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Tag: Douye Diri

  • “We’re praying hard for you to return to PDP”- Bayelsa gov, Diri tells Kwankwaso

    “We’re praying hard for you to return to PDP”- Bayelsa gov, Diri tells Kwankwaso

    As campaigns intensify for the 2023 general elections, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has revealed that the presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, is still being expected back to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, by him and other politicians of the latter party.

    He disclosed this when the NNPP presidential candidate led top officials of his campaign council to visit him at the Government House, Yenagoa, on Tuesday.

    The governor, who spoke through his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said his administration was on the same page with Kwankwaso on several national problems affecting the country.

    Describing the NNPP standard bearer as “an astute politician” who is passionate about working for a better Nigeria, he however, pointed out that current realities show that the country could be better fixed by the PDP.

    Diri also described Bayelsa as one of the most environmentally terrorized places in the world with an unacceptable level of poverty that requires urgent attention.

    "We're praying hard for you to come back to the PDP"- Bayelsa gov, Diri tells Kwankwaso
    Presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso,

    He stressed that the state had been facing severe environmental degradation occasioned by gas flaring, crude oil spills and other environmentally unwholesome practices by multinational oil firms over the years.

    According to him, what the state and its people need is a Nigerian president that would ensure environmental justice as well as true federalism in resource allocation and redistribution.

    Diri agreed with his visitor that the country was witnessing, what he called, decayed infrastructure, collapsed healthcare and education systems, in addition to pervasive poverty and insecurity.

    He said, “We agree with you in terms of the need to rescue Nigeria. But you know that there is no time your fowl and another will be wrestling that you will be seen clapping hands for the other fowl.

    “Earlier, you put the poser across to us that you are expecting us to join you. But I want to let you know that we are also praying hard for you to come back to the PDP, where you rightly belong.”

    The NNPP presidential candidate, Kwankwaso, had explained that he and his team were in the state to sell his aspiration and ideas on how best to fix the country.

    He said he would mobilize all democratic forces to save Nigeria from insecurity, poverty, failed healthcare, agriculture, education and infrastructure if elected as president in the elections scheduled for next month.
    He noted that the party was not the issue, but electing the right person as president, warning that Nigerians would have themselves to blame if they did not vote “a healthy person as their next president.”

  • We want you back – Gov Diri tells Wike, Ortom, other G5 Govs

    We want you back – Gov Diri tells Wike, Ortom, other G5 Govs

    Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri has said the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) wants the five aggrieved governors of the party back in its folds.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Diri said this when he and Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki visited Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa at Owa Alero in Delta State on Tuesday.

    Diri stressed the PDP wants Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State fully back in the party.

    The Bayelsa Governor said the party was not ruling out discussing with them to persuade them to return, support and work for the victory of the party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    “We want a united PDP and each time we meet, we focus and discuss the unity. We are not ruling out speaking to our brothers.

    “Even today, we have also discussed the possibility of speaking to them to return to our party. We are calling on our brother-governors to be part of their own party and work in unity with every other person.

    “We still want our brother governors back so we can visit them the way we visited our brother, Governor Okowa who by God’s grace will be the Vice-President of Nigeria,” Governor Diri said.

  • Bayelsa Gov, Diri cries out, says flood has also taken my house

    Bayelsa Gov, Diri cries out, says flood has also taken my house

     

     

    Nobody is spared as Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has lamented that his private building at Sampou Community in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area of the state has been taken over by the ravaging flood in the state.

    Diri, who undertook an on-the-spot assessment of the flood situation in some communities, bemoaned the devastation of property and the hardship visited on people of the state by flood.

    The governor who was accompanied by the state Commissioner for Environment and chairman, Task Forceon Flood Mitigation and Management, Mr. Eselema Gbaranbiri, his Works and Information counterparts, Moses Teibowei, and Ayibaina Duba, respectively as well as other top government functionaries, visited communities submerged by the flood including, Tungbo, Sagbama town and Adagbabiri, all in Sagbama Local Government Area.

    While addressing the people the governor said he wanted to get first-hand knowledge of what the people and the communities were going through.

  • Victims cry out for help as flood claims 16-year-old in Bayelsa

    Victims cry out for help as flood claims 16-year-old in Bayelsa

    A 16-year-old boy, Temedi Yerimene drowned in the ravaging flood at Igbogene Community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    The flood pushed the remains of the teenager into a deep canal in the area and the body is yet to be recovered.

    It was learnt that the deceased in the company of his playmates went swimming in the rising water close to the Bayelsa Ecumenical Centre.

    He was said to have been overwhelmed by the high current of the flood which pushed him into the deep drainage channel.

    Efforts by the community search party to locate the remains proved futile as half of the community has been submerged.

    The mother of the deceased known in the area as Mama Caro, in tears, said the tragic incident happened at about 11 a.m. on Monday while she went to the market to get ingredients for preparing lunch.

    “When I came back from the market, I was told he had gone swimming with friends. I thought he was swimming in the rising water at the compound until one of his friends told me that he had been dragged by the flood into the canal” she said

    According to the bereaved, the family hails from Amabulu in Ojobo community of Ekeremor Local Government Area of the State.

    Meanwhile, residents of communities impacted by the floods in Bayelsa have appealed to the government to find a lasting solution to the annual menace.

    Some of them who lamented the hardship occasioned by the situation, appealed for temporary shelters and relief materials as the flood had already sacked them from their residences.

    A victim, Mrs. Perez Ayebanua, said their houses were flooded late last month and the menace was already taking a toll on them with reptiles competing with them for space.

    Madam Florence Job and Mrs Ebi Perekeme explained that while those with resources had left their homes for hotels or elsewhere, the indigent ones got stuck and were left behind.

    The residents said they were at a loss over the situation, calling on the Bayelsa and Federal Governments to come to their aid and cushion the pains caused by the flood.

    Biseni, Tombia-Ekpetiama, Tombia-Amassoma Road, Akenfa, Akenpai, Igbogene and Swali all in Yenagoa LGA as well as Kaiama, Odi, Otuoke, Ogbia communities are already flooded.

    Others include Tungbo, Agbere, Odoni, Bulu-Orua, Agoro and Sagbama.

    A correspondent monitoring the situation reports that River Nun, its tributaries that receive waters from River Niger and the Epie Creek have all overflown their banks, discharging excess water into nearby settlements.

    Other communities such as Sampou, Gbaranma  Sabagreia, Okoloba, in Sagbama, Ekeremor and Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Areas are also battling the flood.

    Checks along the East-West Road indicated that the flood was already affecting some sections of it.

    Worst hit is the Patani section in Delta that shares boundary with Bayelsa community, Adagbabiri, which is already submerged.

    Meanwhile, schools in Bayelsa are on six weeks flood break to protect pupils and students from any disaster.

    Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa has inaugurated a task force on flood whose major mandate is to bring relief to flood victims.

    However, one week after its inauguration, the team led by the Commissioner of Environment Mr Iselema Gbaranbiri, said the committee was visiting the impacted sites and would make recommendations to the government.

  • Bayelsa spends N3.52bn on debt service to commercial banks in May

    Bayelsa spends N3.52bn on debt service to commercial banks in May

    The Bayelsa government on Friday said it spent  N3.52 billion on servicing its loan obligations to commercial banks for the month of May.

    The domestic debt stock data from the Debt Management Office for Bayelsa as of March 31, stood at N151.41 billion.

    Mr Timipre Seipulo, Technical Adviser to Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa on Treasury Matters, stated this while giving an update of the state’s income and expenditure profile for the months of May and June in Yenagoa.

    According to the financial highlights, the state generated some N1.68 billion from internal sources in addition to a gross inflow of N22.86 billion from the federation account to make a total of N22.91 billion for May.

    Of the amount, derivation revenue, a 13 per cent of value of crude oil produced within the state for May stood at N17.82 billion.

    On the other hand, non oil revenue of N124.69 million accrued to the state for the month under review.

    According to Seipulo, the state’s wage bill for civil servants and political appointees gulped N6.2 billion.

    For the month of June, Bayelsa got N18.67 billion after deductions at source from the federation account.

    Oil derivation accounted for N14.02 billion, while the internally generated revenue was N1.99 million. The total wage bill for the month of June was N6.14 billion.

  • Bayelsa gov tasks security agencies on security for judicial stakeholders

    Bayelsa gov tasks security agencies on security for judicial stakeholders

    Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri has called security agencies to partner with the state government to provide adequate security for judicial stakeholders, following the invasion of Justice Nayai Aganaba’s Court by hoodlums.

    Recall that last Wednesday, Justice Aganaba was supposed to give a ruling over an intra dispute concerning the Bayelsa chapter of APC when hoodlums took advantage of the commotion in the Courtroom and disrupted proceedings.

     

    His reaction to the incident comes on Wednesday at the reception and launch of a book titled, ‘Astute Judgments and Essays’ written as part of activities commemorating the retirement ceremony of Justice Aganaba in Yenagoa.

     

    According to the governor, providing adequate security for judicial stakeholders would enable them to discharge their constitutional functions without fear of intimidation.

     

    He lauded the Judiciary for its commitment to the administration of justice and protection of the oppressed and vulnerable in the society.

     

    The governor described Justice Aganaba as an erudite, incorruptible and courageous Jurist who triumphed even in the face of daunting challenges.

     

    “I knew Justice Aganaba as a legal practitioner in the old Rivers state before the creation of Bayelsa State. He is an astute, incorruptible, erudite and courageous Judge.

     

    “Therefore, I call on the police and other sister security agencies to partner with the government in providing adequate security in our court premises and for all Judges. This will help to avoid the reoccurrence of what happened on April 13,” he said.

     

    Bayelsa Police said that it had put two suspects in prison custody following their arrest in connection with the invasion of the state High Court.

  • 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”.

  • 2023: Don’t use the blood of your people to win elections – Gov Diri tells politicians

    2023: Don’t use the blood of your people to win elections – Gov Diri tells politicians

    Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has urged politicians seeking office in 2023 general elections not to use the blood of their people to win elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Diri made the call on Saturday during the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the Peace Park in Yenagoa.

    The Bayelsa State Governor called on politicians to avoid actions that would lead to bloodletting in the 2023 elections, stressing that the outcome of elections should be determined by the ballot box and not the strength of the gun, adding that the ultimate power to enthrone leadership lies in the hands of God.

    He recalled the bloodletting that characterised the 2019 governorship campaigns in Nembe community and cautioned that all political players should vow never to allow the killing of youths in the state because of elections in spite of their ambitions.

    Governor Diri appreciated the sacrifices of fallen heroes and serving members of the Nigerian Armed Forces to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria, adding that the remembrance day should remind Nigerians of the sacrifices of the military and the need to live in peace and unity.

    He called on all to support projects and intervention programmes initiated to care for the loved ones of fallen heroes and servicemen as a token of appreciation for the sacrifices the military men are making for the safety of all.

    The Bayelsa helmsman also called on Bayelsans to unite and support his administration’s programmes to tackle under-development and poverty in order to achieve a prosperous Bayelsa.

    He said: “This 2022 will trigger another episode in the political dynamics of our nation’s democratic growth. I believe this occasion is ideal to reiterate my often-stated optimism that elections should be about ballots and not bullets. That we should count ballots and not bodies.

    “I give this admonition with the greatest sense of responsibility because the many wasted lives cut down in the prime of their lives at Nembe during the 2019 governorship elections in this state remain indelible in our memories.

    “Let us collectively vow that never again will the blood of Bayelsans water the ambitions of desperate politicians. Whereas the temptation to overzealously take matters into our own hands exists, let us pause and appreciate the fact that, ultimately, all power belongs unto God.

    “Our debt of gratitude to those who choose to die for us even when they did not even know us should be immense.

    “The essence of commemorating this day is not to glorify war. Rather, it is to recall the price that others had to pay for us to live in peace and thus commit ourselves to live in such a manner that future generations will have no need to fight wars. The labour of our heroes past should never be in vain.

    “Let us continue to show love to our heroes and their loved ones by supporting the various projects and interventions that have been set up to care for our men and women in uniform. This includes but not limited to making financial commitments to yielding our place in queues.

    “Bayelsans cannot afford to be separated in interest or divided in purpose at this crucial time in the history ⁴ our state and Nigeria. And as we have demonstrated several times over the nearly two years of this Government of Prosperity, we are better together. Let us unite to fight poverty, lack, ignorance and any other vices. These are our common enemies.

    Highpoint of the event was the laying of wreaths by the governor, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, the Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, and a former Military Governor of old Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff.

    Others who graced the occasion included heads of security agencies in the state, top government functionaries and traditional rulers.

  • Gov Douye Diri swears-in second wife as Bayelsa High Court Judge

    Gov Douye Diri swears-in second wife as Bayelsa High Court Judge

    Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has sworn in his second wife, Mrs Patience Ama Zuofa Diri as a High Court Judge in the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mrs Diri was among four High Court Judges sworn in by Governor Diri in Yenagoa on Thursday.

    Other High Court Judges sworn in alongside the Governor’s wife are Lockie James Benimo, Simon Warikiyei Amaduobogha and Christine Irigha Kombo-Enegesi.

    Speaking at the swearing in ceremony, Governor Diri charged the new High Court Judges to be above board in the discharge of their duties.

    “I once again congratulate the newly sworn in judges on your appointment. Indeed, as you assume your respective high and exalted offices as judges of the High Court, I urge you to serve the people of Bayelsa with an unfailing commitment.

    “Let your actions and decisions be steered solely on unprejudiced and faithful application of the constitution and our written laws, our ethics and values as a people and the superseding interest of justice,” Governor Diri said.

    TNG reports the event was witnessed by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Kate Abiri.