Nwachukwu, Bayelsa Commandant of the NSCDC, told NAN on telephone that he had received a report of the incident and immediately assigned his men to find out ‘what exactly happened’.

    “As we speak, the matter is being investigated, the preliminary investigation will guide us on the next step to take,” Nwachukwu said.

    NAN

  • Ondo, Rivers, Bayelsa paid highest motorcycles fair in January – NBS

    Ondo, Rivers, Bayelsa paid highest motorcycles fair in January – NBS

    The National Bureau of Statistics ( NBS ) says residents of Ondo State, Rivers and Bayelsa paid the highest per drop fares to commercial motorcycles, popularly known as ‘Okada’, in January.

    The NBS made the disclosure in its “Transport Fare Watch” report for January 2018 posted on its website.

    According to the report, residents of Ondo State paid N200.76 per drop, Rivers paid N200.12, while Bayelsa residents paid N193.75 per drop fares in the period.

    The report stated that states with the lowest journey fares by commercial motorcycle per drop were Bauchi, N65.00, Jigawa, N68.82 and Katsina N70.00.

    It said that the average fare paid by commuters for journey by commercial motorcycle per drop increased by 6.97 per cent month-on-month.

    It also said that the average fare paid by commuters for journeys in the month increased by 27.37 per cent year-on-year to N120.01 in January 2018 from N112.19 in December 2017.

    The report covers the following categories – bus journey within the city per drop, constant route and bus journey intercity.

    It also covered air fare charge for specified routes single journey, journey by motorcycle (Okada) per drop and water way passenger transport.

    The bureau said that average fare paid by commuters for bus journey within the city increased by 7.31 per cent month-on-month and 49.69 per cent year-on-year.

    It indicated that the fares increased to N183.86 in January 2018 from N171.34 in December 2017.

    It stated that states with the highest bus journey fares within city were Abuja FCT, (N380), Cross River (N303.57) and Abia (N250.00).

    It also reported that states with the lowest bus journey fares within city were Bauchi (N96.67), Anambra (N112.67) and Borno (N120.00).

    According to the report, average fare paid by commuters for intercity bus journey increased by 10.11 per cent month-on-month and 32.09 per cent year-on-year.

    This, it said increased to N1, 889.69 in January 2018 from N1,716.26 in December 2017.

    The report said that states with highest intercity bus journey fares were Abuja FCT (N5,625.00), Adamawa (N3,358.57) and Borno (N3,000.00), while the lowest were Yobe (N1,150.00), Bayelsa (N1,122.73) and Katsina (N1,114.29).

    The average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes single journey decreased by 0.99 per cent month-on- month and increased to 7.34 per cent year-on-year to N33,055.01 in January 2018 from N33,386.09 in December 2017.

    States with the highest air fares were Abuja FCT (N49,000.00), Edo (N41,000.00) and Lagos (N40,500.00), while states with the lowest air fares were Osun (N25,714.89), Taraba (N26,000.00) and Nasarawa (N26,000.00).

    The report indicated that average fare paid by passengers for water way passenger transport increased by 1.03 per cent month-on-month and 7.65 per cent year-on-year to N638.04 in January 2018 from N631.55 in December 2017.

    It stated that states with highest fare by water way passenger transport were Bayelsa (N1,962.50), Rivers (N2,100.00) and Cross Rivers (N1,877.78).

    The report indicated that states with lowest fare by water way passenger transport were Abuja FCT (N250.00), Gombe (N180.00) and Borno with passengers paying N152.00.

    NAN

  • Obasanjo: I’ll be visiting Bayelsa regularly for medical check-ups

    Obasanjo: I’ll be visiting Bayelsa regularly for medical check-ups

    •Ex-President hails Dickson’s investments in healthcare
    •‘Nigeria won’t have peace without reconciliation’

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has hailed the huge investments by Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson at ensuring quality healthcare delivery, saying the state will soon turn into a medical tourism hub.

    Obasanjo, who spoke  when a command performance was held in his honour at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, said he would henceforth visit the state regularly to have his medical check-ups.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Francis Ottah Agbo, said the former president during his three-day visit to Bayelsa State, commissioned several legacy projects, including the World-Class Diagnostic Centre, Bayelsa State Specialist Hospital, the Bayelsa State Drug Distribution  Centre in Yenagoa and the Aquaculture Village in Igbogene.

    He also interacted with students of the flagship free Model Boarding School, Ijaw National Academy, Kaima as well as enrolling in the state Health Insurance Scheme, thereby becoming honorary enrollee of the scheme.

    The former President, noted with satisfaction, the level of development that has transformed the state, especially in the area of education, health, infrastructure, tourism among others, stressing that he would testify what he has seen to the world.

    According to him, Dickson’s placement of education at the top of his administration’s agenda was a means to eradicate poverty, curb insecurity and create jobs for the youths.

    He called on investors within and outside the country to take advantage of the prevailing security, peace and stability in the state.

    Obasanjo lauded Dickson for recognising and honouring past and serving leaders of the state for their immense contributions to the state’s growth.

    The former President described Dickson as an emerging statesman and a transformational  leader, stressing that anybody who wanted to see transformation should come to Dickson’s Bayelsa.

    Also yesterday, Obasanjo warned that peace would continue to elude Nigeria, if the people failed to preach, teach and practise genuine reconciliation.

    He noted that the peace arising from reconciliation would ensure economic growth and bring an end to poverty.

    Obasanjo spoke at the St. Stephen Anglican Church, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, where he worshipped with former President Goodluck Jonathan and his family.

    The former President was accompanied to the church in Jonathan’s hometown by Dickson and his entourage.

    Jonathan’s wife Patience; his mother Eunice; the King of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diette-Spiff; the President of Azikel Group, Dr. Azibapu Eruani; traditional rulers and other dignitaries also attended the service.

    Dressed in black Ijaw attire with silver studs, Obasanjo was entertained by church children, who performed a dance drama to highlight the importance of the country’s unity in diversity.

    Also, the Bishop of the Otuoke Diocese, Rt. Rev. James Oruwari, in his homily, which centered on reconciliation, said reconciliation would save the country from political tribulation and bring about peace and harmony.

    Reacting to the sermon and the children’s performance, Obasanjo said: “What touched me most in this short gathering is the children coming forward and singing the welcome song and dressing in the attire of different cultures, different tribes and different linguistic groups in Nigeria. For me, that underlines the homily you gave to us on reconciliation.

    “Country like Nigeria, unless we preach, teach and practise reconciliation, then we will not have peace. And unless we have peace, we will not have development. And unless we have development, we will not have growth and if we do not have growth, we will not come out of poverty.

    Obasanjo kicked against the popular saying that “history repeats itself”.

    “History doesn’t repeat itself. We human beings do not learn from history. When we do not learn from history, we say history repeats itself and when you continue to make the same mistake and saying history repeats itself, you are the one making mistakes,” he said.

    The former president, who sang his favourite hymn with the choir, urged the people not to toy with their freedom, adding that only persons who failed to appreciate the value of freedom would play with it.

    Jonathan said the performance by the children had sent a message that the country is one.

    He, however, lamented that media messages, especially the social media contents, portrayed the country as sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

    He described Obasanjo’s visit to his hometown as unique and thanked Dickson for ensuring that the former President was in Otuoke twice to see him during his (Obasanjo’s) three-day working visit.

    Dickson thanked Obasanjo for being generous with his time, adding that the former President meant a lot to them.

     

  • Obasanjo inaugurates Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre

    Obasanjo inaugurates Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre

    Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, commended Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa for embarking on projects that would improve the overall development of the state and the people.

    Obasanjo gave the commendation while inaugurating newly built Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre.

    He said the centre was built according to international standard and would assist in improving health care delivery to the people.

    He added that “20 years ago when I came to Bayelsa for campaign, there was no space to gather people, but today, there is great difference.

    “Yes, for full development to take place in Bayelsa, there must be accessibility in terms of transportation, communication and health care delivery.

    “I must tell you, for six hours I am here, I have seen something to convince me that Bayelsa is already in transformation stage.

    “The health facility here is second to none.”

    Earlier, Gov. Dickson said the diagnostic centre was part of his promises to the people of Bayelsa.

    Dickson reiterated his administration’s readiness to continue to work to uplift the healthcare delivery in the state.

    He said the uncompleted 500-bed hospital initiated by previous administration would be given a face lift in the next fiscal year.

    “We will complete the project before the end of my tenure,’’ he assured.

    The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ebitimitulah Etebu, said the centre was capable of taking care of the diagnostic needs of people in the state.

    He added that “the diagnostic centre would handle screening of blood, radiology and the result transmitted electronically to international partners in America.”

    NAN