Niger Delta
Bayelsa Honours Jonathan, Diri, Others … Empowers 2850 Skill Graduands
The Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (ETDF) has awarded former President Goodluck Jonathan and the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, as honorary Ambassadors of Education in the State.
Also awarded were former Governor of the State, and now Senator representing the State’s Western Senatorial district, Seriake Dickson, former Senator Emmanuel Paulker, and the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Dr. Fred Agbedi.
The awardees also included a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, Maj. Gen. Allison Isaiah Allison, Arc. Reuben Okoya, and a retired Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Diseye Nsirim.
The Tide reports that the event was held as part of activities marking the continuation of the fifth year in office anniversary celebration of the Governor Diri-led “Assured Prosperity” administration.
In her opening speech, the Executive Secretary, EDTF, Dr. Alice Atuwo, said the Fund was established in 2017 and took over the sponsorship of students in five model secondary schools, noting that presently the model schools have increased to 11.
She thanked the State Governor and all those who have made impact and contributed to adequate deployment of the Fund for their support and commitment.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Dr. Jonathan, represented by a former Commissioner for Education in the State, Mr. Tobias James, described the award as recognition of contributions to the growth and development of education in the state, pledging to continue the advocacy for accessible and inclusive education for all.
In his remarks, the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, while paying tribute to his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, for establishing the EDTF, said his administration continued with some of the policies of his predecessor to enhance development of the state.
He noted that policy, such as the EDTF, was visionary and deserved to be retained and expanded in the overall interest of the state, promising to continue investing in human capacity building to develop a viable private sector in the state that is independent of government.
Tagged “Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) Interventions/Graduation Ceremony of the Diri Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Programme”, the programme held at the Dr. Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre in Yenagoa, the State capital.
Meanwhile, 2,850 graduands of the third batch of the Diri skills acquisition programme have been presented with starter packs and other tools by the State Government.
The Tide learnt that the beneficiaries were trained for five months in paint making, solar installation and electrical works, shoe making, soap making, cosmetology, fashion and design, catering, pastries and others.
“I consider this empowerment scheme as one aspect of this administration that we will continue to do so that our people will not be government-dependent. We’ll have a state that the private sector can develop and you are those that will develop the private sector”, the Governor said.
“I implore you, the graduands of this skill acquisition training, not to sell your starter packs, but rather put into practice the skills acquired to improve your lives and actualise government’s vision of building a sustainable future for you.
“You’re the ones carrying our dreams. So do not disappoint us. Out of 9,000 applicants, you succeeded. You’re building yourselves and equally building Bayelsa”, Diri added.
Directing the Technical Adviser on Entrepreneurship Development to conduct key performance index (KPI) on beneficiaries of the scheme, Diri appreciated the EDTF Executive Secretary, Dr. Alice Atuwo, members of the board, and those that have supported the fund for the feat achieved.
He stated that his administration has expanded the fund beyond the full scholarship for students in the model schools to now accommodate the technical colleges.
He also directed the Commissioner for Education to ensure that the technical colleges in Southern-Ijaw and Nembe Local Government Areas were built and completed this year.
In the same vein, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entrepreneurship Development and Coordinator of the Diri Skills Acquisition Training Programme, Mrs. Charity Ken-Godwins, stated that since 2021, the Diri administration had been transforming the lives of the youths through various empowerment programmes.
“In 2021, 814 students graduated from the skills acquisition programme. In 2022, another 815 benefitted and today we are celebrating the graduation of 2,850 trainees who acquired skills in leather works, fashion design, cosmetology and other areas.These skills will instill in them a sense of self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
“In 2023, the Governor directed that an additional 800 Bayelsans be trained but over 9,000 persons applied and that 3,500 were eventually selected and trained”, She said.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.
Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.
Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.
He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”
“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.
In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.
“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.
Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.
The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.
The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.
Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.
He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.
“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.
“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.
“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.
The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.
Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.
The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.
Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.
The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.
The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.
Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.
The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.
Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.
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