News
Bayelsa Monarch Scores NDDC High
The people of Otuege 1 Community, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have commended the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC on the provision of solar powered lightening for their community.
The Acting paramount ruler of the ancient community in Anyama clan of Ogbia Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Young Ido gave the commendation last Saturday during an independent tour of select projects executed by the commission in parts of Bayelsa East Senatorial last district by Newsmen.
The monarch who applauded the interventionist agency for the timely execution and completion of the project noted that it has added economic significance to the community, asserting that with this project, business owners living and doing business in the community which has experienced blackout for decades have now been relieved of the Burden of doing their businesses in darkness at night.
He pleaded with the commission, the Government and other agents of development to remember the plight of neglected communities like his in the award and execution of projects, saying his community has suffered perennial neglect from successive administrations than many other coastal communities of the Niger Delta region, emphasising the need for more impactful projects.
“We thank the NDDC for this solar light, for years now we’ve been in darkness, even when the gas turbine is running we’re often in darkness partly because our transformer and electric lines are badly damaged. So when they came to execute this solar electricity, we were all glad they came. Today anybody doing business into the late hours at night will not have fear again because everywhere is shining bright, it has so much economic benefit,”he said.
“Though we need projects of greater economic impact like linking our community to Yenagoa and other areas with road, but we are grateful to the NDDC for this feat, maybe with time, paved roads and others will come. We thank God,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Royal father has also called on the Bayelsa State Government to equip the community’s health centre, Otuega 1 with drugs and other health facilities, saying even though the community bears both the SPDC and Agip Oil and gas pipelines all is not well with community which he said has an already built but unequipped and nonfunctional health centre.
The paramount ruler maintained that as a result, lost of man-hours on the search for hospitals has often resulted to lose of lives to illnesses which would have been contained by medical staffs posted to the community health centre if it has been functioning.
He noted that if the already built health centre continues to linger nonfunctional, life expectancy in the community may become even shorter than estimated by global indices on access to healthcare.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
News
Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene