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Diri Seeks Ijaw Culture Preservation In US

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4 years ago

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Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called on diaspora Ijaws to instill the values, culture and tradition of ijaw in their children.
Diri made the call at the gala night to wrap up the 2022 Ijaw Diaspora Convention in Newark, New Jersey State in the United States of America.
“A man who has no culture is lost. The beginning of a man’s culture is language and then his dressing. So, I count on you to ensure the sustenance of the rich Ijaw culture.
“My physical presence here should tell you the importance I attach to the cause of Ijaw nation.
“I am equally happy with what this group is doing, bringing all Ijaws in diaspora together.
“Consciously, we must continue to preserve and promote the Ijaw culture and tradition wherever we find ourselves. That applies to all of you abroad”, he said.
Diri urged the diaspora Ijaws to support efforts of the government to attract investment opportunities to their state.
He used the opportunity to keep the diaspora Ijaws up to speed about development in the state, including the ongoing construction of the three senatorial roads.
“Through the three senatorial roads, we are connecting many riverine communities by roads. We also want to ensure that all our Local Government headquarters hitherto not linked by road are connected.
“For the Sagbama-Ekeremor road in the Bayelsa West, we are working to ensure the completion and commissioning during the 3rd anniversary of our government
“In Bayelsa Central, the Yenagoa-Oporoma road is progressing with the bridge to connect Angiama Community to Oporoma, the Southern Ijaw Local Government headquarters awarded.
“Just about two weeks ago, the last one in the East, Nembe-Brass road was flagged-off after decades that the road had been on the drawing board,” the governor said.
He urged them to ensure they work closely with the national executive of the Ijaw National Congress (INC).This he said they could do by adding their voices to trending national debates and promotion of the culture of the fourth largest ethnic group in the country.
In his address, the Chairman of the occasion and member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Dr Fred Agbedi, stressed the need for the Ijaw people to continue to unite.
Agbedi urged those in diaspora to always contribute to the development of their state back home.
The President of Ijaw Diaspora Council, Prof. Mondy Gold, expressed the appreciation of the council to the governor and other top Ijaw leaders for their attendance and participation.
He said that the forum had formed a strong network across the globe to stand firmly together for the progress of Ijaw nation.
Other dignitaries present at the occasion were Amb. Tijjani Mohammed-Bande, Nigeria Permanent Representative to the UN, Amb. Ben Okoyen, Nigerian Amb. to Cuba, and Amb. Lot Egopija, Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, among others.

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Niger Delta

Okpebholo Urges Edo Youths To Join Nigerian Army Recruitment

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33 seconds ago

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April 10, 2026

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The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has urged eligible youths in the state to take advantage of the ongoing Nigerian Army 91 Regular Recruit Intake by enlisting in the Army.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, in Benin.
According to the statement, the call followed the scheduled visit of the Nigerian Army sensitisation team to the state from April 8 to April 14.
It noted that the visit is aimed at engaging, guiding and supporting prospective applicants through the recruitment process.
The Governor, however, urged qualified young men and women in the state to participate in the exercise.
“The opportunity offers a pathway to meaningful employment, national service and personal development through the Nigerian Army recruitment process.
“I urge Edo youths to come forward in large numbers to improve the state’s participation and meet its national quota in the Army recruitment exercise.
“It is a chance for young Edo people to build disciplined and purposeful careers,” he said.
Okpebholo also urged parents, guardians, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious institutions and youth organisations to mobilise and encourage eligible candidates within their communities to take part in the exercise.
He added that interested applicants should visit the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal for full details on eligibility, requirements and application procedures.
The Governor further advised candidates to ensure that all necessary documents are complete before presenting themselves at designated sensitisation centres during the stated period.
“The Edo State Government remains committed to creating opportunities for youths and calls for collective support to ensure the success of this exercise,” he said.
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Niger Delta

Tinubu Set To Unveil Projects In Bayelsa, Today

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50 seconds ago

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April 10, 2026

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Baring any last minutes changes in plans, Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is set to pay official State visit to Bayelsa State today.
A statement  by the State Government said during the State visit, the  President would inaugurate a number of projects, including the new 60mw gas-powered turbines procured and installed by the present administration.
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Douyi Diri, who spoke during an Easter Sunday service at the St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Sampou Community, his hometown, in the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the State, said the presidential visit was significant and offered an opportunity for citizens of the State to showcase their famed hospitality and warmth to guests.
He stated that the projects to be inaugurated during the one-day visit were central to the state’s economic development and transformation.
The Governor prayed for sustained unity across the state, noting that peaceful coexistence remains a defining trait of the Ijaw people.
“I call on all Bayelsans to come out en masse to welcome Mr. President and accord him the hospitality that we are known for. It is part of our culture as Ijaw people to warmly receive our guests.
“We are known for peace and unity. Let us continue to uphold these values as we move forward as one people”, he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the state’s development, Diri said it will continue its infrastructural drive to place the State on the map of investment, tourism, and economic development, describing the 60-megawatt gas turbine project to be inaugurated as critical to improving electricity supply in the state.
The Governor also underscored the significance of the 630-metre Angiama-Oporoma bridge, saying it was a historic milestone for the people of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
“Power is a major driver of economic growth, and this project is key to our development agenda
“For over 60 years, our people in Southern Ijaw have had no road access to Yenagoa. The Angiama-Oporoma bridge changes that reality.
“These are legacy projects that will positively impact our people and open up Bayelsa for greater opportunities”, the Governor added.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

Flood: NDDC Extends Lifeline To Ayakoro Community

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2 weeks ago

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March 30, 2026

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has distributed relief materials to residents of Ayakoro Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, following recurring flood incidents that have devastated livelihoods and displaced residents.
A statement signed and issued by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, stated that the intervention, aimed at cushioning the impact of seasonal flooding, comes amid growing concerns over the loss of lives, farmlands and economic assets in the riverine community.
Representing the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, at the event, the Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Patience Ezugu, said the initiative reflects the commission’s commitment to alleviating hardship and improving living conditions across the Niger Delta.
She noted that the donation of food items and essential household materials forms part of NDDC’s broader strategy to support vulnerable communities while advancing sustainable development in the region.
“As we distribute these materials to the people of Ayakoro, we reaffirm our resolve to empower communities and drive meaningful development across the Niger Delta”, she said.
Ogbuku, in a statement, reiterated that the commission’s mandate is rooted in addressing environmental degradation, pollution and other development challenges confronting the region.
He assured that NDDC would sustain interventions that deliver tangible benefits to affected communities.
In his remarks, the Acting Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro Kingdom, King Micah Itekesi, represented by a community leader, Pastor ThankGod Expenses, commended the commission for its timely response to the plight of flood victims.
Describing the intervention as unprecedented, he expressed gratitude to the NDDC leadership for the scale of assistance provided, noting that the support would go a long way in easing the suffering of residents.
He also assured that the relief materials would be distributed fairly among households in the community.
Speaking on the selection process, the programme consultant, Dr. Daniel George Smile, explained that Ayakoro was prioritised due to the severity of flood impact and the community’s fragile economic condition.
He added that assessments were ongoing in other affected areas for possible intervention.
The latest effort underscores NDDC’s continued focus on humanitarian support alongside its core infrastructure and development mandate in the Niger Delta.
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