The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Daniel Alabrah

  • Dickson raises fresh security concerns ahead of polls

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, at the weekend alleged that some persons were playing politics with the security of the country ahead of the general elections.

    The governor insisted that there was a general concern about the state of law, order and security ahead of the forthcoming elections describing the signs as worrisome.

    A statement signed by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said Dickson spoke in Lagos after receiving the Silverbird Group’s Extraordinary Achievement Award.

    The governor said people expected fair play and hoped on agencies and institutions of state to have the ability of doing their jobs.

    He said: “On the elections, we have expectations and we also have concerns. Expectation that there should be fair play and fair exercise of public power and authority and that the agencies and institutions of state are able to do their job. That the people are not intimidated and harassed during the elections.

    “Let me however alert that the signs are not too good. There are people playing politics with security – what I call the politics of insecurity and the insecurity of politics. It is unfortunate that sometimes people don’t have the courage to do what is right. We have political leaders who don’t give the right directives.

    “We are concerned about the state of law, order and security during the elections. There is also the general concern about the impartiality of the electoral umpires and their agents.”

    Dickson noted that his administration ensured maintenance of peace in Bayelsa and created an environment for development of the state.

    Read Also: Dickson hails Buhari for IG’s appointment

    He said: “Silverbird is another wonderful Bayelsa brand. We are very proud of what our brothers in the Murray-Bruce family have done for our state, our country, Africa and the world.

    “The way the awards have been coming, I feel great that our sacrifice and modest efforts are being appreciated. Political office is all about service and making impactful changes in the lives of the people. So when one is appreciated, you draw encouragement from it.

    “We will continue to invest in the stability and security of our state. I assure Bayelsans that we will not stop working until the last minutes of our tenure. There is still a lot of work ahead.

    “We have built roads, hospitals, bridges, our children are on scholarship and no fewer than 120,000 Bayelsans have been captured under our health insurance scheme. No state in Nigeria has such a robust scheme. Indeed, there is a revolution going on in Bayelsa,” he said.

    Dickson described the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’ Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who presented  the award plaque to him as the president-in-waiting.

    On his part, Atiku lauded Dickson for building quality infrastructure in Bayelsa and for rendering wonderful service to his people and the country.

    He said: “I have been to Bayelsa where I saw world class university, world class roads and infrastructure. Therefore, this award is a befitting one. For those of you who have not been to Bayelsa, seeing is believing. Governor Dickson has rendered wonderful service to people of his state and Nigeria in general”.

    The Silverbird award is the fourth bestowed on Governor Dickson in the last one month. In January, he was decorated by the Daily Asset Newspapers (Governor of the Year), Daily Independent Newspapers (Man of Year) and The Sun Newspapers (Outstanding Politician of the Year).

     

  • Governor Dickson resolves Amassoma crisis

    …NDU to reopen soon

     

    The Bayelsa State Government, on Friday, took positive steps to resolve the crisis that engulfed Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    The State Governor, the Honourable Seriake Dickson, who held meetings with various stakeholders, including the leadership of the community and the Governing Council of the Niger Delta University (NDU), expressed regrets over the sad incident and assured that the government would pick the bills of the injured and the burial expenses of the victims.

    He said a formal delegation would also be sent to commiserate with the bereaved families while those detained by the police would be released, stressing that efforts were on to ensure the reopening of NDU to resume academic activities as soon as possible.

    He called on the people of the state to be wary of those he described as failed political leaders and desperate aspirants bent on fomenting crisis to destabilise the state.

    A press release by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said Governor Dickson, who was accompanied to the meeting with the Amassoma community by former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, described the incident as unfortunate, sad and avoidable and urged the people not to take the laws into their hands.

    He said the government would set up two separate committees to examine the immediate and remote causes of the disturbances as well as promote genuine reconciliation, peace and unity in Amassoma.

    Read Also: Bayelsa’s troubled university

    While noting that his administration had made unparalleled investments in the university, he decried the attitude of politicians who always capitalised on the institution as a vulnerable avenue to instigate crisis to blackmail the government.

    Governor Dickson urged Bayelsans to always guard against misinformation and propaganda peddled by such politicians whom he noted was envious of the present administration’s track record of achievements in the last six years.

    He maintained that Amassoma occupies a special place in his heart, which informed his administration’s decision not only to invest in the development of NDU but also siting of its single biggest investment, which is the N80 billion Bayelsa international airport project in the community.

    His words: “The NDU remains a state-owned university, completely funded by the government of Bayelsa State. And that is an institution where all Bayelsans have an equal stake.

    “With the investments we have made and continue to make, it is very clear that our plans for the NDU are good apart from the administration that took the step to set up the institution. We must commend them for their vision and foresight. There is no other government in Bayelsa State that has put in more resources, time and energy towards building a sustainable NDU than this government.

    “So I call on people to ignore the propaganda by failed political leaders in this state and desperate politicians who have nothing to show for their ambitions and for their plans; those who want to install their cronies.”

    In his remarks, Chief James Ibori expressed support to the reform agenda of the state governor and urged the people, especially Amassoma community, to rally round government to attract more development.

    In his presentation, the representative of the youth leadership of Amassoma, Mr. Simeon Ayogoi, condemned the action of the youths who attacked the police operatives drafted to maintain law and order in the community.

    He also took a swipe at the police for firing live bullets, describing the conduct as most unprofessional.

    The meeting, which observed a minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the crisis, had in attendance the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Benson, Head of Service, Rev. Thomas Zidafamor, chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council, King Alfred Diete Spiff.

    The Ebenanaowei of Ogboin Kingdom, King Oweipa Jones Ere, Amananaowei of Amassoma community, Major Graham Naingba (rtd), and other stakeholders represented the community.

    Earlier, the governor met with the NDU management team, including the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Steve Azaiki, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Edoumiekumo at the Government House, Yenagoa.

  • Dickson’s cup: Commissioner urges Bayelsa youths to be law abiding

    Mr Buruboyefe Perekiye, the Bayelsa Commissioner for Sports, has called on youths in the state to be law abiding, during on-going second edition of the Gov. Seriake Dickson’s Football Tourney.

    Perekiye gave the advice in a statement issued to newsmen on Saturday in Yenagoa, by Mr Daniel Alabrah, Media Director of the Tournament.

    The newsmen reports that the 2018 of the tournament tagged: “Restoration Cup” commenced on Friday at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa.

    The Commissioner called on all participating clubs to remain peaceful throughout the period of the competition to ensure its success.

    He also used the platform to enjoin them to remain law abiding, and take advantage of the numerous policies and programs of Dickson-led government.

    Mr Mablas Macaulay, a retired broadcaster from the state-owned radio FM, 97.1, told the newsmen that the competition was a good move to engage the Bayelsa youths meaningfully.

    “This is a way to catch them young for better use and for the betterment of the society. “It is a big game, at least N5 million for the winner is not a small money,’’ Macaulay said.

    The newsmen reports that in the kick-off game played on Friday, Agudama FC defeated Onopa Community FC 3-0.

    Junior Christopher, a striker of Agudama FC, scored the hat-trick, to secure a three nil victory for his team against the Onopa FC.

    Read Also: As Dickson tackles Bayelsa’s education challenges with new innovation

    He commended the governor on the competition, and urged the youths to remain focused.

    “I thank the governor for making the tournament come on board; I urge my fellow youths to remain focus for a better society,’’ he said.

    The newsmen also reports that the tournament has entries from 135 club sides across towns and communities of Bayelsa.

    Mr Ono Akpe, Director General of the competition, said that the winning team would get N5 million, N3 million for the second position, and N2 million for the third place position respectively.

    “Consolation prizes include, N500,000 for the fourth best team, N200,000 for the best behaved team, N100,000 each for the best goalkeeper, highest goal scorer, and of course, the most valuable player,” he added.

    NAN

  • Second edition of Dickson football tournament begins

    The Local Organizing Committee of the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament has commenced the second edition of the competition with official draws and distribution of jerseys.

    The tournament’s Media Director, Daniel Alabrah, in a statement, said the draws for the Restoration Cup earlier scheduled for April 19 would hold on April 18 at the Dr. Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre in Yenagoa.

    The Restoration Cup is a grassroots, community-based football competition to foster unity and peaceful coexistence among communities in the state.

    Alabrah said Governor Seriake Dickson, whom he described as a sports loving governor, is the special guest of honour while his Deputy Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) is the guest of honour.

    He named the chairman of the occasion as the Nigeria’s Confederation of African Football (CAF) committee member, Dr. Peter Singabele, and the chief host as the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Perekiye Buruboyefe.

    Dignitaries expected at the event are the Chief Executive Officer of Century Group, one of the major sponsors, Mr. Ken Etete, Executive Chairman, Bayelsa State Eco-Industrial City Limited, Arch. Amagbe Kentebe, corporate organisations such as Sterling Bank, A & K Construction, commissioners, local government caretaker committee chairmen, special advisers and other top government functionaries.

    He further said the secretaries and captains of all the registered community football teams in the state, sports journalists and officials of the Bayelsa Football Association would be in attendance.

    Others are members of the state referees association, coaches and football stakeholders.

    Alabrah said teams from no fewer than 100 communities in the state registered to participate in the tournament that would run for six weeks.

    The competition, he said would hold in 14 venues across the state.