Author: Emmanuel Obe

The Rivers State Elders Council has called on political stakeholders in the state to embrace peace and reconciliation following the end of emergency rule and as Governor Siminalayi Fubara resumes full democratic governance alongside his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the House of Assembly led by Hon. Martins Amaewhule. In a statement signed by its chairman, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, the council described the transition as an opportunity for reflection, healing, and renewed commitment to the unity and development of Rivers State. “We urge all stakeholders, without exception, to embrace the peace and reconciliation that has now returned to our dear…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has stressed the imperativeness of alternative dispute resolution in promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in the workplace. The Managing Director of the commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who was addressing an in-house sensitisation seminar on ADR, said ADR is a critical tool in fostering trust at the workplace. The theme of the seminar was, “Promoting Transparency and Due Process in the Workplace: Deploying Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Approaches in Building a Culture of Accountability and Integrity.” It was organised by the commission’s Department of Dispute and Conflict Resolution in Port Harcourt. The Chief of Staff…

Bayelsa State Government has pledged to collaborate with the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) for the training and certification of underwater welders. The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewrudjakpo, who made the pledge during a courtesy call on him by the Director General and other top officials of NACETEM in Yenagoa, said the training would make the trainees employable in the oil and marine sectors of the economy. He however enjoined NACETEM to also extend its collaborative network to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and other agencies on…

The National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA) and disaster response organisations in Bayelsa have pledged joint efforts to mitigate the impact of the impending flood. The Nigeria Meteorological Service and Nigeria Hydrological Agency had predicted that some 30 states of the federation including Bayelsa were at risk of flood in 2025. The stakeholders strategic coordination meeting on preparedness and response to flood and other emergencies in Bayelsa held on Wednesday at the BYSEMA office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital., The Head of Operations at NEMA’s Port Harcourt Zonal Office, Mr Eric Ebhodaghe, noted that collaboration was…

The former Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, shortly before leaving office launched the adoption of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and a suite of new revenue codes. The launch, which took place at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt, was the culmination of a reform initiative designed to align Rivers State with global best practices in public financial management. Vice Admiral Ibas stated that the reforms were necessary to address systemic weaknesses in the state’s revenue architecture. “For too long, our revenue system has suffered from weak or imprecise computation,…

The former Administrator of Rivers State, Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has said that he left a legacy of governance in Rivers State that has become a model for good governance. Ibas, who spoke at a public lecture to mark the end of his tenure as the sole administrator of the state, declared that the state had been successfully stabilised under his stewardship. The Public Lecture themed, “Democracy and Good Governance,” brought together academics, policymakers, and citizens to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic journey and the recent experience of Rivers State. Vice Admiral Ibas recalled that his core mandate was to…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has affirmed its commitment to regional development through inclusive dialogue and transparency in the implementation of projects across the Niger Delta region. The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku stated this during a stakeholders meeting on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Warri, Delta State. Ogbuku, who was represented by the Deputy Director of Environmental Protection and Control, Mr. Oscar Gbayisemore, noted that sustainable development must go hand-in-hand with environmental protection. He called for deeper collaboration with stakeholders during project implementation. The NDDC Chief Executive Officer further highlighted the synergy between the NDDC and the…

Pandemonium broke out on Saturday at the Alfred Diette-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt, where thousands of local government workers had gathered for a long-running verification exercise. Frustrated after days of waiting without being attended to, the workers, many of them nursing mothers, pregnant women, and sick persons, resorted to protest, creating a commotion at the venue. The verification exercise, which began more than a month ago, is part of the state government’s reforms to cleanse the payroll of ghost workers. But the slow pace and logistical lapses have left many workers stranded. Several of those at the civic centre said…

Hon. Justice Patience Diri, wife of Bayelsa Governor, has encouraged youths to discipline themselves through reading quality literature. Diri, who spoke at the unveiling of the book, “When Tomorrow Beckons” and the fund raiser for Spelling Bee Bayelsa, commended the author for the courage and discipline she showed in writing the book and her encouragement to young people to be disciplined through reading books. “My father who was a journalist always encouraged us to read newspapers and good literature books during our days when growing up as teenagers. “Books are unique and it shapes memories that live forever than life…

The Boyloaf Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has called for the promotion of peace and values of tolerance, respect and empathy among the youths, especially boys, in the Niger Delta. The foundation, dedicated to non-violence advocacy and the protection of the boy child, in partnership with Miss Peace Organisation and with the support of the Bayelsa Government, brought children and other stakeholders together to celebrate the International Day of peace with a theme, “Little Hands Big Dreams”. The children showcased their talents in arts, poetry, speech-making, Afro dance, drama, catwalk for peace, paintings, music, among others. The event, which brought…