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Diri Inaugurates Bayelsa Founding Fathers Forum’s New Exco

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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

 

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Call For Rivers CTC Chairmen’s Arrest Illegal -Commissioner, Others

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Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Joe Johnson, and other stakeholders have condemned the call by the embattled Martin Amaewhule-led members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for the arrest of Local Government Caretaker Chairmen in the state.
The Commissioner, who made his position known in a voice note he sent a live radio discussion programme in Port Harcourt, described the call as illegal.
He explained that the Local Government Caretaker Committees were empowered by the State Local Government law of 2018, stressing that since the amendment made to the law by former lawmakers in their tenure elongation bid was dismissed by the court, the 2018 law is still subsisting.
According to the Commissioner, the 2018 law provides a window of 90 days for caretaker committees in the event that election could not be held and urged the public to discountenance the call.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Johnson Thoughts (CORSLOT), a socio- political organisation, has joined in condemning the call.
Convener of the Coalition, High Chief Sunnie Chukumele, described the call as an act of brigandage.
He said the call is not only unconstitutional but also capable of causing disaffection in the state.
Chief Chukumele argued that Martin Amaewhule lacked the locus standi to make the call since he was no longer a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“CORSLOT condemned the call, and we want to warn Martin Amaewhule against causing crisis in the state”, he said.
He said as elders of the state, the Coalition will continue to speak out against evil.
Also reacting, a former Organizsing Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Andoni Local Government Area, Elder Blessing Tiko, said the call was coming from someone that is seeking for relevance.
He also said Martin Amaewhule and the 25 former law makers had no locus standi to make such call as their positions were being contested in court, urging the police to ignore the call.

John Bibor

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Speak Directly To Electorate, Edo Govt Challenges APC’s Okpebholo

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As the campaign for the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State heats up, the Edo State Government has challenged the candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo, to address the electorate directly and not through the over 150 spokesmen who speak on his behalf.
Addressing a press conference, Wednesday, the duo of Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, and Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, said that it was embarrassing that in the last three months, Senator Okpebholo had not addressed the people directly.
They therefore challenged the APC candidate to address the people of the state in any language of his choice, for, at least, five minutes.
Speaking, Mr Nehikhare noted that the APC had in the last three months issued over 150 press statements without one of the statements mentioning what the party intended to do for the people of Edo State, if elected.
Mr Nehikhare, who said that Governor Obaseki should be commended for the maturity he displayed in handling the violence that broke out in the state penultimate Thursday, bemoaned a situation where the APC had not deemed it necessary to mention one line item it planned to execute should it be elected in the forthcoming election.
“We led the charge for the N70,000 minimum wage, which the APC Federal Government has copied. Our candidate, Asue Ighodalo, has said that he would review it upward if elected. The APC has not said what it intends to do. The APC has not shown any innovative way to involve itself in the minimum wage.
“Since September last year, we introduced the free bus ride scheme, and we have extended it to November. Nowhere from the APC have we heard what it wants to do. We have employed over 5,000 people into the civil service, apart from the teaching service; there has been nothing from the APC,” the commissioner stated.
According to Mr Nehikhare, “The APC candidate is the only one with over 150 people speaking for him and none has said anything about what the APC candidate will do for the people. Is that how to do it? Won’t the candidate speak for himself?”

 

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PDP Chieftain Drums Support For Rivers LG Polls

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Dr.John Okoroafor, has called on Rivers people, especially supporters of the PDP, to commit to the success of the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
Addressing newsmen recently in Okehi, headquarters of the LGA, on his readiness to contest the chairmanship seat of the council in the scheduled October 5, 2024 Local Government polls, Dr Okoroafor urged supporters of the party to remain calm, steadfast and supportive to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.
On political crisis in the state, he enjoined the people not to yield to threats of those he described as “enemies of Rivers development and progress,” but rather stay committed and proactive in their support to both the Governor and the PDP as it affects the coming elections.
Dr Okoroafor, a lawyer and Deputy State Coordinator of a political pressure group in the state, the PDP-Grassroots Support Base of Nigeria (PDP-GSBN), stressed that, “We should not allow ourselves to be intimidated or terrorised to fail in this civic responsibility.”
He said this is necessary so that leaders and loyalists of the party in the state would not be harassed, intimidated and arrested by security agents even on the day of election.
The PDP Chairmanship hopeful in the area also hinted that the opposition plans to engage in electoral violence and all manner of distractions.
“In all of these, be civil, calm, tolerant and focused, as the best is around the corner for us all”, he admonished.
The PDP chieftain appealed to Etche electorate in particular and Rivers voters in general to rise up to vote massively for all the PDP candidates in the polls.
Dr Okoroafor enjoined them not to vote in anyone that is opposed to the Governor Fubara -led government, arguing that the opposition lacked credibility and does not mean well for them.
He assumed Etche people that if voted in to power as Chairman, he will facilitate more development projects to the LGA, including jobs and other dividends of democracy.
Meanwhile, Dr Okoroafor said it had become necessary to encourage unemployed graduates to engage in skills acquisition rather than roaming the streets for employment opportunities, that do not exist.

Bethel Toby

 

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