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The Chief Executive Officer of Century Energy Group, Ken Etete, has paid tribute to the late Pa Abraham Diri, father of the Bayelsa State Governor, saying his death was painful. The Bayelsa-born business mogul, who paid a condolence visit to Governor Douye Diri and his family at his Sampou community home in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area on Friday, described the departed Pa Diri as having lived a worthy life. He urged his immediate family and the people of Sampou to take solace in his legacies. Etete said his family has had a good relationship with that of the governor’s, and that the loss of Pa Abraham also affected them. Responding, Governor Douye Diri thanked the Century Energy CEO for the visit, which he said was a demonstration of love for his family and the people of Sampou. He described Etete as an exceptional son of Bayelsa, who did not abandon his people and has stayed in touch with them,  urging him not to relent. The governor acknowledged the relationship between the

The Bayelsa State Government has directed security agencies to beef up security in and around the Unity Bridge linking Opu-Nembe and Nembe City communities to forestall further cases of cross-community breach of peace. It also warned youths of Ogbolomabiri and Bassambiri communities in Nembe Local Government Area of the state to refrain from acts capable of plunging the two sister communities into a major conflict. The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who gave the directive at a meeting with the joint chiefs’ councils of the two Kingdoms in Government House, Yenagoa, said government was set to deal decisively with anyone found fomenting trouble in the area. He pointed out that the State Government constructed the Nembe Unity bridge to foster peaceful coexistence, noting that government would not allow any person or group of persons to jeopardize the noble objective through acts of criminality and brigandage. Senator Ewhrudjakpo, assured that Government would take every ne

  Reports reaching Bayelsa Dailyonline desk have it that an undergraduate of the Federal University of Otueke  identified as Bright Akhere, has been reportedly found dead after his lifeless body floated in a swimming pool on Tuesday night at Renew Empire Hotel in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Details of the incident are still sketchy as at the time of filing this report, however, it was gathered that the the 200-level student of Mathematics and Statistics Education from Isha in Delta State came alone to swim on Monday, April 24, 2023 but was never seen or heard from again until on Tuesday around 7pm when his body floated on the pool. Confirming the sad incident, a final year student of the institution who preferred anonymity, said the deceased was bleeding from his mouth, nose and ears with initiation marks on his body when he was recovered. He said, “According to Renew Empire Hotel management, the guy came to swim since day before yesterday (Monday) then nobody

Thousands of youths, on Wednesday, took to the major roads of Yenagoa in a solidarity walk in support of the re-election bid of Governor Douye Diri. The youths from the eight local government areas of the state walked a distance of more than 10 kilometres from the popular Tombia roundabout to the Peace Park opposite the Government House. A prominent APC youth leader in the state, Gifted Natus, also led scores of defectors to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as part of the re-election walk for the governor. Speaking on their behallf, Natus said they decided to join Governor Diri’s Prosperity Family because in the last three years under his watch, Bayelsa State has been politically stable and peaceful. He noted that the leadership of their former party dampened their hopes and aspirations due to lack of direction and failed promises. He said they can no longer remain in a sinking ship. Natus also assured the governor that his second term bid was done and dusted, saying they would go to

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has sworn in three new commissioners of the State Judicial Service Commission. They are Mr. Fedude Zimughan, Mrs. Ine Serena Dokubo-Spiff and Mr. Makbere Osom Jacob. During the swearing in inside the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday, Governor Diri described their appointment as an important constitutional duty that will lead to the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge for the state. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that their appointment was based on merit and in accordance with provisions of the Nigerian constitution. He said the new entrants into the Judicial Service Commission were people of proven integrity and expressed confidence in their ability to deliver in their task.  Diri charged them to help the judiciary work closely with other arms of government, saying all arms of government need the others to succeed. His words: "We have just perfor

  Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Tuesday, presented a grant of N200 million to 840 beneficiaries under the government’s Women and Youth Empowerment Programme for small and medium scale entrepreneurs (SMEs). The grant was presented to four beneficiaries each from the 105 political wards across the eight local government areas of the state for January and February 2023.  It is part of the administration’s initiative to spur micro businesses and economic growth in the state with each beneficiary getting N200,000. Addressing the beneficiaries at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, Senator Diri said the SMEs’ programme is one of series of empowerment schemes designed for Bayelsans desirous of doing business. The governor said the programme, which has been running for 11 months, has empowered 2,310 women and youths so far, noting that his administration was encouraged by its impact on the beneficiaries. The governor also directed that an additional one mi

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has described late King Richardford Orukarebai Koroye of Tarakiri Kingdom as a father and thoroughbred professional whose reign brought about peace, stability and development to the clan, which cuts across Bayelsa and Delta states. Senator Diri stated this on Saturday during the late king’s funeral at Toru Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The governor noted that the Tarakiri people were not only mourning the passage of their king, who died at 85, but also celebrating his remarkable achievements. A statement by his Chif Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that the late monarch upheld and promoted the culture and traditional values of the Ijaw people. "Truly, we have lost a father, brother, a thoroughbred professional and king. I pray that more King Richardford Orukarebai Koroyes are raised in Toru-Orua, Tarakiri Kingdom and Bayelsa State," he said. The governor applauded the Tarakiri people

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Friday night, visited the family of a slain Bayelsa youth, Douglas Joseph, to commiserate with them over last Wednesday’s ugly incident that led to his death. The young Douglas, a native of Epie from Yenizue-Epie community in Yenagoa, the state capital, was reportedly stabbed by a commercial tricycle rider following disagreement over transport fare.  The governor, who led top government functionaries to the deceased’s family residence at the Kpansia area of the state capital, brought some succour to the family as he offered immediate employment in the state civil service to wife of the late Douglas. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, on Saturday, quoted the governor as also announcing scholarship for the deceased’s three children, saying the state government would take over their education up to university level. He equally directed the Commissioner for Transport to immediately address the issue of hike in transp

In order to further assuage frayed nerves over the crisis that engulfed a part of Yenagoa on Wednesday, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, this evening visited the family of the slain youth at Yenizue-Epie community. To ameliorate the loss of the family’s bread winner, who was stabbed by a commercial tricycle (Keke) rider, Governor Diri announced the award of scholarship to his three children up to university level. He also pronounced automatic employment for the wife of the slain youth and directed the Secretary to the State Government to ensure the directive is effected immediately. The governor equally directed the Commissioner for Transport to ensure the issue of high transport fares in Yenagoa and environs is immediately addressed.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has directed security agencies to clamp down on violators of the state’s anti-open grazing law. Senator Diri gave the fresh directive on Thursday when he stopped his convoy to apprehend two herders and their cattle at the Sampou community junction along the East-West road in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state. The governor expressed anger that despite several warnings,  some persons were still brazenly breaching the law against open grazing in the state. On March 10, 2021, the Bayelsa governor signed the “Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulation Law, 2021.” He stated that henceforth, law enforcement agencies must ensure that they apply the full weight of the law on violators. The governor directed the state’s Chief Security Coordinator, Gen. Eric Angaye (rtd), who was also in the convoy, to ensure the arrested herders were prosecuted to serve as deterrence to others. Earlier, at a meeting on Thursday with the Arew

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has imposed an 11-hour restriction on commercial tricycles within  the state capital, Yenagoa, and environs. The directive restricting their movement is between 7pm and 6am daily. This followed Wednesday’s violent clash between youths of Yenizue-Epie community in Yenagoa and tricycle operators, which resulted in loss of lives. Governor Diri gave the directive on Thursday during a meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, which had in attendance traditional rulers, leadership of the tricycle operators, representatives of the Arewa community in the state as well as youths of the Yenizue-Epie community and other stakeholders.  The governor said the restriction became necessary in order to calm frayed nerves and to restore peace in the area. He said the order will last until the situation improved. His Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, in a statement, quoted the governor as cautioning against reprisal attack, stressing that government will no

  Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has again directed all government officials and security agencies to ensure that all laws pertaining the safety in the waterways are implemented. Governor Diri gave the directive while presiding over the  state executive council meeting in Government house, Yenagoa. He said the directive was part of government deliberate plans to avert further loss of lives and properties along the the waterways. The State chief executive, who condoled with the deceased families and those who lost their properties following the boat mishap along the Nembe/Brass road, warned boat operators again overloading. Governor Diri, hinted that the unfortunate incident underscored the importance of constructing the Nembe-Brass road in order to avert further boat mishap in the waterways. The State helmsman, called on the National Inland Waterways Authority and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to work hand in glove with the state officials in secur

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has again directed all government officials and security agencies to ensure that all laws pertaining the safety in the waterways are implemented. Governor Diri gave the directive while presiding over the 144th state executive council meeting in Government house, Yenagoa. He said the directive was part of government deliberate plans to avert further loss of lives and properties along the the waterways. The State chief executive, who condoled with the deceased families and those who lost their properties following the boat mishap along the Nembe/Brass road, warned boat operators again overloading. Governor Diri, hinted that the unfortunate incident underscored the importance of constructing the Nembe-Brass road in order to avert further boat mishap in the waterways. The State helmsman, called on the National Inland Waterways Authority and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to work hand in glove with the state officials in se

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the governorship supplementary election in Adamawa. Fintiri polled 430,788 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Sen. Aishatu Binani, of the All Progressives Congress, APC who scored 398,788 votes.   Announcing the result on Tuesday in Yola, the Returning Officer, Prof. Mohammed Mele, said that the supplementary poll was conducted in 69 Polling Units across 20 local government areas of the state. “Ahmadu Fintiri of the PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes in the election is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” he said. Recalled that INEC had fixed April 15 for a supplementary governorship poll following the declaration of the March 18 election inconclusive in the state. However, controversy trailed the purported declaration of the APC’s Binani as the winner of the supplementary poll

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, on Tuesday expressed concern over the quietness of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and other legal bodies in the country over the unprofessional conduct of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa State, Mr. Hudu Yamusa Ari. It would be recalled that Mr. Hudu Ari, a lawyer by profession, unilaterally declared the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Adamawa State, Aisha Dahiru, winner of the supplementary polls while the collation of results of the election was yet to be concluded. Senator Ewhrudjakpo expressed the concern when the Bayelsa State chapter of the FIDA led by its Chairperson, Mrs. Deme Debra Pamosso, paid him a courtesy call at his office in Government House, Yenagoa. In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, the Deputy Governor lamented that the legal profession was in a serious cr

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to support states in tackling the menace of flooding instead of just issuing alerts. Speaking in Government House, Yenagoa, on Monday when he received the leadership of Obogoro community on a courtesy visit, Governor Diri noted that tackling flood, erosion and other environmental challenges was costly and cannot be single-handedly handled by states alone.  The governor said almost all communities in the state were affected by constant flooding and erosion, stressing that the government was doing everything within available resources to address the issues. Diri said as part of efforts to tackle flooding and erosion, his administration has set up a flood and erosion control agency to proffer holistic solution to the environmental issues. He stated that the government was already addressing the coastal erosion in Obogoro community in Yenagoa local government area, assuring the people t

Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa State Governor on Community Radio Development, Mr Prince Koroye, has called for the establishment of community radio stations for proper information dissemination. Mr Koroye, who made the call when he embarked on community radio assessment tour to some communities across the State, said the essence was to get first hand information on the state of community radio stations. He also said the visit was also aimed at cross fertilizing ideas with community radio operators  on ways to improve on information dissemination in the rural areas,  especially government laudable policies and programs. While calling for the rehabilitation of existing community media centers to keep the rural dwellers abreast with current events, Mr Koroye opined that developing new radio stations will enhance information dissemination at the grassroots. The Governor’s aide, said government was making deliberate effort  in bridging the communication gap within the locality and

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has handed over two of its uncompleted bridge projects in Bayelsa to the state government. The critical bridges are located at Akenfa and Polaku in Yenagoa local government area of the state. The Polaku bridge connects communities in Yenagoa with Sabagreia in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government areas as well as provides an alternative route from the East-West road into the state capital.  It was started in 1982 by the late Melford Okilo government in Rivers State and taken over by the NDDC in year 2000. But the project had been stalled for many years. Similarly, the Akenfa bridge project, which is across the Epie Creek, had been uncompleted for many years. On assumption of office, the Governor Douye Diri administration approached the NDDC to take over construction of the projects due to their strategic importance to the state. Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, while handing over documents on the projects to Governor Diri during

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has given thumbs up to his administration, saying it deserves a second term based on its performance in the last three years plus. Speaking on Arise Television current affairs programme, “The Morning Show” on Thursday, the Bayelsa governor said his administration had made appreciable progress in virtually every sector of the state's economy such as infrastructure, education, health agriculture, sports, skills acquisition and human capacity development. Senator Diri had on Wednesday emerged as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state. He was the sole aspirant in the governorship primary election held in Yenagoa. His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, in a statement, quoted the governor as saying it is only those desperate for power that will not see and appreciate what the government had done during the period to improve the lives of Bayelsans. He said through

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri,  has emerged candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state. Governor Diri clinched the ticket on Wednesday with a total of 305 votes as sole aspirant of the party out of 313 votes cast during the primaries, which took place at the Dr. Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre in Yenagoa. Addressing the delegates and party stakeholders, chairman of the PDP Electoral Panel and Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, said Diri having satisfied the statutory requirements of the primaries was declared winner. In his remarks before the exercise, Senator Adeleke called for a peaceful conduct of the process in accordance with the party's constitution and relevant provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. According to him, Bayesa is a PDP state and enjoined members to ensure that it remains so by electing Diri again. He said: "Bayelsa is a PDP state. We must m