Niger Delta

Bayelsa Flags Off Covid-19 Vaccines As Okowa, Others Receive Jabs

Published

5 years ago

March 15, 2021

Bayelsa State Government has called on people of the state to take the Covid-19 Vaccine as part of the pharmaceutical measures to check the spread and mortality rate of the pandemic.
Governor Douye Diri who made the call during the state Flag-off Ceremony for Covid-19 Vaccination in Government House, Yenagoa, promised that his administration would continue to give priority attention to the health sector.
Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Governor lauded the Federal Government and the various development agencies for their role in ensuring that the vaccine gets to Nigeria and Bayelsa State in particular.
A press release by the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, quoted him as saying the state takes the vaccination seriously due to its conviction that there cannot be prosperity without good health.
He said his administration’s commitment to healthcare development informed government’s decision to deploy its scarce resources towards curtailing the spread of the virus in the state during the peak of the infection.
Governor Diri assured that the state government would ensure that the Vaccination Programme succeeds and therefore called on Bayelsans to avail themselves of the vaccine as its benefits far outweigh the perceived side effects.
He also lauded the State Covid-19 Taskforce and health workers who have been on the frontline to check the spread of the virus.
He said the state government had directed the completion of all referral hospitals across the state in furtherance of its desire to improve the well-being of Bayelsans, urging the people not to drop their guards even with the availability of the vaccine but continually observe all Covid-19 protocols.
Diri also called on all relevant authorities to give attention to other diseases while the fight against Covid- 19 is on.
Earlier, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Pabara Igwele expressed appreciation to the Governor and his Deputy, for their proactive steps to check the spread of the virus in the state and their support in ensuring that the vaccines arrived the state.
In their goodwill messages, Dr. Daniel Otoh of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Richard Koko of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Eghe Abe of UNICEF and a representative of Center for Disease Control, Dr Gatei Wa Nganda, all lauded the state government for its efforts at fighting the pandemic.
Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, his wife, Edith and members of the state’s Executive Council, last Friday, took turns as they were administered Astra Zeneca Covid-19 vaccines.
The Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Patience Elumeze and health workers were also vaccinated in the exercise which was held at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Asaba.
Okowa said the vaccine was approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and encouraged the people to take it.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.

Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.

Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.

Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.

“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.

Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.

Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.

The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.

Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.

“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.

“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.

Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.

“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.

“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.

By; Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.

While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.

“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.

“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.

He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.

Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.

“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.

“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”

The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.

He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.

“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.

“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.

Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.

He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.

The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.

He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.