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Tag: Bayelsa State

  • Gunmen kill two policemen, three civilians, injure many others in Bayelsa

    Gunmen kill two policemen, three civilians, injure many others in Bayelsa

    Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa state was on Saturday morning thrown into pandemonium when Gunmen attacked and killed two policemen, three civilians, and left several others injured.

    It was gathered that a vehicle conveying the police officers and some civilians were attacked by yet to be identified gunmen while coming from a colleague’s burial.

    In a statement signed and made available to newsmen by State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Asinim Butswat, stated that “On 14 May, 2022, at about 0745 hours, gunmen ambushed Policemen serving at Rivers Command, at Idema- Otuabagi Road, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, while returning from burial of a colleague, late ASP Gilbert Sampson, at Imago Kugbo, Rivers State.

    “The suspected gunmen opened fire at the vehicle conveying the Police officers and other civilians. In the process PC Asuo Osuani ‘m’ and Special Constabulary Odeoye Sampson ‘m’, Mr Terry Lucky ‘m’, Jennifer Adejo ‘f’ and Asueroh Tobins ‘f’ were fatally shot and later died, while Inspector Urere Edwin, Rejoice Sampson ‘f’ and Reward Sampson ‘f’ sustained bullets injuries and are responding to treatment”

    Butswat, further revealed that the Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State CP Ben Nebolisa Okolo has given an order for the perpetrators of the heinous crime to be fished out.

     

  • Jonathan not yet our member – Bayelsa APC chairman

    Jonathan not yet our member – Bayelsa APC chairman

    Dr Dennis Otiotio, Chairman of the Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said former President Goodluck Jonathan is not yet a member of the ruling party.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Otiotio disclosed this in a telephone interview on Tuesday, stressing that Jonathan was at liberty to join the APC.

    He spoke against the backdrop of moves to draft Jonathan into the 2023 presidential race, saying that the APC in Bayelsa was not aware of Jonathan’s membership.

    “The former president is not yet a registered member of APC. He is free to join any party of his choice.

    “We are open and willing to receive him into our fold, as a political party desirous of winning elections, the only way to go is by admitting people into the party,” Otiotio said in the interview with NAN.

    Recall that a support group had on Monday in Abuja, purchased the APC presidential nomination and expression of interest forms for the former president to contest the 2023 elections on the APC platform.

    However, in a statement by Mr Ikechukwu Eze, Media Adviser to Jonathan on Monday night, the former president dissociated himself from the move and said that Jonathan did not authorise the purchase of the form.

    According to the statement, Jonathan was not consulted on the procurement of the APC nomination in his name and rejected it.

  • Bayelsa community protests neglect over coastal erosion

    Bayelsa community protests neglect over coastal erosion

    The people of Anyama-Ogbia community in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have protested government neglect of their community despite the continuously ravaging effect of coastal erosion.

    They therefore staged a peaceful demonstration against their alleged neglect by the state and federal government.
    They lamented during the protest in the fishing and farming settlement that they had been abandoned to suffer the devastating impacts of the ecological menace over the years.
    They carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘Coastal Erosion is Destroying Us, ‘Is Anyama-Ogbia Not Part of Niger Delta?’, ‘Erosion is Exposing Us to Hardship’, ‘Government And Residents’ Buildings Have Been Washed Away’, ‘NDDC Come to Our Aid’ and ‘Federal Government, Bayelsa Government Come and Help Us’, among others.

    Also Read: Calabar Beach gully erosion project is future tourist centre – Minister
    Speaking on their plight, a compound chief, Ase Humphrey, complained that coastal erosion had washed away their houses, economic trees and vital government establishments earlier sited in Anyama-Ogbia, which was the headquarters of the Anyama clan in the area.

    Also Read: Rivers women barricade NDDC, demand reconstitution of board, release of forensic report
    He said that pubic property lost to the coastal erosion included a government courtyard, church building, two rice mills, primary school, three jetties, post office and a police station while a colonial oil mill was on the verge been washed away.
    Humphrey said, “This side that we are is a new settlement. The old original Anyama has been eroded away long ago. Coastal erosion is disturbing us, there is nothing we can do. Some people have moved out to other places because of fear of coastal erosion. We are dying here.”
    Also speaking, the secretary-general of the community, Potency Aleibharola-Owei, said that they were living at the mercy of the ecological disaster whose occurrence was aided mostly by annual floods.
    “Coastal erosion is our problem. Anyama-Ogbia was founded in 1655. Since then, coastal erosion has been disturbing us as a people. We are suffering, and the erosion has exposed us to untold hardship. Over 500 houses have been washed away over the years”, he stated.
    The community appealed to the state and federal governments as well as interventionist agencies like the Niger Delta Development Commission and philanthropists to come to their aid by building shoreline protection to mitigate the erosion problem.
    The head of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of Nigeria in Bayelsa State, Alagoa Morris, who led a team of civil society and environmental activists to the area following a recent landslide, described the living condition of the Anyama-Ogbia people as pathetic.
    He regretted that the state and federal governments had abdicated their responsibilities and allowed the people to suffer life-threatening ecological and environmental problems without solutions for several years.
    Morris said, “It is most unfortunate that since the creation of Bayelsa State, none of the administrations since 1999 has embarked on shoreline protection for our communities.
    “It is not rocket science. It is just because the Bayelsa State government has not deemed it important to deal with this ecological problem because it has to do with the people and their immediate environment where they are living.
    “They cannot relocate from their ancestral home. So, while I blame the state government for not doing anything, we, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, have called for the establishment of Flood and Erosion Commission in Bayelsa State whereby one per cent of the 13 per cent derivation (accruing to the state) should be directed to this commission.
    “And the commission should have been empowered by law to collaborate with other federal interventionist agencies and international development partners to deal with such ecological and environmental issues.”
    The environmental rights activist urged the government to, without further delay, take urgent steps to save the people and the community from extinction.

  • Senate wants Slave Trade Centre in Bayelsa upgraded to National Museum

    Senate wants Slave Trade Centre in Bayelsa upgraded to National Museum

    The Senate has urged the National Commission for Museum and Monuments to upgrade the Akassa Slave Trade Centre to a National Slave Trade Museum.

    The call was contained in a resolution reached by the Senate, sequel to the consideration of a motion to that effect.
    The motion was entitled, “The need to establish National Museum at the Akassa Slave Trade Centre in Bayelsa State to preserve National Heritage.”
    The motion was sponsored by Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo (Bayelsa East).
    The lawmaker, in his presentation, noted that Akassa is a settlement at the southernmost tip of Nigeria in Bayelsa State where the Nun River estuary meets the Atlantic Ocean, with a lighthouse that had stood since 1910.
    Degi-Eremienyo said that due to the proximity of Akassa to the Atlantic, the settlement had always been a traditional trading site in Nigeria, especially in the business of palm oil trade during the colonial era.
    He recalled that before the abolition of the slave trade, it was one of the major centres in the country where the harrowing effects of transatlantic slave trade, adding that, “during the British colonial years, it was the site of an outpost of the Royal Niger Company.”
    He further recalled that, “the Akassa settlement, in the seventeenth century, now a sprouting Town, was where the Nembe People in today’s Bayelsa State waged a war valiantly against the British in 1895 with twenty-two war canoes and one thousand, five hundred foot soldiers due to the high-handedness of the Royal Niger Company and the obnoxious taxes imposed on the local people by the company.”
    According to him, in the year 1899, the charter of the Royal Niger Company was revoked, an act seen as partly a consequence of the war with the effect that from 1st January, 1900 the company sold all its possessions and concessions in Africa to the British government for £865,000.
    He state that some of the relics of the slave trade such as slave house; slave masters administrative block and quarters; slave jetty; slave transit tunnel; white-men grave yard, can still be found, even though erosion of past decades had eroded some of the antiquities.
    The lawmaker observed that, “with the current efforts made by the government to diversify our economy, the Akassa Town is a veritable historical/heritage centre which will boost our tourism potentials and consequentially earn us foreign exchange if its heritage is well preserved.”

  • 2023: APC will take over 6 states in South-South Nigeria – Giadom

    2023: APC will take over 6 states in South-South Nigeria – Giadom

    The National Vice Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), South-South, Victor Giadom, has said that with the success of its just-concluded National Convention, the party has been repositioned to take over the six states of the region in 2023.

    He spoke to journalists on Wednesday, after he led a delegation of APC South-South Zone on a courtesy visit to the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, at the National Assembly, Abuja.

    Giadom said that the APC is determined and “has what it takes to take over the governance of the region after the 2023 general elections.”

    He noted that the party had learnt from its mistakes that led to two states – Bayelsa and Edo – being reclaimed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noting that such would not repeat itself.

    Giadom said: “We are here to ensure that we work in synergy, unity and purposefulness so that we can win the rest of the states in the South-South, come 2023.

    “You know that we lost Bayelsa for what I will call little mistake; you know that for internal disagreement, we lost Edo. That is not to mean that APC is not strong in the South-South. We are going to test our popularity in 2023.

    “We will ensure that we work together, bring victory to the entire South-South zone of this party and bring back APC in the six states of the zone.”

    He explained that the success of the National Convention had brought an end to all insinuations about crisis in the ruling party.

    Giadom applauded Omo-Agege for his support to zonal leaders at the just-concluded convention.

    “We have come to have a meeting with our leader and a proud son of the South-South who has done so well for this country; to thank him for the support he gave to all of us in the just-concluded National Convention.

    “We visited him to also solicit his usual support to reposition the party in the zone so that we can ensure victory in 2023.

    “You know that it is our responsibility to ensure that we drive the party to success and claim the six states in the South-South,” he said.

  • NCC backs Bayelsa’s drive to boost digital infrastructure

    NCC backs Bayelsa’s drive to boost digital infrastructure

    In keeping with its renowned tradition and belief in strategic partnership and collaboration, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Bayelsa State Government in accelerating telecommunications infrastructure deployment, digital literacy and skills in the State.

    The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, reiterated this commitment during a courtesy visit by a delegation from Bayelsa State to the Management of NCC in Abuja recently.

    Stating the purpose of the visit to the Commission, Bayelsa State’s Commissioner for Communications, Science and Technology, Dr. Promise Ekio Ekio, who led the delegation, said Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is one of the critical areas that the state government has identified for priority to accelerate the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the State in order to bolster employment for the youths of the state and to nudge their interest in digital culture.

    Ekio said that while the plan to leverage ICT for socio-economic development of Bayelsa State has been uppermost in the agenda of the state government, several engagements made by the State government with industry stakeholders are yet to receive concrete action, apparent due to lack of robust telecommunications services in the State.

    “Therefore, it is our fervent hope that this meeting will be the beginning of a partnership that will blossom in the areas of digital training and rapid ICT infrastructural development, for the benefit of the people of Bayelsa State and other Nigerians living in the State. We want to assure the Commission of our preparedness to work closely with it to fulfill its mandate in the State as well as actualise the vision of Bayelsa State government to leverage ICT for accelerating development,” Ekio said.

    Also, the Bayelsa State Commissioner Communication, Science and Technology, commended the NCC for the good works it is doing in fast-tracking implementation of the digital economy initiatives of the Federal Government by being upbeat in consolidating the gains of the telecommunications sector. The Commissioner promise that Bayelsa State will also provide necessary incentives to accelerate ICT deployment in the State.

    Responding to his guests, Danbatta, who was represented during the meeting by NCC’s Director, Digital Economy, Dr. Augustine Nwaulune, commended Bayelsa State Government for seeking collaboration with NCC to stimulate economic growth through telecommunication services and assured that NCC is a ready and willing partner of Bayelsa State on telecoms and ICT.
    While the Commission is willing to partner with state governments and other relevant institutions to ensure universal access and universal services, Danbatta said efforts shall be made collaboratively to ensure that relevant infrastructure needed to delivering ubiquitous telecom services to achieve Bayelsa’s socio-economic goal are prioritized.

    Danbatta emphasized the Commission’s recognition of the importance of infrastructure expansion in achieving Federal Government’s vision on digital economy. Citing the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025 as one of the initiatives of the Federal Government instituted to bolster infrastructure expansion, Danbatta stated that the implementation of the Plan is essentially driven by NCC. He promised that NCC will ensure that infrastructure gaps in the telecommunications sector are bridged to accomplish Government’s vision in the context of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020-30.

    Explicating further, Danbatta stated that, to accelerate broadband infrastructure deployment in the South-South geo-political zone where Bayelsa State is situated, the NCC had licensed Messrs Raeaana Limited, as one of the seven licensed Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos), authorised to cascade fibre to deepen the penetration of broadband services in all nooks and crannies of the country. “The InfraCo licensees have been given timelines to work in their respective zones of deployment to cascade fibre infrastructure to the rural communities, covering the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to enhance robust telecom service provisioning in the country”, the EVC stated.

    Meanwhile, Danbatta has urged the Bayelsa State Government to revisit the Right of Way (RoW) charges imposed by the State and other issues capable of encumbering faster deployment of infrastructure in the State. “This will boost digital infrastructure rollout in towns and communities in Bayelsa State and environs for effective economic diversification. The digital economy rides on broadband and ICT infrastructure and one of the factors inhibiting access to telecommunication infrastructure is RoW administration by States and other state actors” he said.

    Danbatta also emphasised the importance of comprehensive training for the youth in Bayelsa State and equipping them with ICT tools to enable them to thrive in a digital economy. “On this, the NCC will collaborate with Bayelsa to provide training for the youth as long as the State Government provide necessary tools required to achieve objective outcomes of such capacity building initiatives”, he said.

  • Osinbajo performs groundbreaking of bridge linking Yenegoa to Southern Ijaw

    Osinbajo performs groundbreaking of bridge linking Yenegoa to Southern Ijaw

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has performed the groundbreaking of the construction of Angiama-Oporoma Bridge, which will link Yenogoa, Capital of Bayelsa, to Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

    Delivering a speech at the event on Saturday, Osinbajo, who drove through the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road, said that the natural beauty and enormous potential of the great state was poignant and self evident.

    He said that the construction of the bridge, which was, in itself, a significant component of the road, would have far reaching impact on the lives of the people of the community and unlock their potential.

    “The farmers and fishermen that will be connected to new markets as easier and more efficient logistics enables them expand their operations, employ more people, and provide better opportunities for their families.

    “Not to mention the improvement of security through an access road that circumvents sea pirates, and allows traders go about their businesses safely.

    “No local economy in the world can survive by being isolated; cities and towns thrive partly because they develop and sustain infrastructure that allows for profitable and free economic, social, and cultural exchanges.

    “And so by facilitating easier access to places like Yenagoa, and beyond, with this bridge, we will be laying a foundation for development that will deepen commerce and create individual and collective opportunities for the people of these communities.’’

    According to him, communities like Oporoma, Angiama, and others across the Niger-Delta, are host to vast amounts of mineral wealth and natural resources.

    He said that the communities deserved to have considerable developmental gains to show for it.

    “We are well on our way towards correcting historical lapses in this respect, as a matter of urgency, through the collaborative efforts of the federal, state, and local governments, each one putting aside personal interests, and doing the best they can for the communities which have undeservedly suffered for so long.

    “And so we take this bridge, in the long line of Gov. Douye Diri’s ambitious projects across health, education, security and infrastructural development, as a symbol of those ongoing efforts.

    “It should not cost you almost the same amount of money to move from Oporoma or Angiama to Yenagoa, as it does to Benin or Lagos; and we believe those days are almost behind you.

    “We are confident that what your administration has started will be completed at the highest level of quality and in good time.

    “We encourage the people of the community to take ownership of this, as with all the ongoing projects of this administration, and to work with the government to ensure that it is completed and maintained without hindrance or sabotage.’’

    He assured Bayelsa people of Federal Government’s full support and collaboration in every way possible.

    He said that the milestone was just the beginning of greater things to come.

    “There are dreams on this side of the proposed bridge as it is flagged off today – dreams that it will be speedily completed, and that our people will thus be connected to all the possibilities needed to realise their full potentials.

    “Once more, I congratulate Gov. Diri, the government and people of Bayelsa on these game changing achievements as they unfold.

    “We celebrate the progress being made here today and stand with you in your journey to building a Bayelsa that commands the respect of cities everywhere in the world, a Bayelsa where every town, village, people, or person, can benefit from their God given resources and live their lives in peace and prosperity.”

    In his address, Diri said that Osinbajo had demonstrated that indeed he was a Bayelsan by his presence at the event.

    He said he was pleased the historic and iconic event of the groundbreaking of the Angiama-Oporoma Link Bridge would occur during the activities commemorating the second anniversary of the prosperity administration.

    The governor said he was pleased that a valued and cherished leader, friend and brother accepted the invitation to perform the groundbreaking of the project.

    He also commended the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the firm handling the project and appreciated the Federal Government for its support.

    “CCECE has proven to us that they are our reliable friends; they have proven to us that they have what it takes to complete this bridge at a reliable time.

    “May I at this juncture appreciate the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “This, indeed, is a Federal Government road; and upon the construction by the previous administration, ranging from former President Goodluck Jonathan, when he was governor, down to Seriake Dickson Restoration Government, you all remember that recently, we had a refund of infrastructure which was refunded by the Federal Government under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “And those were of the funds that have enabled us to do what we are doing across the state,’’ he said.

    Diri said he would continue to partner with the Federal Government in developing the state.

    The highlight of the event was the conferment of chieftaincy title on the vice president—“Ebiyiakubo-owei keni of Agia-Ibe’’ meaning the One Who Brings Glory to the Land of Agie-Ibe.

    Osinbajo had earlier paid a courtesy call to traditional rulers at the Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat, Yenegoa.

  • JUST IN: Osinbajo visits Bayelsa, dresses as Ijaw man, sets tongues wagging

    JUST IN: Osinbajo visits Bayelsa, dresses as Ijaw man, sets tongues wagging

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday visited Bayelsa State to among other activities, flag off the construction of the Angiama-Oporoma bridge.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Osinbajo, however, sets tongue wagging when he dressed as an Ijaw man to visit some traditional rulers in the State.

    Reacting to the Vice President’s dressing on social media, while many admired Osinbajo, others believe the dress code is part of his secret campaign for the 2023 presidential election.

    TNG reports, Osinbajo arrived in Bayelsa via the International Airport, and was received by the State Governor Douye Siri and other dignitaries.

     

    Details shortly…

  • Diri unveils monthly empowerment package for Bayelsa residents

    Diri unveils monthly empowerment package for Bayelsa residents

    Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa, on Thursday, announced a monthly empowerment scheme for the people of the state.

    Diri made the announcement at an interactive session with secondary school students, women and beneficiaries of the state’s higher education loan scheme, in Yenagoa.

    The governor said that the initiative was meant to develop small businesses in order to grow the state economy.

    The interaction was part of activities marking the second anniversary of the Diri-led administration.

    The governor had earlier met with youth leaders from across the eight local government areas of the state at Peace Park.

    He described the scheme as a sure way of bringing to fruition his promise of prosperity to the doorsteps of Bayelsa people.

    He said: “We want our people to go into business. I hereby direct a monthly empowerment across our state.

    “So, every month, we will have new set of people to be empowered for the rest of our tenure.

    “The commissioner for finance is directed to set aside the amount worked out on monthly basis for this scheme.

    “There was no mistake in tagging this administration `Prosperity Government’. We are bringing prosperity to our people’s doorsteps.’’

    The governor urged the pioneer beneficiaries of the scheme to make good use of the opportunity, assuring that his government would sustain it.

    Diri directed the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment and other relevant organs of government to organise an economic summit for the state, having earlier held education and health summits.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Mrs Faith Opuene, had said the 210 initial beneficiaries were carefully selected, comprising two each from the 105 wards in the state.

    Two of the beneficiaries of the students’ loan, Obah Azibator from Federal University, Otuoke, and Stanley Oyinkeprebi of Niger Delta University, Amassoma, thanked the governor for alleviating their plight.

    Speaking earlier at Peace Park, Diri urged youths in the state to desist from criminal activities and engage in legitimate businesses.

    He said that his administration placed priority on youth empowerment because, without their capacity, the infrastructure development it embarked on would not make the expected impact on the people.

    The governor also advised them to stop illegal oil bunkering, as it polluted the environment and affected people’s health negatively.

    The governor, however, commended the youth for their support and peaceful disposition, saying “I know that Ijaw youths and, indeed, the entire Bayelsa youths, are resilient and respectful to elders.

    “Our youths are brought up with values to be free and fend for themselves through legitimate ways to earn a living.

    “Our youths want the best in education and are very intelligent. Our youths can compete favourably with their counterparts around the world academically. That is why they come out in flying colours.

    “We need to continue to encourage our sisters and brothers to move away from crime and illegal businesses, such oil bunkering and criminality.

    “We urge you to key into our various empowerment programmes, and I believe that if we work together, Bayelsa will be a better place and one of the most developed states in Nigeria,’’ he said.

    In their goodwill messages, youth leaders thanked the governor for the various initiatives, aimed at empowering them.

  • At last, Diri, Alaibe settle differences after 2019 governorship tussle

    At last, Diri, Alaibe settle differences after 2019 governorship tussle

    …time has healed the wounds – Chief Alaibe

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and Chief Timi Alaibe have finally settled their differences after locking horns in the 2019 governorship primary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Chief Alaibe took the fight for the governorship ticket of the PDP up to the Supreme Court level, where he eventually lost the legal battle.

    The Apex court dismissed Alaibe’s case, challenging the emergence of Diri as the candidate of the PDP in the November 19, 2019 governorship election. The Court declined to delve into the matter, citing lack of jurisdiction as the issue was an internal affair of the party.

    On Sunday, Governor Diri put differences aside and hosted Alaibe at his official residence in Government House, Yenagoa, being the first time Diri would meet Alaibe after the heated primary election.

    “A great day indeed when I received my brother, the man we call “Principal”, Chief Timi Alaibe, proud son of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    “We have been in this political journey together for over 20 years and I am glad to reunite with him for the love and development of our dear State of Bayelsa.

    “It’s indeed a new dawn! A whole new chapter has been opened as we all reflected on the past. Together, we can make that difference for our people,” Governor Diri said following the meeting.

    Why I accepted to settle with Diri – Alaibe

    Meanwhile, Alaibe following the meeting has opened up on why he accepted to settle with Diri, revealing that the Governor at several times, shortly after taking office, personally reached out to him.

    He further revealed that it took the repeated interventions by mutual friends, business partners and political associates for him to finally consider it necessary to put an end to the ugly past.

    Alaibe wrote: “We Are Back! After repeated interventions by mutual friends, business partners and political associates, I finally considered it necessary to put an end to the ugly past, drop political differences and re-establish age-old friendship with my brother and State Governor, Douye Diri. That happened on Sunday January 16.

    “Let me state here that Governor Diri and I have come a long way. We have not only been political partners, there is a deep sense of brotherhood in our relationship. Somehow, in 2019, political differences thrust a sharp knife into that bond; and as the late Chinua Achebe would say, things fell apart and the centre could no longer hold.

    “But then, blood is thicker than water. We both knew that what happened was temporal. Our mutual friends decided to wade in; especially those who knew what happened and believed that Governor Diri could not be held directly responsible. He only had favour thrusted upon him.

    “I must admit that out of a deep sense of humility and friendship, Governor Diri had, at several times, shortly after taking office, personally reached out to me. I chose to remain silent as I reviewed the situation. But all that is now history. Time has healed the wounds and I have chosen to do the right thing.

    “There is no doubt that the reconciliation will surprise a lot of people; particularly some political jobbers who profited from our temporary silence. What has happened might also be misinterpreted and given various colouration by different people. But the truth is that I have chosen to listen to the voice of wisdom and re-establish a cherished relationship; which politics tried to destroy.

    “To demonstrate the sincerity of my intentions and reciprocate the same humility, which Governor Diri had displayed previously, I refused to meet him on a neutral ground. Instead, in company of close friends, I went to the governor’s official residence in Yenogoa and I was warmly welcomed by him and his team”.