The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has inaugurated the newly elected executive council members of the Bayelsa State Founding Fathers Forum (BSFF).
Addressing the forum at the Ijaw House, headquarters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) in Yenagoa, Governor Diri who was represented by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Elder Erasmus Patrick, said he was pleased with the activities and contributions of the forum towards the development of the state.
“As a member of the Bayelsa State Founding Fathers Forum, I appreciate all your inputs towards the development of the state. What the founding fathers initially wanted was the creation of, at least, three homogeneous Ijaw states. But for now, we have only Bayelsa which is the ‘Jerusalem of all Ijaws’’, Governor Diri said.
Speaking on the occasion, a former Acting President of the INC and Chairman of the electoral committee, Engr Charles Ambaiowei, noted that most programmes and projects executed by successive administrations of the state were in tandem with the vision of the founding fathers documents.
He applauded the the administration of Senator Diri for considering the BSFF as an active participant in the developmental affairs  of the state, noting that like the Government, the BSFF members meant well for the state in all ramifications.
In his speech, the out gone chairman of BSFF, Chief Benedict Guembe, eulogized members for their steadfastness and dedication to the cause of the forum, noting that members were very supportive in their contributions of ideas, resources and physical energy towards building a stronger and more united body .
Delivering his inaugural speech, the newly sworn-in chairman, Elder Itelimo Frank Omiebi, thanked members of the forum for finding him worthy to occupy the position as their leader.
He promised consistent consultations with his executives and other members to make the forum better, noting that he would leverage on his experience to lead the forum to greater heights.
Other members of the new executive council of the Bayelsa State Founding Fathers Forum include, Elder Timi Kay Ogoriba, Vice Chairman; Professor Prince Ebiowei Kainga, Secretary; Fitzgerald Fetongha, Assistant Secretary; and Dr Napoleon Wessey, Treasurer.
Also inaugurated were: Pastor (Mrs) Lovinah Ikeni Imo, Financial Secretary; Mr Boro Fezighe Ikoli, Publicity Secretary; Mr Akponanabofa George, Organizing Secretary and Dr Ebiegberi Domo-Spiff, Legal Adviser.
The rest were: Mr Kakiri Woyengidubamo, Provost; Chief Erekake Clerk Peretubor, Ex-officio (Bayelsa West);  Mr December Samson, Ex-officio Bayelss (Central) and Amb. Eric Tonye Aworabhi, Ex-officio (Bayelsa East).

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

A sea of dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu’s wife, Oluremi, Governors Umo Eno, Bassey Otu and the Deputy Senate President, converged on the Uyo International Stadium to celebrate Senator Godswill Akpabio’s 61st birthday anniversary and formal state reception.
Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, Oluremi underscored the significance of the occasion, urging all politicians to prioritise nation building above partisan interests.
She commended Senator Akpabio’s exemplary leadership and dedication to promoting democracy and accountability. Charging other politicians to emulate Senator Akpabio, the President said it was time for all hands across party lines to be on the deck for nation building as the period of politics was over, paving the way for governance that prioritizes national interest rather than personal or party interest.
He noted that the Senate President had not only shown exemplary leadership which has gone a long way towards strengthening the principle of democracy and accountability, but also promoted the interest of many Nigerians, especially the vulnerable in the society.
He said: “At this auspicious occasion of Senator Godswill Akpabio’s 61st birthday, I send warm greetings and heartfelt wishes.This occasion is not only for celebration, but to reflect on the immense contribution he has made to Akwa Ibom and Nigeria as a whole. Under his leadership, Akwa Ibom witnessed remarkable infrastructural development, improved healthcare services and educational growth, poverty alleviation and human capital development as well as transformed the lives of many vulnerable persons.
“Senator Akpabio has continued to serve our nation diligently in the Senate. As the Senate president, he has displayed exemplary leadership, fostered unity and promoted the interest of many Nigerians. He is committed to principle of democracy, accountability and good governance.”
In his remarks, the Senate President appreciated the people who turned up to celebrate with him and said their presence would encourage him to do more and speak more, not just for Akwa Ibom People, but Nigerians as a whole.
Akpabio therefore used the occasion to clear the misconception that he created an office of the Senate president’s wife, saying that such never existed.
“There is no office called the office of the wife of the senate president, all these things are lies, the office is in the other room. I have tried to be the voice to the voiceless, not just to my senatorial district, but to Akwa Ibom and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
Governor Eno congratulated Senator Akpabio on his birthday and pledged his support for his leadership, irrespective of party lines or ethnicity, and enjoined all Akwa Ibom people and other stakeholders to learn how to support one another for the growth and development of the state and the country.
Chairman of the occasion and Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, described Senator Akpabio as an enigmatic leader whose era as governor had witnessed uncommon transformation of Akwa Ibom and expressed optimism that he would replicate same leadership acumen to foster peace, unity development, irrespective of politics party affiliations.

The entire 109 Senators of the 10th Senate have donated their one-month salaries, amounting to N109m to the victims of drone mishap in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of the Kaduna State.
This was announced on yesterday by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin at the Kaduna State Government House when he led a high-powered delegation of the Senate to the state.
The Senators were received by the state governor, Senator Uba Sani.
In a statement by his  Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir,  Senator Barau said that the money would be sent to the state governor for onward delivery to the victims.
The governor thanked the senators for the donation of their December Salaries.
The Senate delegation comprising the  Senate leader, Senator Micheal Opayemi Bamidele; the Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume; Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro; Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Kamorudeen Olarere; Senator Abdulhamid Malam-Madori; Senator Aliyu Ikra Bilbis; Senator Ibrahim Bomoi; Senator Ibrahim Lamido; Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua; Senator Victor Umeh;  Senator Muntari Dandutse; Senator Lawal Usman; and Senator Emmanuel Udende, was also at the Barau Dikko Hospital to visit the victims.
Meanwhile, Governor Sani while recieivng the senators alleged that the security agencies in Nigeria were not working on the same page.
He called on the Senate to help ensure that the survivors of Tudun-Biri community who lost their relatives during the error attack get justice.
The Governor was responding to remarks by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin who represented Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on a condolence visit to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House Kaduna.
Governor Uba Sani who assured that the Kaduna State Government would continue to support the security agencies in the discharge of their constitutional duties, sought for a speedy investigation into the error attack by the Army, with a view to bringing culprits to book and putting an end to future error attacks in any part of the country.
He also revisited his earlier calls for state police, which he believed would complement the existing security arrangement.