Niger Delta

Dep Gov Pledges Administration’s Reciprocation Over Re-Election

Published

2 years ago

November 17, 2023

The Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has assured that the Prosperity Government of Governor Douye Diri would redouble its efforts at developing the State in the next four years.
Ewhrudjakpo gave the assurance when a delegation of the Chiefs, Elders and people of Bayelsa West Senatorial District paid him a congratulatory visit over his re-election as Deputy Governor in the just-concluded governorship polls.
Addressing the delegation at his residence in Government House, Yenagoa, on Tuesday, the Deputy Governor said the present administration would work harder to reciprocate the people’s overwhelming show of love and support in the November 11 election.
He stated that the best way to thank Bayelsans and all lovers of democracy for making Governor Diri’s re-election bid a reality is to ensure increased development, peace and security across the state.
While thanking the Elders and people of Bayelsa West Senatorial District for their unwavering support over the years, Senator Ewhrudjakpo acknowledged that he would not have attained his current political height without the various roles played by Governor Diri and Senator Seriake Dickson.
The Deputy Governor, who particularly thanked the Governor for picking him as his running mate for a second term, also appreciated all the leaders, members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for supporting the party into victory.
The State Number Two Citizen prayed God to give him and Governor Diri the courage and renewed vigour to pursue the common good of the people in the midst of challenges to make Bayelsa a better place.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Doubara Atasi, quoted him saying: “I’m happy you have gone to see my boss, our Governor, who is there for all of us and for me in particular. I’ve always said that it is a privilege and not my right to be picked as running mate.

“So, I remain grateful to the Governor for that. I also thank all our party leaders and all of you in our Senatorial District, who worked tirelessly to ensure my first and second nominations as a Deputy Governor candidate. I’m indebted to our district.

“On the victory we are all celebrating, we as a government cannot sufficiently thank Bayelsans and all the people God used in standing by us to do the right thing. Again, we are indebted to all of them, and so, we assure them that we would never disappoint them.

“I will maintain my loyalty to the Governor, the state and our senatorial district. We will continue to serve this state better, going forward. I believe there is always a room for improvement. So, we are going to improve on what we have done for about four years now”.

Speaking earlier on behalf of the delegation, the former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West at the National Assembly, Senator Seriake Dickson, lauded the Deputy Governor for being a good servant of the state and worthy son of the senatorial district.

Describing Senator Ewhrudjakpo as a loyal and supportive Deputy to Governor Diri, the lawmaker urged him to continue to give more dedicated and loyal service to the Governor and the state.

Senator Dickson said: “Just as we did a short while ago when we visited the Governor and his family at Sampou, we also congratulate you on your well deserved victory.

“On behalf of the elders and people of the Bayelsa West Senatorial District, we want to also thank you for being there for us. You have been a great representative of our senatorial district.

“We know and believe that you will not grow weary in the next four years. The Almighty God will strengthen you and be by you on all sides so that you will continue to support the Governor to deliver development and stability to our people”.

The former Governor reassured the Prosperity Administration of the continued support of the people of Bayelsa West Senatorial District within the next four years.

Stakeholders of the senatorial district who were part of the delegation include, the member representing Sagbama Constituency Two in the State House of Assembly, Mrs Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown; Acting PDP Caucus Chairman of the district, Hon. Fyneman Wilson; and the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Mr Stanley Braboke.

Others include the Caretaker Chairman of Ekeremor LGA, Mr Nemine Belemu, his Sagbama counterpart, Mr Richman Ndakwe, the Executive Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Chief Victor Okubonanabo, and traditional rulers, including the Amananaowei of Ofoni, His Royal Highness Auditor Onakpohor.

By: Ariwera Ibibo- Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Okpebholo Assures Corps Members Of Improved Welfare

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured corps members deployed to the state of improved welfare and a supportive service year.

Okpebholo gave the assurance at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members last Friday at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp in Okada.

The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, safety and entrepreneurship.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Mrs. Charity Amayaenvbo, the Governor urged corps members to embrace innovation, community service and self-reliance rather than wait for white-collar jobs.

“Edo is committed to supporting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and incentives that turn ideas into enterprises.

“Do not wait for jobs, create value. Wherever you are posted, serve your host community with humility, dedication and compassion.

“Have a positive footprint and let your service contribute to unity, productivity and progress,” he said.

Okpebholo assured the corps members that the state government was attentive to their welfare and had started addressing key concerns raised by the NYSC leadership.

“On behalf of the state government, I assure you of our support in terms of safety, an enabling environment and a rewarding service year.

“I listened carefully to the requests highlighted by the state coordinator, and I am glad to inform you that some of them have already been captured in the 2026 budget, which has been approved and signed into law,” he said.

The Governor noted that provisions for accommodation, meal subsidies, logistics and the construction of a multipurpose hall at the camp were included in the budget.

Earlier in her address, the Edo State Coordinator of the NYSC, Dr. Frances Ben-Ushie, described the ceremony as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to youth development and national integration.

Ben-Ushie said as of midnight on Thursday, a total of 1,235 prospective corps members, comprising 531 males and over 700 females, had been duly registered.

She congratulated the corps members on their enlistment into what she described as a “noble scheme,” urging them to embrace discipline, learning and active participation throughout the orientation course.

“The NYSC platform provides a unique avenue to meet people from diverse backgrounds, build lifelong friendships and create networks that can open doors to greater opportunities,” she said.

Ben-Ushie also highlighted the contributions of the NYSC to the state’s development, noting that the scheme had consistently provided skilled manpower, promoted labour mobility and strengthened national unity.

She cited initiatives such as the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme as key interventions benefiting communities across the state.

The NYSC coordinator commended the state government for its support, including the provision of buses for corps members, and appealed for further intervention to address lingering operational challenges at the orientation camp.

She expressed confidence that resolving the issues would enhance the effectiveness of NYSC programmes in the state and thanked the Governor for prioritising the welfare, security and growth of corps members.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

Niger Delta

Students Protest Non-indigene Appointment As Rector in C’River

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Students of Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State, have protested to the Governor’s Office in Calabar over an alleged plan to appoint a non-indigene as Rector for the institution.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the students demanded respect for catchment area policy, local content, and the appointment of an indigene of the state as Rector of the institution.

Speaking on behalf of the students in Calabar, Stephen Etem said the protest sought to alert the Federal and Cross River State Governments to an alleged deviation from the established rectorial selection process.

Etem said a Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, was constituted by the Federal Government to conduct the Rector selection exercise.

“The screening, which began last year, reportedly produced a Cross River State indigene as highest scorer and recommended candidate.

“Information available to us suggests that the alleged recommended candidate’s name might be substituted at the Federal Ministry of Education.

“We urge the Federal Government to uphold the council’s recommendation because altering the process could threaten peace in the institution,” he noted.

Responding at the Government House, Mr. Goddie Akpama, the Special Adviser on Intelligence to the State Governor, Bassey Otu, appealed for calm, saying the Governor was away but would be briefed.

Akpama advised the students to submit written petitions through appropriate channels, avoid inflammatory language, and engage authorities to ensure stability and uninterrupted academic activities.