NCDMB reaffirms Q4 2026 operational date for Bayelsa oil and gas park - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reaffirmed that the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS), located in Emeyal-1, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, is on track to become fully operational by the fourth quarter of 2026, reports ITREALMS.

Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, General Manager of Corporate Communications at NCDMB, provided this assurance following a comprehensive facility assessment conducted by key personnel on Friday, June 12, 2026. The inspection confirmed significant progress in critical infrastructure, positioning the park as a vital industrial hub for the nation’s oil and gas sector.

NCDMB-NTA Science Quiz: Kaiama Grammar, FGGC Imiringi clinch top honors in Bayelsa - ITREALMS

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The 9th edition of the NCDMB/NTA Science Quiz Competition for secondary schools in Bayelsa State reached a triumphant conclusion on Wednesday at the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT) Conference Centre, Swali, Yenagoa, reports ITREALMS.

In a competitive display of academic excellence, Kaiama Grammar School (Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA) and Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Imiringi (Ogbia LGA) emerged as the top prize winners. Apex Academy, Yenagoa, secured the position of second runner-up, rounding out the podium finishes.

Former Bayelsa Military Administrator, Captain Olubolade is dead - ITREALMS

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The former Military Administrator of Bayelsa State, Navy Captain Omoniyi Caleb Olubolade (rtd), is dead.

He celebrated his 70th birthday on November 30, 2024.

NCC in Bayelsa: 150m Nigerians have internet access - ITREALMS

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Estimated 150 million Nigerians have internet access, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reports ITREALMS.

Disclosing this at a two-day 2023 Talk-To-The-Regulator (TTTR) forum in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta said that currently, over a I50 million Nigerians have access to internet, while over eighty (80) million can access high speed internet.

INEC releases timetable for governorship in Bayelsa, Imo & Kogi - ITREALMS

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released timetable and schedule of activities for three states' governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi, reports ITREALMS.

INEC at its weekly meeting held Tuesday 25th October 2022, approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States’ governorship elections.

NCC backs Bayelsa’s drive to boost digital infrastructure - ITREALMS

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In keeping with its renowned tradition and belief in strategic partnership and collaboration, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Bayelsa State Government in accelerating telecommunications infrastructure deployment, digital literacy and skills in the state.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, reiterated this commitment during a courtesy visit by a delegation from Bayelsa State to the Management of NCC in Abuja recently.

Kogi and Bayelsa 2019 Governorship Election: Foretelling the Outcome - ITREALMS

Commentary@ITREALMS:

Democracy is earning the power to govern through free, fair and credible elections. Nigeria is a democratic state, but the leadership recruitment process is largely undemocratic. 

Material and financial inducements determines victory, the security agencies are political, and the umpire lacks the capacity and will to conduct credible polls. Public sovereignty is departing the ballot for court as the 2019 general elections produced about a thousand petitions. 

Subjecting almost every electoral victory to judicial confirmation is making voting lose its essence. Like every human, judges are prone to errors as much as they have preference. Hence, their verdicts can’t always be a true reflection of the peoples will. Several mandates have been mistakenly or deliberately upturned. Parties and candidates must strive to end their contests at the polls, instead of the court.

Nigerians hope for this as the people of Kogi and Bayelsa state elect governor on 16 November, 2019. Over 40 parties fielded candidates, but the contest is a two horse race between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). APC’s David Lyon is slugging it out with PDP’s Duoye Diri in Bayelsa state. In Kogi, PDP’s Musa Wada and SDP’s Natasha Akpoti is challenging incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello of the APC. On the sideline, PDP’s Dino Melaye is facing APC’s Smart Adeyemi in the Kogi-West senatorial rerun. This piece foretells the outcome of the elections.

Bayelsa State:Bayelsa is a riverine, less populated state of about 2.5 million persons, eight local governments, and 923,182 registered voters. Unfavorable judicial pronouncements have practically make winning an unattainable height for APC in Bayelsa state. The party’s deputy governorship candidate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, was disqualified on November 12 for providing false information in his nomination form. On November 14, the court invalidated David Lyon’s candidacy on account that the governorship primary that produced him was improperly conducted. APC miraculously got a stay of execution at the Court of Appeal few hours after Justice Jane Inyang of Bayelsa High Court gave the ruling.

Is Nigeria’s legal system so flexible that appellants can get a stay of execution the same day judgment is delivered? Did the trial judge err by granting reliefs not sought by Heineken Lokpobiri, the plaintiff who originally prayed to be declared candidate?

In any case, APC is back on the ballot and the poll won’t be a walkover for PDP. The former made an impressive performance in the last general elections and may increase the beat. From scoring a meagre 5,000 votes in the 2015 presidential poll, APC garnered over 118,000 votes in 2019. While one may argue that the party got more votes because a Bayelsa indigene wasn’t on the ballot, as in 2015, the progression is a testament that APC is making waves in Bayelsa.

Ethno-regional balance of power would earn PDP votes. The party’s primary generated resentment, but drastic measures were taken to address the impasse. Diri and the immediate past speaker of the state assembly, Tony Isenah hails from Kolokuma Opokuma. Agitations were rife that the region cannot produce governor and speaker, while Southern Ijaw, the second largest voting population, held no key position. To calm frayed nerves, Governor Seriake Dickson and other PDP leaders forced Isenah out for Monday Obolo. The move has brightened PDP’s chance in Southern Ijaw, the APC candidate’s homeland.

A major setback for the PDP is intra-party crisis. Governor Dickson backed Duoye Diri, against the wish of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan and other bigwigs. Diri’s candidature was actualized through the Restoration Group, the dominant PDP faction in the state controlled by Dickson. Diri pulled 561 votes, while Jonathan’s preferred candidate, Timi Alaibe, scored 365 votes in the primary. Efforts to make Dickson concede the deputy governorship ticket to Alaibe’s faction failed. This made several PDP stalwarts decamp to APC and other parties. Gabriel Jonah, the incumbent deputy governor’s younger brother led the Otita Force group out of the PDP to APC. Some of the defectors have returned and PDP also won some APC decampees.

Recurring conflict of interest broke the cordial relationship between Dickson and his godfather, Jonathan. The latter wants to keep calling the shot, but the former feels he has come of age. Dickson is having his way as the party structure is firmly under his control. Many allege the Jonathans are working against PDP’s victory. Ex-first lady Patience reportedly attend an APC rally and the husband visited President Buhari within the same period. Politics is an interest driven game, hence it is not impossible, but most unlikely that Jonathan would support APC. This is premised on the manner the party has disparaged him since he lost power in 2015.

Every governor wants to install a successor and Dickson is no exemption. He is striving to enthrone Diri to protect himself from probe and prosecution. Bayelsa’s development is incommensurable with the federal allocation and internal revenue Dickson has accrued. His government spent mammoth funds on less impactful schemes. For instance, the Bayelsa International Cargo Airport was constructed at a prodigious rate, while the population is lacking basic amenities.

Ex-governor Timipre Sylva’s appointment as Minister of State for Petroleum has energized APC in Bayelsa. Sylva hopes to raise his political clout by capturing the state. Poised to bring honey out of the rock, Sylva will use federal might and fund for APC, but the party will not sail through. The 2019 Ameachi-Rivers scenario would most-likely occur. Sylva would predictably incapacitate PDP bigwigs, flood the state with armed officers, and do all legally and illegally possible to enthrone APC. Yet the party would lose. PDP is more formidable despite the intra-party crisis and shortcomings of the Dickson administration. Duoye Diri (PDP) would win the election.

Kogi State

‘Your Excellency’ is a title Nigerian elites admire, and do all possible to acquire. Struggle for the coveted position of governor has made Kogi the violence capital of Nigeria lately. The 2019 governorship poll will go down in history as the fiercest in the state. Yahaya Bello (APC) and Musa Wada (PDP) are not aiming for second and Natasha Akpoti (SDP) is waxing strong. They are campaigning aggressively, spewing unfulfillable promises, and going all out to win the heart of the 1,646,350 registered voters.

Kogi APC had a good outing in the 2019 general election. The party won two of the state’s three senatorial seats, and seven out of the nine House of Representative seats. While this is a pointer that APC is on course for victory, it may lose the governorship election for fielding an unpopular candidate. Bello’s track record shows he’s not deserving of governorship or any other position. He is bereft of ideas, non-tolerant, arrogant, and violent. His address during campaigns are basically hate speeches and threats, rather than a presentation of his scorecard and manifesto.

Another minus for Bello is his style of governance. He ruled Kogi like a conquered territory. His mindset is too shallow to accommodate opposite views and criticisms. You either agree with him or be hounded. He has, at different times, been embroiled in conflict with the labor union, university staffs, and the state’s Chief Judge. Bello also has issues with his former deputy, Elder Simon Achuba. He withheld Achuba’s allowances and honoraria, and influenced his unconstitutional removal from office.

A major impediment to Bello’s reelection is the non-payment of salaries in the civil service, salary-dependent state. Bello has no tenable excuse for owing as he accrued over N300 billion internally generated revenue and federal allocation within 38 months of his administration. Yet workers were unpaid and no landmark project has been commissioned. The state is enmeshed in poverty, unemployment, insecurity and underdevelopment.

Sadly, the funds that should have been used to better Kogites lot would be apparently used for vote-buying. Federal government has aided the practice by releasing N10 billion project-executed repayment fund to Bello three days to the election. It’s upsetting Buhari’s anti-corruption centered government released the fund at a time it would most certainly be used for election purposes.

Vote-buying shouldn’t be aiding poor performing politicians to victory, but most Nigerians are descendants of Esau, the biblical character who sold his birthright for a plate of porridge. Pecuniary gain makes many praise-sing and reelect failed governments. Kogi people won’t act different. Many would vote the poor performing governor after receiving peanuts. Vote-buying is not a one party affair. PDP also induce voters and will do so again in Kogi.

Ethnic politics reigns supreme in Kogi. The population often deliver bulk votes to their tribesmen, irrespective of party. Igala tribe has numerical advantage and principally determines who carry the day. In 1999, Abubakar Audu won the governorship election under the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, defeating PDP which had better structures at the time. Igala people are domiciled in Kogi East and constitutes over half of the state’s voting population. PDP’s Wada and the APC deputy governorship candidate, Edwin Onoja are Igala natives.

If ethnic voting occurs, Wada would win as Bello hails from the less populated Ebira tribe. Onoja’s influence won’t earn APC majority vote; Igala people would rather be first than play second fiddle. Moreover, Wada’s allies are conversant with the tactics of winning elections in Kogi state, especially Igala land. The PDP candidate is the brother of ex-governor Idris Wada and in-law of ex-governor Ibrahim Idris.

Bello is hoping to harvest Ebira votes in Kogi Central, but Akpoti is a pain. The budding politician’s fan base is increasing outstandingly. Her supporters are largely women, a crucial and influential arm of the voting population. Akpoti knows she can’t win, but wants to split Bello’s vote in Kogi Central, not minding who her action benefits. Having her way would propel PDP to victory and Bello’s army of thugs won’t watch that happen. They allegedly set her campaign office ablaze and have been harassing her routinely. This misstep is earning Akpoti the popularity she might have joined the race for. It would also earn her sympathy votes, which may be inadequate to make her win, but sufficient to make Bello lose. In case Bello gets injured in Kogi Central (which is most unlikely), he will hope on recovering at Kogi West.

Kogi West Senatorial Rerun

One man’s misfortune is another’s stroke of luck. Dino Melaye’s trouble turned into blessing for Wada when he needs it most. The former’s senatorial mandate was nullified and rerun is holding alongside the governorship election. Melaye who had initially distanced himself from Wada’s campaign, having lost out in the primary, backtracked upon realizing him and Wada must either rise or fall together.

Melaye is facing arch-rival Smart Adeyemi of the APC in an epic rerun. In the nullified February 2019 election, Melaye defeated Adeyemi in six out of the seven local governments constituting Kogi West. He won despite being hounded by the state and federal government, and under a party in opposition at both levels of government.

Melaye is in tune with the masses than Adeyemi and other APC bigwigs in Kogi West. James Faleke’s reconciliation with Bello will not help APC much in the district. Faleke is late Abubakar Audu’s running mate in the 2015 governorship poll. He’s been inactive in the state since he lost the party’s mandate to Bello after Audu’s demise. Bello came second in the party primary.

Faleke is currently a federal lawmaker representing Lagos. He and Adeyemi’s political strength does not match Melaye’s in Kogi West. Melaye has over 100 projects to his credit; a contribution neither Adeyemi, Faleke nor Bello has made to the district. Call it uncivilized, Melaye’s politicking is admired by his people. His comical utterances and songs has won him the hearts of the population who sees other politicians as arrogant and inaccessible.

Melaye is a grassroots politician and popular in Kogi West. He stands a chance as none of the major opposition candidates in the governorship election hails from Kogi West. Based on the prominence of ethnic voting in the state, Melaye would lose if a strong opposition governorship candidate like Bello hails from Kogi West. Favored by these odds, Melaye (PDP) would defeat Adeyemi (APC) in the senatorial rerun election. In the same vein, for governorship, Musa Wada of the PDP would garner more votes than Yahaya Bello of the APC in Kogi West.

Governorship Election Outcome

Bello’s underperformance, misgovernance, dwindling admiration, and the odd-against ethnic voting permutation would deter his win. PDP’s Wada would get bulk ethnic votes in Kogi East. Melaye’s senatorial rerun coincidence would earn Wada majority vote in Kogi West. Natasha Akpoti would split Bello’s bulk vote in Kogi Central. The lowest of Wada’s vote would come from the district, while highest would come from Kogi East.

In a free, fair and credible contest, PDP’s Musa Wada would defeat APC’s Yahaya Bello. But the election is not going to be free; not going to be fair; and not going to be credible. Thugs would disperse voters and smash ballot boxes in Wada’s stronghold. The security agencies won’t arrest disruptors, and would be grossly partisan. Above all, the Independent National Electoral Commission would be ‘remote controlled’ by the ‘powers that be’. Several votes would be cancelled and the election would be declared inconclusive.

Virtually all the election winning indicators point to Wada’s emergence, but the pundit foresees Kogi 2019 governorship election ending with a rerun, and if it does, APC’s Yahaya Bello would ultimately be declared winner.

Note: Foretelling the outcome of an election doesn’t mean the writer has access to one sacred information or the election winning strategy of any candidate. Assessing candidates’ fortes and flaws to foretell election results is a common practice in developed nations. This doesn’t mean the pundits are demeaning the electoral process or influencing election results. Bayelsans and Kogites have already decided who they would vote for, and nothing – not this prediction – can easily change their mind.

*Omoshola Deji is a political and public affairs analyst. He wrote in via moshdeji@yahoo.com

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2019: Ben Bruce withdraws from Bayelsa East Senatorial race - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Senator representing the Bayelsa East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Ben Murray Bruce, has voluntarily withdrawn from the race for the Bayelsa East Senatorial District, ITREALMS.

In a letter dated October 2, 2018, addressed to the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Moses Cleopas., Senator Bruce popularly known as Nigeria’s Common Sense Senator cited a 20-year old existing agreement of rotation in the Senatorial District as the reason for his decision to pull out of the Senatorial race.

The Senator said that he was left with no other option than to withdraw from the race in the interest of the existing harmony and indeed the well-being of the people of the Constituency in spite of the support from the national leadership of the PDP and his influence.

“I thank God and the good people of Brass, and Bayelsa East Senatorial District who offered me the golden opportunity four years ago to represent them and the state in the Senate, Nigeria’s highest lawmaking chamber.

“It is without doubt that I have tried to discharge my duties as a legislator and representative of my people creditably to the best of my ability so far. My voice has been very loud on the issues that matter to our people and our country at all time.

“My support to our party, my people and state government is unquestionable. I am humbled that the national leadership of my party supported by the State chapter in appreciation of my efforts offered to support my reelection to the senate to continue my service.

“I have also intensified consultations in the last couple of weeks in the course of which I have come to realize an existing local rotational arrangement of over 20 years beginning with the Great Chief Melford Okilo, (late) by which arrangement the Senatorial seat rotates per local government area among the three councils for four years.

“Even with the support of my party at the National and state levels with the full backing of my state government and leadership, as a man of honour interested in the well being of my people, I hereby announce my withdrawal from the Senatorial race.

“I do not want to, for whatever reason, appear to have used my privileged position and influence to do anything other than support the well-being and the stability and the good of the people.”

Murray Bruce thanked former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who is from the Senatorial District, the National Chairman òf the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, his colleagues in the Senate and Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson for their support and encouragement.

The Senator also thanked the members of his family and campaign staff for their sacrifices, understanding dedication, and commitment.

He expressed gratitude to the people of Bayelsa East for the confidence they reposed in him to serve and represent them in the senate.

Bruce who restated his loyalty to the PDP assured the party of his availability and willingness to serve whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Bayelsa seeks partnership with NOA

ITREALMS:

The Bayelsa State is seeking for partnership with the state office ‎of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for an improve public service reforms, reports ITRealms.

Disclosing this, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson during a visit to the state office ‎of the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

The Commissioner who was accompanied by members of the state media team was received on arrival by top officials of the‎ agency. 

He also said the visit was to seek the support of the NOA ‎in the forthcoming town hall meeting on the public service reforms in the state, stressing that the agency's collaboration will assist the govern‎ment in collation of feedback which will further help the reforms process and urged the NOA to spread its officials to all the venues of the town hall meeting in order to put together a comprehensive assessment report. 

He said the restoration administration ‎of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson is determined to clean the augean stable and make the state public service more productive and result oriented.

Iworiso-Markson who disclosed some of the shocking revelations from the various committees carrying out the verification of workers‎, said the government will unfold some of its findings during the town hall meeting. 

"I am very delighted to be here ‎today. This is the first time I will be visiting a federal agency since I became the Commissioner for Information and Orientation. As you can see, I didn't come alone. With me are members of the state media team.

"We have come here to solicit your partnership on the town hall meeting we are organizing. Beginning from next week, we will be going from one local government to the other, engaging our people on the reforms that we are carrying out in the public sector.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Bayelsa: We're doing grassroots development

ITREALMS:

The Bayelsa State Government has expressed determination to complete developmental projects in the state, which will directly change the lives of the people and attract investments, reports ITRealms.

The government therefore solicited for more support from the people even as it moves towards the end of its second term in 2020.

The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson gave the assurance on Wednesday in Yenagoa during a courtesy call on him by the leadership of a political pressure group, Forum of Ogbia former councillors.

He told his guests that the Restoration Government is spreading development across the state and urged them to join in galvanizing support for the Seriake Dickson led administration.

The Commissioner said, ‘’Let me thank you for finding time to visit me today. I want to assure you of the willingness of this government to make a difference before the end of our tenure and we are committed to that.

‘’We have spread development across the state and it is very visible for everyone to see. I charge you to do everything you can to galvanize more support for the Restoration Government’’.

He enjoined the group to play their part in the unity and peaceful coexistence of Ogbia Kingdom which is key for sustainable development in the area and assured them that the government will work with them as key stakeholders.

Earlier, Chairman of the Ogbia ex-Councillors, James Erefa thanked Iworiso-Markson for his contribution to the peace and development of Ogbia Kingdom.

He pledged the group’s unflinching support to the restoration government and promised to stand by the governor as he continues to attract meaningful development to Ogbia.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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6th anniversary: Bayelsa commends OBJ, Ezeife, Gana etc

ITREALMS:

The Bayelsa State Government has commended the former President Olusegun Obasanjo for spending three days in the state, commissioning remarkable projects, alongside the likes of former Anambra State Governor, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife and former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, reports ITRealms.

Among the projects commissioned by Obasanjo include the Bayelsa Specialist Hospital, World class Diagnostic Center and the Aquaculture village with 500 fish ponds.

The commissioning of the projects was part of activities marking the sixth anniversary of the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson's Restoration Government.

Obasanjo also gave inspiration to future leaders of the state during a special interactive session at the Ijaw National Academy (INA) in Kaiama.

A statement issued on Sunday in Yenagoa by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said Obasanjo's visit was a rare privilege and a great honour to the government and people of the oil rich and fast developing state.

According to him, the historic visit will remain memorable in the annals of the state while noting that‎ the former Nigerian leader came despite his very busy schedule.

The Commissioner also commended immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience for hosting Obasanjo in their country home in Otuoke.

He also thanked former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, former Deputy ‎Governor of Sokoto State, Murktar Shagari, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana for commissioning the Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme office, Malaria, Tuberclosis, HIV/AIDS Research Center and the Information House respectively.

Iworiso-Markson also applauded ‎the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by the national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus for taking part in the grand rally which saw over 6, 000 members of the APC returning to its fold and commissioning of the magnificent Grand Pavillion and Boat Club, Oxbow lake.

The statement also commended former Information Ministers, John Odey and Labaran Maku, former Governor of Old Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd) and other very prominent Nigerians including top media executives, editors and colomunits who joined in the celebration of the sixth anniversary.

Also mentioned in the thank you statement were the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers‎ led by the chairman, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, civil society groups, professional bodies, youth and women association, past leaders, top government functionaries and other notable citizens of the state as well as Bayelsans in general.

Above all, the Information Commissioner expressed gratitude to God, the people as well as friends of the state for their prayers, encouragement and unwavering support for the Governor Dickson-led administration in the past six years.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Niger Delta TV, pride to Bayelsa says Information Commissioner

ITRealms:

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson‎ on Monday visited the state owned Niger Delta Television‎ (NDTV) in Gbarantoru‎, describing it as one of the organizations that is so dear to the government, reports ITRealms.

According to him, the significance of NDTV accounts for why everything was being done to make it fly higher.

During the visit which was part of familiarization tour to agencies under his ministry, the Commissioner met with the management and staff of NDTV for over four hours also inspected its facilities.

Iworiso-Markson stated that with its wide reach and personnel, the television station has a great advantage over others.

‎He therefore charged the management and staff to work harder to sustain the pride of place it occupies and the huge investment the government has made so far.‎

The Commissioner said, "I have no doubt that you have the personnel to do the job but I want you to improve on your capacity and content, use your programmes to create a positive mindset on Bayelsans about the various government policies that have impacted positively on the lives of the people.

"You have the advantage because you have a wider reach. I understand people in far flung communities in our state view your programmes‎ and even those in other states, so that is clearly a plus for you. So I urge you to be up and running."

Iworiso-Markson who acknowledged some of the current challenges facing NDTV, admonished‎ the staff not to be deterred as ‎the government would take steps to address them.

He stressed that Governor Henry Seriake Dickson had been very passionate to see the station compete with others on the global‎ stage.

‎"Running a ‎television station is not a tea party, you all deserved to be commended but you must justify the need to address some of your demands as His Excellency, Governor Dickson wants to see this place move to the next level". iworiso-Markson said.

Earlier in his address, the General Manager of the Station,Tamarakuro Oweifie had intimated the Commissioner that since assumption of office in 2012, the present management has done a lot to change the face of broadcasting in the state.

He appealed to the Commissioner to look into the challenges facing the station which includes equipment, studio, utility buses and power to enable the staff perform more.

In her vote of thanks, the Head of Programmes, Mrs. Binna Nengi Ilagha, thanked the Commissioner and his team for finding time to visit the station, stating that the visit has given them a new sense of belonging and to look forward to a better future.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Bayelsa to establish 3 community radio outlets

ITRealms:

The Bayelsa State Government on Monday said says it would soon establish community radio stations in the three senatorial zones of the state as part of measures to increase public awareness and enlightenment to the grassroots, reports ITRealms.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, made the announcement in Yenagoa shortly after taking over from his predecessor, Jonathan Obuebite.

According to him, public information should not only be centered on the capital city Yenagoa but should reach people in the rural areas to properly inform them on government programmes and policies.

Iworiso-Markson explained that the‎ community radio would be very useful and would be run in local languages with very rich content. 

He said, "We will pursue public enlightenment with great vigor. Our people need to be reached with what the government is doing. This government under the able leadership of His Excellency, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson has done so much for our people and they need to know. 

"From education revolution, where the declaration of a state of emergency since inception has recorded massive growth in infrastructure and thus effectively changed the fortunes of students in appreciable performance to the award of scholarships at home and abroad, giant leaps in public infrastructure as we have in institutional buildings, quality roads and bridges across the state, to economic diversification, we need to let them know and there is a whole lot to be done and we can achieve them working together.  

"The idea of the community radio will encourage the confidence of out people, make them have a sense of belonging and constantly bring them up to speed with the progress made in a language they so understand."

Iworiso-Markson, thanked Governor Seriake Dickson for the new opportunity and his predecessor for the many‎ achievements he had recorded and promised to build on it for the overall good of the government and people of the state.

Earlier, the former Commissioner, Jonathan Obuebite highlighted some of his achievements including the revival of the ministry's magazine, Bayelsa Strides and the establishment of a news website, Bayelsa Watch.

Obuebite added that he has no doubt that his successor would succeed because of his capacity and experience as a seasoned media practitioner and public relations expert.

While appreciating the Permanent Secretary, Directors and staff for their support, he encouraged them to also extend same to the new commissioner to enable him succeed on all fronts. 

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Prof. Isoun heads Bayelsa Education Trust Fund, receives standing ovation

ITRealms:

The former Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun has been confirmed as the chairman of the newly innagurated Bayelsa State Education Trust Fund board, reports ITRealms.

Members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, ITRealms gathered, on Thursday gave a standing ovation to former Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun when he appeared before them for screening as chairman of the newly constituted Education Trust Fund board.

The lawmakers rather than screen the erudite professor unanimously confirmed his nomination by ‎Governor Seriake Dickson, describing him as the best man for the job because of his impeccable integrity and uprightness.

One after the other the lawmakers applauded his choice to head the fund, maintaining that Prof Isoun will bring his experience and honesty to bear in the new task and thanked Governor Dickson for putting so much importance to the management of the fund.

According to them, Dickson must have recognized the value and enormous benefit the new law will do to the state which ultimately necessitated him to pick Isoun, a former chairman of the‎ board of the Nigerian Communications Satallite Limited (Nigcomsat).

They asked him to take a bow, expressing delight that in no distant time the state will experience  a major boost in the education sector with his entrance and assured him and members of the board of their unalloyed support to enable him succeed.

They also used the opportunity to call on all Bayelsans to believe in the new law as it was made with good intention to give students in the state a secured future and thanked Isoun for accepting to serve his state again.

Uju N. Dominic/GEE

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Pix: Prof. Isoun and Gov. Dickson

Why Bayelsa approved N10bn to upgrade school facilities

ITRealms:

The government of Bayelsa State has explained why it gave approval of N10 billion for the upgrading of school facilities, reports ITRealms.

Speaking to stakeholders in civil service administration in Yenagoa who endorsed a number of reforms aimed at restructuring the public service for effective delivery, the Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson said the state is working at checking the syndrome of ghost workers and other unwholesome practices.

He described as unacceptable, the age long sharp practices in the state civil service, adding that the said payment of over N4 billion monthly wage bill could no longer be sustained.

Dickson said that it has impacted negatively on the developmental agenda of the restoration government.

According to him, the meeting was convened to intimate the stakeholders of the financial position of the state and chart a way forward in view of the prevailing economic situation.

Some of the reforms as highlighted by the governor and endorsed by the stakeholders in attendance include; approval of N200 million monthly subvention to the state owned Niger Delta University.

He stressed that only subventions would be given to tertiary institutions as against the old practice of monthly payment of salary.

Also the state government gave approval of N10 billion for the purpose of upgrading facilities in all its tertiary institutions across the state and also instituted a special Education Safety Corps to ensure the safety of its schools.

The governor urged all tertiary institutions to key into government’s vision of adopting a single accounting system to check fraud, stressing that education levy would be introduced for all workers in the state to fund activities in the sector.

According to Governor Dickson, as part of the reforms, the state civil service commission will be reconstituted just as government did to that of the local government service commission.

He stressed that further steps would be taken to re-organize the state’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies pointing out that staff with requisite qualifications and skills would be redeployed to relevant ministries and institutions.

Also, the state government has created a N10 billion Enterpreneur Development Fund to empower people that may voluntarily opt out of the civil service arising from the re-organization of the service.

The Governor announced that henceforth, the State Environmental Sanitation Authority would be taken out of the mainstream of the civil service, stating that only a few and relevant staff would be deployed on secondment to the authority .   

To tackle the problems of absenteeism, and ghost workers syndrome, attendance registers have been introduced in all the MDAs which would be properly monitored by special teams.  

 The meeting had in attendance, the traditional rulers, captains of Industry, members of the State House of Assembly, top government functionaries, local government chairmen to mention but few.

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Dickson salutes Nigerian Airforce over investment in Bayelsa

ITRealms:

The Bayelsa State Governor Hon. Seriake Dickson has given a warm salute to the efforts of the Nigerian Air Force for making strategic investments aimed at improving the welfare and professionalism of its personnel in the state, reports ITRealms.

Governor Dickson who made this known at the weekend during the commissioning ceremony of eight (8) of its projects embarked upon by the Air Force at the Mobility Command, Yenagoa.

ITRealms gathered that these projects include 235 Base Service Wing Complex, Medical Centre, Provost Squadron, Officers' quarters, Joint Airmen Mess, CAWO/RSM residential complex, Airmen quarters and Commander's residence.

Speaking shortly before the commissioning, Governor Dickson expressed surprise at the level of achievements the command has recorded within a short period of its establishment.

Dickson also called on all tiers of government including the National Assembly to continue to support the nation's security agencies to effectively perform their role of securing lives and property nationwide.

He expressed his administration's preparedness to partner with the Nigerian Air Force in the area of establishing educational facilities and other critical infrastructure, assured that government would provide additional land for the purpose.

In his remarks, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar said the projects was in fulfillment of impact directly on d welfare and enhance professional competence of its personnel.

As said Abubakar, the ultimate aim is to build a  self-sustaining base to meet the residential, social and administrative needs of its personnel through prudent use of scarce resources.

He further expressed determination to collaborate with other security agencies to combat security challenges facing the country, said plans are on to provide a Cancer Screening Centre in some states including Bayelsa.

Equally speaking, the Special Guest of honour, Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan (Retd), lauded the current leadership of the Nigeria Air Force for its resourcefulness at enhancing welfare and professionalism in spite of funding constraints.

While charging the Armed Forces on the need to intensify efforts at safeguarding the territorial integrity  of the nation, AVM Koinyan tasked them on discipline and loyalty to the government of the day irrespective of ethno-religious differences.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Bayelsa plans reduction of tertiary education dependence on govt

ITReams:

Bayelsa State Government has said its planning to create a comprehensive policy that would guide the management of all its tertiary institutions and the government parastatals towards making them less dependent on government funding, reports ITReams.

The government, ITReams gathered, is to constitute sub-committees to study and streamline the various policies that would be generated, based on the report presented by the Committee on the Management and Funding of Tertiary Education and Government Parastatals.

Receiving the report of the Committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), Governor Henry Seriake Dickson gave this indication in Government House, Yenagoa, at the weekend.

The Governor said the State Executive Council would also analyze the report thoroughly and fashion out relevant policies that would guide the operations of all tertiary institutions and government agencies in the state.

Governor Dickson, who stressed the need to reposition such educational facilities and the government parastatals by making them self-sustaining, pointed out that, the measure had become imperative, in view of the dwindling finances of the state, occasioned by the national economic downturn.

He, however, assured that, the government would support all tertiary institutions in the state, including the Niger Delta University, Amassoma as it is the only public tertiary institution in Bayelsa.

Applauding the efforts of members of the committee for doing a thorough job, Governor Dickson said the government would implement the findings and recommendations contained in the report and directed the committee to make a copy of the report available to the State House of Assembly.

Presenting the report, Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), who is also the Chairman of the Committee on the Management and Funding of Tertiary Education and Government Parastatals, said the committee was divided into two groups, with one looking at the tertiary institutions headed by the Secretary to the State Government, while the Head of Service chaired that of the government agencies.

He explained that an 11 point terms of reference was established for the tertiary institutions, which include, identification of all sources of revenue to the tertiary institutions, review and examine the financial state of the government owned tertiary institutions, staff and students’ strength as well as how the finances were managed.

The Deputy Governor who said, 7 tertiary institutions in the state were examined, also highlighted some of the major findings of the committee to include, challenges in accreditation, least student population, over-bloated non-academic staff and infrastructure deficit as compared to other tertiary institutions in the country.

He also recounted the findings on some government agencies to include, poor management structure, lack of due process in the employment of staff and wholly dependent on the government for salaries and expenses.

Some of the parastatals examined were, the Bayelsa Transport Company Ltd, Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation, Niger Delta Television, Bayelsa State Newspaper Corporation and Bayelsa Housing and Property Development Authority.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Pix: Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd)

Bayelsa got N3.5 billion federal allocation in July - Commissioner

ITRealms:

The Bayelsa State government has clarified that it received the sum of N3.5 billion from the federal allocation for the month of July, according to the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jonathan Obuebite, said on Tuesday, ITRealms.

Reacting to what the government described as different figures being peddled by "uninformed persons within and outside Bayelsa State," Obuebite said this clarification become imperative with regards to the allocation received from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) for the month of July, 2016.

The Commissioner in a Government House statement issued in Yenagoa, said Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, "has directed the payment of June salaries in addition to outstanding January 2016 arrears including that of pensioners."

"The amount being dished out by the mischief-makers which ranges from N10 billion to N19 billion, is all aimed at giving the impression that the government now has a lot of money at its disposal to clear all outstanding salaries and pensions,” he said.

Obuebite pointed that while acknowledging that there has been a sharp increase from the latest allocation as compared to previous months especially for this year, “we want to for the benefit of hindsight make public the authentic details of the amount from the various sources."

            FAAC Allocation to Bayelsa State for July 2016

       SOURCE                                                AMOUNT

1. Statutory Allocation                                N2, 310,274,788.13

2. 13 percent derivation                             N3, 126,869,735.56  

3. Value Added Tax                                    N609, 108,530.22     

4. Exchange Gain                                       N1, 189,970,982.76      

                                                                    

GROSS   TOTAL                                        N7, 236,224,036.67   

  

5. FAAC Deductions                                   N2, 308, 843,297.75

6. Net FAAC Receipt                                 N4, 927,380,738.92

7. Debt Service                                           N1, 424,558,256.26

 NET    TOTAL                                      N3, 502,822,482.66                       

The statement reads further: "Our sincere hope is that this will put to rest the rumours and lies about the issue. We advise Bayelsans  to always be sure of what they hear especially on social media before accepting it hook, line, and sinker as true. The dedicated website www.bayelsawatch.org is also up and running to provide all financial information about Bayelsa State Government.

"Findings show that all these mis-information are being generated and spread out by the opposition and enemies of the state who only show up with tantrums and not solutions or prayers for the well being of the state. 

The government is therefore calling on ASUU to for the sake of our children, call off the strike and resume classes as the government is still committed in giving Bayelsans  the best of education even in the face of the dwindling economic crisis.

"It is on this backdrop that His Excellency, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, has directed the payment of June salaries in addition to outstanding January 2016 arrears including that of pensioners."

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