Author: Preye Okah

As more sympathizers troop into Bayelsa State to console Bayelsans because of the death of Lawrence Ewhrakpo, the deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Governor Douye Diri, has revealed that this was the first time that a serving deputy governor of the state would pass on. He stated that it was strange and still unbelievable that his deputy was no more declaring that “as painful as it was, mortals cannot question God who designated a day to be born and a day to die. Speaking on Monday when he received more sympathisers at Government House, Yenagoa, the governor maintained that his…

Ibiba DonPedro, an Environmental Journalist and Managing Director of Foreword Communications Limited, has declared that she won’t relent until the work of rescuing the Niger Delta Environment from unnecessary Pollution is achieved. DonPedro, who is also the publisher of National Point newspaper, reacting to an award of “Defender of the Environment” given to her by Environment Outreach Magazine, maintained that the award was an honor although unexpected adding, “I really appreciate it. She stated that the Award was just a reminder of the lifelong work people like her had to do, disclosing that people who are committed, know that help…

His Majesty, King Couple Mackson Oromoni, Monbene III, the Amaokosu of Ogbe-Ijoh, recently celebrated the 10th coronation anniversary on his ascension the throne of Ogbeh-Ijoh in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. In a goodwill message, Dr. Braduce Angozi, extended heartfelt congratulations to the King, describing the monarch’s reign as a decade defined by peace, substance, and visionary leadership. He said King Oromoni’s ascension to the throne has ushered in stability and progress for Ogbe-Ijoh people and their neighbours. He commended King Oromoni for his remarkable commitment to peace building, stressing that his ability to foster dialogue, mutual…

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, the Most Rev Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said Nigeria must address the peculiarities around the kind of democracy it operates so that it can achieve inclusive democratic governance. Delivering a lecture at the Niger Delta University (NDU), during the third Annual Memorial Public Lecture organised by Niger Delta University in collaboration with the state’s Founding Fathers Forum in honour of Dr Ayebakepreye Amba Ambaiowei, Bishop Kukah described ethnicity, religion and other primordial sentiments as not only potent threats to the practice of true federalism, but serves as sources of unhealthy rivalry. The theme of the…

The Concerned Bayelsa Stakeholders Forum (CBSF) has called on Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) so as not to be left behind. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Yenagoa, the Convener of the group, Wisdom Ikuli, maintained that Governor Diri’s defection to APC would give the state the leverage to enjoy patronage from the Federal Government. Ikuli argued that defecting to APC would also make Diri align with other South-South governors in APC. He recalled that past leaders of the Niger Delta like Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye and Chief Melford Okilo admonished…

Oil exploration and exploitation, which has gone on in the Niger Delta for almost seventy years now, has brought with it despoliation and a hugely polluted environment. From 1956 when crude was discovered in commercial quantity in Otuabagi, Bayelsa State, it has been stories of environmental pollution, which year, year out have interfered with the livelihoods of the people and negatively impacted the environment. Environmentalists and other stakeholders once again gathered in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital recently to deliberate on how to approach issues that oil production and its impacts have generated in the Niger Delta, especially now that…

Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli a citizen of Ogbia Local Government of Bayelsa State has appealed to Douye Diri, the Governor of Bayelsa State to direct the police to investigate the violent attack on Golden Jeremiah, the Executive Chairman of Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Wisdom Ikuli, who condemned the act, also demanded that disciplinary action be taken against the culprit to serve as deterrent to others. In a press message on Sunday, Ikuli said, “There should be no justification for this irresponsible act and action. I mean, it is too shameful. “LGA Chairman is like a Governor at the…

The Legal Aid Council in Bayelsa says it secured the discharge of three indigent suspects in the last one week. Mr. Eddy Inenevwo, Coordinator of the council in Bayelsa told our correspondent on Wednesday in Yenagoa that the council was committed to providing free legal service to indigent people. He noted the three acquittals were achieved in less than six months from when the suspects were charged to court, adding that closing out the cases within the timeframe was remarkable. He said that the council defended Christopher Birigene, 28, who was arraigned for the allegedly stealing 24 bunches of plantain…

The Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence (AWAGBV), a coalition of non-governmental organizations in Bayelsa State has celebrated outstanding and influential women who have empowered other women in society. The celebration tagged Cheers to Her: A Celebration of Women Empowering Women, featured women across the globe celebrating themselves as they deepened the discourse on the role of women in national development and the need for women to build their capacity and acquire skills that will empower them financially. AWAGBV is made up of 18 formidable women leading other women in their various organizations namely: FOMWAN, Bayelsa State chapter, Women…

The Bayelsa government says its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has hit N 5 billion from N 1.2 billion as it reiterated its commitment to transparency. Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, Bayelsa Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, who gave the assurance of accountability during a breakdown of the state’s revenue profile for January and February 2025, said the IGR rose from N1.2 billion in January to N 5 billion in March 2025. She attributed the rise in internal revenue to reforms at the Bayelsa Board of Internal Revenue and recently introduced electronic ticketing for collecting revenue. She urged the people of Bayelsa…