Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged the new leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) to reinvigorate the body to propagate the ideals for which it was formed.
The Governor stated this on Wednesday when the 10th IYC President, Dr. Doubra Okotete, his executive, and other stakeholders paid a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa.
He charged the leadership of the group to work together to bring the Council back on track towards projecting and promoting the collective interests of the Ijaw nation.
The State Chief Executive tasked the body on a virile and vibrant IYC that will work closely with governments at all levels and other relevant international agencies to impact on the development of Ijaw youths.
He also enjoined the executive to provide the right leadership and guard against politicising the body, picketing firms for pecuniary gains and other issues that could bring it into disrepute.

“The Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the IYC were formed for the development of Ijaw nation and for recognition of an Ijaw man as somebody with the intellect to also contribute to development of Nigeria, and for our resources not to be expropriated.
“These were, in simple terms, the reasons for these supranational bodies. As time went on, what we saw was very different.
“But I am happy today, listening to you. In your agenda, you are prepared to bring the IYC back to what it was. I charge you to do just that.
“I want to see a new IYC that will be re-engineered to engage with Bayelsa State government and every other government or agency nationally and internationally; an IYC that will impact on the development of our youths and also guard against the expropriation of resources of the Niger Delta region”, the Governor added.

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Diri also lauded Okotete’s predecessor, Jonathan Lokpobiri, for having done his best, and urged the current President to continue from where the former President stopped by bringing back the age-long cherished values of respect for elders, constituted authority, mutual respect for one another, and imbibe the fear of God.
He also admonished Bayelsa youths on use of the social media, noting that issues that crop up online could be handled differently by elders or leaders of their communities, stressing that there were procedures for addressing such matters even before government intervenes.
The state’s helmsman emphasised that negative narratives about individuals and the state were capable of hindering investments and development.
“Part of what you are to do is to work with government at all levels and the youths to reduce poverty in Nigeria. Government is not only in the states as there is also the Federal Government. You have to engage all stakeholders.
“More importantly, we must bring back the values of the Ijaws: respect for your leaders, respect for your parents, and respect for your elders. We must bring back those cherished values that made us stand out as Ijaw youths. Those values that made us to be fearful of God”, Diri Stated.
Responding to the IYC president’s requests on the provision of a utility bus and renovation of its secretariat, Diri promised that the state government will look into them and prayed for a successful tenure for the executive.
In his address, the IYC President said the visit was to formally introduce the new executive and strengthen the relationship between the state government and the body.
While commending the state government for its support to the body, Okotete outlined the leadership’s policy framework, which he noted included plans for an Ijaw youth database that would capture the skills and qualifications of young people and make it easier to advocate for employment and other opportunities for them.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Government has inaugurated six sub-committees, as it begins preparations for the 30th Anniversary celebration of the creation of the state on 1st October.

Inaugurating the sub-committees in Government House, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, explained that Bayelsa has countless reasons to appreciate God for what He has done for its land and people in the 30 years of its existence, especially  in development.

He charged the sub-committees to come up with proposals for the various activities and events for the celebration within the next two weeks in line with their respective terms of reference, stressing that strategic things had to be done to make the anniversary significant and historic.

According to him, the three-day programme of activities for the anniversary celebration, which will commence on the 29th of September, will be preceded by two weeks of commissioning of public infrastructural projects completed by the Prosperity Administration.

The Bayelsa Number Two Man further clarified that events penciled down for the celebration include a cultural carnival, boat regatta, anniversary lecture, sporting events, state banquet and awards night.

The sub-committees are: the Awards Sub-Committee, chaired by His Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo; the Sports Sub-Committee, headed by Hon. Daniel Igali; and the Lecture Sub-Committee, with Prof. Stephen Olali as its Chairman.

Others are: the Mega Praise Sub-Committee, jointly chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, and the Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Emiefenim;  the Cultural Sub-Committee, headed by Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou-Obolo; and the Publicity Sub-Committee, with the Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, as Chairman.

by: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has stated its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), with a renewed push to tackle the persistently high rate of preventable maternal and newborn deaths across the Niger Delta.

The Commission made the pledge during workshops for traditional birth attendants held in Delta and Bayelsa states, where it stressed the need for stronger collaboration between traditional birth attendants and the orthodox healthcare system to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Speaking at the training, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, urged women to embrace modern medical care while leveraging the trusted role of traditional birth attendants in their communities.

Represented by the Principal Manager, Education, Health and Social Services (EHSS), Mrs. Dare-Oloko Kuami, Ogbuku described maternal and child mortality as an alarming public health challenge that requires urgent and collective action.

“The rate of death among women and children is alarming and must be eradicated. This training is designed to enlighten our women and should not be taken for granted”, he said.

According to him, the workshop was organised to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of traditional birth attendants in providing safe maternal and newborn care, identifying pregnancy-related complications early, and referring high-risk cases promptly to hospitals and health centres.

Also speaking, the Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Patience Ezugu, called on women to take issues relating to childbirth seriously, stressing that improved knowledge and adherence to safe delivery practices would help save lives.

Represented by the Principal Manager, EHSS, Dr. Otokolo Fidelis, Ezugu disclosed that more than 300 women from Delta and Bayelsa states participated in the training and were provided with medical equipment and  cash support to enhance their services.

One of the resource persons, Mrs. Gift Akitiri, underscored the vital role traditional birth attendants continue to play in many rural communities, noting that regular capacity building would improve the quality of maternal healthcare delivery.

“Traditional birth attendants are trusted members of many communities. By equipping them with updated knowledge, we are helping to ensure that mothers and newborns receive timely and appropriate care, thereby improving health outcomes”, she said.

A participant, Mrs. Franscica Odiakosa, commended the NDDC for organising the workshop, describing it as timely and impactful.

“I have gained valuable knowledge that will improve the quality of healthcare I provide in my community. I have also learnt the importance of referring expectant mothers to health centres and hospitals whenever a case is beyond my capacity”, she said, while urging the Commission to sustain the initiative.