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Banigo, Jonathan Condole With Late Alamieyeseigha’s Family
The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, has commiserated with the families of the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief D. S. P. Alamieyeseigha, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson and the good people of Bayelsa State over the painful demise of Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha on October 10th, 2015 at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt.
A statement by her Press Secretary, Paul Damgbor, described Chief Alamieyeseigha as an icon of Niger Delta who devoted his life to the struggle for improved standard of living and development of the people of the Niger Delta.
Banigo noted that the former Bayelsa patriot was a pace-setter in Bayelsa State, and a strong voice for the emancipation of Bayelsa State in particular and the South-South as a whole, stressing that the late political icon left the scene when he was most needed.
The deputy governor described late Alamieyesigha as a trusted friend and a brother to Rivers people, and prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Meanwhile, the immediate past President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan at the weekend lamented the death of Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, the first civilian governor of Bayelsa State, saying he had lost an elder brother.
Jonathan, who served as Alamieyeseigha’s deputy from 1999 to 2005, said he was saddened by the sudden death of his former boss.
He said their relationship was not that of a governor and a deputy governor but that of an elder brother and a younger brother.
Jonathan was speaking in an emotion-laden voice when he paid a condolence visit to the Alamieyeseigha’s family at their residence in Opolo,Yenagoa, on Friday.
He said, “It is sad. I directly worked as a deputy governor to Alamieyeseigha. I knew Alamieyeseigha during the UNCP days when we were working for him.
“I never knew I was going to be his deputy because that was not my interest then. From that time, the political evolution in the country and the state brought me to work with him.
“And from 1999, we have been together. He always took me as his younger brother. Our relationship was not that of a governor and a deputy but it was that of a younger brother and an elder brother”.
Jonathan was accompanied by Governor Seriake Dickson, his Deputy, John Jonah, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Edmund Allison-Oguru and other officials of government and elder statesmen.
Alamieyeseigha’s widow, Margaret, broke down in tears and wept uncontrollably as Jonathan walked into the cosy sitting room in the palatial residence, with those on his entourage.
Jonathan, who admitted that “it was only God that stopped tears from rolling down my cheek” when he saw her wailing, said he considers the Alamieyeseighas as his family.
Jonathan noted that without the Alamieyeseigha family, nobody would have known him in the world.
He recalled that it was his late former boss who made him to begin to celebrate his birthdays as he never did so until about three years into their first tenure.
He explained that he decided to visit the bereaved family on Friday because he would be away to Tanzania this week where he would spend about 12 days.
He stated that Alamieyeseigha’s demise was a rude shock not only to his immediate family but to Bayelsans and the Ijaw nation.
Jonathan eulogized Alamieyeseigha, stressing that he was a courageous man who had a good heart for Bayelsa, Ijaw land and the South-South region.
“Alamieyeseigha meant well for Bayelsa. He stood very firmly for the Ijaw people. Alamieyeseigha wanted to advance the South-South. He is somebody we had collective love for”, he said.
Jonathan encouraged Mrs. Alamieyeseigha, members of the nucleus family and his admirers not to cry anymore because God was in control.
“So, mommy, I have lost my elder brother. I’m your son. God will see us through. Be courageous so that the younger ones will have the strength to bear it.
“If you break down, it will be very catastrophic for everybody. We are all with you. God is with us. God, who took him away from you at this critical time that we needed him most, will surely open other windows for the family and for us”, he said.
He assured the family that upon his return from Tanzania, he would join hands with Dickson, the state government and elders of the state to ensure that the departed ‘Governor-General of Ijaw Nation’ was given a befitting burial.
Earlier, a member of the family and Commissioner for Transport, Akpoebide Alamieyeseigha, had on behalf of the family, welcomed Jonathan and members of his entourage.
He said the bereavement was the most difficult time for the family, and called on well-meaning individuals, Bayelsans and the people of Ijaw land to pray fervently for the family.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi