Niger Delta

Bayelsa Recommits To Capacity Building Through Skills Acquisition

Published

4 years ago

February 11, 2022

The Bayelsa State Government has restated its desire towards capacity building for youths of the state.
The state Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who gave the indication of the state’s readiness to partner institutions in its entrepreneurial development during the week at the foundation laying ceremony of the Diri Industrial-skills and Entrepreneurial Training Scheme(DIETS), in Yenagoa,the state capital also restated the importance of technical manpower in development.
He said the skills training centre which was a private-sector funded project has now been taken over by the state government,noting that it would be ready in no distant time for the entrepreneurial skills training for youths of the state, describing it as an economic booster for the state by way of direct and indirect employment opportunities after the graduation of participants in the programme.
The Tide reports that Governor Diri Industrial-Skills and Entrepreneurial Training Scheme(DIETS) is a skills acquisition programme the Bayelsa State government is carrying out in partnership with a firm, the ‘AfricanTide Association’ and Fern University in Hagen, Germany, as well as others.
“Let me start by prefexing my remarks by alluding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the acronym ‘DIETS’.
“A healthy diet protects against malnutrition in all it’s forms as well as in non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and cancer. An unhealthy diet on the other hand is lack of physical activity and leading to global risk of health.
“When the Commissioner for Labour, Employment generation and Productivity first approached me about this project with the acronym ‘DIETS’ I couldn’t help but to laugh.I find it a happy irony that our presence here today is to lay the foundation for the appropriately titled, Diri Industrial-Skills and Entrepreneurial Training Scheme (DIETS).
“The unavailability of white collar jobs and the attendant frustration it can produce is the leading cause of many social ills in our society today, particularly among our youths and impressionable population. DIETS, as we’ve heard from the Commissioner and the President of the AfricanTide Association,Dr Rosalyn Dressman will be responsible for bringing out best in our youths and in lifting out many from the doldrums of poverty and unemployment.It would create windows of opportunities for our youths to become self-sustaining, professionals and free up the congested labour market and the illusion for seeking non-existence jobs”, Governor Diri said.
In his opening remarks, the state Commissioner for Labour, Employment generation and Productivity, Mr Stanley Braboke commended Governor Diri for his vision and foresight in ensuring that the state’s teaming youths and women were trained in gainful skills for their self development, saying these trainees would in turn impact the economy of the state.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the event, Braboke said the training centre has the capacity to enable trainees practise their professions at the end of their training programmes.
He commended the AfricanTide Association and Fern University for the partnership, expressing delight that his ministry and others involved in the project would deliver the project as and when due for the continuous empowerment of youths and interested women of the state in various skills needed for the 21st century labour market.
“Government doesn’t have jobs to give to everybody, so with this centre, government would train entrepreneurs with the various skills needed in the 21st century labour market.
“And it’s not just about the jobs,but about practice. This centre would enable participants to practice their jobs after their graduation. Though there’s paucity of fund,God willing, we intend to complete this building in six months time. Hopefully, it would be commissioned when would be marking three years in office”, the Commissioner said.
Also speaking,the president of the AfricanTide association and Diaspora focal person,Dr Rosalyn Dressman thanked the state government for the partnership.
She noted that the building of the centre by the government was a commitment that the Diri’s -led administration is willing to give the appropriately needed skills to Bayelsans to fit into the global labour market, describing the training centre as a ‘Smart building’ with modern ICT gadgets.

Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

Published

4 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.

Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.

Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.

Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.

“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.

Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

Published

4 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.

Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.

The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.

Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.

“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.

“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.

Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.

“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.

“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.

By; Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status

Published

4 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.

While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.

“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.

“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.

He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.

Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.

“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.

“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”

The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.

He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.

“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.

“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.

Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.

He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.

The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.

He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.