Niger Delta
Bayelsa To Partner Dangote Foundation On Health, Other Sectors …As Diri Flags-off State-wide Palliative Rice Distribution
The Bayelsa State Government has expressed its readiness to partner the Aliko Dangote Foundation on quality healthcare delivery services and other critical sectors to improve the overall wellbeing of the people of the state.
The State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, made this known on Wednesday while flagging off the National Food Intervention Programme being organised by the Aliko Dangote Foundation in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Governor commended the Foundation for donating 10,000 bags of 10kg rice for distribution in the state to alleviate the economic hardship among Bayelsans, especially the less privileged.
While acknowledging the group’s effort in funding critical healthcare projects in the country, he said his administration was desirous of establishing and sustaining effective partnership with the Dangote Foundation.
The Bayelsa Chief Executive disclosed that the State Government had already secured about 21 thousand bags of rice and other grains which would soon be distributed to Bayelsans as food palliatives to cushion the impact of the current harsh economic realities.
According to him, his administration had been supporting 420 persons with N200,000 each every month to enable them create sustainable livelihoods and promote self reliance through business activities across the eight Local Government Areas of the state.
“On behalf of a grateful state, I want to welcome you and thank the Aliko Dangote Foundation for this very noble humanitarian initiative.
“It is quite encouraging that someone had to do this on his own volition, not being nudged or compelled. It is the milk of human kindness in Alhaji Aliko Dangote that is actually manifesting.
“We convey the appreciation of the people of Bayelsa to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation and the Dangote Group for this gesture.
“We also believe that this gesture should not end in food alone. The Bayelsa State Government is open and ready to embrace the Aliko Dangote Foundation in the area of healthcare delivery.
“I say so because I am aware that you also have something in the area of healthcare delivery. We are looking forward to having an effective partnership with your Foundation in health and other sectors because you have been supporting the national health scheme”, the Governor said.
In his welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Toboukiye Sese, said the State Government was delighted at the philanthropic gesture from the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
Prof. Sese assured the Foundation that the 7,000 bags of rice received so far would be judiciously distributed to the beneficiaries, especially the needy in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Foundation, the Head of Operations, Mr. Ejiro Victor Edero, said the purpose of the gesture from the Chairman of the Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, was to alleviate hardship being faced by families across the state.
Ejiro said the Foundation’s food intervention programme was a nationwide project, with over one million bags of rice being distributed across the 36 states in the country.
He expressed confidence in the integrity of the distribution team to diligently distribute the 7,000 bags of rice already supplied, assuring that the balance of 3,000 bags, making a total of 10,000 would be delivered to the state by the weekend.
Also, speaking on behalf of the focal persons in charge of the distribution team, Mr. Newton Toitoi, described the intervention by the Aliko Dangote Foundation as timely and promised that the team would ensure a fair and effective distribution of the food to the most vulnerable in the state.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.