Thursday 15 December 2016

GOV. DICKSON'S EDUCATIONAL VISION UNPRECEDENTED-ADIGIO AUSTIN

The S/A to the governor of Bayelsa State on Students Affairs, Mr. Adigio Austin, had given kudos to the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson for giving him the opportunity to serve.
Mr. Adigio Austin who spoke to the Golden Pen Newspaper in an interview held in his office in the state capital, Yenagoa, said it has given him the opportunity to know how much the state government led by Hon. Dickson had invested in the Education sector. He spoke on two key areas.

1. The secondary school level, 2. Tertiary level. Speaking on the Secondary schools level, Mr. Adigio Austin has this to say, hear him:

"The governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson has a very novel educational vision and programme for the state. Which has given assurance to both parents and students in what is called, 'his ambitious educational novel boarding school' built and equipped across the eight Local Government Areas of the state, aimed at bringing up brilliant indigent students through the boarding school system where they will be exposed to academic best practices...", he said.
Mr. Adigio Austin
On tertiary institutions, he said the government has done so much for students of the state in the area of scholarships to various academic institutions in some of the best schools in the world. He explained as follows:
"Before the economy became this bad, the governor because of his ambitious and unprecedented academic vision sent students to some of the best universities abroad to study..."
The S/A Students Affairs, emphatically, stated that in his life, he had never seen a governor who had such passion as Hon. Dickson in the Education sector. Hear this:
"As a matter of fact, I didn't grow up to meet boarding school arrangements, because when the Okilos were governors of Rivers State and Education was give such priority as said during the Diete Spiff  era, I probably may have been a toddler, but in my adult life, I have never seen such conscious investment in the Education sector by any other government."

Wednesday 14 December 2016

BAYELSA STATE GOVERNMENT URGED TO DRAG OIL COMPANIES TO COURT FOR VIOLATION OF ECONOMIC RIGHTS

Barrister Iwolo Ibeni
A legal luminary in Bayelsa State, Mr. Iwolo Ibeni has called on the government of the state not to shy away from taking the oil companies operating in the state that violate the economic rights of the state and her citizenry.
He stated this, during an interview with the Golden Pen Newspape in the State capital, Yenagoa.
The learned man noted with concern that most of the volatile incidences that crumbled the economy of the state could have been avoided if the Oil companies operating in Bayelsa had established their offices in the State, which he described as the Right of the state and urged the government to enforce that Right by going to court with a view to forestall future occurrences of insurgency and the consequences of economic stagnation and poverty. Hear him:
"The Land use Decree, (Act) by the Federal Government is not against oil companies having offices in the areas of their operation. That is why Shell, Agip, and other companies have their offices in sisterly oil states like Rivers, Akwa/Ibom, Delta and others. The question is why not also in Bayelsa..." he queried.
Barrister Iwolo explained that it is the Right of the Bayelsa state government to drag the erring companies to court to address the repeated violation of the economic rights of the state that had resulted in insecurity of the people claiming lives and property. He used the medium to call on the oil companies operating in the state to establish their offices in the state, in these words:
"The oil companies should as a matter of priority have their offices here in Bayelsa. There is no way you should stay away from the area you operate and expect the people to be happy. If they have their offices here, and there are issues, at least, they will be able to address such issues than jumping all the way from Abuja to address them..."
He said, the oil companies have done a great injustice to the Bayelsa people knowing that oil was first found in commercial quantity in Oloibiri in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, wondered why offices are established in every other oil producing state, but Bayelsa had been sidelined or oppressed.
Barrister Iwolo has therefore called on the state government not to shy away from seeking redress in the court of law so as to receive what is the state's rightful dues to boost her Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), he concluded.

Tuesday 13 December 2016

THE IMPORTANCE OF BROTHERHOOD AND GOOD FRIENDSHIP

Sometimes it is necessary or reasonable to ask questions as to why certain things happen, where it happened, so on and so forth. That undoubtedly could be in the minds of some of those who see this picture. They would be either occupied with where this picture was taken, at what occasion and by the way, who are those in the picture, where do they  come from and what relationship do they have?
It is for this reason, jus a little has to be said of the picture. The two great gentlemen in the picture are Nembe people Let me say where  the photo was taken and the occasion.
The simplest way to put it is that, it was at a joyous matrimonial occasion held at a Church in Amarata in the Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa between Iduate and Frank all of Nembe in the Nembe Local Government Area of the State.
The reception held at  Matho Crystal, one of the prestigious hotels in the fledgling state capital located at the Imiringi axis of the all Ijaw state in the Niger Delta region of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
From left to right is, Chief O.G. Evans Tubonah Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Golden Pen Newspaper and Dr. Apoku Inodu, Permanent Secretary in the State Civil Service
 Photo taken  at the swimming pool area of the hotel.
They decided to take the picture because as Nembe people they see themselves as brothers and friends.

Friday 21 October 2016

CHIEF TUBO DESCRIBES WORK AS EXERCISE

Chief Abbot Clinton Tubo
The Bayelsa State environment has been so quiet for months due to the uncertain economic situation in all quarters of the 20 years old state. The expression of quietness and uncertainty of the economy of the state stood boldly on the faces of some daring civil servants who braved their way in and out of the State Secretariat.
Fridays are now special days in the State under the Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson's administration which directive for Civil Servants to promote the Ijaw Culture, by wearing Ijaw attire on Fridays had indeed been strictly adhered to.
And it was to ascertain the level of compliance to this directive on the promotion of the Ijaw Culture, that led the Golden Pen to pay a visit to the office of one of the key government officials in the state capital, Yenagoa, whose name was given as, Chief Abbot Clinton Tubo who spoke on the rationality of promoting the Ijaw Culture, expressed the hope of opening up the ways of the Ijaw nation to the world through the tourism industry.
Speaking on working in the Civil Service,  Chief Clinton Tubo described work as the best exercise he loves to do.

Saturday 24 September 2016

THE ERRORS OF BAYELSA STATE GOVERNMENT AND MARGINALIZATION OF THE PRESS

Chief O.G. Evans Tubonah
Publisher/Editor-In-Chief
Golden Pen Newspapers
Just few days from now Bayelsans will join her counterparts in the country to celebrate the Independence of our country Nigeria, which occasion is a coincident to the creation of Bayelsa State which is celebrated along with the Independence on the same October 1st annually from 1996 to date.
Whereas this occasion brings together within and from the diaspora all sons and daughters of the state and of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality to reflect on the journey so far and the well being of the people, the way such programmes were managed has been called to question as to the unity and oneness of the people and institutions.
Though the role of galvanizing the people of the state for such grand occasions  is herculean, and officials of the State government had been found swimming in the tide of errors in her relationship with personalities and individuals in the area of protocol. Most importantly, it is not unreasonable to point out to the Bayelsa State Government that marginalizing the Press in the state in the scheme of things is a grievous error that needs to be corrected without further delay.
The Bayelsa State government led by the the Restoration Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson started well with the Press initially, but for some time now, it's like the door of government has been closed against the Media. It baffles not only one but media practitioners to see that all their efforts in the past and present to move Bayelsa State forward had not been appreciated, for which reason; media practitioners are totally absent in the protocol list of Government House.
The Bayelsa State Government in particular and the Nigerian nation should not forget the role the press played in State and National building. It is on record that, it was the press that fought gallantly at the forefront during the independence struggle and also fought the military to midwife democracy which is enjoyed today, by those in their priviledged positions across the country.
And in the same light the role of the Press in the struggle for the creation of Bayelsa State cannot be over emphasized. It is also on record, the roles of the Press from the genesis of Bayelsa State to date moving on in her zeal to move Bayelsa State forward.  This, the Bayelsa State government does not seem to appreciate about the press at all, and that may be the reason the press is always not in the protocol list of those government would want to relate with or favour.  In such a great  occasion, as celebrating Nigeria's Independence and the birth of Bayelsa, one would have expected that all stakeholders be given a feel of government's seesensitivity to the contributions made by the people including those in the media, but that has not been the case with the media.
Intact, the Bayelsa State government had either knowingly or unknowingly treated the media practitioners in the state as inconsequential and had sidelined them even on programmes or occasions that needed their attention for documentation. Now, in such an occasion as the 56th Anniversary of Nigeria's Independence and 20th Anniversary of Bayelsa, media practitioners interested to attend the function did not make the protocol list announced by the Government through the Office of the Honourable Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Hon. Obuebite Jonathan.. This is a grievous error that need to be corrected in earnest for the well being and prosperity of our dear state, because the media makes governance easier to governments that work in tandem with the Press.
This is no doubt a challenge that the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite should intervene and achieve reestablishment of that government/media partnership that existed

Thursday 22 September 2016

MASTER FRANCIS 2ND BIRTHDAY PIX


Aunty Diepreye Evans, cousin Bio Bokolo and Sister Ngonabo Francis with Master Francis

Saturday 27 August 2016

CMDM PROPHET.TEACHES ON PROSPERITY

The Founder and General Overseer of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries, (CMDM) Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin has described the word of God as the secret of prosperity, and on called the masses to embrace God in all their daily lives.
He stated this while speaking on the topic of prosperity to a great congregation in the main auditorium of the Church in Mercy City, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.
The man of God said, prosperity is the destination of the true believer, who must come to the full knowledge of the fact that, it is God's will to bless those who serve him.
He spoke extensively on the prosperity secret of giving to God in tithes and offerings, sowing of seeds etc, to attract God's love and attention for prosperity.
The man of God, flashing back on the earlier stage of his life when he had not enough money to cater for his family and was indebted to some persons.
He explained that, though working, his salary was not enough to take care of his family needs hence, his wife who was at home had to borrow or buy on credit for survival.
Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin told the congregation that one month he did not send feeding money to his wife because he sowed a seed with the money, but told her that he never received the salary for that month. Contrary to his expectation, he said, God didn't surprise him as he expected because no money came to him.
He went further to state that, another day when he went to Church there was a call to sow another seed, but he revolted in his mind not to sow any seed, in view of the fact that what he sowed earlier had yielded no results. But according to him, a voice said to him to sow and he thought it was someone talking to him, but when he looked around to see who was directing him, he saw no one, for a second time he heard clearly the same voice commanding him to sow #10, 000, which he obeyed and sowed.
But something happened, shortly after sowing that seed, he was led to pray for   a great man that was sick,  a rich and influencial man and that the man was miraculously healed the following day.
 Prophet Jeremiah stated that the man who apprecited him, believing that he was healed by his prayers gave both valuable gifts and cash gifts to him, upto the tunes of millions of naira. Attributing his story of success and breakthrough to his obedience to the voice of God to sow the seed which he said made the Lord to honour his prayers that effected the  healing of the man, who changed his life's story, emphasizing, sowing, giving, sacrificing, tithing and offerings as the surest ways to prosperity.

CMDM PROPHET.TEACHES ON PROSPERITY

The Founder and General Overseer of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries (CMDM), Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin has described the word of God as the secret of prosperity, and called the masses to embrace God in all their daily lives.
He stated this while speaking on the topic of prosperity to a great congregation in the main auditorium of the Church in Mercy City, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.
The man of God said, prosperity is the destination of the true believer, who must come to the full knowledge of the fact that, it is God's will to bless those who serve him.
He spoke extensively on the prosperity secret of giving to God in tithes and offerings, sowing of seeds etc, to attract God's love and attention for prosperity.
The man of God, flashing back on the earlier stage of his life when he had not enough money to cater his family and was indebted to some persons.
He explained that, though working, his salary was not enough to take care of his family hence, his wife who was at home had to borrow or buy on credit for survival.
Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin told the congregation that one month he did not send feeding money to his wife because he sowed a seed with the money, but told her that he never received the salary for that month. Contrary to his expectation, he said, God didn't surprise him, because no money came to him.
He went further to state that, another day when he went to Church there was a call to sow seed, but he revolted in his mind not to sow any seed, in view of the fact that what he sowed had yielded no results. But according to him, a voice said to him to sow and he looked around to see who was directing him and saw no one, for a second time he heard clearly the samevoice commanding him to sow #10, 000, which he obeyed and sowed.
But something happened he went on, and said, one day a great man was seek and he visited him and prayed for his healing, the man's health was restored. and that man it was, who changed his life's story.

Tuesday 23 August 2016

SUSPECTED KILLERS OF THREE SOLDIERS AT NEMBE CHECKPOINT ARRESTED


 Three suspects of the dare devil militants who brazenly attacked and killed three Nigerian soldiers and carted away a boat and weapons in Nembe have been arrested, according to media reports.
The dastardly act was said to had been committed on the 8th, about 10.a.m, when the hoodlums came through the watet way to the military checkpoint at Tombi in Nembe OgbolomabirI wearing white, clothes to deceive the soldiers who took them for mourners coming home for burial.
Eye witnesses attested to the fact that when the unsuspecting soldiers had signaled them to pass, then they took their guns and began to shoot and after killing three soldiers and wounded others by stray bullets. They escaped with the military boat and weapons to their hideouts in Olugbobiri in Southern Jaw area of same state, Bayelsa. The Nigerian military due to high level of intelligence knew that the attack must have been planned and executed by
People from outside the Nembe community, as a military plane was said to had been going round monitoring the movement of boats in the rivers and creeks of the state, that very moment and time. The Military command vowed to track down the murderers in the shortest possible time, swung into action, and through intelligence report got three key suspects arrested in Olugbobiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. And out of the three apprehended suspects, according to the media,  two who tried to escape died of bullet wounds.
It would be recalled that, a similar attack on the military suspected to had been masterminded by enemies of Nembe from outside took place in the same Nembe Ogbolomabiri  where 5 soldiers and a police were reportedly killed, around 11pm August 7th 2015. After that ugly first incident, went ahead  on the 6th of April this year, before this August 8th incident, that another attack on the military was carried out by suspected pirates who killed two soldiers and kidnapped a white Engr. of Setraco Nigeria Limited working on the Ogbia/Nembe Road project.  Nembe people in their separate views condemned the killing of the innocent soldiers whose stay in the communities was most desired and welcomed. Community sources commended the army for fishing out the perpetrators of what they described as criminal murder on time, and wished the army more success in their bid to destroy every militant camp in the area and to bring safety and security in our water ways. It was reported that the water ways were threatened by the same militants who kidnap people for ransom, operated as sea pirates etc. And that had kept travelers in check in the waterways, while fishing folks especially women, afraid of rape and kidnap, no longer go ashore not minding the economic challenges of being idle.

Sunday 21 August 2016

PROPHET JEREMIAH WARNS AGAINST FRAUDSTERS

Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin
The Founder and General Overseer of Mercy Land deliverance ministries, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto. Fufeyin has called on members of his Church all over the world to be mindful of fraudsters manipulating them. He spoke during Sunday service, 21st August in the Mercy City Church Auditorium Warri, Delta State Nigeria.
The Prophet said, it was an error that some people coming from different parts of the world to Mercy Land were reportedly defrauded through Facebook transactions, by fraudsters using the name of his Ministries and the Prophet's pictures, which according to him, ought not to have happened because his Ministry does not have financial dealings through the internet and called on the congregation and viewers all over the world to stop forthwith patronizing the fraudsters. He stated as follows:
"Don't pay money to anybody through internet connections,...Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries don't do business thorough Facebook, and note also that the anointing is given free by our father, Jesus and we are commanded to also freely give.
Therefore if someone somewhere or anyone amongst my sons or daughters ask you money before he or she will deliver you, don't waste time, just run away." , he emphasized.
The televangelist, Prophet Jeremiah who announced of holding two services  in the morning service ministered to many, saying; if only they will dance with him like King David did, they will receive answers to all their problems.
And according to the words of the Prophet, there were testimonies after  they had  celebrated God through songs and dances, led by the Prophet.

Friday 12 August 2016

KILLING OF THREE SOLDIERS, NEMBE URGED TO PARTNER MILITARY TO FISH OUT CULPRITS

General Gabriel Olanisakin
Chief of Defence Staff [CDS]
Four days into the gruesome killing of three soldiers of the '343 Artillery Regiment a detachment of 'Operation Delta Safe deployed in Nembe'  there have been clarion calls on the people of Nembe to come out massively  in support of the military to fish out the culprits who carried out the dastardly act.
The Bayelsa State governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson who condemned the attack in very strong terms while addressing the people of  Nembe Ogbolomabiri at the King Koko square stated that: 'the killing of the innocent soldiers was senseless, barbaric and not in the best interest of the state, especially the peace loving people of Nembe...." The deputy governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah [Rtd] who represented the governor visited the scene of the attack, where he consoled the Army and called on the communities and the youths to work hand in hand  with the military to fish out the perpetrators. In a related development the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress[APC] in the state, Chief Timipre Sylva who described the killers of the three soldiers as enemies of humanity, who spoke through his media aide, Douifie Buokoribo has this to say:- The killing of the soldiers is a grievous crime that cannot be excused on any ground. It is a legal and cultural abomination which goes against everything the people of Nembe and neighbouring communities believed in." He also called on the people of Nembe to co-operate with the military to nab the culprits, for justice to take its course.
It would be recalled that the Commander of Operation, Delta Safe, Rear Admiral J.O. Okojie had assured of tracking down the perpetrators of the wicked act and to make them account for their evil deeds. That notwithstanding, those afraid of reprisal attacks in Nembe Ogbolomabiri and Nembe Bassambiri have been trooping out in their numbers to neighbouring communities for their security, and being allegedly rejected by some communities. The people of Nembe who live peacefully with the soldiers now late,  as fellow Nigerians, whose death is not a loss only to their immediate families; but also to them and to the good people of the  entire nation, would partner the military in their operations to fish out the culprits.
According to an eyewitness account, on that fateful Monday morning, some persons who wore white clothes came from the Isikara side to the Tombi jetty in Ogbolomabiri at the army stop and check point, and on reaching there, the army on duty observed the incoming boat slowed down as usual raising up their hands and as the boat came closer the soldiers suspecting no evil, asked them to put down  their hands. Our source added that it was at point the militants as they were putting down their hands took up their guns and opened fire on the soldiers killing three of them and carted away guns and ammunitions. Our source who lamented repeated attack of the those assigned to secure the area described the incident as unfortunate and dangerous. It is on record that similar attacks had taken place in the same Nembe community in August 7th 2015 about 11pm when four soldiers and one policeman were reportedly killed by gunmen and on the 6th of April 2016 it was reported that gun men came from the river and killed two soldiers attached to the JTF Operation Pulo Shield and abducted an expatriate with Setraco Construction Company along the Ogbia Nembe road, our source went on, emphasizing that these attacks were masterminded and have nothing to do with the Nembe people because the Nembe ethnic nationality  needed the presence of the military, and every other law enforcement agencies in Nembe communities.

Wednesday 10 August 2016

PROPHET JEREMIAH TEACHES BUSINESS SUCCESS SECRETS IN SONS AND DAUGHTERS MEETING

Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin 
The month of August 2016 has been a different thing to people all over the world. But to the Sons and Daughters of Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin the Founder and General Overseer of the Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries [MLDM], Warri, it was the best of months.
On the 4th and 5th of the month, being Thursday and Friday, Prophet Jeremiah gathered his Sons and Daughters all over the world to the Mercy City Warri in an impartation service with a view to empowering them to carry the grace upon the life of their spiritual father, the Prophet, Jeremiah.
Addressing the congregation from all over the world the Prophet spoke of the grace contacting secrets of sacrifice and of sowing seeds to those who have the grace to God. He said in some communities some fathers who had grace and did mighty works, did not consider it necessary to transfer the grace upon their lives to any of their children the reason for which, he said, they died with their grace.
But stated that Abraham and Isaac imparted grace to their children. In the case of father Abraham he received direct impartation from God, and that God gave him grace because of his willingness to offer his Son Isaac as a sacrifice unto the Lord. Abraham sacrificial submission to slaughter Isaac as a ram to God at the mount of Moriah, announced him as a man whose heart pant for God and who obeyed God for which God lavished his grace upon him the Prophet said.
He gave a graphic explanation of power transfer from generation to generation in the dynasty of Abraham, he said Isaac tapped grace from his father Abraham and that when he was old he thought of transferring grace to his first son Esau, and asked him to go a hunting to bring him venison to tap the grace.  And through their mother Rebecca who loved Jacob more than Esau, a plot was perfected to hastily prepared a lamb, faked Isaac and was imparted of the grace.
He went on to say that, because Jacob was imparted of the grace of God his life changed automatically, and that it was because of the grace working in his life that made to have an encounter with God and the Lord changed his name to Israel which means blessing, because his former name Jacob was fraudulent. he went further to say that the grace also was upon the life of Joseph that was betrayed into slavery in a foreign land.
Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin used the medium to tell the Sons and Daughters that their secret to tapping the grace of God that would transform their lives in all sphere were offering sacrifices and sowing of seeds to those who have grace, and urged them to go and practice giving, so as to continue in the flow of the grace of God and to live a struggle free life.
The man of God also spoke of the life of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ  who offered himself as a sacrifice on the cross of calvary and died for the sins of man to receive the highest grace.
He cited relevant Bible portions to buttress his points:-
The Prophet taught the Sons and Daughters many things, highly appreciated by the people from all over the world trouping out in droves to honour their Spiritual father, the Prophet in words and deeds.
The occasion has come and gone, but the memory of it and the gains of impartation in the life of the people shall be forever with the people. The voice of the rang out saying:-
"In the realm of the Spirit there are things you need to do, 'love and sacrifice" He refereed them to the Bible and thought them the prospurity principle of 'sowing and reaping' in Matthew 13:3 by Jesus which said that while some of the seed fell on rough ground and not germinate and bear fruit, others fell on good soils and bared fruits 'some hundred folds, some sixty and some thirty folds..."
He said for anyone to receive impartation, he or she must be a sower of seeds or a wilful giver to contact that grace upon the life of the grace carrier.
As Sons and Daughters he said they needed a Spiritual Father who wants his children to grow, who will appear to them in their dreams and to prosper them through impartation, that whenever a son or daughter cried unto the God of their father he hears them. Hear him:
'I said, the ultimate secret to receive is sacrifice." Prophet Jeremiah who said the sons and daughters were his spiritual children, so are their spiritual children being his spiritual grand children, and spoke on the relationship between God and his Servant remarked that whatever the Lord does, he first shows to his servant as in Amos 3:7.
Sons and daughters from all over the world attended the impartation service, some of the matched out to appreciate the Prophet, Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, popularly called."OWOMOWOMO"
Sons and daughters from states in Nigeria include Alhambra, Bayelsa, Delta Edo, Katsina, Rivers and others, while sons and daughters from outside countries includes: Botswana, Ghana, South Africa, Malawi, Lesotho, and Egypt amongst others.
In their separate remarks, they thanked God for bringing the Prophet to their lives, and for making him their spiritual father, which according to them had made life more meaningful than ever before. They wished him more anointing and grace from God to continue to lead them in the journeys of destinies.
In his response, the Prophet, Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin thanked them all for the kind gesture by honoring the prophet and reassured them of the grace of c oming upon them.
It was indeed a great event that attracted people of all works of life.
   

Tuesday 26 July 2016

BAYELSA GOVERNORSHIP UPDATE: TRIBUNAL READY TO DELIVER JUDGEMENT TODAY


Today is 26th of July,2016, a day set aside to make history not only in Bayelsa, but Nigeria as a whole and beyond, reason being that, this is the day the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Tribunal will deliver judgement on the petition filed by former governor of Bayelsa State and APC governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva against Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, the governor of Bayelsa state and governorship candidate of the PDP to set aside Dickson's victory and declare him, Chief Sylva as the winner.
The matter was transferred to Iyayan, in Abuja, for purposes of security, which made the Bayelsans; especially members of the APC and of the PDP within and outside the state to make Abuja their dwelling place, where so much money was spent on transport fares, on hotel accommodation, feeding etc., and for litigation, where legal luminaries of choice by the candidates argued on the Electoral Law to its very conclusion before the 3 man Panel of the Election Tribunal led by Justice Kazeem.
It was indeed an uneasy journey to get to the end of the tunnel, that is today, the day judgement will be delivered, about 5 hours from now, after all the intrigues, legal fire works, media wars, propagandas etc.
A careful look at the Bayelsa State Governorship Election case, will reveal its peculiarity amongst other cases because of all that had happened within the period. The most unique aspect is that the case had passed through the entire processes of the law, receiving due attention from the Election Tribunal through  the Appeal Court to the Supreme Court and had received judicial opinion from the upper and supreme courts on the basis of which position the tribunal judgement is expected to be delivered.
At the tribunal, among-st other key issues raised by the petitioner, Chief Timipre Sylva, the APC governorship candidate, was the playing of a DVD digital disc. and inspection of election materials that were in the pleadings, but the tribunal approved the inspection of election materials, but inhibited the playing of the DVD in the open court as pleaded. And that inhibition informed, Sylva through his lawyers led by Sebastine Hon. {SAN} to the Appeal Court to seek redress. After looking at the matter, the Appeal Court had no alternative than to direct the Tribunal to play the DVD in the open court as pleaded by the petitioner.
"Friday, June 14 2016...the Court of Appeal Abuja in a ruling... ordered the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Tribunal to play in the open court a digital video disc {DVD} recording, of the announcement of the cancellation of the election in Southern Ijaw by the Resident Electoral Commissioner REC."
Sylva's prayers were granted to have the DVD played as pleaded based on Section 84 of the Evidence Act reads; "The court ordered the tribunal to play the said DVD in the open court...further noted that since it was admitted in evidence in line with section 84 of Evidence Act; the foundation of its admission well laid and the DVD well pleaded in the petition, it is not the decision of the Judiciary to supply any authority other than to follow the law in the circumstances."
"The court said, that there ought not to be any inhibition to the playing of the DVD in the open court by the tribunal because all conditions prescribed by law have been fulfilled by the appellant."
Both the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court "...held that the DVD ought to be played by the tribunal in the open court to demonstrate that it intended not to make it a sleeping exhibit."
On the the basis of all these, the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja has taken today 26th of July as the day to deliver judgement on this matter, according to the 48 hours notice given by the Justice Kazeem led 3 man panel in Abuja.
In view of the fact that, the case is not all about Sylva and Dickson, but between the ruling party [APC] and the opposition [PDP], the entire nation is waiting for justice by 3.pm today.

Monday 25 July 2016

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, AMERICA WILL MAKE HISTORY WITH HILARY CLINTON

The flag bearer of the Democratice Party for the forthcomig presidential election in the United States, Her Excellency, Hilary Clinton will make another history for that country if Americans vote her into office as the first Lady president.
This is the view world of many across the world; especially to those who evaluated the political worth of the former First Lady, Hilary Clinton, who had been in the corridors of power for sometime now, whose motherly passion for America had made her to persistently ask the Americans for the presidential mandate, which if given her will sincerely attract world attention than going for any other candidate that is not too familiar with the political terrain as Clinton. Besides the presidency of America is not constitutionally meant to be occupied by only men as it was not constitutionally meant for occupation by only the white, the reasoning upon which the first black American, Barack Obama was elected president, 2008. And he became the first ever black man to occupy the White House.
This time, is like the American Spirit is working for another change in her history, another positive change, a change of breaking the jinx of gender discrimination to gender equality whereby the American woman, the daughter of America, who is also the mother of America should be given equal opportunity like the men to occupy the White House.
Hilary Clinton will make better history as first American Lady President than any other candidate, this is a point every lover of America should consider.
By Evans Tubonah
 Publisher/Editor-In-Chief
Golden Pen Newspapers.

Sunday 24 July 2016

MAN OF GOD PROPHESIES ON LOOMING PLANE ACCIDENT, CALLS FOR PRAYERS






The Niger Delta based Tele-Evangelist, Founder and General Overseer of the Mercy Land deliverance Ministries, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin has prophesied that Nigerians and indeed people of other countries should pray against, plane accident that may claim the lives of some prominent Nigerian politicians.
The man of God made the remark during Sunday service today at the Mercy Land Deliverance Church Headquarters Warri, Delta State. He also stated that two big political figures in Nigeria may die one after the order as he had seen in the spirit world, and also calls for prayers to avert such untimely deaths.
Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin while delivering the days message advised Christians not to treat the work of God or men of God with levity, but rather to support the work of God and believe in his Prophets, emphasizing that the secret of tapping into the anointing and blessings of God is to sow into  the Ministry and the life of God's servants.
His voice sounded out of the high capacity loud speakers saying: 'I prophesy to you. Let the power of the Holy Spirit surprise you from now on, in Jesus name. I speak to you this morning , wherever you are watching or listening to my voice from, let the plans of the enemies concerning your life and family scatter, in the name of Jesus..."
The text of his message was taken from Matthew 11:28, 2 Kings 4:8-19, Zachariah 8:13.
It was a Prophecy galore, where the Prophet Jeremiah, graphically prophesied as if he was reading from an invisible booklet, the lives, activities and events of many people in the Church and those, connected to them. while the sick and diseased received their healing and those looking for fruit of the womb and job seekers were all blessed.
The man of God was however, not comfortable with the elders of the Church whose prayers he said were not going anywhere because of their disunity and contention over seats in the house of God, emphasized that elders who married more than one wife were not qualified to be there according to the Bible, and consequently announced the dissolution of the elders council of the Church with immediate effect.
Many that were possessed got delivered and the lame worked and the poor blessed.

Friday 22 July 2016

DSS,WHERE IS JONES ABIRI?

It was reported yesterday, Thursday, July, 21 2016, about 11a.m that, the Publisher of Weekly Source Newspaper, Chief Jones Abiri was handcuffed and taken away by security operatives from the DSS. 
Chief Abiri since yesterday had neither been seen or heard-of, as he was said  to had been taken to an unknown destination.. 
According to eye witness account, the men numbering nine, came with three vans with registration numbers SAG 391AA, PBT 480  AA and Lagos 193 DN to the Chief Ayabowei's shopping plaza at Ekeki, in the Bayelsa State Capital Yenagoa where Chief Abiri has an office.
Our source stated that: 
"Abiri was returning from a restaurant, when the men of the DSS, met him and asked if he is Abiri, and as he replied in the affirmative, he was handcuffed, and two of the officers put their fingers to his trousers and began to drag him like a common criminal." 
When they dragged him upstairs they mistakenly batched into the office of a Lawyer Olorogun's chambers, who condemned the officers of DSS who claimed to be from Abuja for the transparent impunity in the display of state power against the citizens of the nation they were engaged to defend. Barrister Olorogun was quoted as telling them that;
"..it was lawless on their part to arrest a Nigerian citizen without letting the accused person know  what offense he had committed or why he was being invited or arrested in accordance to the constitution"
Our source emphatically stated that all efforts made by elder Statesman Chief C.J. Ayabowei and members of the Publishers Association to approach the officers to know what wrong Abiri had done, was unsuccessful because the fierce looking officers kept everyone at a distance and brazenly entered the publisher's noffice and ransacked it, and went away with him and with volumes of documents, and electronic gazettes. our source concluded.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa Federated Newspaper Publishers Association [BAFENPA] led by Hon. Easterday Ayebaitari has called on the office of the DSS to tell the public the whereabout of the publisher and what offense he has committed and deal with him according to the rule of law.

Thursday 21 July 2016

BARRISTER ZIMUGHAN SPEAKS ON THE ROLE OF SENIOR LAWYERS

A legal luminary in the Niger Delta and South/South geo-political zone, Barrister Fedude Zimughan had said that the role of senior lawyers in the country is that of presenting the law as it is, standing on the rule of law and being light to the younger generation of lawyers.
To this end he said, senior lawyers have more commitments to be learned, by reading widely, law journals and professional articles. Infact a serious minded legal practitioner should read at least one case law a day to be abreast with the law. He said, the language of the law is embeded in the pages of case law where lawyers have argued their cases for and against their clients, and judges in their eminent wisdom come to a reasoned decision after looking into the issues in controversy by the parties.
Barrister Fedude Zimughan is one of the notable lawyers of Nigeria from the Niger Delta region and the South/South geo-political zone, who is highly respected across the nation stated that he himself has tremendous respect for those who are Senior Advocates of Nigeria, (SAN)-the highest rank in the legal profession.
Asked to name some of them-  he said, time and space will not permit, but all the same, named:-
* T. J. O OKPOKO SAN
* AFE BABALOLA SAN
* J. B. DAUDA SAN
* EMMANUEL UKALA SAN
* B.M. WIFA SAN
* O.C. J. OKOCHA SAN
*ALBERT AKPOMUDJE SAN
* AUGUSTINE ALEGHE SAN
* DAN OKO SAN
* LAVAL RABANA SAN
* TAYO OYETIBO SAN AND
* LARRY SELEKOWEI SAN AMONG OTHERS.
When Golden Pen Newspapers visited him in his office, our camera caught him busy at his library looking for the law in the pages of law books.

Wednesday 20 July 2016

OLUASIRI THRONGS YENAGOA FOR KING AWULULU

King I. C. Awululu 
Wednesday had a new look from Tuesday, when the Ibenyanaowei of Oluasiri, His Royal Highness, King Iyerite Chiefson Awululu was  attacked violently by  machetes wielding suspected assassins at the early hours of 3.am.
The news of his attack spread like wildfire not only across the state and nation, Nigeria, but across the global society. King Awululu's attackers inflicted deep machete cuts to his tender body  from his right shoulder almost across the back and other strokes as can be seen from the plasters, one can say that the attacks were apparently targeted at his neck, but for the saving grace of God. However, the people of Oluasiri who received the news with a heavy shock  thronged into the State capital, Yenagoa to see what had happened to their king.
The story wasn't a lie, King Awululu was not in the palace extension where he use to receive guests and exchange pleasantries.
That was a tense moment for them seeing the wounds and the blood of the king they so loved.
The only solace was that the king was taken to the hospital and was receiving attention, and the people kept hope alive in God believing in one accord that their king shall not die, but live. It was not easy for the hospital authority to control the huge crowd that dominated the place just to catch a glimpse of him. Those who trusted in God were always praying and affirming that, the king of Oluasiri be miraculously sustained and healed.
Doctors and nurses paid due attention to ensure that the free flow of blood from the butchered body of the king was put under control by their dressing of the deep cut wounds he was inflicted, by the suspected assassins.
The fact that the king was not dead, though fainted at the hospital he was revived by the Grace of God, and put upon a bed to rest.
Those who caught glimpse at him expressed their views attributing his survival as an act of God. which observers described, as beyond comprehension that the king survived the attack and is responding to treatment, as you can see in the photo.
Goodwill messages and phone calls have been pouring in.

Tuesday 19 July 2016

HOW KING AWULULU CHEATED DEATH

The body wickedly matched as can be seen in the picture is that of the Ibenyanaowei of Oluasiri, His Royal Highness, King Iyerite Chiefson Awululu. King Awululu is a 2nd Class Traditional Ruler in the Nembe Bassambiri Kingdom, who has been on the throne for the past eight years,
But within the eight years there have been attempts to remove him by some power  seekers.
According to some Oluasiri, elders who spoke to Golden Pen Newspapers under a strict condition of anonymity said,
 this is the second attempt on the life of the king, the first been when he was attacked by some suspected paid assassins who went into his bed room beating the security, and used dangerous weapons to finish him  and left when they thought he was dead.
They felt disappointed when they saw that  King Awululu was still alive.
Our source said when they saw that he was not dead, his attackers went ahead with radio announcements that the Ibenyanaowei was dethroned.
There were letters forwarded to the Nembe Bassambiri Council of Chiefs, addressed to the  Amanyanabo in Council, for which a committee was said to have been constituted, which found out that the king, His Royal Highness, Iyerite Chiefson Awululu, the Ibenyanaowei of Oluasiri committed no offense to warrant his dethronement, and the Chiefs Council of Nembe Bassambiri, led by the Chairman and some members of the Chiefs council came with the Ibenyanaowei in an historic occasion that the people of Oluasiri celebrated in attendance at the King's Palace at Otuma-ama, in 2012.
Our impeccable source further stated that, when the king was being investigated based on the moves by his petitioners suspected as the very persons that masterminded his elimination attempt in Port Harcourt, the Olua-Ibe became stagnant of progress until he was cleared and returned to Oluasiri.
"Soon after his return he had moved the community forward by providing generators to each of the major communities and the palace, The decision of positioning the generators to the principal communities and the palace was taken in a meeting by the king and the stakeholders, the minutes for the meeting are available to those who would like to see it."
"Those who were out to oppose the king for whatever reason still came out to say that, the positioning of the generators was a unilateral decision taken by the king, consequently they mobilized some hoodlums and vandalized the king's palace and removed the generator from there to another place which was not decided at the meeting."
"The Constitution of the Oluasiri Development Union [ODU] and the Oluasiri Youth Federation [OYF] has always been by zoning the positions to the various communities whereby the Amadabo and stakeholders of each community submits a list of choice candidates to the King for announcement and introduction to SPDC."
Our source went further to graphically explain that:
"When the above mentioned procedure was applied to replace the out going Excos of both ODU and OYF, the opposition said, this time around, political party interest must be represented, which did not go down well with the king. So, after receiving the names of choice candidates from the Amadabos, the king went ahead to announce the names in the list of the exco. members that was presented to him, then there was a counter announcement by the opposition of names of their exco members for the two bodies."
These issues were reported to the police, the Commissioner of Police Bayelsa state Command, the State Service, the DSS, these two law enforcement bodies invited the two parties, but the talks were inconclusive, our source said.
"While waiting for the new date for settlement by the law enforcement bodies, the opposition went to Oluasiri and appointed a Regent which is unheard of in the history of Nembe kingdom to remove a King with a Regent, except for criminal offences, such as rape, embezzlement of community funds etc, ''
"This act of the opposition has pitched the Oluasiri Community and about ninety percent of the populace are with the monarch, consequently the opposition has been dragged to court to among st other things:
1. Prove the authority they have in removing him.
2. Prove beyond reasonable doubts, the offense the king committed to warrant his removal."
These are some of the issues that had heightened the tension in Oluasiri clan for some time now.
On Tuesday, the 19th 2016, about 3a.m, some suspected assassins scaled the walls at the palace extension of the  Ibenyanaowei of Oluasiri, King Awululu in the Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa, with machetes, forced the protectors opened and entered his bedroom to assassinate him, and that was a day the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers had scheduled a meeting between the king and the opposition at the Traditional Rulers Secretariat some hours ahead, and exactly 3.am the king was attacked, hours before the meeting time.
First to be at that meeting were three of the opposition members [names withheld], who were already seated before the arrival of those from the king' s side according to our source.
Meanwhile, the matter is said be under investigation by the Police, while the Ibenyanaowei is said to be alive and responding to treatment. All efforts to contact the PPRO for his comments proved abortive as his phone was said to be out of coverage.

HOW KING AWULULU CHEATED DEATH

The body wickedly cut with knives as can be seen in the picture is that of the Ibenyanaowei of Oluasiri, His Royal Highness, King Iyerite Chiefson Awululu. King Awululu is a 2nd Class Traditional Ruler in the Nembe Bassambiri Kingdom and member of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, who has been on the throne for the past eight years,
But within these eight years, there have been attempts to remove him by some power  seekers.
According to some Oluasiri, elders who spoke to Golden Pen Newspapers under a strict condition of anonymity, this is the second attempt on the life of the king. The first been when he was attacked by some suspected paid assassins who went into his bed room beating the security, and attacked him with dangerous weapons to kill him, and left when they presumed that he was dead.
But they were disappointed, when they saw that, the Ibenyanowei of Oluasiri, King Awululu was still alive.
 Our source said, seeing  that he was not dead, the following day, his attackers went ahead with radio announcements that the Ibenyanaowei was dethroned. There were letters forwarded to the Nembe Bassambiri Council of Chiefs, addressed to the  Amanyanabo in Council, for which a committee was said to have been constituted which found out that the king, His Royal Highness, Iyerite Chiefson Awululu, the Ibenyanaowei of Oluasiri committed no offense to warrant his dethronement, and the Chiefs Council of Nembe Bassambiri, led by the Chairman and some members of the Chiefs council came with the Ibenyanaowei in an historic occasion that the people of Oluasiri celebrated in attendance at the King's Palace at Otuma-ama, in 2012.
Our impeccable source further stated that, when the king was being investigated based on the moves by his petitioners, suspected as the very persons that masterminded his elimination attempt in Port Harcourt, the Olua-Ibe became stagnant of progress until he was cleared and returned as the Ibenyanaowei of Oluasiri. An elder who spoke this medium said:
"Soon after his return, King Awululu had moved the community forward by providing generators to each of the major communities and the palace, The decision on the positioning of the generators to the principal communities and the palace was taken in a meeting by the king and the stakeholders, the minutes for the meeting are available to those who would like to see it."
"Those who were out to oppose the king for whatever reason still came out to say that, the positioning of the generators were a unilateral decision taken by the king, consequently they mobilized some hoodlums and vandalized the king's palace, and removed the palace generator from there to another place which was not decided at the meeting."
"The Constitution of the Oluasiri Development Union [ODU] and the Oluasiri Youth Federation [OYF] has always been by zoning the positions to the various communities whereby the Amadabo and stakeholders of each community submits a list of choice candidates to the King for announcement and introduction to SPDC."
Our source went further to graphically explain that:
"When the above mentioned procedure was applied to replace the out going Excos of both ODU and OYF, the opposition said, this time around, political party interest must be represented, which did not go down well with the king. So, after receiving the names of choice candidates from the Amadabos, and the king went ahead to announce the names of the exco. members, there was a counter announcement by the opposition of names of their own  exco members for the two bodies in defiance of the authority of the king and the people of Oluasiri clan."
These issues were reported to the police, the Commissioner of Police Bayelsa state Command, the State Service, the DSS, these two law enforcement bodies invited the two parties, but the talks were inconclusive, our source had continued and furthered that:
"While waiting for the new date for settlement by the law enforcement bodies, the opposition went to Oluasiri and appointed a Regent which is unheard of in the history of Nembe kingdom to remove a King with a Regent, except for criminal offences, such as rape, embezzlement of community funds etc, ''
"This act of the opposition has pitched the Oluasiri Community and about ninety percent of the populace are with the monarch, consequently the opposition has been dragged to court to among st other things:
1. To prove the authority they have in removing him.
2. To prove olso beyond reasonable doubts, the offense the king committed to warrant his removal."
These are some of the issues that had heightened the tension in Oluasiri clan for some time now.
On Tuesday, the 19th 2016, about 3a.m, some suspected assassins scaled the walls of the palace extension of the  Ibenyanaowei of Oluasiri, King Awululu in the Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa, with machetes, forced the protectors open and entered the king's bedroom to assassinate him. And that was  the day, the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers scheduled a meeting between the king of Oluasiri and the opposition at the Traditional Rulers Secretariat in Yenagoa for the Royal fathers to hear the two parties as to find a lasting peace for the Oluasiri clan
But hours to the scheduled meeting precisely at 3.am, was when the king was attacked with machetes.
Our source revealed that at the said scheduled meeting, three of the opposition members [names withheld] were the first to arrive and already seated before the arrival of those from the kings side,
Meanwhile,the matter is being investigated by the Police, according to our source, while the Ibenyanaowei is said to be alive and responding to treatment. All efforts to contact the PPRO for his comments proved abortive as his phone was said to be out of coverage.

Monday 11 July 2016

PROPHET JEREMIAH WARNS CHURCH WORKERS TO BE MINDFUL WITH MEN OF GOD, AS NOT TO ATTRACT CURSES


The Founder/General Overseer of the Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries warri, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin has called on Church workers in his Ministry not to  make the mistake of gossipping or going against the man of God because of the grace of God upon his life, which will only bless the people but will also fight whoever fights against the man of God or the Ministry.
He gave this warning on Sunday, 10th of July, 2016 at the Mercy City in Warri,Delta State, Nigeria.
The Televangelist Minister, Prophet Jeremiah told the workers in the Ministry to avoid taking parts with anyone saying negative things against him or the Ministry, because they are demon possessed and need deliverance. He further stated that what is working in his Ministry is the Grace of God upon his  life and urged the congregation to live well with men of God, so as to tap the anointing they carry.
Professor Jeremiah Omoto Fufenyi who stated that man was born into trouble as in the book of Job 14:1 explained the working of grace of God in this way,  giving a graphic example of the lives of Aki and Paw-Paw short Nigerian actors, who are appreciated all over the world as a people of God's grace, and that they enjoy God's grace that is why,wherever they go, they are appreciated.  It is not because of their heights, but because of grace he emphasized. The man of God said other people about their heights and even those shorter than they in our houses and neighborhood do not attract such grace  that Aki and Pawpaw enjoy.
The man of God also generalized grace as operating in all spheres of life, amongst   pastors,footballers, contractors, civil servants church workers etc, He described grace as the power of God  that makes a  way for the people to rise from glory to glory and urged the congregation to have confidence in God for His grace and his anointing to come upon them.
He told the congregation further,  not to be worried over the gossips and evil plans of men and women of evil, because of the grace of God upon their lives which is able to protect them wherever they go and at all time.
He however called on members of the Church to respect one another based on the book of 1st Peter 5:5-6 which according to him, requires of the the members of the Church to demonstrate the  humility of God.

Thursday 7 July 2016

CONGRATULATIONS TO A WORTHY LEADER @ 52



Your Excellency, this is a great day, a great moment and indeed the greatest day in your life, the oldest day in your life, the richest day in your life, the wisest day in your life and the most experienced day in your life.
Your Excellency, that makes this your birth day unique, to clock 52 years is an announcement that you are more than what you have been in the past,  CONGRATULATIONS!

Wednesday 6 July 2016

NIGER DELTA JOINT REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL WARNS GOV. DICKSON TO PAY SALARIES OR FACE CONSEQUENCES


  1. There is fresh tension in Yenagoa, the capital city of Bayelsa State, following a strong worded Press Release addressed to the governor of the State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson  by a Militant Group which name was given as Joint Revolutionary Council {JRC} directing the governor to pay a backlog of salaries owed workers by his Restoration administration or face dire consequences. 
  2. The body which said, it did not come into existence to shed blood, frowned at the state government for failing to pay salaries of workers at the state and local government councils and pensioners for more than a year and months, observed with concern that the none payment of the workers was giving untold hardship to the people, which according to them is a primary objective of government which Dickson aught not to fail in view of the fact that the monthly allocation of fund into the state treasury has been coming and he had no excuse not to pay.
  3. The JRC's position is that full salaries of the two tiers of government, the state and local government councils and of pensioners be paid to them without further delay. They warned against none compliance, delay and or payment of half salaries or half of half salaries, and  emphasized that the backlog of salaries be cleared before the end of this month.

Saturday 2 July 2016

BAYELSANS POISED FOR A BETTER FUTURE, AS ECONOMIC CHALLENGES RAISES ON

Economic challenges are a common phenomenon on the history of our global society. When situations become tough, people sometimes are tempted to feel and or think that their usual technics of business successes had failed them, government policy makers also face the predicament of not knowing what next to do after exhausting the totality of their limited knowhow.
The present global economic situation has shown that there is a great inequality amongst nation states, so it is within states and community or local government councils. You cannot say that United States of America is wearing same shoes with fledgling 3rd world countries? The answer is a capital NO! And as you come to Nigeria, you also find inequality economically amongst states. While some states are stable to an extent others have continued to be in epileptic economic conditions.
Most worrisome is the fact that this inequality exist also in the Oil producing Niger Delta States.
Whereas some states are doing not badly, paying salaries, Bayelsa has been worst hit since the history of her creation in October, 1996. Salaries have not been paid for months, Bayelsans have been crying without solution and have solace only in God, saying that their hope is in a better future.

Saturday 18 June 2016

DICKSON COMMENCES PAYMENT OF SALARIES

Gov. Dickson
 The governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson has began the payment of salaries after a controversial none payment of workers for over five months in the state civil service.
Hon. Dickson had a running battle with some individuals and groups that called on him to give priority attention to the salaries and pages of workers in the state.
Resides civil servants, the Dickson administration also failed to pay the pensioners of their monthly pensions, which had lasted over eleven months unpaid, according to sources who spoke to Golden Pen craving anonymity.
The stories of Bayelsa State within the period under review was an episode of contorted faces, by not only the civil servants, the staff of LGAS, but to all the sectors of the economy. So much had happened in the families, but no need to say more 5han to say the governor had changed his mind and had begun the payment of workers with half salaries, but what is not clear is when will the government clear the backlog of arrears.

Monday 9 May 2016

REV'D TORUNANA THANKS GOD FOR HARVEST SUCCESS

Rev'd John Milverton Angia Torunana
The Archdeaconry Administrator, of the Okordia-Zarama  Anglican Communion Church of Nigeria, Rev' Canon John Milverton Angia Torunana has given thanks to God for a successful  harvest held Yesterday. Watch out for more...

Thursday 5 May 2016

NEWS BLACKOUT ON GOVERNOR DICKSON WORRY BAYELSANS

Hon. Seriake Dickson
The people of Bayelsa State especially politicians and Civil Servants are no longer comfortable with the absence of the governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson who was said to have left office for over two weeks on what government sources call his annual leave.
During this long period of the governor's absence news about his where about has also not been coming to the people of the state. In fact Mr. Dickson has been on total news black out with even those in the Executive Council of the state are said to be in the dark on the movement of the governor. The governor was said to have hurriedly traveled  out of Yenagoa the state capital after appointing some commissioners and swearing them in left them like fatherless children. The situation of his long absence in office and lack of free flow of information about his where about, not even a word from him had triggered up so much worry from many quarters.
Close government officials like the Hon. Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Jonathan Obuebite had told newsmen about the governor being in a good heal and had spoken to him there has been no showing up by the governor to the end of April, when he assured of returning to pay workers the back log of salary arrears owed them by his administration.
Some incidences that triggered peoples interest on the governor's long absence incommunicado were 1. His absence on the May day without a word from him, was a great concern to the civil Servants of the state who were assured of his presence based on the hope of his agreement with them on salaries payment to be actualized. But he did not show up.
2. There was a crisis in Nembe Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government Area, where one or two persons where reported killed, who as the Chief security Officer of the would have taken a bold step to either make a statement to condemn the dastardly act or moved in, to see things for himself etc; but even at that nothing was heard of the governor till date.
It has rather been a matter of speculation by some persons in government circle who continue to say; "he will come tomorrow or next tomorrow or next week..."
There are so many information making the rounds that are not yet known to the media, except the information that one of his former aides, Mr. Abenego Don Evarada was arrested by the EFCC on account of bribery with the sum of N10 million to free the Special Assistant to the governor on MDGS, Mr. Apere Mbeleako and his wife who have case money laundering with the EFCC  amounting to the total of N1billion. The husband Mr. Apere Mbeleakpo was said to be caught with a whopping sum of N800million, while his wife was caught with N200 million at this most critical moment that salaries had not been paid for months.
The Bayelsa State Civil servants who have reached the elastic end of waiting for salaries have taken a position giving a 21 day ultimatum for salaries payment or they close the state secretariat against the governor and his cohorts.
In the same vein the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employee [NULGE] had also vowed to see that their salaries are paid not just month but many months at once.
The pensioners have also made representations on their long awaited pension arrears where some of them were reported to have been beaten and attacked with dangerous weapons that led to various degree of injuries which resulted to their hospitalization.
No matter what, Bayelsans are tired of news blackout on the governor believing that if he doesn't the expected salaries payment for this month may likely go into another voice mail.  

.

Tuesday 26 April 2016

#1BN INVESTIGATION OF GOVERNOR'S AIDES, EFCC NABS EVARADA

It was a sad Tuesday for some Bayelsans, while it was a very happy day for others, when the news came to town that, investigation of some top aides to the Bayelsa State governor, Henry Dickson on allegation of financial fraud, and money laundering to the tune of #1bn  has led to the arrest of a former media aide to the governor, Mr. Abednego Don Evarada.
Mr. Evarada was said to have gone to the Port Harcourt Zonal Office to bribe the EFCC head, Mr. Ishaq Salihu with a whopping amount of #10million to stop investigations of the governor's aide on MDGS, Mr. Embelakpo who is being investigated by the anti-graft body on allegations of carting away the sum of #800million, and his wife also allegedly involved in laundering the sum of #200 million, giving a total of #1 billion.
The people of Bayelsa, especially the unpaid civil servants of the state who have been fasting and praying for their salaries to be paid this week, were disappointed when this information came. Some said it was the governor that was arrested, and some who hoped for salaries on the return of the governor, Henry Dickson, were sad and sorrowful until they left the state secretariat, careful observers have told Golden Pen.
The sources also told this medium that, the other group of people were sad, those who frowned at the governor over the cliams of no money to pay salaries, thanked the EFCC for exposing bribery attempt, by Mr. Evarada
Meanwhile, Mr. Evarada is said to being in the custody of the  EFCC, and shall appear in court soon. In the same vein, Mr. Embelakpo of the MDGS, and his wife at the conclusion of investigations may not escape prosecutions, our sources in Port Harcourt have said.

Friday 22 April 2016

FG FROWNS AT KIDNAPPINGS, SEA PIRACY, DEPLOYS TROOPS TO OGBIA/NEMBE

As a result of repeated attacks by suspected sea pirates and kidnappers in Nembe and Ogbia Local Government areas, culminating in the death of soldiers the Federal Government had approved deployment of troops to step down the ugly tide.
According to reliable source, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd) yesterday presided over a meeting held in the Government House Yenagoa, having in attendance officials of the NDDC, SPDC,the main partners of the Ogbia/Nembe road project, including the Construction company, Setraco, and top Military officers of the Joint Military Task Force, (RTF) code named, Operation Pulo Shield.
The deployment of the troops may not to be unconnected with the attack by suspected kidnappers and pirates on Setraco workers on the Ogbia/Nembe  road project in the morning hours of Tuesday, where two soldiers were reportedly killed and a white man kidnapped whisked off and escaped with a waiting speed boat.
The Representative of the Operation Pulo Shield, Col.Gold Chibuisi spoke on the commitment of the JTF, to fish out the hoodlums and bring back the area to a haven of peace.
It would be recalled that work on the 27km Ogbia/Nembe road project was said to have been halted by the said attack,  causing panic to law abiding citizens and strangers going through that road. This was "confirmed by the Military Spokesman Col. Isa Ado, the death of two soldiers in a gun duel..."
The soldiers also reportedly killed one of the hoodlums while others escaped with the white man they kidnapped.
The deployment of the military task force according to information is to put paid to the excesses of hooliganism and outright criminality; especially in the areas of kidnapping, sea piracy etc, by mounting road blocks at strategic points, and other military operations.


Thursday 21 April 2016

SALARIES PAYMENT: INFO. COMMISSIONER REASSURES BAYELSANS ON GOVT COMMITMENT

Hon. Jonathan Obuebite
The Government of Bayelsa  had reassured the people of the state that the present challenges of  delay on payment of salaries will soon be a thing of the past.
This was stated by the Honorable Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite while briefing the Press on the state of affairs in the Ministry of Information and Orientation Yenagoa
The Commissioner remarked that the Governor of the State,  Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson is committed to ensuring that the present challenges faced by workers in the state will soon be over as stringent measures are being taken to see that the internally generated revenue [IGR] of the state be raised to an appreciable level of  N2bn a month to address the impasse on salaries payment.
He thanked the Civil Servants for their understanding and  patience during the most challenging period,  while assuring them that the government has good intentions towards paying the salaries and wages of the workforce of the state which is the engine room of government policies and programs, Hon. Obuebite emphasized.

Wednesday 20 April 2016

NONE PAYMENT OF SALARIES: BAYELSA GOVT. ACCUSED OF CAUSING SUDDEN DEATHS OF CIVIL SERV

Comrade Okiringbo Wariebi Michael
The Bayelsa State Government has come under strong accusation of being responsible to the early deaths of some civil servants and members of their families by reasons of none payment of salaries of civil servants.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and  Secretary of the State Chaper of the Radio, Television, Theartre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU), Comrade Okiringbo Wariebi Michael and Comrade Toboulayefa Yebufura called on the Hon. Serieke Dickson led administration not to shy away from the responsibility of paying workers salaries which makes the list of first priorities to every administration that is sensitive to the wellbeing and prosperity of her citizens.
They argued that the governor knows that by his refusal to pay workers as at when due, allegedly caused  the death of some Civil Servants and pensioners who died of either hunger or lack of adequate medical care to themselves or love ones.
The RATTAWU leaders observed with concern that out of the six states in the South-South geopolitical zone only Bayelsa is indebted to civil servants,
Comrades Okiringbo Michael and Toboulayefa Yebufura who said the present administration in Bayelsa subjected the workers to poverty, lack, limitation and sorrow during the Xmas festivities 2015 to the new year because of none payment of the salaries of workers in the state, should now have a change of heart or face dire consequences.
They remarked that the state government has no justification whatsoever not to pay workers salaries for months, emphasizing that it is a Constitutional duty of the state to source for funds from wherever to pay salaries
Here this:
"When we saw in the pages of newspapers and via other information networks that the Bayelsa State Government took  bailout funds  from the Federal Government to the tune of #12.85bn we took it as a welcome development, and thoughtful that the governor was going to use the money judiciously by paying the salaries of workers. Instead of payment, there has been denials by the governor himself and his cronies that Bayelsa State has not gone for such bailouts.
" As far as we know there is a clear evidence against the governor, whether he collected the said  amount or not there is negligence and insensitivity to the plight of the people. If  he collected the bailout, why has he not paid the salaries? And if  he did not, why not, when other state governors concerned about the well being of their pepole go for the bailout to pay salaries."
They have therefore called on the Bayelsa State government to pay the backlog of arrears of salaries without further delay or face unpleasant consequences with RATTAWU, they warned!

Saturday 16 April 2016

JONATHAN MAKES CASE FOR DICKSON OVER FRUSTRATION OF ELECTED ASSEMBLY MEN

Mr. Jonathan Obuebite
Following a letter of security alert addressed to the governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson by the Police Commissioner of the Bayelsa State command, Mr. Peter Ogunyanwo, called on the governor to intervene on what was described as a deliberate move by some elements in the corridors of power denying 3 elected law makers from being sworn in, three months  after their election victories.
The CP gave the names of the said elected lawmakers as:
1. Mr. Alfred Belemote of APGA-Brass Constituency 2
2. Mr. Gabriel Ogbara of  ADC -Ogbia Constituency 2
3. Mr. Gibson Munalayefa Labour Party- Ogbia LGA
The Police Commissioner appealed to the governor for intervention in view of the fact that references made were directed at the governor as being the stumbling block to the 3 legislators elected 3 months before Kombowei Benson Friday, the Speaker was elected and sworn in.
But in a swift reaction the newly appointed Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite has called on the people of the state that the governor, Mr. Henry Dickson was exonerated from the ordeal of the 3 lawmakers who have not been sworn in 3 months after their electoral victories.
He explained that, the governor been a former Legislator and a Lawyer knows it's implication and illegality and had nothing to do with the issue.
Mr. Jonathan Obuebite who himself was a former Lawmaker in the State House of Assembly is the successor to the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Dan Kikile Esueme.