Niger Delta
Diri Advocates For African Women In Leadership … Knocks S’Africa Over Xenophobia, As Yenagoa, Banjul Sign Pact
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has advocated for greater inclusion and opportunities for women in governance and leadership positions across Africa.
He contended that the continent’s progress will be accelerated when women with potential and vision are integrated into critical spheres of decision-making.
The Governor, who was speaking at the formal presentation of a book, magazine and documentary in honour of the first female Mayor of the Banjul, Mrs. Rohey Malick Lowe, at the Dawda Jawara International Conference Centre in Gambia, eulogised Lowe, the country’s popular advocate for women’s rights and empowerment, describing her as a woman whose accomplishments stood as evidence of purposeful leadership.
“May I use this platform to encourage leaders across our continent to deliberately create opportunities for women to contribute at the highest levels of governance and public service.
“The progress of our nations will be accelerated when leadership is inclusive and when merit, competence, and vision are allowed to flourish irrespective of gender.
“Indeed, one is compelled to ask whether some of the developmental challenges confronting our continent stem from our failure to sufficiently integrate women into governance and other critical spheres of decision-making.
“Africa cannot afford to leave half of its human capital on the sidelines while seeking solutions to complex social, economic, and political challenges.
“Across communities, institutions, and governments, women have consistently demonstrated resilience, innovation, compassion, and an uncommon commitment to service. Yet, leadership in Africa has not fully explored or harnessed this immense reservoir of talent and potential”, he said.
He continued that “As I reflect on this, I must confess that I have long been an advocate for greater participation of women in leadership. This conviction is not rooted in sentiment but in experience and observation.
“As Governor, I am committed to playing my part in this regard. In Bayelsa State, we have consciously expanded opportunities for women and young people to participate meaningfully at all levels of governance because sustainable development is best achieved when every segment of society has a seat at the table and a stake in the future.”
According to the Bayelsa helmsman, who was the Special Guest at the event, cultural practices that inhibit women in leadership should be discarded in order for them to unleash their full potential, describing the Mayor’s success story, as attested to by many of the speakers, as making a strong case for the empowerment of women everywhere.
“It is, therefore, fitting that today we celebrate a leader whose accomplishments stand as evidence of what purposeful and inclusive leadership can achieve.
“The book, documentary, and magazine do more than commemorate: they provide a benchmark of service, a record of what deliberate, citizen-centred leadership can produce. They will serve as both inspiration and instruction for those who follow”, Diri restated.
On the ongoing xenophobic incidents against fellow Africans in South Africa, the Bayelsa Chief Executive expressed concern that such developments destroy the fabric of the continent’s unity.
“Such acts wound the fabric of Pan-African brotherhood that our forebears like Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, the independence leader of The Gambia, fought to build. When one nation suffers, our response must be guided by compassion, solidarity, and pragmatic support”, the Bayelsa number one citizen said.
At the event, a sister-city agreement between the Banjul City Council and Yenagoa Local Government Area was signed by the Mayors of both councils – Lowe for Banjul and Bulodisiye Ndiwari for Yenagoa.
Lowe also presented a key to the Banjul and other awards to the Governor in recognition of his support for women empowerment.
She appreciated Diri for his exceptional support for women empowerment, noting that it was uncommon among the political leadership in Africa.
Mrs. Lowe recounted her political journey and how becoming the 16th mayor of Banjul and the only female in the country had shaped her life and commitment to service and the dignity of the African woman, taking after her father who was the 8th mayor of the city.
Earlier, the keynote speaker and former Mayor of Leeds, United Kingdom, Mrs. Abigail Marshal-Katung, described Lowe as a “living legend, who has taken the name of her city and country across oceans and continents, and into the highest chambers of global power.
“I will begin with the local level, which I call transforming Banjul from within. When Her Worship was elected the Mayor of Banjul in 2018, she inherited a city rich in history but burdened by neglect. She did not complain. She acted, and as a woman of courage, it is surely in her deeds”, She said.
Present at the well-attended event were political and business leaders and partners of the council from the country, Senegal, Morocco, America and China, including the former Vice President of Gambia, Ousainou Darboe, the Mayor of Dakar, Adama Sarr, several women groups, the Rivers-Bayelsa Youth Community, and members of the Nigerian community in Gambia.
On the governor’s entourage were the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Women and Children’s Affairs, Social Development and Empowerment, Joanna Gigi, the Mayor of Yenagoa City Council, Bulodisiye Ndiwari, and his Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area counterpart, Tariye Lelei.
By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Dr. Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, has called for calm and a peaceful resolution of the ongoing impasse in the Warri Federal Constituency.
Ekpemupolo, a High Chief in Ijaw land, who made the call in a statement in Warri, noted that the ongoing impasse arose from the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to complete the delineation of wards in the constituency.
He appealed that the situation must not be allowed to be hijacked or degenerate into violence of any sort.
“I join all well-meaning Nigerians to call for a peaceful resolution. The Ijaw nation has from time immemorial been known for their peaceful ways and we cannot deviate from our history.
“The current political situation arising from the failure of INEC to complete the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency and mass action must not be allowed to be hijacked or degenerate into violence of any sort.
“Therefore, I am calling for calm, no matter the situation. We must all join hands in seeking a peaceful resolution to this impasse”, he said.
Ekpemupolo, who is also the Chairman, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), while urging INEC to do the right thing and restore the peace in Warri and environ, called for an urgent meeting of community leaders to device a way forward.
“We call on the people of Warri (whether Ijaw, Itsekiri or Urhobo) to be calm and wait patiently for INEC to do the right thing”, he said.
He recalled that since on Monday, there had been mass action by peaceful women and youths from the various Ijaw communities in Delta, occupying oil and gas installations in the Escravos and Warri river areas.
He added that the peaceful action had led to calls from various quarters, particularly from well-meaning Nigerians, seeking for a peaceful resolution of the imbroglio.
Niger Delta
Progress In 21-Km Nembe-Brass Road Project Impresses Diri … As Contractor Pledges December Delivery Date
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed fulfillment with the ongoing construction of the 21km phase one of the Nembe-Brass road projects in the state’s eastern senatorial district.
The Governor described the project as a dream come true for him and the people of Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas.
Senator Diri, who inspected the expansive construction work on Tuesday, said the road, which cuts through the mangrove forest and rivers, was a testament to his administration’s determination to connect hitherto unreachable riverine communities by road despite the difficult terrain.
Led by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, ESV Moses Teibowei, Diri first inspected the asphalted 10km portion of the road with about three bridges, before crossing the river on a barge to see the extent of work on another 10km that had been stabilised.
Diri in astatement by his spokesperson, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, was quoted as noting that it was one thing to have a vision and another to have the will to execute it.
Alabrah also quoted the Governor as saying that the project had been well funded since it commenced and assured that his administration will complete it on the date stated by the contractors.
On the second phase of the project undertaken by the federal government, the State Chief Execution appreciated President Bola Tinubu for awarding the contract and for ensuring that it is running simultaneously with the phase one being done by the state government.
“I feel accomplished. It is one thing to have the vision and another thing to have the will to do it. Being a Bayelsan, the importance of this road cannot be over-emphasised. This is what the people have been yearning for and I’m satisfied that the people are happy about the project.
“On funding, we have never disappointed the contractor and I believe they will not disappoint us. By the time the road is completed, it will reduce cases of sea piracy.
“Let me sieze this opportunity to thank President Bola Tinubu. There was another President when we proposed this road. We wrote, nobody answered us then. But this President did not only answer us, he awarded the contract for the second phase”, Diri said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Teibowei, expressed satisfaction with the level of work so far done, stressing that the most difficult aspect of the job had been done.
He said the fifth bridge being constructed will be completed in three months while assuring that the road will be finished within the stipulated time.
The Setraco Construction Company South-South Area Manager (Bayelsa and Rivers), Mr. Jose Cosme, said phase one of the road will be completed in December 2026.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has said construction work on the 3.75-kilometre Okrika-Borikiri Road and bridge project in Rivers State will gather momentum following the payment of compensation to affected property owners at the Borikiri axis of the project.
Speaking during an inspection of the project site in Okrika, the NDDC Assistant Director, Utilities, Infrastructure Development and Waterways (UIDW), Martins Isichei, disclosed that compensation issues that had stalled progress on the Borikiri alignment had been resolved.
According to him, the Commission has settled compensation claims for property owners affected by the project corridor and is awaiting the evacuation of residents before commencing demolition of structures within the right of way.
“The NDDC has paid compensation to property owners along the Borikiri alignment, and we are expecting the evacuation of residents there before we commence demolition of structures in the right of way”, he said.
Isichei noted that work on the Okrika section of the project had recorded significant progress despite challenges encountered on the waterways.
He explained that shortly after work resumed, a vessel collided with an existing pile, forcing engineers to redesign part of the bridge structure.
“When we resumed work on the site, a vessel collided with an existing pile. We had to re-profile the bridge and develop a new design to circumvent the damaged pile”, he said.
The NDDC official expressed optimism that the project would ease traffic congestion along the refinery road corridor and significantly reduce travel time between Okrika and Port Harcourt upon completion.
He explained that the project comprises three major bridge structures: the 180-metre Kolabi Bridge at Etche Waterfront, the 1,120-metre Abotoru Bridge, and the 490-metre Okpoka Bridge.
While acknowledging that progress on the Borikiri alignment had lagged because of compensation-related issues, Isichei said construction activities would commence there shortly.
Also speaking, the Project Consultant, Azu Chukwuma, said the scope of the project was reviewed following its revival to align with present realities and engineering requirements.
He noted that efforts were underway to accelerate construction, particularly the launching of bridge beams, despite the high cost of marine logistics associated with the project.
“Our intention is to determine how quickly we can proceed with launching the first sets of beams. The work is mainly on the river, and much of the marine logistics involved is costly. I am in touch with the appropriate officials of the NDDC to determine the best way forward”, Chukwuma stated.
He commended host communities for their cooperation, noting that the absence of major disputes had contributed to the project’s steady progress.
A representative of the construction company, Maroun Kassouf, said fabrication of bridge beams had advanced considerably and that installation would begin soon.
“The project is progressing well. Once people evacuate at the Borikiri end, we will demolish the structures there and move to that site immediately. That end would be much easier, as the river is shallower than the Okrika end”, he said.
The Vice Chairman of the Okrika Community Development Committee, Minengibi Ferdinand, lauded the NDDC for undertaking the project, describing it as a critical infrastructure that would improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth.
He said the road and bridge network would provide an alternative route to Okrika, ease pressure on the East-West Road and open up communities for greater socio-economic development.
“This is a laudable project that will ease traffic on the East-West Road and provide an alternate route to Okrika. We are hopeful that once it is completed, it will attract socio-economic development to our community”, Ferdinand said.
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