EVERY HOUR

The Save the Ijaw Nation Group otherwise known as the SING Foundation, a frontline pro-democracy civil society organization has decried the role played by the Nigeria Police Force with regard to the latter’s interference in a series of intra and inter party squabbles in Rivers State, the arbitrary deployment and redeployment of Commissioners of Police in Bayelsa State and the recent   siege on the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly where policemen aided 5 members of the State’s House of Assembly to illegally invade the house while preventing the legitimate majority of 21 members from gaining access to the complex. Led by its Executive Director Mr. Usman Idris- Etanami and other directors of the foundation, the group on Friday, paid visits to embassies of both the European Union and the United States where they engaged in   peaceful demonstrations   and the submission of letters asking the leadership of both the EU and USA to prevail on Nigeria’s Federal Government to take step

The concept of Public Private Partnerships is one that is primarily designed to serve as an effective means of providing public infrastructure that cannot be provided by Government alone due to the paucity of funds. Unfortunately, the implementation of the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) initiative across sectors of the Nigerian economy is one that has recorded little success over the years. Experts have held the strong view that the arrangements are not working and rather than have positive impact on the economy, it has rather had adverse effects on the fortunes of the nation particularly in the area of infrastructural development. In view of the undesirable state of the PPP situation in Nigeria inspite of government’s efforts to the contrary, Mr. Sam Inengite an internationally trained Chartered Accountant and Financial expert whose exposure spans over 20 years in various aspects of the world of finance, has published a soon to be launched 10 chapter book BUILD

A group, The Nigeria Academic Think Tank, has accused the federal government of being responsible for the circulation of the fake soft copies of “My Transition Hours”, a book written by former President Goodluck Jonathan. In a statement released on Tuesday, Usman Aliyu, national coordinator, ​​​​​and Olufemi Akindele, the secretary, the group accused some officials of the incumbent administration of colluding with a former staff of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, to release after manipulation, the unfinished copy of the book. “Obviously the book opened several cans of worms which many had ordinarily wanted closed, as It remains a historic fact that truth is temporarily in bondage to falsehood. However, when truth comes forcefully the earth gets shaken,” the statement read. “Hardly had participants at the book launch, or enthusiasts all over the world, who were rushing to the book stores a day after the launch to pick copies of the book, settled down for its readi

The Governor òf Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has called on Nigerians irrespective of religion, ethnicity and political leaning to pray for the country ahead of the 2019 general elections. The Governor said that Nigerians and indeed all people of goodwill had a responsibility to pray for the country to ensure the conduct of free fair, credible and violence-free elections in the country in 2019. A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei stated that the Governor  made the comment while speaking to journalists at the Chapel òf Christ the Glorious King in Abeokuta on Sunday. Governor Dickson who was Chairman of the Tenth Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration of the church, said that it was public knowledge that things had not been the way they should be in the country. He said that it was important for the right thing to be done as the country moved towards the general elections to guarantee the flourish of

Founder of Zenon Oil, Femi Otedola, on Wednesday, appeared before an Abuja High Court to testify in the trial of a former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, for alleged fraud. Otedola who is a prosecution witness in the trial was allegedly pressured by Lawan to part with a three-million-dollar bribe while Lawan was chairing a subcommittee investigating a multi-billion-dollar fraud associated with government fuel subsidy during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Otedola entered the witness box after he was introduced by the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, after which a video where Lawan was seen receiving $500 000 from the Zenon oil boss, was played. According to Otedola, the accused had indicted his company in the alleged fraud and demanded three million dollars to exonerate him. He added that after the initial deposit of $500,000 was paid into his account, Lawan declared Zenon Oil and Gas free of the initial indictme

The Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson,   has announced a donation of N100 million grant to the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Foundation. The Governor, who made the announcement while speaking as the Chief Host of the launching of the book with the title My Transition Hours, also announced a monthly grant of five million to the Foundation in honour of the Former President. A statement by the Special Adviser to Governor Dickson on Media Relation’s, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, stated that the governor also handed over a Certificate of Occupancy of a six hectare land he donated to the foundation in Yenagoa to the former President. He stressed that the Bayelsa State government and indeed the good people of the state were appreciative of the foundation in honour of the former President and would be ready to partner with it.   Dickson said that “life is all about service, commitment to principles and policies that are bigger than all of us. That is what Jo

Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has stated that plans have been concluded to open the Bayelsa state International Airport to local and international passengers before the end of the year. He stated this while speaking as a recipient of the Africa Value awards 2018 in Abuja for Effective Leadership and Economic Development alongside other top influential personalities across Africa. The governor who was represented by his Head of Media and Events Mr Ono K. Akpe, added that under the Restoration Government of Governor Dickson, there has been great transformation in the state which has accorded the state local and international recognition. While noting that the Bayelsa state government was elated at the recognition, Akpe added that the Dickson led administration has pledged to do more in placing the state amongst leading states in the country which will be visible to both residents and visitors to the state alike “Excellence does not go unnoticed and I

The incessant change of Commissioners of Police in Bayelsa State, is threatening security of the people, the House of Assembly, has called Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris. Urging the IG to stop further deployment of police commissioners to the state in order not to raise unnecessary tension, the lawmakers described the penchant for continuous deployment of the police bosses to the state as worrisome, citing it as the reason for its emergency sitting last Saturday. Chairman of the House Committee on Security, Colonel Bernard Kenebai (rtd) stated this on an audience participatory radio programme in Yenagoa.   Kenebai who was joined by his colleague, Hon. Salo Adikumo described the incessant change of police commissioners as sinister and an attempt to enthrone instability in the state.   The lawmaker who also condemned plans to scrap the state's special security outfit, Operation Doo-Akpo said it will be an open invitation to anarchy.   According t

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cautions the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to ever contemplate bending the rules to smuggle in candidates from the Zamfara state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Whereas legally, all congresses and related processes for election of candidates for various offices for the 2019 general elections ended yesterday (Sunday, October 7, 2018), the Zamfara state chapter of the APC has not conducted any congress, and by the provision of the law, it has no candidates in all the elections. The PDP is aware of a clandestine meeting today between topmost officials of INEC and Zamfara state government, where INEC was instructed to manipulate the system and bend the rules to accommodate the APC. The PDP cautions the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over this attempt to manipulate the processes and use underhand measures to liberate the APC from the cul de sac it plunged itself into in Zamfara state.

            The Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA, to train critical manpower for the newly established Bayelsa State University, Yenagoa. The agreement also involved the training of the requisite medical personnel for all the faculties of Bayelsa State Medical University. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, said in a statement on Thursday that the crucial agreement was signed by Governor Dickson and Dr. Neeli Bendapudi, the 18th President of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, United States. Dickson said that the Louiseville University would also serve as a guide to set up the GoldCoast Dickson Cancer Centre in Bayelsa State to provide effective cancer treatment to Nigerians. He stressed that Nigeria was yet to have a functional cancer centre to deal with the growing cases of cancer-related deaths

Bayelsa State Governor, the Honourable Seriake Dickson, on Friday warned against killings and violence during  political campaigns as Bayelsa celebrates the 7th edition of the Annual Thanksgiving Day. The Special Adviser ti the governor on Media Relation, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei quoted the governor to have made the comment  at the Annual Thanksgiving event held at the 15,000 seater Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene, Yenagoa. Governor Dickson stressed that power only comes from God. He  urged unscrupulous elements planning to destabilize the hard-earned peace in the state of desist from such acts. Dickson urged the political class to go about their campaigns in a peaceful manner devoid of violence, thuggery and focus more on issues bordering on the stability , development peace and security of the state. Governor Dickson was joined by the Archbishop of the Church of God Mission International, Arch Margaret Idahosa, Senior Pastor, House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefaransi