Niger Delta
Yenagoa Becoming Modern City Under Our Stewardship – Diri
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration’s urban renewal programme will transform Yenagoa, the state capital, into a modern city.
Senator Diri stated this against the backdrop of the recent relocation of inter-state commercial transporters to the new state-owned transport terminal at Igbogene.
Speaking recently during the State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, the Governor said centralised motor parks were features of modern cities, which Yenagoa was gradually turning into.
He warned against touting around the vicinity of the terminal, saying that all travellers were expected to go into the terminal for booking and boarding of vehicles.
Diri also stressed that the relocation would curb crime as passengers coming into the state would now be monitored.
“I visited the new terminal and saw its beauty. This is what every modern society does.
“For those who play politics and are still criticising, I am very sorry for them. Bayelsans are however happy with what we have done. It is only those who do not know what a modern society looks like that make derogatory statements about me and the government.
“For the first time in our state, we are seeing what a city is like. We want to actually turn Yenagoa into a modern city. We want to bring Yenagoa to a better place.
“I am happy that the terminal is bubbling. Nobody should act like agbero (tout) in that place. That park is a modern one with everything provided.
“For those who want to come into Bayelsa to commit crime, we have stopped them with the movement to the new terminal”, he said.
Commenting on the peaceful and crime-free Yuletide period, the Bayelsa helmsman commended security agencies for their collaborative efforts that ensured the state was secured throughout the festive season.
He also noted that there was a boost in tourism and entertainment during the period, and particularly commended dancehall music star, Enetimi Odon (popularly called Timaya) for giving back to the state through his annual Timaya Day concert held every 1st January.
He observed that the event attracted a huge crowd of mostly youths and that the show had great tourism potential for the state.
“In the whole of these festivities, what I consider as the final lap was the January 1st Timaya Day that had to do with youths of our state.
“Instructively, there was no incident of crime. I was there. The youths were well behaved and they became security by themselves.
“From what I saw, I believe there is hope for this country and for our state. We all need to do what is right”, the Governor added.
Commenting on an ugly incident at Agbere in Sagbama Local Government Area, Diri thanked the leadership of the community for maintaining the peace and for not taking the laws into their hands.
He assured that ongoing investigation would unravel those behind the dastardly murder of a chief in the community.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta
INC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form
Human Rights Activist and founding father of the Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality of the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Elder Timi Kaiser Ogoriba, has said he would continue to advocate for the environmental and human rights of the people of the Niger Delta, especially his Ijaw kinsmen.
Ogoriba who doubles as the current Vice-Chairman of the Bayelsa State founding fathers forum made the pledge at the Ijaw House, headquarters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), in Yenagoa, capital of the State, while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after picking his interest form for the position of president in the 2026 polls of the national executive council of the body.
The Odi-born activist who described the foremost Pan-Ijaw umbrella parent body as the envy of many sister ethnic groups in the nation, noted that he played pivotal roles in the formative stages of both the INC and its youth body, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).
He expressed confidence in the activities of the body, saying he would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to reposition the Pan-Ijaw group for greater achievements when elected as President come February, 2026.
“I’m still ready to go to trenches because of Ijaw nation. For those who knew me before now, you’ll recall that I have gone to trenches several times because of my love for the Ijaw people.
“Today as an ethnic group, we’re the envy of every other tribe. And that’s because we’ve all it takes for others to envy us. Today the INC has become the pride of everyone, including many who don’t know how we started it. And I’m not detered by the propaganda against my candidacy. I’m determined to win and continue my service to the Ijaw nation.
“I was part of the struggle in 1991 when the INC was formed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I’ve all it takes to lead the INC as President. But the INC under my leadership will not be a ‘T. K. Ogoriba thing alone’. I’ll need all of you and every Son and daughter of Ijaw nation to lead us well when elected”, he said.
The Presidential hopeful, who also bared his mind on issues of Resource control and true-federalism, restated his commitment towards ensuring that the Niger Delta region was given fair treatment by Government.
He stressed the need for the INC to synergize with other ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta region for positive results, saying he would also ensure that there is mutual respect and understanding amongst and between stakeholders of the Ijaw nation and other sister ethnic groups to fast track the processes of growth and development of the region.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.
Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.
Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.
He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’
Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.
Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.
In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.
Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.
“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.
Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.
“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.
Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.
Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.
He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.
Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.
“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.
The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.
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