Niger Delta
Forum Unveils Vision, Commends Diri On Project Execution
A group, the Bayelsa State Founding Fathers Forum (BSFFF) has vowed to continually pursue the vision behind the struggle for the creation of the State.
Chairman of the forum, Sir Itelemo Frank Omiebi, stated this yesterday during an interview with The Tide in Yenagoa, the State Capital.
He said though the BSFFF has reservations about recent calls on its leadership to speak up against perceived marginalisation of the State by the Federal Government and associated MDAs, he noted that there is the general notion that the forum was made up of responsible, patriotic and capable statesmen in their own right.
The Tide learnt that the BSFFF is a group of statesmen of the Ijaw extraction, mostly of Bayelsa origin, who played prominent roles in the struggle for the creation of the State out of the Old Rivers State in 1996 under the late Genenera Sani Abacha military junta.
Omiebi disclosed that though as statesmen, the forum for sometime decided to keep mum on certain issues to avoid unnecessary heating of the polity, the rationale behind the convocation of the forum, he said, stemmed from the need to create a homogeneous Ijaw state out of the Old Rivers State which the forum has achieved far back in 1996.
He, however, stated that while issues bordering on marginalisation of the State were worrisome, the forum had continued to play an advisory role to successive administrations of the State.
“The vision of the BSFFF is tripartite: we’re to work towards the creation of an egalitarian State capable of raising committed, responsible and patriotic leaders.
“The forum is also to effect overall infrastructural and sectoral development of the State, and to promote human capital development with particular reference to education, so as to reverse our disadvantaged State in the comity of States in Nigeria”, the forum said.
The chairman also noted that there were consummate professionals from all walks of life willing to render needed support and services to the State in the group whenever they are consulted on matters affecting the development and well being of the State.
The forum’s leadership, which also bared its mind on the present administration of the State, described the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, as a bonafide member of the forum, saying the workings of his administration were in tandem with the vision of the forum.
“But we like to commend Governor Diri who himself is a member of the forum. The Governor has been working according to the vision of the BSFFF in the provision of infrastructure and, in other areas of governance.
“We want to especially thank him for the peace we’ve in the State. And we also want to commend him for the security of lives and properties of citizens across the State”.
“On infrastructure, we want to thank Governor Diri for continuing the Senatorial roads projects in the state. These and many more were part of the vision of the forum”, the BSFFF leadership added.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Niger Delta
NDDC Begins N50,000 Monthly Payment To 10,000 N’Delta Youths

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has begun the payment of N50,000 monthly stipends to 10,000 indigenous youths from the Niger Delta under its Youths Internship Scheme.
The Director of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, yesterday.
She explained that the beneficiaries would undergo practical, hands-on training across the various organisations for 12 months to develop critical skills.
Recall that during the inauguration of the scheme on July 31, 2024, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had announced the Federal Government’s approval of a N50,000 monthly stipend for the trainees.
According to Thompson-Wakama, the commission has successfully completed the selection process and has begun placing trainees in organisations to gain practical experience.
“Consequently, with the completion of these phases, the payment of the monthly stipends has also commenced,” she announced.
She revealed that the 10,000 beneficiaries were transparently selected from over 3.2 million youths who registered for the empowerment programme.
“This unprecedented response highlights the immense potential and aspirations of our youths to improve themselves.
“NDDC remains steadfast in ensuring this life-changing opportunity reaches the most deserving candidates, creating a lasting impact and paving the way for a brighter future,” she stated.
Thompson-Wakama explained that the scheme had enabled the commission to collate essential data, including the qualifications, skills, interests, needs, and employment status of the youths in the region.
The data, she explained, would guide the commission in designing programmes tailored to address the unique challenges faced by young people.
She disclosed that the NDDC partnered with KPMG, a global audit and consultancy firm, to enhance the commission’s corporate governance framework.
“KPMG has produced a Governance Advisory Report that will serve as a tool to support the commission’s transition from a transaction-based to a transformation-focussed policy,” Thompson-Wakama added.
The director commended the youths for their patience and cooperation during the selection process for the scheme.
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