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By Godwin Chukwumaechi Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has lamented the reality of having 75 percent of primary schools in the state without teachers and 90 percent of such schools in dilapidated condition, adding that the situation was troubling. The governor who disclosed this when he received members of the Rivers State Council of Islamic Affairs on Eid-El-Fitr visit said he became aware of the deplorable state of the primary schools when a firm, New Global, in its bid to partner his administration to enhance the capacity of teachers, performed field assessment of such personnel that they intend…

By Godwin Chukwumaechi The Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) has commenced activities to mark the 23rd coronation anniversary of its Universal Leader, His Holiness, Olumba Olumba Obu. This is as Olumba Obu who is also the Supreme Leader of BCS, has called on Nigerian leaders at all levels to return to God for solution to the myriads of problems confronting the country at this time. The 23rd coronation anniversary, with the theme: ‘The Divine Assurance of our Existence,’ holds from Friday, April 12 to Sunday 14, 2024 at the world headquarters of BCS, in Calabar But at a…

… To Collaborate With BTPDI On ‘Mega Cultural Activities’ By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa Director General of the BRACED Commission, Ambassador Joe Keshi, has hinted on plans by the body to formulate a regional cultural policy to guide and drive cultural tourism development. BRACED is a body set up by the South South governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta states to harmonize socio-economic development in the region. Amb. Keshi, who gave the hint during a meeting with the chairman, Board of Trustees of BRACED Tourism Promotion & Development Initiative (BTPDI), Dr Piriye Kiyaramo, as well as…

By Godwin Chukwumaechi A roundtable discussion on methane abatement was held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Tuesday with a call for enforcement and improvement of existing policy frameworks by the government. The call is part of the communique issued at the one-day roundtable organised by Environmental Centre for Oil Spills and Gas Flaring (ECOSGF), African Centre for Transparency Accountability and Initiative (AfriTAL), with Stakeholder Democracy Network as technical partners, in collaboration with other key CSOs. The project was funded by TrustAfrica. The theme of the discussion was ‘Methane Abatement in Nigeria; A Special Focus on Methane Emissions from…

By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has offered a N200 million support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Bayelsa State. Leader of the UNDP team, Joyce Oboro, who presented a cheque to Governor Douye Diri at the Government House in Yenagoa on Monday, said the objective of the initiative, which was co-sponsored by the European Union, is to mitigate the effect of the current socio-economic challenges through the empowerment of medium and small businesses across various sectors. She said the components of the programme include financial support and capacity building, while the cluster-based approach…

By Ehichioya Ezomon Abia State Governor Alex Otti’s the rave of the moment among his peer governors, and most Nigerians, for “infrastructural development,” and particularly for signing into law a Bill passed by the Abia State House of Assembly (ABHA) to repeal life pensions for former governors and deputy governors of the state. Under the repealed law, former governors and deputies were paid lifetime salaries, and got houses in Abia and Abuja, prompting ex-Head of State and former President Olusegun Obasanjo – on a visit to Dr Otti to commend his novel move – to describe the life pension laws…

By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa The Ayama community of Gbarain clan, in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has joined the league of communities that have benefited from the solar-powered street lights project of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Against this backdrop, the community recently rolled out the drums to celebrate the successful completion of the project, while also thanking the Managing-Director/CEO of the commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku and the management of the interventionist agency for including them among other communities that have benefitted from the ongoing projects being executed by the commission across the Niger Delta region. Port…

By Reporter Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday, signed the Medical Residency Training Law 2024, making it the first state in Nigeria with such beneficial law for resident doctors. The executive bill sent to the Bayelsa State House of Assembly provides for funding support for resident doctors to specialise in specific fields. The governor commended the House of Assembly for giving the bill accelerated hearing, considering its importance. He said his administration has always prioritised the welfare of its workers and will continue to provide the enabling environment for resident doctors whose profession is threatened by brain…

… Claim Otuaro ‘Worked for Atiku’ By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa The appointment of Dennis Otuaro as administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has been rejected by the Delta State APC Transparency and Advocacy Group. The group rather called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to replace him with a registered member of All Progressives Congress APC in Delta State. In statement released in Asaba on Monday, by Comrade Clever Fomana, coordinator and Mr. Luke F. Orotoma, secretary, the group alleged that Otuaro was a member of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Council in 2019 and 2023 respectively and thus cannot be…

By Odie Ramon, Yenagoa The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) captured all the councils election in Saturday as it won all the eight seats declared by the Bayelsa State electoral commission (BYSIEC). The immediate past commissioner of Agriculture and Natural resources, Chief David Alagoa, emerged victorious for Nembe Local Government Area, flying the flag of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), with 11,829 votes as declared by the returning officer, Prof Festus Akpotohwo. In Yenagoa Local Government Area, Hon Bulodisiye Ndiwari, also PDP candidate, emerged victorious for the seat. He garnered 56,103 votes, as was announced by the returning officer, Chief Wisdom…