Niger Delta
Diri Warns Youths Against Unlawful Removal Of Rulers … Cautions Against Violent Protests
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has read the riot act to youths of Ogboinbiri Community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and other communities in the state to desist from unlawful removal of paramount rulers.
He also advised youths to conduct themselves peacefully during protests in order not to cause chaos or destruction to government and private properties.
Governor Diri gave the warning recently at a meeting with Ogboinbiri Community, which had been embroiled in crisis, in Government House, Yenagoa.
The Governor noted that there were laws guiding chieftaincy issues in the state and that any chief or traditional ruler recognised by the government cannot be removed without following the due process, noting that the youths of Ogboinbiri Community infringed on the state’s chieftaincy law by attempting to forcefully remove their paramount ruler.
While condemning the action of the youths and the Community Development Committee (CDC), the Governor, said the youth President and CDC Chairman as well as the Paramount Ruler would remain in their positions, but directed that the Youth President and CDC Chairman write a letter of apology to the State Government with a promise to work with the Paramount Ruler.
Diri further warned that the full weight of the law would descend on anyone who forcefully removes a government-recognised paramount ruler, explaining that the interest of his administration was to maintain peace in the state in order to engender development.
“Henceforth, we will not take it lightly with community youths that contravene our laws. They will face the wrath of the law in court. Enough of the brigandage in our communities.
“Across the length and breadth of Bayelsa State, any youth who takes the law into his hands on the issue of removal of chiefs would be prosecuted.
“The moment a chief is recognised by the state, whether he is Third Class, Second Class, or First Class, you cannot remove him again.
“Our law states that he is the Chief of that community for life. Unless he has contravened the law, involved in financial mismanagement, absent from his domain and he cannot discharge the duties and functions of a traditional ruler. Even at that, you are not the one to remove him.
“The Paramount Ruler still remains the paramount ruler of Ogboinbiri, and he should work with the Youth President and CDC Chairman to bring peace to the community”, the Governor said.
While calling on the youths to unite and work for the development of their communities, Diri enjoined paramount rulers to be exemplary in their conduct and maintain peace in their domain.
He also called on youths to avoid being used by disgruntled politicians to cause trouble in the name of protest.
The Governor, who acknowledged the hardship being faced by citizens in the country, and state governments, commended Bayelsa youths on their peaceful conduct during the EndSARS protest, saying that the state was one of the most peaceful at the time.
The Bayelsa helmsman also called on security agencies, local government chairmen and traditional rulers to be vigilant with a view to curbing actions that would lead to breakdown of law and order during the proposed national protest.
“I like to call on you again to remember the EndSARS protest and be disciplined and keep our state safe.
“We are getting reports about some politicians that lost elections and want to use the protest to cause havoc. We will not accept that in Bayelsa State.
“Every local government chairman and every king in their domains have to be vigilant. We are a state that needs development and we should not allow anybody to thwart the developmental efforts of our state”, the Bayelsa Governor added.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has said his administration will continue to collaborate with the navy for effective protection of the waterways.
Otu stated this when the Commandant, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, Commodore Shuaib Ahmed, visited him in Calabar.
The Governor described the visit as critical to consolidating the partnership between Cross River State and the navy.
“Peace and stability remain non-negotiable prerequisites for the progress of the state.
“So, this visit reaffirms our shared resolve to keep the state safe and secured through sustained collaboration,” he said.
Otu stated that security remained the foundation for meaningful development in every society.
“No society prospers in the midst of insecurity. As a state, our development vision depends on peace, order and collective vigilance,” he said.
The Governor commended the Navy for the level of professionalism being exuded by its personnel in the discharge of their duties.
He said the Navy’s efforts had hugely boosted investor confidence and strengthened the state’s economic environment.
The Governor assured the Navy of the state government’s continued support towards enhanced operation.
Earlier, Ahmed explained that the visit followed the military tradition of familiarizing with authorities upon assumption of duties.
He stated that it was crucial to align naval operations with the strategic priorities of the state government.
The naval chief thanked the state government for its support to the force, saying, “your support has helped us immensely in achieving targets”
The Commandant further said there was need to strengthen infrastructure and communication systems in order to address evolving security challenges.
“Operationalising key naval facilities will improve our capacity to tackle maritime crimes.
“The Navy is committed to supporting the state in ensuring the safety and security of the waterways.
“We shall continue to promote peace while enabling the residents to carry out their lawful activities without fear,” he said.
The Agbura Community of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has again lauded the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and the Managing-Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, over infrastructure projects executed in the community.
Speaking with newsmen midweek in Yenagoa, its Chairman, Community Development Committee, Mr. Tribunal Egba, hailed the Governor for the successful completion of the abandoned Oxbow lake-Agbura Road project and others within the Community.
He also eulogized the NDDC MD for the construction of new lodge in the community for serving Corps members as well as plans to execute other projects.
Mr. Egba added that the completion of the Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road has given the community facelift, while also pleading with the government and the interventionist agency to award shore protection contract in the community to save it from the perennial floodings experienced in the fast urbanizing town.
Similarly, the community’s leadership has given assurances that it will continue to give priority to development and security of lives and property.
The CDC helmsman promised to strengthen the existing community vigilante group, while also stressing that the age-long synergy between the community and security agencies would be improved upon to get rid of crime and criminalities in the area.
“As a community, we’re so thankful to Governor Diri for constructing the abandoned Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road project. We’re also glad with the level of infrastructural development ongoing in other parts of the state, courtesy of the Diri-led administration.
“We also like to laud the MD/CEO, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for the construction of a befitting Corpers lodge for Corps members serving in this community.
“Our priority as a community now is to protect these infrastructure projects. We’ll continue to work in synergy with all security agencies to make sure there’s peace and development”, the CDC leadership said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Delta State Government has expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Mr. Sunny Kotor, Senior Special Assistant on Protocol to the State Government.
Kotor, a renowned Master of Ceremony at state functions, reportedly slumped and passed away last Friday.
In a statement signed by the Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, in Warri on Saturday, his passing was described as “a profound loss; not only to his family, but to the Government and people of Delta State who benefited immensely from his professionalism, composure, and unmistakable presence at official engagements.
“He brought dignity, structure, and excellence to every function he handled, leaving behind a standard that will be difficult to forget,” the statement added.
The Commissioner noted that “every passing is indeed a sobering reminder of how fragile and fleeting life can be,” extending heartfelt condolences to Kotor’s family, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of working with him.
The statement prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.
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