Tag: Diri

The  governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has created two new ministries: the Ministry of Blue Economy and the Ministry of Special Duties on Non-Indigene Affairs, bringing the total number of commissioners in his second-term cabinet to 29.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony, the governor noted that the decision to upgrade the Non-Indigene Office from that of Special Adviser to a full-fledged ministry was in fulfillment of his campaign promise and the need to promote national integration.

It was learned that the Commissioner for Special Duties on General Services, Mazi Onuma Johnson, before his appointment, served as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Non-Indigene Affairs, overseeing the four major blocks of Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and South-South peoples.

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While allocating the various offices to the 15 newly sworn-in commissioners, Senator Diri reassigned the Commissioner for Special Duties (East), Preye Brodrick, to the Ministry of Transport, while Mr. Mandy Akpalo was assigned to the Ministry of Special Duties (Central).

Hon. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, who was earlier assigned the Labour, Employment and Productivity portfolio, is now the Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, while Chief Saturday Omiloli is to oversee the Labour Ministry.

Hon. Alfred Belemote was assigned to the Ministry of Community Development, Chief Thompson Amule retained his portfolio as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, while Mr. Alla John is to lead the Ministry of Tourism Development.

Bayelsa state governor, Douye Diri, has dedicated his victory at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to the people of the state, saying it will spur him to serve the state better in his second term.

The tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Monday, May 27, affirmed the re-election of Diri in the November 11, 2023, election in the state and dismissed the petition filed by Chief Timipre Sylva and the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the grounds of lacking merit.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the judgment was delivered by the Justice Adekunle Adeleye-led three-member tribunal, Governor Diri said the petition was a “needless distraction.”

In a statement by his chief press secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor noted that by the judgment, the judiciary had again proved that it remains the last hope for the common man.

He said: “Once again, l use this opportunity to thank my people of Bayelsa State who graciously and freely gave me this mandate. lt is actually not my victory but it is for the people of Bayelsa.

“As l always pledge, our administration is people-focused and people-oriented. So this will again give us a better latitude to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. “

Describing the judgement as very sound and one of the best that had been delivered in such election petition matters, he said there was still hope for the country.

Diri said: “Matters like these are mere distractions in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, particularly against the backdrop that we had an election that was adjudged to be one of the freest and the fairest.

“And yet we have been distracted over this period. I want to let Bayelsa people know that we are still for you and will continue to work for you and walk with you until the final day of our administration.”

Diri expressed appreciation to his legal team for its commitment and passion and to all those who worked hard towards securing a sound judgment.

Responding to a question if he was disposed to working with his political opponents, the governor stressed that his administration would work with only those who have had a change of heart and were interested in collaborating with his government in bringing meaningful development to the state.

He emphasized that the days of rigging of elections were over.

“The days where you threaten your own people, chase them out of their own land, intimidate them, and go and write results are over. So if they change from those ways, l will work with them,” he said.

In its unanimous decision, the tribunal held that the petitioners failed to adduce any credible evidence to substantiate any of the allegations they raised against the outcome of the Bayelsa governorship poll.

It struck out as incompetent all the additional proof of evidence as well as statements on oath of some of the witnesses that testified for the petitioners.

In particular, the tribunal chairman described as unprofessional the conduct of the state APC chairman, Chief Dennis Otiotio, for testifying as a witness in the case while being a member of the legal team and for being involved in writing fictitious election results in an attempt to deceive the tribunal.

According to the tribunal, Otiotio’s conduct was curious as a legal practitioner.

It also dismissed the allegation that the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, tendered a forged university certificate and NYSC exemption certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying it was a pre-election matter that ought to be determined by a high court instead.

Read Also: BREAKING: Tribunal affirms Diri’s re-election as Bayelsa governor

Meanwhile, a former Commissioner of Education in Bayelsa state, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite, has congratulated Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo over the judgment.

According to Obuebite, the victory of the tribunal is that of good over evil.

Obuebite in the statement jointly signed by his wife, Anne Obuebute, said the victory at the governorship petitions tribunal was well deserved, insisting that justice had been served.

He said: “Today, justice has been served, and your mandate and the decision of our people have been reaffirmed. Your perseverance and commitment to the democratic process have paid off, and the people of Bayelsa State have been vindicated.

“This victory is not just a personal triumph but also a testament to the power of the people’s will. Your love for peace, dedication to serving the public interest, and upholding the rule of law has been upheld, and we celebrate this significant milestone with you.”

Bayelsa state governor, Douye Diri, has called for the recruitment of more indigenes of the state into the Federal Fire Service to meet the right quota of employment allocated to the state.

Diri made the call at the weekend while inaugurating a rapid response fire-fighting truck deployed to the state command of the Federal Fire Service at the Government House in Yenagoa.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, noted with displeasure that the state was being shortchanged in several federal agencies where the quota system is used as a criterion for employment.

While commending the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service for deploying the ultramodern fire-fighting equipment to the state, he urged the Service to make deliberate efforts to employ Bayelsans to fill the quota meant for the state for the sake of fairness and equity.

He also called on the state command of the FFS to kickstart a fire safety awareness programme on radio to enlighten the people on how to prevent fire incidents and measures to take in the event of any outbreak. 

Diri, who observed that the Slim-built Anti-fire Truck would enhance firefighting in the state, equally urged the Service to take quick steps to deploy water craft fire-fighting equipment in the riverine communities to mitigate fire outbreaks, which he lamented, claimed a few lives this year.

He said: “We are grateful to the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service for making this unique donation to the Bayelsa State Command. Fire is like death which doesn’t make an announcement before it occurs.

“While we are not praying for fire outbreaks, we must be prepared to get get rid of it whenever it occurs. So the deployment of this fire truck is a shot in the arm, in terms of our desire to make sure that in case of any fire incident, it is timely put out.

“We also want to see how fire ambulance crafts can be deployed to our rural areas because fire incidents are not restricted to only the urban areas. 

“Bayelsa is about 70 per cent littoral, so we will be very appreciative if the Fire Service move with a little bit of speed in terms of deploying water craft firefighting equipment to our riverine communities in Brass, Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw LGAs.

“We also want to talk about employment of Bayelsans. I believe that Bayelsa is not having enough of its quota of those in the Federal Fire Service. We will be really looking forward to seeing how you could increase recruitment of our people.”

Earlier in his presentation, the State Controller of the Federal Fire Service, ACF Amos Diton, said that Bayelsa was the only state in the entire South-South and South-East that has been allocated with the rapid response fire fighting truck.

ACF Amos, who thanked the state government for always lending support to the Federal Fire Service in the state, appealed to the Governor to provide the state command with a piece of land to build  a functional operational office.

He also made an appeal for the leadership of the state command of the  FFS to be part of security council meetings, and the provision of a utility vehicle to enhance the operational mobility of the Command.

Read Also: Diri tasks NCDMB, SPDC on projects completion

In another development, the Bayelsa state government has indicated its interest to partner civil society organizations (CSOs) to intensify its advocacy on the twin issues of human and environmental rights in the Niger Delta.

The deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the hint when the leadership of the Human and Environment Development Agenda (HEDA) paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Government House, Yenagoa, at the weekend.

Ewhrudjakpo, who noted that the issue of environmental and human rights is occupying the frontburner in the agenda of the Bayelsa state government, said the federal government had not been fair enough to the state on the issue of protecting of the Bayelsa environment. 

• Inaugurates multi-million dollar library

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has urged the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and other international oil companies (IOCs) to prioritise the completion of their projects in the state.

Diri made the call while inaugurating an ultra-modern learning centre and digital library complex jointly funded by the NCDMB, SPDC, Exxon Mobil, Total Energies and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) at the Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, Amassoma.

He said timeous funding and completion of meaningful projects already awarded by these organisations at the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU) and other parts of the state would complement government efforts at engendering infrastructural development of the state.

Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor expressed the preparedness of his administration to partner the IOCs and other corporate bodies on big ticket projects that would make lasting impact in the lives of the people.

Read Also: Diri confirms death of 20 youths in Igbomotoru

He commended NCDMB, SPDC and other financiers for completing the multi-million dollar Learning Centre and Digital Library project, but stressed the need for them to set and stick to the timelines meant for the completion of their projects.

In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the NDU, Prof. Allen Agih, said the project was the largest intervention undertaken by IOCs throughout the history of the institution.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the SPDC and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, pointed out that the imposing structure was designed to be one of the signature projects in the Niger Delta.

Osagie said he was pleased at the completion of the project and saluted the collaborative efforts of the management of the NDU, the Bayelsa State Government, NNPC, NCDMB, NAOC, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria.

Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri has visited Igbomotoru community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area after alleged military invasion of the community in search of suspected killers of 17 military personnel in Okuama, Delta State on March 14.

Diri’s visit came one month after the military invaded the riverine community on March 17.

A minute silence was observed in honour of the slain soldiers.

The Governor also said that during the invasion of Igbomotoru by military operatives in search of the killers of Army 17, about 20 youths were said to have been killed in Igbomotoru 2 community.

Addressing the leadership and cross section of the community at Igbomotoru Town Hall, Diri condemned the brutal killing of the soldiers, regretting that it was unfortunate that what happened in Delta State was being felt by the people of the community.

He urged the military authorities to continue with painstaking investigation to unveil the killers and their sponsors, adding that all those involved must be brought to book to face the full wrath of the law. 

The Governor who was accompanied by the Commanding Officer 16 Brigade of the Nigeria Army, Yenagoa, Brigadier General Oluremi  Obolo, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof Nibofa Ayawei, Ambassador Boladei Igali and other government officials, warned young people that the era of militancy in Ijaw land was over, adding that what is now obtainable is intellectual engagement.

Diri, who was making his first public statement after the incident commended the military high command for ensuring that what happened in Odi in 1999 did not happen in Igbomotoru community.

He said: “I have come to meet with you the Igbomotoru community that enough is enough. In every season there is a time for everything. The era of militancy is over and this is the era of intellectual engagement; this is what your government is set to do and your government has been doing.

“Ijaw people are very intelligent people, we can compete with anybody anywhere in the world, and we should not be seen as cannon folders and this is a warning to all of those who are still cannon folders to have a rethink.

“Your government is establishing schools particularly school with skills acquisition, science and technical colleges even in empowering programmes and we want our youths to key into it and drop your guns.

“Youths cannot take over leadership of the community by force, that is what we have started seeing in our communities and this again will be a warning to all of our traditional rulers, they must stay at home to lead the people and any traditional ruler that is not found in his base, I will promptly remove that traditional ruler.

Read Also: Diri lauded for re-appointing Igali as commissioner

“And my advice to the military is that they must painstakingly investigate the killings in Okuama to ascertain those that are culpable so that innocent people will not be sacrificed. 

“The truth is what Ijaw people want and those behind the killings in Okuama should be properly investigated and unveil to the Nigerian public. They should face the wrath of the law. That is my humble appeal to the Nigerian military and all the security agencies.

“Those who must have sponsored even the killers should all be brought to book. You cannot imagine soldiers who are actually expected to secure us as civilians being brutally murdered in broad daylight. What are we looking for, is it the oil? 

“Has oil actually become a curse in Ijaw nation rather than a blessing to Ijaw land? Has oil become a curse to Bayelsa State rather than a blessing to the people of Bayelsa State?

“That is why very efficient uncorrupted investigations should be launched; who knows if oil is part of what has led to these killings. We hear it is land issues. Until the investigations are revealed we will not know what truly caused this brutal killing of our security men. Nobody has the powers to take the life of another man.

“We cannot go back to the days of Isaac Adaka Boro, this is a different era. Thank you for your patience and I believe that this will not happen again, not only in Igbomotoru community but in all of our communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State and indeed in Ijaw land.”

The Governor urged the people of Igbomotoru 1 and 2 communities to return home, saying the Nigerian Army had assured the state government of their safety.

Diri had visited the two communities with a high-powered delegation that included the Commander of the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade, Oluremi Obolo, to assess the situation in the area.

Soldiers had been deployed in the communities in search of the masterminds of the March 14 killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama in Delta State.

The Governor announced the provision of relief materials, including cash, 150 bags of rice and 40 bags of garri to be distributed to the people of both communities.

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has forwarded a list of 14 commissioner-nominees for confirmation by the House of Assembly as commissioners of the state.

Unlike what happened in his first tenure when it took him six months to submit the names of his commissioners, the nomination for his second term is coming barely two months after his inauguration on February 14, 2024.

Read Also: Palliatives not solution to hardship, says Diri 

In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, the nominees are Biriyai Dambo SAN; Maxwell Ebibai; ESV Moses Teibowei; Mrs. Koku Ebiuwou Obiyai; Dr. Emelah Gentle; George Flint and Komuko Akari Kharim.

Others are Perepuighe Biewari; Preye Brodrick; Dr. Ebieri Jones; Barrister Peter Afagha; Mrs. Elizabeth Bidei; Michael Magbisa and Hon. Daniel Igali.

It has yet to be ascertained if another list would be sent to the Assembly but the current list indicates that certain former commissioners’ names have been dropped.