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Tag: Mr. Seriake Dickson

  • Dickson appoints new CPS

    Dickson appoints new CPS

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has rejigged his media team appointing Mr. Francis Ottah-Agbo as his new Chief Press Secretary (CPS) and a Sub-Assistant Editor of The Punch, Fidelis Soriwei, as his Special Adviser on Media Relations.

    Agbo took over from Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, who had served as CPS since 2012 until he was nominated by the governor and screened by the House of Assembly as a Commissioner-designate.

    The new CPS, who hails from Benue State, and a long-standing friend of Dickson handed over his former position in the governor’s media team to Soriwei, an Ijaw man from Ondo State, who has had successful career as a journalist.

    A Government House statement signed by the outgone CPS, Iworiso-Markson, said the governor also approved the re-assignment of Dr. John Idumangi to the newly established Directorate of Policy and Programmes as the Director-General.

    Idumangi, was until his re-assignment, the General Manager of the Bayelsa state Broadcasting Corporation, Glory Fm, 97.1, Yenagoa.

    The statement thanked Idumangi for his meritorious services to the state at various times and in different capacities.

    Idumange also received plaudits for the various reforms he carried out to reposition the radio for a more effective service delivery and the dissemination of government’s policies and programmes.

    In his place, Dickson approved the appointment of Mr. Tari Febabor, as the new General Manager of the State Broadcasting Corporation.

    Febabor previously served as the Deputy General Manager of the corporation.

     

  • Dickson nominates CPS as commissioner

    Dickson nominates CPS as commissioner

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has sent the name of his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson to the state’s House of Assembly as a commissioner-nominee.

    The governor in a letter addressed to the Speaker, Mr. Kombowei Benson, and read in the floor of the House by the Clerk, asked the lawmakers to consider his request.

    Following unanimous acceptance of the letter, the House asked Iworiso-Markson to appear before it on September 14th for screening.

    He was asked to come along with photocopies of all his relevant credentials for the exercise.

  • Gowon, Soyinka to inaugurate projects in Bayelsa

    Gowon, Soyinka to inaugurate projects in Bayelsa

    A former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, are expected in Bayelsa State to inaugurate key projects executed by the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

    A statement signed by Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the two dignitaries were scheduled to commission some of the boarding schools built by the governor.

    The statement said already Dickson led a special team of his aides to conduct final inspection on the projects lined up for inauguration.

    Dickson was quoted to have expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far at the Ijaw National Academy.

    Dickson, who visited the Academy at Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, described the school as a flagship centre of learning to nurture future leaders of the state and the Ijaw nation.

    “It will be a failure on the part of the government to pay lip service to education, as the children will be taking over the mantle of leadership from the present generation of leaders about 30 years from now”, he said.

    He said as part of the planned three-day visit of some notable personalities to the state, Prof. Soyinka and others would interact with the students to inspire and impart in them leadership skills.

    The governor, who also visited St. Jude’s Model Girls Secondary School, Amarata, donated of N1million to the Basketball Team of the school and promised to provide more sporting facilities.

    In their separate remarks, the Principal of Ijaw National Academy, Mr. Charles Hugh and his St. Jude’s counterpart, Mrs. Celia Apreala, commended the state Governor for his passion in revamping the educational system in the state.

    Hugh urged the students to reciprocate the gesture by studying hard and charged them to be of good conduct at all times.

    Speaking on behalf of the students, Master Justice Benstowe, a Library Prefect of the Ijaw National Academy, thanked the government for its show of concern about the affairs of the school.

    In the governor’s team were his Deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (Rtd), Secretary to State Government, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff, Commissioner for Education, Elder Markson Fefegha and his Information counterpart, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite among others.

    …

     

  • Bayelsa elders to Dickson: Don’t let criticisms distract you

    Bayelsa elders to Dickson: Don’t let criticisms distract you

    Elders from the local government areas in Bayelsa State, Monday, urged the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, to remain focus in his approach to development.

    The elders under the auspices of Forum of Restoration Caucus Chairmen (FRCC) insisted that the governor should overlook destructive criticisms and work with quality advice from well-meaning individuals.

    The elders said before advising the governor, they had taken time to tour all the ongoing and completed projects initiated by the governor in the eight local government areas of the state.

    In a statement issued in Yenagoa, the state capital, they said they were satisfied with the developmental strides of Dickson including his “massive investment in agriculture”.

    In the statement signed by the restoration caucus chairmen in the eight local government areas, the elders said they were excited with Dickson’s robust leadership and his achievements in the educational sector in line with his state of emergency in the sector.

    The statement was signed by the Leader of the Forum and Ekeremor Caucus Chairman, Chief T.K.O Okorotie; His Royal Highness Serena Dokubo, Brass; Talford Ongolo, Southern Ijaw and Dr. George Fente, Nembe.

    Others are Chief Godwin Odumgba, Yenagoa; Chief Francis Duokpola, Sagbama; Mr. Isaac Kumokou, Kolokuma/Opokuma and Chief George Okrinya, Ogbia.

    While commending the educational strides of the governor, the elders appealed to the state government to complete ongoing projects in the Jasper Isaac Boro College of Education to cater for increasing school population.

    They appreciated the governor for prudently managing the state’s lean resources saying it accounted for the execution of many developmental projects in the state.

    The elders said: “We urge the governor to continue on this path for the government to achieve more. We also urge all contractors handling state and federal projects in the state to use quality materials and to keep to the timelines contained in their contract agreements.

    “We observed the appreciable stability of the polity in the state with the specific reference to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and advise members of the party to be steadfast as we look forward to the eventual resolution of the party’s crisis.

    “This resolution is actively pursued by the PDP National Peace and Reconciliation Committed headed by Governor Seriake Dickson and other stakeholders across the country”.

    In their appraisal of all the projects in the eight local government areas, the elders said that there was hope that road would get to Ekeremor before the end of the year.

    They observed that in Brass, government was taking steps to partner with the Federal Government to actualise the abandoned Brass LNG project.

    In Kolokuma/Opokuma, they commended the government for completing the Ijaw National Academy and admitting 1000 students.

    “The befitting permanent camp for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has been put to use. Also completed is the skills acquisition centre in Kolokuma/Opokuma”, they said.

     

  • Dickson vows to end teachers’ plight in Bayelsa

    Dickson vows to end teachers’ plight in Bayelsa

    The Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has pledged to end plight of primary school teachers including issues surrounding their backlog of unpaid salaries.

    The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, in a statement issued on behalf of the state government, said the governor had demonstrated his zeal to permanently tackle the problem by setting up a committee to resolve the crisis.

    He said the governor had also ordered immediate release of funds to augment the payment of the teachers’ February salaries.

    Obuebite said an agreement had been reached between the government’s team and the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT).

    He said that Dickson was not happy with recurrent issues of non-payment of teachers’ salaries and had decided to work with the local government councils to permanently address the problem.

    Obuebite thanked the headmasters of the various primary schools in the state for their active participation in the just-concluded two days workshop on preparation of vouchers for monthly payment of salaries. 

    He, however, lamented that the NUT Chairman and Secretary were working against various reforms in the sector.

    He said the government had been vindicated by its earlier allegations that the chairman and secretary were being used as tools by the opposition to destabilise the operations of the government.

    Obuebite attributed irregularities in the monthly payment of salaries to the recession in the country saying the problems would soon be over.

    He said: “However, it is wrong for any right-thinking individual to be playing politics with the issue of payment of salary. It has to do with lives and the wellbeing of the citizenry.

    “The Chairman and the Secretary of the union, instead of facing the reality and addressing the issue on ground are playing politics with the issue that affect their members.

    “As responsible and responsive leaders, they ought to know that payment of primary school staff is the sole responsibility of the local government authorities as clearly stated in the 4th schedule paragraph 2a of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

    “However, in spite of the constitutional provision and the National Education policy, the present administration because of its passion for the sector from inception after declaring the state of emergency took over the burden of the payment of primary school staff by taking 80% and later 60% of the entire salary burden of primary education. 

    “This is in spite of the provision of infrastructure for both primary and secondary schools in the state, which as at the last count is above N50 billion”.

  • Group to Dickson: Appoint Moses Siasia into trust fund board 

    Group to Dickson: Appoint Moses Siasia into trust fund board 

    The Patriotic Citizens of Nigeria (PACON), Monday, urged the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, to appoint a former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Moses Siasia, into the Education Development Trust Fund Board (EDTFD).

    The establishment of the EDTFD in the state following the signing of the Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund Bill into law by Dickson has been generating various reactions in the state.

    PACON in a statement signed by Mr. Aluzu Augustine and Mr. Debekeme Powedei, said appointing Siasia, who contested against Dickson in the last election, would ensure better implementation of the law.

    According to the group, the idea of establishing education trust fund featured prominently in the manifestoes of Siasia.

    PACON said: “It has become imperative for the Bayelsa State governor to appoint Mr. Moses Siasia who was also a contender for the office of the Governor in 2015 into the Board.

    “It is the only way for the government to fully realize the purpose of the law without causing undue hardship to her citizens”.

    The group said Siasia on many occasions during his campaigns for the governorship office expounded his ideas of creating such trust fund.

    PACON claimed that it was never the intention of Siasia to task civil servants to fund the board adding that the former governorship candidate wanted to raise funds through a partnership between government and private sector.

    The group also applauded Dickson for the Bayelsa Higher Education Loan Law saying it would go a long way to ameliorate the plights of students in the state.

     

  • We spent N50bn in educational sector, says Dickson 

    We spent N50bn in educational sector, says Dickson 

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, Wednesday, said his administration had so far spent about N50bn in the state’s educational sector.

    The governor also signed the Bayelsa State Higher Education Student Loan bill 2017 and the Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund bill 2017 passed by the state House of Assembly.

    Dickson said the bills which became law following his assents were aimed at consolidating on the achievements of his administration in the educational sector.

    Signing the bills in the Government House, Yenagoa, the governor‎ said the two bills were critical in providing sustainable development for the state’s education.

    ‎He said the executive bills became necessary because of the urgent need to develop human capacity in the state to secure the future of children and youths.

    He said: “Whereas ‎we have been making critical investment in the last five years in education but it is from today that we will be building on the foundation of sustainability.

    “How all the schools we have built and are building will be sustained, how the legacy of investment in human capacity will be maintained in the years to come”.

    ‎He commended the members of the House of Assembly for their expedient consideration of the bills.

    Dickson said the whooping amount was spent to provide educational infrastructure and decried the previous decay in the sector as a result of the long years of neglect.

    He noted that any serious government must take issues of security and education serious for rapid development.

    He called on all persons, who earn salaries in the state to avail themselves the opportunity of contributing to the education trust fund which‎ is now compulsory by reason of the new law.

    He said: “By the provisions of this law, everyone who is working and earning salary, doing business or involved in contracts in the state is liable to pay the education development levy”.

    The governor also appointed a former Minister of‎ Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun to head the trust fund.

    He pleaded with the organized labour in the state not to allow themselves to be used to unduly politicize the new law adding that anyone desirous of quality education should view it as a welcome development.

    Dickson added that with the new model schools, the ongoing constituency secondary schools, the Ijaw National Academy and other educational interventions, the state was ahead in educational development.

    Earlier before formally presenting the bills for the governor’s assent, the Speaker of the Assembly, Konbowei Benson emphasized ‎that the higher education student loan bill would help indigent students desirous of getting quality education.

    He appreciated the governor for keeping to his words of not playing politics with education and for declaring a state of emergency in the sector.

    He said that the assembly had no problems passing both bills because of their huge importance.

     

  • Only political solution can resolve PDP crisis, says Dickson

    Only political solution can resolve PDP crisis, says Dickson

    The Bayelsa State Governor and Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Reconciliation Committee, Mr. Seriake Dickson Thursday, insisted that only political solution would take PDP out of its present crisis.

    The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, commended party leaders and elders in the north for opting to support  a political solution.

    Dickson further thanked the northern leaders for identifying with the recommendations and efforts of his committee to unite the party.

    He noted that taking the path of finding a political solution to the current crisis remained a win-win option for everyone in the PDP.

    He advised against taking hard positions adding that the northern PDP leaders’ position underscored their commitment to finding peace in the shortest possible time.

    Dickson noted that at a time the party needed to put its house in order, personal interests must give way to the overall survival of the PDP.

    The statement said: “The Governor commends the PDP northern leaders for opting for a political solution in the resolution of the party’s leadership crisis. He thanks them for accepting this option and their unalloyed commitment to the PDP as a party.

    “This alternative remains a win-win option for our dear party. We must put aside our egos and sink our differences, so that collectively, we can face the challenges ahead”.

    The governor pledged that his committee would continue to undertake the right path to ensure peace returned to the party.

    The statement added: “The governor thanks them (PDP leaders) for their suggestions and recommendations. He appreciates their suggestions on the need for a political solution.

    “He also welcomes more suggestions, since the committee’s recommendations are not cast in stone”.

  • Dickson vows to sanction actors of electoral violence

    Dickson vows to sanction actors of electoral violence

    …Receives report of commission of enquiry

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has vowed to sanction persons behind the violence that marred the last governorship elections in the state.

    Dickson said such persons would soon know their fate based on the recommendations contained in a report submitted to him by the Judicial Commission of Enquiry headed by Justice Margaret Akpomiemie.

    Speaking while receiving the report of the commission in Government House, the governor lauded the commission for its diligent work and said his administration would study the document.

    ‎He said: “This job is very important and so the recommendations and findings will be carefully looked into so that appropriate actions will follow to let people know that there are consequences for misbehavior.

    “People should not be allowed to kill, maim and destroy properties in the name and under the guise of elections in this state”.

    The commission which was inaugurated o‎n December 14, 2015 was given seven terms of reference and in August 2016 it submitted an interim report to the governor.

    Akpomiemie while submitting a final report in four volumes said the commission called for and received 13 memoranda from the public while 39 witnesses testified with several exhibits tendered.

    She said members of the commission painstakingly went through their task and expressed optimism that the findings and recommendations will be useful in the conduct of future elections.

    “The commission carefully deliberated on the evidence before it both oral and documentary and we are happy to inform you that the commission has successfully completed its assignment”, she said.

    Akpomiemie thanked the governor for the opportunity to carry out such sensitive assignment noting that it was personally for her a unique way to end her 20 years of service in the judiciary.

  • Dickson meets Ibori behind closed doors 

    Dickson meets Ibori behind closed doors 

     

    …Niger Delta, PDP crisis dominate discussions

     

    Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has met behind closed doors with former Governor of Delta State and ex-convict, Chief James Ibori.

    It was gathered that Dickson visited Oghara, the country home of Ibori and seized the opportunity to hold talks with the former governor, who recently returned to his village after serving jail terms in the UK for money laundering.

    Dickson, who spent some hours meeting with Ibori on Thursday, reportedly discussed the crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and issues affecting the Niger Delta region.

    Confirming the meeting, the Chief Press Secretary to Dickson, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson in a statement said the governor spoke about the roles Ibori could play for peace to permanently reign in the region.

    They were said to have discussed how Ibori could rally major stakeholders towards tackling some of the peace and security challenges in the region.

    “The two leaders equally discussed likely windows of opportunities for criminally minded youths in the region to be more meaningfully engaged as well as protect some of the critical national assets of the country within the region”, the statement said.

    Dickson was said to have earlier spoken with his Delta State counterpart, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, before holding the meeting with Ibori.

    The governor expressed satisfaction with the disposition and resolve of Ibori to support current measures at tackling the security challenges in the region.

    Dickson was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Talford Ongolo, some members of the State Executive Council, including the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite.