Niger Delta
FG Plans N25m Imaging Centre In Bayelsa
The Federal Government says it will spend N25 million to establish an Underwater Research and Imaging Centre in Bayelsa State.
The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, said at the annual African Movies Academy Awards Night last Saturday that movie makers should use their creative skills to tell the Nigerian story in the right perspective.
Duke said that the centre would boost human capital development in the industry. He assured that the N3 billion pledged by the Federal Government to support the movie industry would soon be released and urged the guilds in the sector to use the funds judiciously.
Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State said the state government had begun the construction of a film and entertainment village in Yenagoa to facilitate the production of movies that would market Bayelsa.
Dickson said government had endowed a Bayelsa Indigenous Movie Trust Fund to give lifeline to budding talents in the industry, and pledged the readiness of the government to provide land to movie makers who wished to reside in the state.
South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Lulu Mnuguni, said there was need for the two countries to cooperate and chart a new course for development of the African continent.
“We recalled that Nigeria played a pivotal role to the freedom we enjoyed today because you believed that injustice to one is injustice to all; now is the time for us to join forces and face the battle against poverty in the whole of Africa,” he said.
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Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oboreveori, on Wednesday, presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill of N1.664 trillion to the State House of Assembly.
Presenting the bill during plenary of the Assembly in Asaba, Oborevwori said, “I wish to announce a budget proposal of N1.664 trillion for the services of Delta State Government in 2026.”
He said the amount comprised the sum of N499 billion, representing 30 per cent of total budget for Recurrent Expenditure, and N1.165 trillion representing 70 per cent of total budget for Capital Expenditure.
The Governor added that the 2026 budget size indicated an increase of N685 billion, or 70 per cent over the 2025 Appropriation.
He also said sources of funds for the 2026 budget as proposed would be mainly from statutory allocation, internally generated revenue, mineral derivation, and Value Added, Tax among others.
Giving breakdown of the budget proposal, he said the state was earmarking N450 billion for road projects across the state in the 2026 fiscal year.
He said, ”A well-developed road infrastructure is a catalyst for economic growth.
”It facilitates easy movement of goods and services, reduces transportation costs, attracts investment, and improves access to markets and thereby boosting socio-economic development and generating employment opportunities.
”Agriculture is key to economic diversification and sustainable development.
”We shall continue to devote considerable attention and resources to fast-track developments in the agricultural sector towards enhancing food security in Delta State.
”This will also enable economic diversification, promote self-reliance, and generate employment opportunities.”
The Tide’s source reports that the sum of 10 billion has been earmarked for the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in the 2026 Budget.
Oborevwori, who is the immediate past Speaker of the Assembly, commended the House for its partnership and urged members to expedite consideration and passage of the budget to sustain ongoing development momentum.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building “a prosperous, secure, and stronger Delta where no one is left behind.”
In his remarks, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Dennis Guwor, commended Oborevwori’s administration for the steady strides recorded under the “Renewed Hope for MORE Agenda”.
”Over the past year, we have witnessed sustained investments in critical infrastructure, impactful social interventions, prudent fiscal management of resources, and strategic initiatives aimed at promoting peace, security, and economic stability across the State”, he said.
Guwor also commended the Governor for approving the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) and initiating the construction of permanent offices for the Assembly Service Commission.
He assured the Governor of the Assembly’s resolve to undertake a thorough and timely review of the appropriation bill, stressing that the Legislature remains committed to people-centered governance, accountability, and equitable development.
“Your Excellency, I want to assure you that the entire Members of this 8th Assembly are united behind your vision for the transformation of the State.
”While our roles in government are distinct and protected by the Constitution, our objectives remain aligned; delivering the greatest good to the greatest number of the people of the state”, he stated.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has described the death of his maternal aunt, late Madam Ogulagha-Ere Egberiwarebo Finikeme, as the loss of another mother.
Speaking at Ayamasa Community in the Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state on Saturday during her funeral, Diri said following the death of his biological mother, the late septuagenarian became a mother to him.
He said she was a loving and caring woman, who prayed for not only her biological children, which included the Government House Director of Transport and Special Duties, High Chief Lucky Youbogha, but for everyone in the family, and expressed sadness that he had no one to call mother anymore.
According to him, the late matriarch, who died at the age of 78, had all the attributes of her sister, who was his biological mother, saying she would be remembered for her good deeds.
Diri recalled how during his first term election campaign in 2019, he promised that the road to Ayamasa would be completed and expressed appreciation to God that vehicles now drive into the community, which hitherto could only be accessed through neighbouring Delta State.
“I thank God for a day like this in Ayamasa. For us from this community, we know how it was before now.
“The immediate past Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, took the bull by the horn to start construction of the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road. Part of our campaign when he went round with me in 2019 was that we will complete the road. Today we can drive with our eyes closed to Ayamasa.
“I shed tears when I recall the burial of my late mother and how difficult it was to move to Delta State first before entering Ayamasa.
“After the passage of my mother, this woman became a mother to me. We forgot our mother was no more because at all times she was there for us. She was always praying for us. She showed us love.
“Mama had all the attribute of my late mother and we will continue to remember her good works”, he said.
Delivering a sermon, President of the Royal House of Grace Church International, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey, urged the bereaved to take solace in the fact that very soon, God will make death to cease as promised in His word.
He said Madam Finikeme had victory as she died in Christ and implored those alive to dedicate their lives to the service of God.
Present at the funeral service were the wife of the Governor, Justice Patience Diri, Senator Konbowei Benson, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, and other state legislators.
Also in attendance were Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei; members of the State Executive Council; Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, Ebitimi Amgbare; and President, Azikel Group, Dr. Azibapu Eruani.
Others were a retired Supreme Court jurist and King of Tuomo Kingdom, Justice Francis Tabai, as well as President, Ijaw Youth Council, Jonathan Lokpobiri, among other dignitaries.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
In his quest towards executing critical infrastructure projects in communities across Bayelsa State, the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has intensified work on construction of internal roads in Ogbia Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.
The Tide, which visited some of the construction sites in parts of the LGA, reports that at Imiringi Town, work on “Wisdom Ikuli” Road and other adjoining roads have reached advanced stage.
Speaking with newsmen, Project Manager of the contracting firm, Roshata Nig. Ltd, Pastor Godspower Ekpartaziba Dominic, described the Governor as a leader who understands the problems of various communities of the state.
Meanwhile, Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media and Public Affairs, has said though Imiringi is an oil producing community, successive administrations have not executed even a meter of road in the community prior to the award and construction of the current projects by the Diri-led Prosperity administration.
He noted that while most of the needed construction machinery and equipments were procured for the job, the company has also recruited skill and unskilled workers within and outside the community to deliver the project.
The governor’s aide noted that it was for reasons of spreading prosperity directly and indirectly as espoused by the Governor that the manpower for the project was recruited from within and outside the community.
He said: “This is just one out of the many internal road projects being constructed by the Prosperity administration led by State Governor, Senator Douye Diri round the State.
“Here in Imiringi, we’ve various other internal road projects the Governor is embarking on. But my firm, Roshata Nig. Ltd, has a total of 650mtrs.
“So far, we’ve reached an advanced stage on the project. We’re deliberately spreading prosperity to the people working here by recruiting our staff base for the work from within and outside the community.
“We’ve also deliberately divided the 650mtrs road to criss-cross a few other streets in the community, and we intend to deliver this project soon and timely for the use and benefit of Bayelsans and others living in or visiting this community.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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