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Tag: Dickson

  • 2019: Dickson appoints five commissioners from Jonathan’s council

    2019: Dickson appoints five commissioners from Jonathan’s council

    Ahead of the 2019 general elections, Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has increased the number of commissioners in his cabinet from Ogbia, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Local Government Area, to five.

    Among the five nominees sworn-in yesterday by Dickson is Faith Opuene, who hails from Ogbia.

    Other nominees sworn in are Ebipatei Apaingolo and Funkazi Koroye-Crooks.

    They were all admitted to the cabinet yesterday.

    Other commissioners from Ogbia serving in Dickson’s cabinet are: Daniel Iworiso-Markson (Information and Orientation); Chief Saviour Ibegi(Chieftaincy and Community Development); Chief Fred Obua (Special Projects) and Chief Jim Ogbolo (Power).

    Inaugurating the new commissioners, Dickson assigned Mrs. Funkazi Koroye-Crooks to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment.

    The governor also said that the Ministry of Women and Social Development had been split into the Ministry of Women Development and the Ministry of Empowerment and Social Welfare.

    He said the Opene would be in charge of either of the two ministries, adding that a portfolio would later be assigned to Gabriel Apaingolo.

    He governor further inaugurated Prof. Rose Ezonbodor-Akwagbe as Special Adviser on Maternal and Neo-Natal Welfare.

    Iworiso-Markson commended Dickson for? appointing more Ogbia sons and daughters into his cabinet.

    He said the development was a demonstration of Dickson’s undiluted love for people of Jonathan’s local government.

    He appreciated the governor for the gesture, saying it further affirmed his commitment to the development of Ogbia as a whole.

    Iworiso-Markson further assured the governor that Ogbia would reciprocate the gesture by showing support and loyalty to the government.

  • 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.

     

  • 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 Timpreye Silva. 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 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 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.

     

  • Obasanjo pays tribute to Akunyili, praises Dickson

    Obasanjo pays tribute to Akunyili, praises Dickson

    NIGERIA’s former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday paid tributes to the late Prof. Dora Akunyili, for her contributions to the fight against counterfeit drugs in the country. Obasanjo spoke in Yenagoa at the commissioning of the Bayelsa State Drug Distribution Centre and other state -of-theart health facilities in Yenagoa. While commending Governor Dickson for investing in the health sector , Obasanjo said the vision of the governor was worthy of emulation.

    The former president also enrolled in the Bayelsa State Health Insurance Scheme, making him an honorary enrollee. According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Francis Ottah Agbo, the former President commissioned the Bayelsa State Specialist Hospital, Drug Distribution Center and the World-Class Diagnostic Centre. Other projects commissioned include, the Gloryland Drive at Igbogene, renamed as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Drive as well as unveiling of the Government House Heliport, which is now known as King AP Diete Spiff Heliport. Chief Obasanjo who took a facility tour of the health projects, said he was highly impressed by the level of commitment demonstrated by the governor in providing world-class health facilities and services to the citizenry.

    He also commended Governor Dickson for keying into the vision of the late Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Akunyili in the establishing the Drug Mart and Distribution Center, noting that the facility would assist in curbing the menace of fake drugs and drug abuse. In his remarks, Governor Dickson said, as part of his administration’s revolutionary intervention in the health sector, government decided to expand quality health services to accommodate the average Bayelsan. Acknowledging the contributions of late Prof Akunyili, Governor Dickson assured that, he would continue to identify with any worthy cause aimed at promoting the health of the people.

    According to him, the state government decided to name one of the halls of the Drug Mart and Distribution Center after Prof. Akunyili as part of efforts at immortalising her. In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu and Managing Director of the Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre, Prof. Ifiemu Nwariaku, noted that the facilities have started providing world-class services before their inauguration. According to them, the governor’s vision of turning Bayelsa to a health hub through medical tourism is being achieved as people from within and outside the state now patronise the facilities, which boastof cardiovascular, renal and stroke centres.

  • Okogie, Dickson laud FG as state police sparks fresh debate

    Okogie, Dickson laud FG as state police sparks fresh debate

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s latest call  for state police has sparked a fresh debate with veteran politician, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, branding the suggestion a threat to the nation’s democracy and unity.

    The Senate plans to discuss the desirability  of the proposal,according to Senate leader Ahmed  Lawan.

    Retired Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie,  and Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State are in support of the Vice President, while a   Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu warns against rushing into adopting the plan.

    A former President of the Ijaw National Council (INC), Prof. Kimse Okoko, said it will be an exercise in futility except other ingredients of restructuring are put in place.

    Contacted yesterday, Yakasai said the establishment of state police would destroy democracy in Nigeria and trigger anarchy.

    ”I have all along opposed this clamour for state police  because it is a threat to democracy. You have seen how state governors are abusing state electoral commissions. Tthey are killing democracy.”

    “From all indications and with the rate of unemployment in the country, state governors will recruit party thugs as state policemen so that they can dance to their whims and caprices. They will definitely use them against the opposition,” Yakasai said.

    Yakasai , a Second Republic Presidential Political Adviser  added: ”If Governor Ortom had state police, he would have directed them to kill Fulani herdsmen, not minding whether they are innocent or not.

    “You remember the Nnamdi Kanu saga in Abia—if there was a state police there, they would have taken instructions directly from Nnamdi  Kanu and not even the governor; and there would have been a serious problem in that part of the country.

    “Now, state electoral commissions are driving a nail to Nigeria’s democracy because state governors use them  to win elections for themselves. Now, when you bring state police, you are driving the  final nail into the coffin of Nigeria’s democracy.”

    Differing from Yakasai, Okogie said it is imperative for each  state to have its own police force to complement the efforts of the federal police.

    “The need for state police is long overdue, especially with the current state of insecurity in the country. If you look round, how many Nigerian policemen do you see?  he said.

    “You don’t see the federal police. This is why states should be allowed to have their own police force.  This will help in addressing security challenges we have in different parts of the country. I don’t know why our government is afraid of state police.

    “I don’t care if the  vice president’s statement  is a political gimmick or not. Whatever name they call it is not important. Do you think the security situation would be better when we enter election period? It would not.”

    Prominent Igbo leader and Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu, while admitting the importance of state police, warned that the country should not rush  into adopting  it.

    “They should not rush into it. If they do, they will create a lot of problems,” he told The Nation yesterday.

    “ Most of the states cannot pay salaries and if they cannot  pay salaries, how are they going to pay the state police?

    “I believe that state police is good, but how do you get the money? How do you get money to motivate them?

    “If you don’t motivate policemen, they will become criminals and that becomes worse. The problem we have with the police force today is that they are not well equipped and underfunded. They are overstretched.

    “If they are well funded, well equipped, they will rise to most of the challenges. If you have a police force that is not equipped, it doesn’t make sense.  Rushing into creating state police will create more problems in Nigeria.”

    Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State argued that the prevailing security situation and the need for an effective response to the current crime challenge have made it imperative for states to set up their police units.

    Dickson in a statement through  the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said that removing the police from the exclusive list and putting its operations under a more effective arrangement at the level of the state would put a stop to the widespread killings and crimes in the country.

    He explained that state police would be effective as the personnel would be drawn from the various states and would easily access valuable information required to track crimes and criminals.

    The governor added that the current federally controlled police had become overstretched due to wide ratio of the police to the rapid increase in population.

    A former President of the Ijaw National Council (INC), Prof. Kimse Okoko, said without factoring other ingredients of restructuring, establishing a state police would be an exercise in futility.

    Okoko, the immediate past Pro-Chancellor, University of Uyo,said: “State police alone without changing the constitution is a waste of time. We cannot do it in piecemeal. If we restructure, every state will have its own police side by side with the federal police as we have in other countries.

    “We have the Federal Police in the US and the state police. They all have their own jurisdictions.  The state police can ask for assistance from the federal. They can come only on invitation.

    “The constitution needs to be re-written. We need to have a new constitution where some of other aspects affiliated with the state will also be taken care of. Amending one part of it as the National Assembly is trying to do is not going to solve the problem.”

    Also speaking, the immediate past President, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, said though the state police have their value, they should be part of the general clamour for restructuring.

    Eradiri said: “In a true federal system, state police is one of the ingredients. Much as you cannot rule out politics, state police have its advantages. The state government can use the state police against perceived opposition. We have seen that the federal one is not working as it should be. I think it is time to try something different.

    “But taking out the state police as one ingredient of federalism will not make it a success except other aspects of federalism that have been canvassed are also put into consideration. When you are talking about state police, other issues of devolving power to the state and local government will also be put in place.”

    Senate Leader, Ahmed  Lawan said yesterday that the Green Chamber  will deliberate on the desirability  of state police.

    He spoke with State House journalists after observing juma’at service at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the senate is currently looking towards reviewing the country’s security architecture and will be open to any suggestion that will enable  it achieve the objective.

  • Jonathan’s monarch, kinsmen deny campaigning against Dickson

    A king in Bayelsa State, Dumaro Owaba, the Obanobhan III of Ogbia town in Ogbia Local Government Area, has said that his kingdom was not against the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson.

    Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan hails from Ogbia.

    The first-class monarch, who spoke at the weekend when Information and Orientation Commissioner Daniel Iworiso-Markson visited his palace, said persons making the insinuations were ignorant of the relationship between Ogbia and Dickson.

    King Owaba, who hailed the visit, noted that it is the first time a commissioner from his kingdom will visit his palace without official invitation.

    He stressed the need for unity by Ogbia people, enjoining leaders to stop making divisive statements.

    “They should work towards bringing the clan together.”

    The traditional ruler said the kingdom could produce another President, if leaders from the area put the interest of the kingdom first.

    He said: “We are not opposing any government. Anytime there is unity in this land, great leaders will emerge in Ogbia. The little time that Ogbia Brotherhood was organised after the death of Melford Okilo, we saw leaders emerge, including Goodluck Jonathan.

    “We should not fight because of political positions. We have one destiny. It is in working together that we can achieve development. The Ogbia man is not opposing the present administration because we know how the government came to power. The Ogbia people were behind him. Even if there are little differences, let us work to bring peace.”

    Owaba praised Dickson for earmarking N1 billion for repair of roads in the kingdom.

    He solicited the opening up of the hinterlands, especially Anyama.

    President of Ogbia Brotherhood Chief Benson Agadaga said there was no truth in the rumour that Ogbia people hated Dickson.

    He said the governor, who hails from Sagbama, holds a traditional chieftaincy title in the kingdom.

    “The relationship between the people of Ogbia and the governor is like the umbilical cord. The governor is a chief in Ogbia and we are proud of him. Dickson has given us appointments and has been working with us to put Bayelsa on the fast lane of development,” Agadaga said.

    Iworiso-Markson, who was described as a “round peg in a round hole” by the palace chiefs, said he was in the palace to familiarise himself with the people and the monarch.

    He added that part of the reason for the visit is to solicit Ogbia kingdom’s support for Dickson and his administration in his bid to bring development to the kingdom.

  • Dickson, Obaseki meet for peace, unity in Niger Delta

    Dickson, Obaseki meet for peace, unity in Niger Delta

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and his Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, met in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, at the weekend.

    They discussed regional security and economic integration for peace and unity in Niger Delta.

    A statement by Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary Mr. Francis Agbo said the governors met at the Government House, Yenagoa.

    The statement quoted Dickson as calling on Obaseki to mobilise resources in his state towards championing restructuring before 2019.

    Dickson said the report of All Progressives Congress (APC) on restructuring showed that all Nigerians, regardless of political and ethno-religious background, adopted a common position on restructuring.

    He said: “Edo State governor and I discussed a whole range of issues bordering on regional security and economic integration. Issues of peace and security are a necessary condition for development and building bridges of unity. We agreed that we need to do that more often and provide a conducive environment for investments to thrive.

    “The report of APC on restructuring shows that Nigerians, irrespective of political and religious differences, are convinced about the need to restructure and they have seen that restructuring has become a necessity.”

    Dickson hailed Obaseki for his developmental efforts, saying Bayelsa and Edo would work to ensure peace and stability.

    Describing Obaseki as a good friend and a brother, Dickson hoped the historic visit would herald subsequent meetings to discuss and promote mutual interests for the benefit of both states.

    Obaseki said the purpose of the visit was to dialogue with his Bayelsa counterpart on issues of security and strengthen bilateral economic relations.

    As chairman of Southsouth Governors’ Forum, he said Dickson had a role to play in the enthronement of peace and stability in the region and country.

    Obaseki said he would work with other stakeholders to take measures towards resuscitation of the BRACED Commission to harness economic opportunities in the region.

    He said: “I’m here today to discuss with the chairman of Southsouth Governors Forum on regional cooperation and other issues affecting our region, particularly economic, social and security matters.

    “I have received assurance from him that we will work as states within the region despite our political differences, and that in the next coming months we will undertake measures to further strengthen regional cooperation.

    “You know we have the BRACED Commission and we haven’t done too much with it. Working with him now, we will ensure that we resuscitate the commission and look for common understanding.

    “As regards the issue of the Edo Ijaw, we have invited His Excellency to visit and further enunciate the decisions we have taken today and to make all of them (the Ijaw), feel included in Edo State and be part of the economic growth, which we envisage will occur in the next few years.”

  • Youths hail Dickson for good governance

    Youths at the weekend trooped to the streets of Ogbia town in Ogbia Local Government of Bayelsa State to support the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson.

    They hailed him for good governance.

    Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan is from Ogbia Council.

    The youth and Jonathan’s kinsmen, who held pro-Dickson’s banners, extolled the leadership qualities of the governor and his desire to roll out developmental projects in the local government.

    They said they took the action to correct a false impression by enemies of Ogbia kingdom that Dickson had abandoned their council.

    Led by the newly-appointed Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youths, Mr. Osaanya B. Osaanya, the youth said Dickson had given Ogbia appointments and developed schools.

    They were also happy that the governor had earmarked N1 billion to tackle developmental challenges.

    The Nation learnt that the rally was almost sabotaged by the Caretaker Committee Chairperson of Ogbia, Naomi Ogoli, who pressed for the cancellation of the event.

    Youths suspected to be loyal to Ogoli, who was recently appointed a chairperson by Dickson, created tension and breached security at the Ogbia Brotherhood Hall, venue of the event. They were dispersed by security operatives.

    The march, which was peaceful, attracted governor’s appointees from the council, besides Ogoli. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Gabriel Okara, represented Dickson.

    Among Ogbia dignitaries in attendance were the Chairman of the Ogbia Restoration Caucus, Chief George Okirinya; Commissioner for Special Projects, Fred Obua; Commissioner for Community Development, Saviour Ibegi and Vice Chairman, Ogbia Local Government, Mr. Ebinyo Turner.

    The youth sang and praised the governor for his support to Jonathan and Ogbia kingdom.

    Osaanya said the solidarity mega rally was designed to thank Dickson for appointing more of their sons and daughters into key positions.

    He said the governor demonstrated his love for them by building model schools and devoting N1 billion to repair internal roads, including other projects.

    The aide assured Dickson that the youth would support his administration to reduce crime.

    Stressing that ýonly an atmosphere of peace would attract development, he urged youths to shun cultism and drug abuse.

    Osaanya asked them to avoid pipeline vandalism and other crimes, saying they should avail themselves of the opportunity in Dickson’s government by embracing empowerment schemes.

    He said: “We have come out today to appreciate Governor Dickson for what he has been doing for us. It is clear for us to see. Our resolve to thank him is hinged on the fact that he has done well and will still do more.

    “Not just in Ogbia, Dickson has in the last six years made Bayelsa a centre of attraction. He has built significant and legacy projects. We will give him more support and work to maintain peace in Ogbia kingdom.”

    Okara hailed the youth for organising themselves in a peaceful mannerý and for showing solidarity and support for the governor.

    He said the government loved Ogbia and would do more for the council.

    The Commissioner for Special Projects, Fred Obua and that of Chieftaincy and Community Development, Saviour Ibegi, advised youths to flee from agents of division and distraction.

    Information and Orientation Commissioner Danieýl Iworiso-Markson praised the youth for comporting themselves.

    He noted that the unity of Ogbia people was not negotiable and their support for Dickson would remain unshakable.

    Turner said better days were ahead for youths.

    A member representing Ogbia Constituency II in the House of Assembly, Munalayefa Gibson, described Dickson as a leader par excellence.

     

     

  • Let’s restructure before 2019 elections, says Dickson

    Let’s restructure before 2019 elections, says Dickson

    THE Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson has called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to ensure that the country is restructured before the 2019 general elections. Dickson said restructuring and other recommendations contained in the report released during the week by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) should be treated as a matter of urgent national importance.

    The governor charged the ruling party to convince the Nigerian people of its sincerity in fast tracking work on the report and ensuring that implementation takes off before the general elections. He however, called for a multi-party committee to be set up for the purpose of studying the report, with the view to engendering popular participation and fine tuning it to reflect a broader view.

    This, he said, must be done before a final submission to the National Assembly. Commending the leadership of the APC for coming up with the report, the governor said the recommendations contained in the document had further strengthened the agitations for true federalism and resource control in the Niger Delta. Urging the Federal Government to be sincere in the implementation of the recommendations, Dickson also enjoined other stakeholders to shed primordial considerations for the overriding interests of the country.

    He expressed optimism that restructuring Nigeria would go a long way in calming frayed nerves and violent agitations and would also strengthen the unity of the country. Among others, the APC committee report had recommended state ownership of onshore mineral resources including oil and state control of the police, prisons etc. According to Dickson said had emanated from “unexpected quarters”, having been produced by a committee headed by Governor Nasir el Rufai of Kaduna State.

    El Rufai had been one of the strident voices opposed to restructuring of the country. The Governor said the committee’s report addressed some fundamental issues that have been bothering the minds of patriotic Nigerians. Dickson said, “This development came from an unexpected quarters in a matter that is dear to us; the subject matter of restructuring to address the inequalities in our country. Yesterday, Governor El Rufai, who chaired the APC committee submitted the report; While it is true that we are dealing with a proposal, this is coming from an unexpected quarters, and in the light of the opposition to structuring from some leaders, I thought that what the APC did was unexpected.

    “Let me start by commending the committee and the leadership of that party for making what I will call the most fundamental proposal dealing with the issue of restructuring. “This is very refreshing, and for me, when I see what is right, I commend it; when I see what is in the best interest of our country, I commend it because my politics is driven by conviction and not by convenience. “With the kind of recommendations that they have made, I thought I should appreciate their patriotism and commitment to building an equitable and prosperous Nigeria”.

    He advised the the job of mobilising national consensus on the report should start in earnest, with active involvement of the National Assembly. “All of us need to mobilise national consensus to engage the National Assembly. So that we can drive all these issues before the next election. That is the test of sincerity”. On his part, the Governor said he would intensify consultations across party lines to work towards the actualisation of the desired implementation of the report. On the possibility or otherwise of meeting up with the 2019 general elections, Dickson insisted that it would not be too late to implement the report before the polls. According to him, this is possible because the APC controls majority in the national and state assemblies and that given genuine commitment on the part of everyone, there is hope for timely implementation.

  • Bayelsa won’t sack teachers, says Dickson 

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday assured residents that the government would not sack teachers.

    He said the government would rather train and retrain them for greater productivity.

    The governor spoke at the inauguration of the governing councils of Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama and College of Health Technology, Otuogidi, in Yenagoa.

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media Relations, Fidelis Soriwei, the governor, however, noted  that those with fake certificates or absentee teachers should be afraid.

    He enjoined the chairmen and members to engage only capable persons.

    Dickson stressed that unborn children, old men and retirees will no longer be in the payroll.

    He said the government would strengthen the infrastructure of tertiary institutions and enhance their revenue generating capacity.

    “You are self-accounting and self-governing, but we will give you grant as you have proposed. We expect you to sit down with your management and get only those workers you need to run effective courses and programmes. The only constant factor is the academic factor because they are academic institutions. You need more academic workers.

    “The former ways of opening gates of employment to everybody, including unborn children, people who stay in Lagos and are collecting money, people who are as old as 80 or more, who should have retired, have to stop. You have to save that money for your institution.

    “You must take decisions as a council. This year will witness a lot of training by cadres of public servants, especially teachers. Our policy is not to sack any teacher, unless they don’t go to work, unless they have fake certificates, or they have committed any act of misconduct.

    “Our policy from this year is to ensure teachers go through training and retraining. There is already a bill before the House of Assembly that will mandate certification for teachers in schools.”

    Dickson, who noted that courses at Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, has been accredited, said the government would work hard to get accreditation for programmes in its institutions.

    According to him, the college of education will be affiliated to NDU, and play a role in the training and retraining of teachers.

    The Chairman of Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Chief Thompson Okorotie and his College of Health Technology counterpart, Senator Rufus Inatimi-Spiff, thanked the governor.

    Okorotie hailed Dickson for his legacy in education, especially with the establishment of University of Africa, Ijaw National Academy and model secondary schools.

    Members of the Governing Council of Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education are Mrs. Mary Omuso, Dr. Gabriel Apaingolo, Mr. Ojo Magbisa, Ms. Ruby Itonyo, Mr. Gabriel Obonin and Dr. Tonye Ogiriki.

    Their counterparts in College of Health Technology are Dr. Isaac Oworodo, Mr. Oyinkuro Lagos, Ms. Bini Ayafa and Chief Okoko Stample Esau.