Wednesday 26 June 2013

EDO GOV. LAMBASTS NBA PRESIDENT

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole had given a blow to the President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Okey Wali over his calls for the proscription of the Nigeria Governors Forum [NGF] during the latter's visit to Bayelsa State.
Governor, Oshiomhole expressed surprise that, Mr. Wali who became President of the Nigeria Bar Association after taking the Oath of office to serve in that capacity had failed to  protect a fundamental proviso in the Nigerian Constitution that is the Freedom of Association, which according to him, had given the right to Mr. President to relate with other national leaders in the formation of or membership of International Organizations and wondered why Mr. Wali wanted the proscription of the NGF. He said: "recently I watched the President of the NBA saying in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, that the Governor's Forum should be discarded, I think the factor or location influenced his conclusion. He betrayed his oath to defend Nigerians of the right to associate."  The Governor was not done yet until he came with a thunderous submission. Hear him: " I want to submit that the environment and the overall circumstances known and unknown that led the NBA President to call for the freezing of the right of Governors to associate borders on corrupt practice." It will be recalled that the President of NBA, Mr, Okey Wali was in Bayelsa State as a VIP in government house where he was treated to luncheon and dinner by Hon.Dickson who called Wali his best friend in his April Transparency briefing, held in May.
One cannot tell what the NBA President would say in view of the fact that he was truly in Yenagoa and made a call that 'the NGF be discarded." When Mr.. Wali took the oath of office as the President of NBA this is what he said:-
"My vision for the Bar is that of a professionalized Bar professionalized in the sense of keeping to the best traditions of the profession, best ethics, which we seem to have lost a lot of grounds on." If after two years of NBA presidency, the only thing I achieved is to change the image of the profession and to change the ethical standards I would have left the NBA a very satisfied man." Whether Mr. Wali is keeping these words of his, or not is another thing to watch and see. .

Saturday 22 June 2013

WORLD PROSPERITY FROWNS AT POVERTY LEVEL IN BAYELSA


The World Prosperity Organization has expressed concern over the low level of development and poverty Bayelsa
State. Bayelsa, the only all Ijaw state in the Niger Delta Region of the state was created by late General Sani Abacha in 1996, to bring development and prosperity to the down trodden oil and gas bearing communities and
people in the country.
Speaking to newsmen on the excruciating poverty that had relegated the people to unproductive  ventures and life style, the Founder/President of the World Prosperity, Chief Otonye Godman Evans-Tubonah stated that instead of the bogus claims being orchestrated by those dancing on the stage as to the progress of the state,  described such claims as at variance with what is on ground.
Chief Evans-Tubonah further stated that whereas the state is viable in all aspect of life, the managers of the state's economy seems to have fallen into wrong hands, hence the fortunes of the state is being carted away to foreign lands, in the name of wooing investors to the state and to the detriment of the masses. He took a position to question the rational of the Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson administration on the lee way a colossal amount of N10billion was paid out to London and South/Africa just to open offices.
The World Prosperity leader said, the state government may have scored high points if the said, jaw breaking amount of  N10billion was invested in the state judiciously in the areas of direct industrialization, promotion of commerce and employment rather than  the course of Vasco Dargama  or Mungo Park they took in the investment saga of wooing
investors from outside, emphasizing that Berger, Setraco,, and other companies operating in the state did not come because huge sums of money was used to woo them
Chief Evans Tubonah expressed his views without pretense that whereas his Organization does not like to  criticize without basis, there shall also be no compromise with ideologies and policies that will continue to chain the people of Bayelsa State to abject poverty. Should the poverty level continue to dehumanize the Ijaw people of Bayelsa State or anywhere in the world, his Organization will raise alarm, he therefore called the leaders of Bayelsa State to do things that will prosper the land and people of the state.     

Wednesday 19 June 2013

BAYELSA POLICE MAY APPEAR IN COURT OVER ILLEGAL ARREST OF IYC CANDIDATE

The Bayelsa State Police Command may be dragged to court following the detention of an Ijaw Youth Council [IYC] chairmanship aspirant, Mr. Nengimote Ikiba whose arrest has been described as having political undertone. Mr. Ikiba was said to have been invited to the police and solicited to rescind his decision on the IYC chairmanship, on the ground that that position was in the interest of persons in the corridors of power, and that if Mr. Ikiba continues with his ambition to contest the IYC chairmanship, he will not see the light of the day until the election is over.
An angry family source who is a senior officer in the State Judiciary had told Golden Pen that the police had taken the laws in to their hands by conducting themselves as Political stooges, and must be called to explain themselves at the appropriate quarters, if Mr. Ikiba is not released on time. Our source stated that the Police  Officer in charge of Homicide in the State Criminal Investigation Department has threatened to slam frivolous charges on the IYC chairmanship aspirant that he was one of the militants in the camp of Chief Tom Ateke in 2005 and that the Police was looking for him since then, a claim the family source described as ridiculous and unfounded explaining further that Mr. Ikiba is the former Chairman of Mini/Ikensi Local Government Area in the State a position that kept him close with government and the police without such accusations until he made known his ambition to contest the IYC chairmanship position. The Ikiba family had therefore called on the Police to release Mr. Ikiba without delay to enable him contest the election.    

Monday 17 June 2013

GOVERNORS SHUN DICKSON'S THANKSGIVING IN BAYELSA

The Bayelsa State Governor Mr.. Seriake Dickson and his beloved wife Dr. Rachel Dickson had celebrated their election victory in a crowd pulling thanksgiving service held at the Glory Land Chapel of government house, Yenagoa.The occasion attracted people from all works of life, but conspicuously absent were the colleagues of the governor. None of the members of the Nigerian Governors Forum of the 19 member faction led by Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi or the 16 member faction of the Plateau Stat Governor, Jonah Jang. And the most unbelievable aspect of the governor's absence, was the none attendance by the South-South governors-forum led by the Akwa/Ibom State governor, Mr. Godswill Akpabio should have at least parleyed with him as one of their own, but that was not the case. There was no official announcements of  representation of governors, ministers, ambassadors or other dignitaries from the presidency. In fact, the thanksgiving service was grandiose but without even the deputy governor Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah [Rtd]  or his wife; neither did anyone said about them.  All the Senators of Bayelsa and members of the House of Representatives except Senator Heineken Lokpobiri none was there. The speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Kombowei Benson was not there but was represented by the deputy speaker, Mr. Otonye Sam Ateki, accompanied by a scanty number of the state lawmakers. The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kate Abiri, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Allison Oguru, the Head of the Civil Service, Mr.Frazier Okuoru, Professor Lawrence Ekpebu  and other political appointees saved the state from total disgrace. The political brouhaha of the posting of Chief Diekivie Ikiogha from his position of Chief of Staff to Abuja was murmured by some side talkers. What is not clear on the  scantiness of majority of prominent Bayelsan faces at the occasion was simply attributed to several reasons. One of the reasons given by our analyst was not unconnected with a deep political undertone, which has continued to divide the state to fragmentation.

Saturday 15 June 2013

EVANS IYOYO'S PAINFUL EXIT TO HIS CHILDREN

Elder Evans Iyoyo
This is the face of the man who came to the world and did so well and loved everyone that came his way and suddenly left the stage for the people to continue crying over his unannounced exit.
Elder Evans Iyoyo who hailed from Nembe in Nembe Local Government of Bayelsa State and Ogoloma in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, all in the Niger Delta, grew up in Nembe and was so loving that he was the brother and friend of majority of the people and also bitterly hated by those who sought to subjugate or put their fellow human beings under their armpit. His none compromise to such forces made him the hero of the common man and a threat to the forces of oppression.
When his too sons, Israel and Roland  were to join the Nigerian Army in 1967 and informed him of their intention, he pondered over it and said;
"As you have decided to defend your fatherland, I will give my blessing. as you go to fight the battlefield  with the fear of God    may  God go with you, preserve and keep you through out and give you victory and you come back to me; but if you go and commit atrocity, using your uniform to intimidate and oppress ordinary people, or loot peoples property to enrich yourselves or rape women and so on may you not return to me" The only clause Elder Iyoyo added was; " I don't mean that if you meet a situation where there is cold and there is a blanket around to keep warm, I do not say you should not use it to cover yourselves," His too sons went to the war and returned alive without any deformation. Evans Iyoyo loved his children so much; but did not compromise the family standard of love and kindness that were the ideals that he had as the main pillars of the family structure. He died after a brief illness in 1978.
In remembrance of his father, the Publish-Editor-In-Chief of Golden Pen Newspaper Chief Tubonah Evans said the exit of his beloved father, Elder Evans Iyoyo was a great leader who believed more in giving than receiving. 

DAUTHER EVANS AT CHURCH OF MULTIPLICATION IN ISREAL

Mrs Daughter Evans At The Church Of Multiplication
"My visit to Israel was wonderful, the people are truly wonderful because their level of development is so fascinating". That is the comment of Daughter Evans [Mrs], who went to the Holy Land on pilgrimage.
She said her visit to the Holy Land had given her the conviction that all that she had read in the Bible about the mysteries of God were not lies but true stories.
Mrs Evans who said her tour took her also to Egypt and Palestine expressed joy that she was at the Church of multiplication, where Jesus multiplied fishes and bread to feed five thousand men.
She said she was also happy to cruise in Jesus boat in the sea of Galilee, she thanked God for the honor and prayed for those who made it possible for her trip.

Thursday 13 June 2013

IMAGINATION WILL PROSPER YOU-TUBONAH

The Founder/President of the World Prosperity Organization
Chief O G. Evans Tubonah
, Chief Otonye Godman Evans Tubonah , has called on people of the world to make use of their innate power of imagination to achieve prosperity.
Chief Evans Tubonah made the remark during an interview with journalists in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.
 According to him, imagination is like dreaming or having a vision of what one wants to do in life, it is the very first step that is at the beginning of every journey. Before anything is done, imagination will come to play; either knowingly or. unknowingly. It is a matter of fact, that any body who wants to go somewhere must first of all have a mental picture of where he/she wants to go, just as anyone  who wants to write on paper would first have a mental picture of what he/she wants to write.
The Prosperity president remarked that in the journey of prosperity, imagination plays a key role, the role of getting focused, and having the clear vision and direction of what one does or which profession or career is more promising for a brighter future."If you have imagination, it will keep you focused and that will give the necessary faith that brings prosperity to you," he said.
What you continue to have as a dominant thought in your vision has a controlling power to influence your destiny in life, he therefore urged mankind to have positive imaginations that are the building bricks of prosperity to enhance their individual and group prosperity.
Chief Evans Tubonah who is also  the  publisher of Golden Pen Newspaper emphasized the need  for Nigerians to be proactive in the quest for decent living which is borne out of prosperity imagination and faithful labor.



Tuesday 11 June 2013

GOVERNOR SYLVA AND THE NIGERIAN PRESS

The former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva through his, Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Chief Nathan Egba Ologo and his Chief Press secretary, Mr Douifie Ola worked marvelously to unite the Press and the State Government for positive objectives and goals, during his administration. Those two great heroes of the pen fraternity, rated Governor Sylva high for giving the "GOLD PEN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE" to the Publisher/Editor -In-Chief of the Golden Pen Newspaper, Chief O.G.Evans Tubonah on the 12th of February 2009. While thanking the Governor for his love of the press, they commended the recipient and described the Award as well deserved.
Gov. Sylva and Chief Tubonah 2009

CHIEF TIMIPRE SYLVA AND THE PRESS

Chief Timipre Sylva when he was governor of Bayelsa State did not take the Nigeria Press lightly. His advantage was the choice of Mr. Douifie Ola as his Chief Press Secretary, who was a pillar of the media profession, who understandably must have impressed in the mind of the governor the need for his government and the press to be the best of friends.
Gov. Sylva Presenting The Award To Chief Tubonah


Chief Sylva was indeed friendly as he dealt with all arms of the media: print, electronic and the new media. Once he hosted the new media, so he also dealt with the national and the world press. But one aspect of his press relations was that he that he loved the Bayelsa State indigenous tabloids, and to prove, on Thursday the 12th of February, 2009 honored this medium the "GOLDEN PEN AWARD". The Governor said, it was to appreciate the objectivity, and promotion of peace and security by the Golden Pen Newspaper during the militancy crisis
that the award was give. The recipient, Chief O.G. Evans Tubonah the Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of the paper appreciated the governor for the honor.

PRESIDENT JONATHAN, THE AMIABLE VISIONARY LEADER OF NIGERIA

Nigerians are lucky to have such a leader as President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to be  the father of this largest African nation, called Nigeria. We truly have to thank God for giving us such a great man of humility, love, mercy, forbearance and compassion as the number one man of our country: if it were not so, today some communities could have been history for their unbearable ways of life, especially in the area of security challenges.
And as a chosen leader by God Himself, his vision to transform the nation is now becoming a testimony despite the multiple challenges  that had threatened the administration without basis, yet Jonathan had always remained focused.
The people of the Niger Delta and the South-South are confident that by the hand of God, that great son of Otueke of Bayelsa State, will serve meritoriously and come out with flying colors as amongst the best leaders of Nigeria, like General Yakubu Gowon. Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Shehu Musa Yar'Adua and others.
If Nigerians are sincere, they themselves will confess that, the Dr. Jonathan led administration had succeeded in keeping off queues at petrol filling stations across the nation and this is unprecedented. President Jonathan is the true leader for Nigeria at our time and we must support him.
 

OUR AMIABLE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA , DR JONATHAN IS A GREAT LEADER



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Thursday 6 June 2013

NIGER DELTA, DEVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY AND THE EAST/WEST ROAD

Please tell the whole world if you know, why the East West Road is still not given attention by the Federal and state governments. The East West Road is the one linking Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Lagos, and the rest of the world and from the Rivers end to Akwa/Ibom, Abia, Cross river and to all the other states of the federation and the world.
'Thoughts are things', and it was thought of that, this very important road in the oil and gas producing Niger Delta Region and the South-South geo-political zone was going to be in the priority list of the federal government, but that sounds like a 'far cry' and it is unbelievable that this has continued to this day that Niger Deltans are well positioned to take decisions on what should be done and what should not at the national table of decision making.
The policies and priorities of the Nigerian government are so difficult to understand, because the national budget goes into trillions of Naira, under various headings with roads as one of the key areas to be tackled within the twelve months budgeting, and  don't forget the East/West road has always been a recurring decimal. And it hardly escaped being mentioned in our national budget speeches as one of the so important roads listed to be completed by the federal government. President Obasanjo did his best to bring Setraco to work on the road, but when some miscreants in the area came and threatened Setraco, the company confidently pulled out with the billons of Naira paid and the federal government with all her might remained quiet. When the late president, Yar'adua came he also was concerned with the completion of the Niger Delta, but for his untimely exit. But when Goodluck Jonathan become president it was like God had answered the prayers of the people of Niger Delta on the cries for development, and with the creation of the Niger Delta Ministry and appointment of a Niger Deltan, Mr. Godsday Orubebe it considered sealed, but yet the East West Road is still abandoned and the Niger Delta is yet to see the dividends of DEMOCRACY, the question is, where are we going?,

  

Tuesday 4 June 2013

TODAY's MEETING BETWEEN NUJ AND PUBLISHERS

The meeting scheduled to hold today in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa state between the Nigeria Union of Journalist [NUJ] and Publishers in the state is at the instance of the Chairman of the Council, Mr. Tarinyo Akono, whose vision is to reform the media in the state from unwholesome activities.
Last week Thursday 30th the first of such meetings held in the office of the Chairman who spoke on some unacceptable unprofessional behavior that does not complement the ethical standard of the Pen fraternity. Akono said he decided to call the Publishers to  meeting in their respected position as employers to look at the conduct of their reporters covering events in the state to maintain the respect the Pen profession had earned over the years. The meeting was adjourned to today, Tuesday June 4th for continuation.

Monday 3 June 2013

THE RESTORATION PROGRAMME IN BAYELSA TREASURY

The Honorable Dickson administration has impacted in diverse ways the lives of people in different ways, and that was to be expected. Dickson told Bayelsans in a matter of fact way that his administration was coming in to restore the 'lost glory' of the state. That was a grammar too hard for every simple mind to understand.
 Dickson was sounding laconic in his expressions flying the kite of transparency in a dramatic monthly press briefing that was more of a public show unbelievable politico/financial maneuvers. The governor knew his people so well that he concluded he would lead them by the nose, and of-course he knew where he was going. Just after he took the oath of office, he started with the frozen of the accounts and had a quick or could one say an overnight control of the state treasury.
One very sad experience Bayelsans had with the coming of Dickson was that the money meant to pay their bills was used by the PDP to flag off his controversial governorship campaign flag-off  in the state.
And just as he took the mantle of leadership he went to the media through his media men to announce that people who had bills in the state treasury should apply for verification and those affected responded instantly, the announcement turned out to be a mere dribble on the helpless Bayelsans who could not withstand the might of the all powerful governor Dickson who according to his finance Commissioner, Mr. Iduatte Iyabi will not pay any bill until he had executed some projects. But that was just an excuse to push aside those who are at the mercy of Dickson and his disappointing finance Commissioner, Mr. Iduate Iyabi who became the finance boss of the state, because of his long years of service in the banking industry.
Mr. Dickson and Mr. Iyabi are the closest in the Restoration cabinet because of the purse of the state.
Most a time Mr Iyabi would spend days working in the Government House instead of being in his office, there after, he travels out to only God knows where either with the governor or alone. This situation appear to have turned the ever busy treasury building to a shot of ghost town or graveyard.
Mr. Seriake Dickson at the take off point of his Restoration government in his monthly transparency press briefings flanked by his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah [Rtd] and the Finance Commissioner used to announce income, savings and expenditure, on monthly basis that were most questionable. Most of the payment the government claimed to have made had something to do only with some externals as Bayelsans contractors and others whose bills were outstanding liabilities inherited by Dickson has been ignored for over One year and three months.
While Bayelsans are kept in hunger the Dickson Restoration government should be given a path on the back for carting away a whopping amount of N10billion in the name of opening opening offices in London and South/Africa in the pretense of wooing investors to the state. In view of the high handedness of the governor and the finance commissioner who claim to be acting on his master's voice, only divine intervention will put food on the tables of  those Bayelsans  whose bills were verified and yet to be paid, observers have said.