BAYELSA NEWS ONLINE

  By Toyyib Omowale  As part of the Community Development Service (CDS) mandate of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme, Mr. Brown Ebubechukwu, a Batch B Stream 2 Corps Member serving with the Bayelsa State Command of the Nigerian Police, has completed a personal CDS project " renovation of four classroom blocks and a staff office" at Community Primary School, Swali, Yenagoa. Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the Bayelsa State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Charity Okpalifo, described community development as a major pillar of the NYSC programme, often emphasized during the Corps members’ three-week orientation camp. She commended Mr. Ebubechukwu for his determination and personal effort in completing such a meaningful project despite the challenges many Corps members face in securing funding. "This is a shining example of what we teach in camp. I am proud that one of our own took this step. I urge other Corps members to take a cue from this initiative...

The Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation has announced the recipients of its prestigious scholarship program, awarding full tuition to 101 deserving students to attend Hensard University in Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State.  The total value of the scholarships is a substantial ₦749,000,000, covering tuition fees across a diverse range of academic disciplines. The scholarship program, a key initiative of the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation, aims to provide access to quality education for bright and promising students, particularly those from Bayelsa State and the wider Niger Delta region. The successful candidates were selected after a rigorous examination process. The beneficiaries will be pursuing various courses at Hensard University, including high-demand fields such as Medicine and Surgery, Law, Pharmacy, Nursing, Engineering, and Film & Multimedia Studies.  The list of successful candidates, including their names, gender, course of study, state of origin, and local government ar...

  ‎ ‎Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri alongside his wife, Hon. Justice Patience Ama Diri yesterday, attended the service of Songs in honor of Late Hon. Justice Young Emmanuel Ogola (Rtd), which took place at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa. ‎ ‎Justice Ogola who died on the 21st of April, 2025 at the age of 70 years, was a retired judge of the Bayelsa State High Court, and also Chairman of the 2020 END-SARS Panel of Judicial Enquiry. ‎ ‎"Today, we remember Justice Ogola for who he was to the service of our state. ‎ ‎On behalf of the government and good people of Bayelsa State, I commiserate with the family and pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss”, Governor Diri stated. ‎ ‎Dignitaries at the service of songs include, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda Abrakasa Ayemieye, Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Daniel Ayah, President of the Customary Court of Appeal,...

  Bayelsa State Government has set up a 6- man committee to investigate the lingering intra communal conflict in Otakeme, in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state in a bid to restore enduring peace and stability. The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo on Tuesday constituted the committee during a meeting with stakeholders of Otakeme community in Government House, Yenagoa.  A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor, Mr Doubara Atasi, announced membership of the committee to include, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor's Office, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei, Commissioner for Community Development, Chief Watson Belemote and Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai. Others are the Chairman of Ogbia Local Government Council, Mr Jeremiah Golden, Technical Advisers to the Governor on Special Duties, Mr Richard Perekeme and Mr Timidi Wariowei  The statement quoted the Deputy Governor as chargin...

  Directs them to prioritise aquaculture, rice, cassava production  Governor of Bayelsa, Senator Douye Diri has directed the 8 Local Government Chairmen in the State to immediately engage in mechanised agriculture to boost food production. The Governor who gave the directive in a meeting with the Chairmen in his office in Yenagoa urged them to pay particular attention to areas they have comparative advantage while insisting that the state had no reason to be importing certain food crops. “Our policy in agriculture should go down to the grassroots. I am prepared to support every initiative to boost farming. Let’s focus on the areas where we have comparative advantage such as fish farming, rice, and cassava cropping”, Gov. Diri stated. Governor Diri directed the State ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Marine and Blue Economy, Lands and Survey and the Local Government and Chieftaincy to work closely with the Chairmen in the acquisition of land for farming and other...

  Bayelsa State Government has again indicated its determination for effective collaboration with reputable individuals and firms to harness the abundant resources in the blue economy sector of the state. Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Deputy Governor, indicated the state's readiness at a dinner organized by the state government in honour of participants of the Senior Executive Course(SEC) 47, 2025 of the National Institute For Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Yenagoa, at the weekend. Senator Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement issued by Mr Doubara Atasi, his Senior Special Assistant on Media, described Bayelsa as a state richly endowed with not only oil and gas but also huge marine resources as low hanging fruits waiting for investors to pluck. To this end, he called on private and other corporate investors to look the way of Bayelsa for new investment opportunities in the blue economy sector, especially in the area of developing a deep sea port. He also reiterated the foresighte...

 By Toyyib Omowale  Governor  Douye Diri, has faulted the endless process of reviewing the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. Speaking in Government House, Yenagoa, when he hosted members of the House of Representatives Committe on Constitution Review, Governor Diri recalled that he was a member of the committee when he was in the National Assembly from 2015 to 2020 , and expressed concern that successive administrations in the country had not implemented the committee’s recommendations.  A statement by Mr.Daniel Alabrah, his Chief Press Secretary,  quoted the governor as saying that the exercise was becoming a waste of time and resources as every National Assembly session embarked on same process without the recommendations being implemented.  The Bayelsa governor expressed the hope that the current Federal Government would ensure that the ongoing review reached a logical end. Governor Diri restated the need for equitable distribution of the country’s res...

  By Toyyib Omowale  Commercial mini-bus owners and drivers in Bayelsa State have appealed to the state government, through the Ministry of Transport, for an extension of the deadline for painting all commercial mini-buses in the official state colour and obtaining identity numbers of which the current deadline is set for Thursday, July 31, 2025. The drivers made this appeal during a peaceful demonstration in Yenagoa the state capital. Speaking to newsmen, Mr. Iziboyi, a mini-bus driver, appreciated Governor Douye Diri and the state Ministry of Transport for their initiative to regulate the transport sector, which he said would help create a database of all commercial mini-buses operating in the state. However, he appealed for the deadline to be extended until December 2025, noting that the current economic situation has made it difficult for many commercial drivers to repaint their buses before the stipulated date. Similarly, another driver explained that the persistent rainf...

  By Dorathy Esaliba  The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has passed the Symbols and Songs, Amendment Bill 2025 for its second reading. The bill, sponsored by Dr. Monday Obolo, Leader of the House, and seconded by Hon. Werinipre Pamoh, member representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency I, seeks to amend the Bayelsa State Symbols and Songs Law, 2012. It aims to enhance the uniqueness of the state anthem, flag, coat of arms, and other official symbols. According to the Leader of the House, the amendment is intended to instill the proper way of reciting the state anthem and interpreting the meanings of the various symbols, particularly during state functions, football tournaments, school events, and other public gatherings. Meanwhile, Dr. Obolo attributed the inspiration behind the bill to Senator Seriake Dickson, Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, who, during his administration as Governor, introduced initiatives that promoted a common identity among Bayelsan...

By Ajiri Daniel SENATOR Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has extended his condolences to the family, government, and people of Katsina State, the Daura Emirate, and Nigerians on the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. In a condolence message, Senator Dickson who expressed sadness over the news of former President Buhari's passing, acknowledged his service to the nation.  He prayed for the eternal rest of the former President's soul and wished his family the fortitude to bear the loss. ''I would like to, on behalf of my family and my Senatorial District, commiserate with the Buhari family, the government and people of Katsina State, the Daura Emirate, and Nigerians,'' said.  He added, "Former President Buhari was one of the few Nigerians privileged to lead and serve this country as Head of State, and was elected twice as President, in addition to other sensitive national positions he held both in and out of the military. ''...

 

  By Ajiri Daniels Former Governor and serving Senator, Henry Seriake Dickson, has issued a searing indictment of Nigeria’s political elite, accusing them of systematically destroying the nation’s democracy and institutions in a powerful speech delivered at a one-day workshop organized by the Nigeria Civil Society's Alliance for Democratic Change (NCSADC) in Abuja. Speaking on the theme “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Democracy Through Unity and Resolve,” Senator Dickson warned that Nigeria’s political class is “unknowingly committing class suicide,” asserting that their actions have not only weakened the nation's democratic institutions but are pushing the country further into crisis. “The Nigerian political class has killed this country, and you guys [civil society] should not let it happen,” Dickson declared. “They are killing Nigeria; they are making this country look small.” He criticized the widespread practice of party defections, where politicians switch allegiances for persona...

  By Toyyib Omowale  The Nigeria Union of Journalists ,NUJ, Bayelsa State Council, has approved the constitution of the 2025 Press Week Committee, as announced by the State Working Committee (SWC) led by Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha the Council Chairman. According to a press release signed by Comrade Imgbi Stanley, the Council Secretary, the newly appointed committee comprises the following members: Mr. Wanama Dandyson Chairman, Mr Enideneze Etete, Member, Mrs. Grace Orumieyefa, Member, Mr. Timinipre Ohia, Member, Mr. Samuel Oyadongha , Member, Mr. Ekankumo Amgbare, Member, Mrs. Grace Iwolo Secretary The committee is scheduled to be formally inaugurated on Tuesday, July 14, 2025 at 10:00am, at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Azikoro Road, Ekeki, Yenagoa. Committee members are expected to be seated by 9:30am prompt. The Union described the inauguration as important and urged all members involved to treat it with utmost seriousness as preparations for the 2025 Press Week beg...

 By Benita Ezekwere In a move to foster environmental cleanliness and public health awareness, members of the National Youth Service Corps,NYSC, Service Delivery Community Development Service (CDS) group carried out a sanitation exercise at Ekeki Park, Yenagoa. The exercise, which involved the clearing of refuse, picking of litter, and sensitization of commuters, traders, and other park users on the importance of maintaining hygiene in public spaces. Speaking during the exercise, Mr. Okorie Ebere, President of the CDS group,  emphasized the need for corps members to leave a positive impact in their host communities. He described the monthly exercise as a way to give back to society and reinforce the importance of sanitation in public health. Commuters and traders at Ekeki Park expressed gratitude for the corps members’ efforts. One of the onlookers, Mr. John, commended the group’s dedication, recalling previous occasions when corps members engaged in public sensitization ...

 By Toyyib Omowale  The Independent National Electoral Commission , INEC, Bayelsa State, have presented death benefits to the family of the late Mr. Dick Clever K, who served as an Assistant Electoral Officer in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. The presentation was made by Mr. Isah S. Ehimiakhe, Resident Electoral Commissioner , REC, in the state, on behalf of the Commission. While handing over the entitlements to the deceased’s children, Mr. Ehimiakhe described the late officer as a dedicated and hardworking staff member whose contributions to the Commission were commendable. He said the gesture was part of INEC’s commitment to the welfare of its staff, even in death, and a way of acknowledging Mr. Dick’s service to the country. The brief presentation ceremony was attended by INEC staff and family members of the deceased, who expressed gratitude to the Commission for the support. Mr. Dick Clever K. passed away while in active service  with INEC.

  By Toyyib Omowale  Bayelsa communities currently locked in legal battles over ownership of the disputed Elepa 1 and 2 Oil wells have accepted the decision reached by the State government to ensure peace and security in the area. The communities claiming ownership of the Elepa Oilfields being operated by the Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, formerly SHELL, are Elepa, Nembe and Egweama in Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas of the state. Addressing stakeholders of the communities at a meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Deputy Governor, in a statement signed by Mr. Doubara Atasi, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor said government had endorsed the sharing formula recommended by Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo-led Committee set up last year to mediate on the matter. To this end, he announced the allocation of 40 percent of all royalties, employment chances and contractual jobs from Renaissance Africa Energy Company to E...

  By Toyyib Omowale  Stakeholders in the Niger Delta region have called on the Federal Government to accord the oil-rich region the recognition and development it rightfully deserves, as the major contributor to the nation’s wealth. The call was made during the AFREXTRACT Town-hall Meeting convened by the Centre for Niger Delta Studies and Sustainability, Federal University Otuoke, in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. The event, themed “Entanglements with Oil Extraction in the Niger Delta: Daily Realities of Living with Oil and Coping Mechanisms for Oil Spills and Gas Flaring,” brought together traditional rulers, academics, civil society organizations, and community leaders to deliberate on the environmental and socio-economic challenges confronting the region. In his remarks, King Bubraye Dakolo, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom and Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, expressed delight that such a f...

     About 100 tertiary students from Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko Federal Constituency have received ₦100,000 each as part of an educational support initiative championed by their representative in the National Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Youth Development, Rep. Martins Esin. The federal lawmaker who was represented at the disbursement ceremony in Oron on Sunday by the Chairman of Okobo Local Government and Director General of the Forward Oro Project, Hon. Engr. George Henshaw, described the gesture as a realization of Rep. Esin’s campaign promise to invest in education through targeted student support. Henshaw while noting that this move is in commemoration of the centenary of Oron Union (founded since 1925), however charged beneficiaries to remain focused on their studies and avoid vices capable of derailing their academic journey. Earlier in his remarks, Mr John Ntekim, Legislative Aide to Rep. Esin, explained that the programme tagg...

  The City of Houston in Texas, United States of America, has proclaimed July 5 as Ijaw Convention Day. The proclamation signed by the city’s Mayor, John Whitmire, was presented to the Ijaw National Congress of the Americas (INC-A) on Saturday during the award night and unveiling of the Ijaw Cultural and Heritage Centre as part of activities of its three-day second Ijaw Global Convention with the theme: “Effective Leadership in Ijaw Nation,” held at the Marriott Hotel in Westchase. The document was received by the Governor-General of the Ijaw nation and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Peter Akpe, alongside the INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, and the INC-A Chairman, Mr. Ken Anga. Mr. Whitmire described the Ijaw community in Houston and across the United States as “a vibrant and growing segment of the Nigerian-American disaspora, contributing significantly to business, education, energy, healthcare, culture, and civic life - ...

  Hon. Justice Matilda Abrakasa Ayemieye,Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, has expressed gratitude on the safe rescue of Hon. Justice E.G. Omukoro of the Bayelsa State High Court, who was abducted on Saturday,21 June, and had been held captive under distressing circumstances. In a statement issued by Mr. Julius Nyananyo, Head of Media and Information of the Bayelsa State Judiciary, the successful outcome is attributed to the efforts of the Government of Bayelsa State, security agencies, the Bar, organisations, community leaders, and the Judiciary family. The Chief Judge extends her gratitude to everyone involved in securing Hon. Justice Omukoro’s safe return with special commendation to Hon. Justice Kuditat Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria and members of the National Judicial Council, Governor Douye Diri, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, State Deputy Governor, and Right Honourable Ingobere Abraham, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, for their pivotal role., the security age...

  By Gabriel Ukuta  Senator Seriake Dickson, PDP, Bayelsa West has condemned election malpractices in Nigeria by some political actors. Senator Dickson made this known in a statement on his official Facebook page where he reiterated his remarks on the book lunch by HRH. Dr. Famous Eseduo, entitled "African Politics and development." The Lawmaker explained that vote buying and selling is caused mainly by ignorance and the weaponization of poverty. He further stated that the worst part of electoral malpractice is the writing of fake figures in ballot results. Dickson called on all Nigerians to be prepared to defend and protect their votes in their various communities and wards where elections will take place ahead of the 2027 general elections. "Today, I attended a book launch by H.R.H. Dr. Famous Eseduwo, entitled “African Politics and Development”, which was launched today.  "In my remarks, I congratulated him for finding the time to write this important book, and I...

  The President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, Theophilus Alaye, has rejected any single-term deal as a condition for the return of suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Alaye said Fubara has the constitutional right to seek re-election and should not be brow beated by any political actor including his predecessor Nyesom Wike into settling for a single term as a condition for his suspension to be lifted by President Bola Tinubu. “The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, is a citizen of Nigeria and by the virtue of the Nigerian Constitution, we believe that the governor has the right to seek re-election,” the Ijaw youth president said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday. Alaye said any information about a single-term deal for Fubara’s return remained speculation but said that his group would back the governor for re-election. He said, “When we get to 2027, we shall know if that is part of the agreement. And if he has delivered the di...

  By Toyyib Omowale In commemoration of the International Day of Parliamentarianism, Hon. Onisoman Kos-Ikah, Member representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District at the Nigerian Youth Parliament, organised the maiden edition of the Bayelsa Inter-Campus Debate, which saw students from the Niger Delta University, NDU, face off against their counterparts from Bayelsa Medical University ,BMU. The debate, themed “Constitutional Separation of Powers under the Current Nigerian Democratic System: The Role of the Legislative Arm of Government,” was held at the Bayelsa Medical University auditorium, Yenagoa. Speaking at the event, Dr. Gentle Emelah, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Education, and Hon. Alfred Kemepado, his counterpart in the Ministry of Youth Development, expressed delight at the eloquence and critical thinking displayed by the students in supporting and opposing the motion.  They encouraged the students not to relent in their pursuit of knowledge and to actively pa...

  By Toyyib Omowale The Bayelsa State Elders Council has strongly condemned the abduction of Justice Ebiyerin Godein Umukoro, describing the incident as a grave embarrassment to the state government, the judiciary, and security institutions. Justice Umukoro was reportedly kidnapped by unknown gunmen dressed in police uniforms on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at about 7:45 p.m., at Kilimanjaro Fast Food, opposite Ekeki Motor Park in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. In a statement jointly signed by Elder Zee Debekeme, its Vice Chairman,  and Chief Douyi Duglas-Naingba, General Secretary Council said the abduction of a sitting judge a member of the third arm of government was not only criminal but also appeared to be a targeted attempt to intimidate members of the Bench and obstruct the judicial process. The Council called on the kidnappers to immediately and unconditionally release Justice Umukoro, noting that his continued captivity has caused deep anguish for his family, colleag...

  The Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission has invited successful candidates of the last screening exercise to an oral interview slated for this month. In a statement signed by the commission, the various local government councils of the state are to hold their oral Screening exercise in the slated dates above.

  President Bola Tinubu is set to reinstate the suspended Governor of Rivers State,  Siminalayi Fubara , and the State House of Assembly before the end of July, following a breakthrough in peace talks between Fubara and his political mentor, Nyesom Wike. According to multiple Presidential sources who spoke with sources, the planned reinstatement follows a closed-door reconciliation meeting held on Thursday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, suspending Fubara, his deputy, and all 32 members of the State Assembly, citing rising security concerns, including pipeline vandalism and militant activity, which he accused the state government of ignoring. The crisis stemmed from an escalating power struggle between Fubara and Wike that began in October 2023, when 27 pro-Wike lawmakers initiated impeachment moves against the governor, leading to a breakdown in governance. Although Fubara’...