Niger Delta
Bayelsa Unveils Dispute Resolution Comm’ttee On Chieftaincy Factions …Warns Against Ostracism
The Bayelsa State Government has constituted a 7-member committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the leadership tussle in Anibeze Community in the Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.
The committee, saddled with the responsibility of coming up with recommendations on the dispute over the Anibeze paramount ruler’s position, was also mandated to look into the State’s Chieftaincy Law with regard to individuals who are qualified to be traditional rulers.
Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, set up the committee on Tuesday at a meeting with stakeholders of Anibeze Community and relevant government officials, including the member representing Sagbama Constituency Three at the state House of Assembly, Mrs. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, in Government House, Yenagoa.
He spelt out the committee’s terms of reference to include ascertaining the emergence of the two contending chiefs claiming the paramount ruler position of the community, and identity which of them meets the requirements of the State’s Chieftaincy Law.
The Bayelsa Number Two Man also charged the committee to confirm from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs whether it recognises any of the two chiefs, saying that if the Ministry did, the committee should state why and how the person was recognised.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo further directed the committee to liaise with the Anibeze community and initiate the machinery of conducting a new election into the office of the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), and that of the youth president.
Following the community’s customary practice, the Committee is to also ensure that the position of the CDC chairman should be zoned to the quarters entitled to produce the next chairman.
“The committee is to find out if Anibeze has a functional constitution. If there is none, it should start the process of getting a new constitution to guide the affairs of the community”, he said.
The Deputy Governor, who tasked members of the committee to equally start the process of conducting election into the office of the youth president, directed them to submit their report within three weeks.
He also declared the removal of the current CDC Chairman, Mr. Akeni Anthony, and Youth President, Mr. David Ufuana, illegal, and directed that they should serve out their remaining term before the conduct of fresh elections.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who admonished the people of the community against acts of lawlessness, stressed the need for them to maintain law and order in their community, noting that nobody or group of persons have the right to ostracise any community member, noting that such acts violate the constitution of the country.
The Chairman of the Committee is the State’s Commissioner for Special Duties, Bayelsa West, Michael Magbisa, while Head of Exco, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mrs. Mercy Alafuro, is to serve as Secretary.
Other members are, Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, High Chief Perekeme Bertola, Rural Development Authority Chairman of Toru Abubou, Mr. Tarikebi Egbide, Councillor representing Ward 13, Sagbama Local Government, Mr. Tari Afenfia, Governor’s Special Representative for Sagbama, Mr. Tamunobere Oguoh, and Technical Adviser to the Governor on Boundary Matters, Mr. Vote Salem.
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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