Niger Delta

Bayelsa, Firm To Launch Education Trust Fund

Published

7 years ago

May 22, 2019

The Bayelsa State Government, has said that it will on Friday formally launch the state Education Trust Fund, more than two years after Governor Seriake Dickson signed into law the bill establishing the fund following its passage by the state House of Assembly.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, disclosed this in a statement he made available to reporters in Yenagoa.
Nigeria’s frontline businessmen and founders of Zenith Bank Plc and Aiteo Group, Jim Ovia and Benedict Peters, are among eminent corporate launchers expected at the event scheduled to take place in Yenagoa.
Dickson had on March 31, 2017, signed the Education Trust Fund bill into law, which made it compulsory for different categories of workers, including contractors and civil servants in Bayelsa, to pay education levies.
In June 2017, he inaugurated a 14-member board of the Education Trust Fund chaired by a former Minister of Science and Technology, Turner Isoun.
The board went to work and in February 2018, presented its first annual report to the governor, declaring a receipt of about N800million out of which it spent N300million, leaving a balance of N500million.
The board had yet to present its second annual report.
Iworiso-Markson explained in the statement that the Education Trust Fund was part of the government’s action plan to sustain the huge investment it had made in the education sector.
He said that apart from Ovia and Peters, other corporate launchers expected at the formal launch were the multinational oil companies operating in Bayelsa.
The information and orientation commissioner noted that the state used to be ranked at the bottom of external examinations before the Dickson administration came on board in 2012, stressing that the state was now among the top five leading states in the country.
He said, “We have also drastically reduced the number of out-of-school children by 90 percent. Our model boarding schools, which today has over 10,000 students, mostly from indigent families on full government scholarships, is also one of the revolution that has happened in that sector.
“All of these need to be sustained and the Education Trust Fund will take care of that”.

Niger Delta

Otu Recommits To Support For Navy

Published

24 hours ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has said his administration will continue to collaborate with the navy for effective protection of the waterways.

Otu stated this when the Commandant, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, Commodore Shuaib Ahmed, visited him in Calabar.

The Governor described the visit as critical to consolidating the partnership between Cross River State and the navy.

“Peace and stability remain non-negotiable prerequisites for the progress of the state.

“So, this visit reaffirms our shared resolve to keep the state safe and secured through sustained collaboration,” he said.

Otu stated that security remained the foundation for meaningful development in every society.

“No society prospers in the midst of insecurity. As a state, our development vision depends on peace, order and collective vigilance,” he said.

The Governor commended the Navy for the level of professionalism being exuded by its personnel in the discharge of their duties.

He said the Navy’s efforts had hugely boosted investor confidence and strengthened the state’s economic environment.

The Governor assured the Navy of the state government’s continued support towards enhanced operation.

Earlier, Ahmed explained that the visit followed the military tradition of familiarizing with authorities upon assumption of duties.

He stated that it was crucial to align naval operations with the strategic priorities of the state government.

The naval chief thanked the state government for its support to the force, saying, “your support has helped us immensely in achieving targets”

The Commandant further said there was need to strengthen infrastructure and communication systems in order to address evolving security challenges.

“Operationalising key naval facilities will improve our capacity to tackle maritime crimes.

“The Navy is committed to supporting the state in ensuring the safety and security of the waterways.

“We shall continue to promote peace while enabling the residents to carry out their lawful activities without fear,” he said.

Niger Delta

Community Praises Diri, Ogbuku On Projects Execution … Prioritises Security, Dev

Published

24 hours ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

The Agbura Community of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has again lauded the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and the Managing-Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, over infrastructure projects executed in the community.

Speaking with newsmen midweek in Yenagoa, its Chairman, Community Development Committee, Mr. Tribunal Egba, hailed the Governor for the successful completion of the abandoned Oxbow lake-Agbura Road project and others within the Community.

He also eulogized the NDDC MD for the construction of new lodge in the community for serving Corps members as well as plans to execute other projects.

Mr. Egba added that the completion of the Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road has given the community facelift, while also pleading with the government and the interventionist agency to award shore protection contract in the community to save it from the perennial floodings experienced in the fast urbanizing town.

Similarly, the community’s leadership has given assurances that it will continue to give priority to development and security of lives and property.

The CDC helmsman promised to strengthen the existing community vigilante group, while also stressing that the age-long synergy between the community and security agencies would be improved upon to get rid of crime and criminalities in the area.

“As a community, we’re so thankful to Governor Diri for constructing the abandoned Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road project. We’re also glad with the level of infrastructural development ongoing in other parts of the state, courtesy of the Diri-led administration.

“We also like to laud the MD/CEO, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for the construction of a befitting Corpers lodge for Corps members serving in this community.

“Our priority as a community now is to protect these infrastructure projects. We’ll continue to work in synergy with all security agencies to make sure there’s peace and development”, the CDC leadership said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Delta Shocked Over Death Of Chief Protocol Officer

Published

24 hours ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

Delta State Government has expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Mr. Sunny Kotor, Senior Special Assistant on Protocol to the State Government.

Kotor, a renowned Master of Ceremony at state functions, reportedly slumped and passed away last Friday.

In a statement signed by the Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, in Warri on Saturday, his passing was described as “a profound loss; not only to his family, but to the Government and people of Delta State who benefited immensely from his professionalism, composure, and unmistakable presence at official engagements.

“He brought dignity, structure, and excellence to every function he handled, leaving behind a standard that will be difficult to forget,” the statement added.

The Commissioner noted that “every passing is indeed a sobering reminder of how fragile and fleeting life can be,” extending heartfelt condolences to Kotor’s family, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of working with him.

The statement prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.