BAYELSA AND THE 2018 FLOOD; WHAT'S THE WAY FORWARD? By Evans Tubonah

It is a story too hard to tell that the people of the only all Ijaw state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria are living in fear over the repeated cases of flood that ravaged  their lands and property annually; especially in 2012 and 2018.
The issue of flood in Bayelsa state is not an unusual thing because every winter season in the state, had never escaped visitations by flood to some homes and communities throwing out victims to live like refugees in their own personal homes and towns.
But what had been the main cause or causes of the annual flood that had invaded the people and subjected many of the victims to poverty, sicknesses, diseases and untold hardships. The Federal and State governments according to sources, tried with relief materials, but at a very poor level whereby some of the victims only heard the news of such relief materials, but did not see anything at all to talk about.
Thanks to some corporate bodies and patriotic, philanthropic personalities who donated monies to alleviate the plight of  the flood victims.

Two of the victims who gave their names as Mr. Nestor Ebiowe and Mr. Frank Sokare, told Golden Pen Newspaper in the Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa that they were surprised, the way relief materials were distributed. Here this:
"The Flood Management Committees of 2012 and 2018 operated in like manner, that is, after getting everything from governments and from corporate bodies and individuals amounting to billions of Naira, they did not show up with enough relief materials as expected. A lot of what they were given to care for the victims the Committees diverted to themselves, that was very bad" they lamented.
The stories of the flood cannot all be told here, but there is a question for the authority in Bayelsa State to answer, and this is the question:
 After this year, 2018th flood what is the way forward?
This question has become pertinent because of the yearly damages suffered by flood victims in the state  without the authority taken measures to do anything to either ameliorate the suffering of the people or to take steps that will put a stop to the pains of this menace called annual flood.
It has been observed that the flood that ravages the state capital, Yenagoa and other LGAS of the state annually, was caused by the sallowness of the rivers and the poor drainage system in the city and towns. It is also observed that, the flood had washed away many lands belonging to corporate bodies and individuals who now find it difficult  to develop such lands in the state that is crying for development.
The way forward should be as follows:
1. Let the State Government embark on canalization projects to address the issue of shallow rivers.
2. Let the State Government embark on land reclamation by dredging and sand filling, low lands.
3. Let the state Government pay strict attention to the drainage system to ensure that water flows freely in the city to appropriate destinations.
4. Let the Federal Government through the appropriate agencies give support to the Bayelsa State Government to address the issue once and for all.
You may give your suggestion, please.

BAYELSA GUBER RACE 2019, SYLVA/ALAIBE TO MEET AT 'PHILIPPI

WORKERS STRIKE: NLC DESERVES PROSECUTION By Evans Tubonah

Nigerian Flag

This Country is called Nigeria, the largest African nation in the world, with a population figure of over 140 million people out of which Civil Service work force is less than 10 percent.
It is absolutely disheartening that,Nigeria Labour Congress which is just a Civil Service workers Union like every other union, every other Organization or Association in this country,  has been arrogating to herself powers as another governmental authority in the country with impunity to call workers to conspiracy, to make illegal announcements through the media that Government Workers across the nation: Federal, States and Local Government Councils should go on strike to enforce their demand for a salary increase.
 A demand for a pay rise in the Civil Service or any other set of employees, in companies and other sectors has nothing to do with the majority of Nigerians, who aught not to had been in any way dragged into a private matter between the NLC and their employer, the Federal Government of Nigeria

Besides the Civil Service, the Federal Government has a lot of engagements with other Nigerians; talk about the Contractors embarking on meaningful projects that are targeted to be completed on a scheduled date, students  pursuing their education in schools preparing for their examinations that are also fixed to time and dates.
What about the hospitals and other medical establishments providing healthcare services?
What about the Aviation sector, Maritime sector, the petroleum sector etc.? These and many more are the responsibilities of the Federal Government to the masses of the Nigerian nation of which the private sector is considered by every rational government as very important to national development; but the NLC which has no Constitutional Right to infringe on the economic and every other Rights over fellow Nigerian citizens, and or foreigners, brazenly went ahead and declared a strike that crumbled the economy and subjected the poor masses to unimaginable hardship and suffering.
The selfish and unpatriotic NLC aught to know that her unwarranted declaration of national strike  caused irreparable financial losses to all tiers of government and the private sector in particular   running into billions of Naira as damages. This is unacceptable. The NLC must be made to understand that the salary increment war that her insignificantly meager workforce that with less than 10% members of the Nigerian population are waging against the Federal Government has nothing to do with the rest of

Gani Fawahinmi [SAN]

Nigerians who are not in the pay vouchers of government as Civil Servants.
What the NLC should have done Constitutionally was to drag the Federal Government to Industrial Courts for arbitration and for a lasting solution than to embark on such a crude, uncivilized, and brutal attack against the entire nation while pursuing their personal matter with their employer.
The take on this issue, is that, the Federal Government should understand that the billions the NLC is wrestling or fighting
to receive will not go into the pockets of the none Civil Servants, even a kobo. The question is,  how will they compensate for the losses they have caused to the rest of the nation for their dastardly act?
This is a fundamental matter desiring legal consideration that the well being of the ordinary masses is being trampled upon with impunity by a workers union called NLC, without anyone saying anything. If our legal luminary of blessed memory, Nationalist and the masses Rights Activist, Chief Gani Fawahinmi [SAN] were here this impunity could have been put to check.
The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Labour Congress [NLC],  need to be prosecuted for causing such a colossal waste of time and money estimated to a whooping amount of  billions of Naira, to the detriment of the struggling and unemployed  masses of this country and foreigners alike and for

PHOTO OF HOW NLC  SHUT DOWN THE NATION

giving such an embarrassing negative publicity to this our nation, for their selfish interest, is not an  issue to be trivialized.
Both the Nigerian government and the populace should ensure that this uncivilized approach to solving labour matters be nipped in the bud with immediate.effect once and for all.
From careful observation of what the NLC has been doing to the government and people of this country over the years, is that, that union does not want the progress of Nigeria, hence for every challenging moment the NLC comes out to 'add salt to injury' {worsen the situation} of the particular challenge. Now even the blind man can see and the deft hear and the little children in nursery and primary schools know that our dear country is not at the best of time in our national economy.
 NLC should be brought to book whether the strike is called off or not the damage is already done and they must apologize or be ready to be dragged to Court for compensation of losses to the masses.




   

LATEST ON JONES ABIRI: DSS SUED FOR N200 MILLION

Femi Falana [SAN]

There has been a u-turn in the case against Bayelsa based Journalist and Publisher of Weekly Source Newspaper, Mr. Jones Abiri as Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana Drags DSS to Abuja High Court to pay N200m compensation to the Journalist for trampling on his Fundamental Rights, according to the Nigerian constitution.
Femi Falana's position is that the DSS failed to follow the law in the discharge of their duties in the arrest of Journalist Abiri, thus describing his detention as illegal.
According to Punch,
" Falana argued that the detention violates the applicant's fundamental rights to personal liberty, dignity of person, fair hearing, health and freedom of association,..."
Femi Falana [SAN] made it clear that the rights so violated are guaranteed by sections 34, 35 and 40 of the Constitution as well as Article 11, 16 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights Ratification and Enforcement Act"
A litigation Clerk in the Falana's law firm, Mr. Paul Ochayi quoted to have said in an affidavit filed in support of the N200m suit has it that:
"...Abiri was arrested without warrant by the ....agents ...July 21, 2016.
" There is no Court Order which authorized the detention of the applicant..."
   who had been in the custody of officers of the DSS who arrested him, 21st July, 2016 in the state capital Yenagoa.
The publisher was said to have been arrested with widespread accusations of been involved in "...militancy and of sending text messages to oil companies demanding illicit payments"

Nigerian Journalist
Jones Abiri

 Abiri who spent over 2 years in the hands of the DSS, held incommunicado to his wife, family members, to his doctors, to associates including his lawyers through that length of time was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Abuja on Friday, 29th July 2018, granted bail at the sum of N2m with two sureties at level 15 Civil Servants based in Abuja, a bail condition, Jones Abiri;s Lawyers contended was too stringent to fulfill.
Thursday, 2nd August, Jones Abiri appeared before the Chief Magistrate Chukwuemeka Nweke for his defense, but the DSS not been ready with any of the four witnesses,  the case was adjourned to the 16th of August for determination of the substantive suit, while Abiri was taken to Federal prison in Keffe Abuja.
However, mixed reactions trail the ordeal of the Journalist's arrest, unlawful detention and the stringent bail conditions.
Jones Abiri's Lawyer, Femi Falana in his reaction to the stringent bail conditions stated that Abiri deserves self recognition as a Journalist, take himself on bail and to appear in Court when needed.
The President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Waheed Odusile was quoted as saying:
"Journalist Abiri did not deserve incarceration for two years by the DSS, because journalism is not a crime" What he did was journalism and journalism is not a crime...we frown at any attempt to criminalize journalism." the NUJ President emphatically stated.

CHIEF DARIUS OBIENE DEDE DECLARES FOR SENATE UNDER PRESSURE

Chief  Darius Obiene-Dede
Senatorial Aspirant Bayelsa East 

Former Chairman of PDP in Bayelsa State, Chief Darius Obiene Dede has said that he could no longer resist the pressure of the people of Brass Senatorial district that he should contest the forthcoming Senatorial election.
Chief Obiene Dede who had an interview with Golden Pen Newspaper in the Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa, stated that as the president of the common man empowerment foundation, who has the heart of the people they felt that he should aspire for the position of Senate of the Brass Senatorial District going by the unanimous  rotational agreement reached. The first slot went to Ogbia to Chief Melford Okilo  , Brass  to Inatimi Spiff, Nembe to Chief Amange, to Ogbia again Clever Ikisikpo and to Brass again, Ben Bruce. Now it is the turn  for Nembe Local Government to produce the candidate for the seat and I, Chief Darius Obiene the President of the commonest people of the world have yielded to the pressure of the masses to the electorate to contest. Hear him:
"...knowing fully well that I am a grassroots politician, a man that grew up from the village, and a man that have the people at heart, I have been under pressure over time to come and aspire for the position of the senate, to represent the very common people at the red chamber. That is why, I herd-here to the yearning and aspirations of the people and I have formally declared my intention to contest for the senate in the Bayelsa Senatorial District...."
Chief Darius Obiene Dede former Deputy Chairman, who following the suspension of Fred Agbedi, his former boss,  became Acting State Chairman of the PDP in Bayelsa, spoke extensively on a wide range of issues bordering on his achievements in office as Chairman of the then Africa's largest political party PDP in the State, recounts as follows:
"I was then the Deputy Chairman of PDP Bayelsa State 2005, 2006, prior to the 2007 election...I became the Acting Chairman of the PDP. and I presided over the conduct of the governorship primaries of our great party in the state. And it was in my time, Bayelsans were able to kill two birds with one stone, I was able to return his Excellency Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as Governor who further metamorphosed to becoming the Vice President, Acting President and President of Nigeria, and in that primary, Chief Timipre Sylva took 2nd position, and I stood by the principles of the party, moved to Abuja and defended the outcome of the primaries and finally returned Chief Timipre Sylva as Governor of Bayelsa State. ..."

Chief Darius Obiene-Dede in an interview with the Publisher/Editor-in Chief of Golden Pen Newspaper
Chief O.G.Evans Tubonah

In 2011, Chief Darius Obiene said while serving as Acting Chairman, Rufus Abadi was elected as Chairman and he returned to his former position of Deputy Chairman and later became the Chairman of the party following resignation of Rufus Abadi to contest Senatorial election hear him:
"..When Rufus Abadi left, I again became the Chairman and presided over the affairs of the party in the state; so to cap it all I am the only Chairman of the PDP that conducted two primary elections in Bayelsa State and it was at my time as PDP chairman that we were able to produce Vice President and President respectively ..." Watch out for the full interview.

DENIAL OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR ADMISSION, JAMB/UNIVERSITIES ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION- By Evans Tubonah

The Nigerian nation is being thrown into another disquiet, which if not nipped in the bud, may lead to

His Excellency,
President Muhammadu Buhari

tarnishing the image of the President Buhari led APC government in particular and the Nigerian nation in general. 

The issue is about an alleged connivance between JAMB and some Universities investing in  corruption by collecting illegal JAMB fees from already qualified candidates for admission to rewrite JAMB to the tune of millions of Naira.

Golden Pen reliably gathered from some of the candidates approved of JAMB as being  qualified for admission into the Universities 2017/2018 academic session, that whereas they though qualified for admission,  were denied out-rightly without any reason whatsoever.

Three students in  separate interviews with this medium made a strong allegation against JAMB and the authorities of some of the Universities/Tertiary Institutions lamenting that they whose results were good with high cut-off points had their positions hijacked and allegedly sold to 'some money bags' by school authorities to whose sons and daughters didn't  make it, and were not qualified for admission.

Your Excellency, this allegation is weighty and needs to be investigated properly so as to ascertain why thousands of qualified candidates for admission for  the 2017/2018 academic session were denied after going through all the processes and were listed by JAMB as qualified. to be admitted in their schools of choice. 

The controversy over this unjust denial of thousands of candidates for admission came to the fore when the Guardian reported February 11 2018 with the caption:  "197,050 qualified candidates denied admission in seven universities..." 

It was reported that the position of the Guardian based on data collected in seven institutions across the Country "...sharply contradict claims by the Joint Admission and Matriculation that over 75 percent of the total number of qualified candidates that applied for admission were admitted into institution of their choice for the 2017/2018 session."

It is on record that when the new Registrar for JAMB, Mr. Ishaq Oloyede assumed duties he stated in clear terms while speaking at a 'training sensitization forum' that: 

"...the board will ensure that candidates are fairly treated and expand admission opportunities as well as protect academic calendar." 

"...emphasized that O/A level results are key qualifying requirements for admission... the Board will not consider any candidate unless he/her passes O/A levels"

Your Excellency, that was a meaningful assurance, what relying upon, because of the words of integrity so expressed. 

In another development the spokesman of JAMB Dr. Fabian Benjamin also announced to JAMB candidates especially those offered admission what they should do in these words:

"...students who have been offered admission into tertiary institutions will soon see their names on the website of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board"

With all these assurances of self acclaimed fairness to every successful candidate for admission, then started the alleged game of dribble of most of the eminently qualified candidates by some university authorities in connivance with some JAMB officials.

His Excellency
Bukola Saraki, the
Senate President

 After denying the qualified candidates for admission, JAMB  went ahead and announced that the validity period for those qualified for admission into universities was just one year and that they should come forward and collect JAMB forms again with more thousands of naira, not minding the fact that  some of them come from poor families whose parents are battling to pay money lenders money borrowed for the JAMB their sons and daughters qualified for admission.

Instead of going by the 3 years validity JAMB qualification Law by the Senate for successful candidates to be admitted into universities/tertiary institutions, JAMB for a reason best known to the Board, came out with the position that the denied candidates must re-write JAMB so as to be given the same qualification which they  have.

In the eyes of the masses and before the law this is unfair, it is unjust, illegal, therefore  null and void. And it's being vied and considered as corruption of the highest order, in view of the fact that, JAMB is out to collect thousands of naira from the said qualified candidates for the same exam they passed.

The Nigerian Senate 13th October 2016 passed the amendment to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board;s Act JAMBBILL111SB 245 into law. Part of the amendment is the extension of the validity of JAMB UTME to 3 years"
"Senate President Bukola Saraki in appreciating his distinguished colleagues for their work toward the passage of the bill commented that the new amendment will indeed bring financial relief to students as well as parents... reduce bottlenecks and corruption in the admission process."

Prof. Ishaq
JAMB Registrar

But contrary to that, the JAMB towing a line of impunity, has gone ahead to illegally justify the denial of the thousands of qualified candidates for admission 2017/2018 academic session, by calling on them to come for re-registration and to re-write the same exam which they have passed and are qualified to enter university, tantamount  corrupt practices in view of the fact that millions of naira were being collected from the innocent victims.
Alleging the magnitude of corruption in the JAMB, an anti-corruption and Peoples Rights Organization, "WATCHDOG' raised an alarm, saying that:
"A total of eighty three million naira {N83 million}fraud cases... been uncovered in the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board offices in Kano, Edo, Kogi and Plateau states. Watchdog learnt that Benue was making cases involving N31million misappropriation in Edo, N20 million in Kano was equally being investigated, while JAMB officials in Plateau and Gombe were been questioned N15 and N10 million mismanagement respectively. At the same time a case of N7 million...was been looked at in Kogi State.
Mr. President, this denting allegation of corruption was not denied by JAMB, instead it was confirmed by the spokesman of the Board according to media reports reads:
"Confirming the development..JAMB spokesman, Dr. Fabian Benjamin confirmed the figures and stressed that Board would be diligent with it;s investigation and would not tolerate corrupt practices from any of it's officials."
But contrary to this claim there has been no information on the outcome of this investigation, rather than that, JAMB is fully out to with impunity extort the helpless qualified candidates for admission  N12,000 each, times 197, 050 candidates N2,364,600,000. This is fraudulent and need not be allowed to flourish. .

  

BAYELSANS SAD OVER DEATH OF LIONEL JONATHAN

Chief Lionel Jonathan-Omo Late

The news about the death of one of the illustrious Sons of Bayelsa State, Chief Lionel Jonathan-Omo plunged many Bayelsans, Rivers, and people all over the country and beyond into the dept of sorrow.In Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital it was a day of sorrow to many when the news spread like wild fire that the man of many colours, the man who had played key roles in Rivers and in Bayelsa state and  beyond, who had made himself a father to many, a brother to many and a friend of-course to many had just past on without notice to anybody.
It was a rude shock to many especially those who knew him and who had dealings with him.
Chief Lionel Jonathan-Omo came to political limelight when he came out of law school and became a defender of those oppressed in his environment.
To those who had cases that required the services of a lawyer, but could not afford, he stepped in as a Human Right Lawyer either to take his client on bail at the Police station or even go to the Courts to defend his clients if need be without collecting legal fees.. That bold initiative was the starting point of his political career which endeared him to the masses; especially to the youths.
That informed the gatherings of people at his country home in Ogbolomabiri Nembe, his maternal home. Lionel, shortly called Lio by his admirers  whose father Jonathan was Chief Egbelu in Bassambiri Nembe always remained open to all that came to him from the both sides for one thing or the other, thus making his country home a beehive of activities.
Due to his popularity, when political activities resumed during the Military Presidency of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida's advocacy of a two political party system, Lionel Jonathan took advantage and formed a political pressure group called Isongufuro, with which he entered the National Republican Convention [NRC] and became a star in the political camp of the Chief Rufus Ada George for Governor Campaign Organization in Rivers state/

Barrister Lionel Jonathan was not at all a bench warmer in the political family of the Governor Ada Georges administration, hence at the victory of the election, he was appointed the Director General of Agriculture in the State.
After the Military era and after the creation of Bayelsa State and bifurcation, when the nation was set for the 4th Republic politics, Lionel Jonathan was the choice by the Governorship candidate of the All Peoples Party [APP], Chief Francis Dokpolagha as his Running mate
.After loosing the election to Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha, Lionel Jonathan was honourably appointed Commissioner of Environment and later Commissioner of Agriculture in the State.
He demonstrated the gift of a visionary leader by maintaining a policy of carrying his followers or supporters along  at every level of his rise.Due to his contributions at home, he was elected to occupy  the highly respected Chieftaincy stool and title of Chief Omo in the Nembe Council of Chiefs in Ogbolomabiri.
Chief Lionel Jonathan-Omo was a man of ideas aimed at creating wealth and prosperity not only to himself, but to as many as he could accommodate in his ship of entrepreneurship. To this end, he went into business and came out with the establishment he called "Achievers Farm" at the  Igbogene  axis of the State capital, Yenagoa, which he turned to a farm village, a tourist centre, a centre for sports activities public enlightenment, a holiday resort, and a melting point for political leaders etc.
Chief Jonathan-Omo was a one time Chairman of Yenagoa Chambers of Commerce, who himself had a number of investments that made him a business mogul of his time, having Achievers bakery, having a market of his own to promote commercial activities within and outside the state, all of which popularized the lecturer of Law at the University, the business man and the political colossus in his right to have the honor of becoming the Deputy Chairman of the Chief Timipre Sylva for Governorship of Bayelsa State in the 2015-2016 election under the platform of the All Progressive Congress [APC]
Chief Lionel Jonathan Omo;s death gave a rude shock to the author of this piece, Chief Otonye Evans Tubonah, Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of Golden Pen, as it did to others which suspended Golden Pen from coming out with a breaking news  because the medium was devastated and could not in anyway concentrate, the publisher had said.

BAYELSANS SORROW OVER JONATHAN

Chief Lionel Jonathan-Omo

54TH BIRTHDAY: FORMER GOVERNOR VOW'S TO DELIVER BAYELSA FROM POVERTY

Their Excellencies, Chief Timipre and Alanyigi Sylva

The former Governor and APC leader of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva Yesterday, Saturday 7th of July, 2018 celebrated his 54th birthday in the oil rich Bayelsa State capital Yenagoa.

It was a sea of heads at the popular Honey Hills Hotels along Tombia 

road  where the historic occasion held. The former Governor and APC leader of the State,Chief Timipre Sylva who expressed appreciation to the people of Bayelsa State,  friends and well wishers from far and near for their show of love of him and his family assured them that Bayelsa shall be great again.

The former Governor who said, he believes in the well being and prosperity of the people of the state expressed concern over what he called endemic poverty ravaging the lives of the people, which according to him resulted in the maladministration by the PDP Government in the state. 

He said the state is still viable for development and that what need be done is for the people not to worry, but to take a resolution not to make the mistakes of the past at elections by choosing or electing only credible candidates, who will be servant leaders to the people of the state.

Chief Sylva flanked by dignitaries cutting his 54th Birthday Cake

   To achieve that, he said, the APC is the only credible political party  in the country and in Bayelsa state  with laudable policies and programmes that will better the land and people of the state if voted into power.

He therefore called on all Civil Servants and every other stakeholder in the State not to despair but to hope for a better tomorrow in the nearest future.

The former Deputy Governor and Acting Governor of the state, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu, the running mate to the governorship candidate of the APC Chief Sylva at the governorship election in the 2015, Elder Wilberforce Igiri, former Secretary to the State Government GideonEkewe, Chiefs from various communities across the state men and women of integrity and people of all walks of  were among the dign-

A cross section of mammoth crowd.

itaries at the occasion. 

He thanked the organizers of the birthday programme and all that came from far and near to grace the historic event with best wishes to them all.

To be continued: 

GOV. DICKSON AND REFORMATION OF BAYELSA: THE TRUE STORY

His Excellency
Hon.Henry Seriake Dickson
The Governor of Bayelsa State

The Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Honorable Henry Seriake Dickson the 4th indigenous governor of the only all Ijaw state in the Niger Delta region of the South/South Geo-political zone is also the longest serving governor of the state.
A brief account of leadership of the State from the genesis of statehood of Bayelsa to date has to begin with the first Military Administrator, Navy Captain Philip Ayeni, Navy Captain Omoniyi Caleb Olubolade and Lt. Col. Paul Edor Obi who midwifed the first democratic government led by His Excellency, Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha as the first indigenous governor of Bayelsa state. Governor Alamieyeseigha was succeeded by Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who was his deputy before becoming the 2nd indigenous governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva was the 3rd and now we have the incumbent, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson as the 4th indigenous governor of Bayelsa state.
Dickson was sworn in alongside his deputy, REar Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah [Rtd] at the Isaac Boro Peace Park on the 14th of February, 2012 that was Valentine's Day. After taking the Oath of Office and of Allegiance, the Governor delivered his maiden address to the people of the state, where he graphically announced the mission of his administration that had to do with Reformation and Restoration in these words:
"We shall undertake fundamental reforms to emphasize transparency, accountability, due-process and value re-orientation by all institutions and functionaries of government...there shall be zero tolerance for corruption under my administration.."
The governor emphasized this point by saying:
"The days of enrichment without labor and funding of the greedy and avarice of a few at the expense of the development of our people is over, I will plug all leakages and sources of corruption which have been the bane of our development."
And to achieve this cardinal objective and policies of anti-corruption, probity and accountability, the Governor Dickson an agenda for Reformation and Restoration. To this end he began a monthly transparency briefings whereby the monthly incomes and expenditures were announced to the public.
The early stages of governance was smooth, but when the Governor, Hon. Henry Dickson took his anti-corruption crusade to the door steps of the the "Alibabas" [thieves or official rats\ in the Civil Service, then he knew that the battle line was drawn between his government and the 'brigands' in office. Unperturbed, the governor vowed to bring the culprits to book with a view to sanitizing the system and to bring the state back to the fast lane of development, for which purpose he constituted various verification committees.
The Dickson government had not helped matters looking at the claims of 'robust' achievements made by the Restoration government in the 'War Against Corruption'  in the Civil Service Reforms, that had given hope to the people of the state going by their claims of realizing a whopping billions of Naira  from incessant verification exercises, without having the ability to take care of just a month's  salaries of workers in the Month of June, lamented by aggrieved workers of the State Government.
The weeping Civil servants, who spoke to Golden Pen behind camera said they wee afraid of a sledge hammer of sack, said: "...we expected a self reliant government that  could take care of at least one month salaries bill at the end of the month, after all the monthly hundreds of millions of Naira to billions of Naira from the gains of ghost workers removal from vouchers, sack of those due retirement and sack of unqualified workers etc, all that money so gathered should have been more than enough to pay our salaries.."

BAYELSA: DEFECTION OF PDP TOP SHOTS TO APC A WELCOME DEV.-PARTY LEADER

Hon. Israel Sonny Goli

The All Progressive Congress {APC} Leader of Bayelsa and former governor of the State, Chief Timipre Sylva has described the defection of Commissioner of Youths  Mr. Ibaraakumo Otobo and the Special assistant to the Governor for Development, two  serving PDP government  top shots to the APC as a most welcome development not only to the APC, but to the people of the state.
Chief Sylva, represented by the Minority Leader of the Bayelsa State House of
Assembly and member Representing Brass Constituency 1, Hon. Israel Sonny Goli stated that it was a worthwhile decision for the defectors and their team of supporters to dump the PDP for the  APC, because as he puts it the PDP had lost focus in governance and had impoverished the people of the state, resulting in what he described indiscriminate sack of legitimate civil servants in the state.
He called for unity and cohesion in the party for more and more PDP members to come over to  the APC, believing that the APC will be the winning party to take over power from the PDP come 2019.
In his response, the former Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Ibarakumo Otobo said he had dumped the PDP for good without regret and that himself and his supporters have come to join the APC with a view to winning all elective positions in the state. Hear him:

Mr. Ibarakumo Otobo

A cross section of party members

"...I am leaving the Dickson government and the PDP with all my supporters for good. I am not afraid of anybody, I am for APC, goodbye to PDP, Idon't associate with failure and I am coming to APC with the spirit of winning.', the 33 year old politician openly declared.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Party in the State, Mr. Jonathan Amos said it was a bold step taken by the defectors to dump the PDP which he described as an unprofitable political party that had reduced Bayelsa people to abject poverty.

OPEN LETTER TO CHIEF EFEREBO IGOMA: PLEASE OBEY THE COURT ORDER

Chief Otonye Evans TubonaC

Dear Chief Ikaonaworio Eferebo Igoma, you became the Regent of the Opu Nembe Bassambiri Council of Chiefs, because you were the elected Chairman in office when the Amanyanabo, HRM King R. M. Iwowari passed on to eternal glory and you had the rare privilege of burying the King. And in line with the Constitution of the Nembe Bassambiri Council of Chiefs as still applicable with the addition of Opu to the name of the Council and the Kingdom on the issue of Regent:
Section 20
(i) Whenever a reigning Amanyanabo passes away, the Chairman of the Chiefs'Council for the time being shall automatically become the Regent.
(ii) The Regent will continue in office until the Amanyanabo is laid to rest. Thereafter, the Regent will remain in office for one year during which period a new Amanyanabo will be appointed, and the position of the Regent is relinquished."
The King was laid to rest following a burial programme that began Nov. 23rd-Dec. 7th 2014  as per the traditions of Opu Nembe, from which period you automatically became the Regent to carry out the function assigned by the Constitution to the Regent that should not go beyond one year.
But you operated outside the stipulated period of one year, infact your mandate as Regent expired after the one year because that is what the Constitution says. And while you were there presiding in a meeting, the House appointed another Regent and because of the emergence of the other Regent by the same Chiefs Council of Opu Nembe in person of Chief Robert Johnbull Efere, the Council was factionalized. You were the leader of one faction and Chief Efere was the leader of the other faction and both of you were Regent.
Though, our medium Golden Pen Newspaper published the backing of your mandate by the Constitution at that time,  it was appalling that you did not obey the Constitution in the appointment of a King until it was over, yet it didn't occur to you that you have no more mandate to claim being either Chairman of Chiefs Council or Regent of Opu Nembe.
In the Regent factional crisis that stagnated and impoverished the people and the community, you were fingered as dipping your hand into the coffers of the Chiefs Council, carting away  jaw breaking amounts of millions of naira for purposes of avoidable litigation in courts.

Chief Ikaonaworio Eferebo Igoma

Chief Igoma, I can tell you that one of the major reasons for your failure to appoint a King until your one year  function as Regent expired, was not unconnected with that Court case betwwen you and Chief Robert Johnbull Efere.
 You were dragged to Court not to parade yourself as  an overall Regent in Opu Nembe Council of Chiefs.
"...THE HIGH COURT OF BAYELSA STATE OF NIGERIA IN THE NEMBE JUDICIAL DIVISION HOLDEN AT YENAGOA SUIT NO: NHC/5/2017 BETWEEN CHIEF ROBERT JOHNBULL EFERE CLAIMANT AND CHIEF (DR) I.EFEREBO IGOMA DEFENDANT"
The case which originated through summons dated 17/3/17, was filed, by the claimant for the Court to interpret a document titled:
"A PEACE RESOLUTION REACHED BY OPU NEMBE COUNCIL OF CHIEFS"
The Court after careful examination on the issues raised by the claimant made the following declarations:
"A. A Declaration to the effect that the Defendant is only the Chairman/leader of a faction of Opu nembe Council of Chiefs in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
"B. A Declaration to the effect that the Defendant, not being the Chairman/leader  the entirety of the Opu Nembe Council of Chiefs, is not the Regent of Opu-Nembe Community in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, in accordance with the customs and traditions thereof.
"An Order of  Perpetual Injunction restraining the Defendant from parading himself as the Chairman/leader of Opu Nembe Council of Chiefs, and as the  Regent of Opu Nembe Community in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State."
Delivering Judgement on the matter 15/03/2018 L.M.BOUTIMI JUDGE declared as follows:
"A careful look at Exhibit A shows that both parties willingly signed a document  titled A PEACE RESOLUTION REACHED BY OPU NEMBE COUNCIL OF CHIEFS to be of good behavior and after the burial of late Chief A.S. Digha-Ongiri.
"It is also clear that both parties admitted representing two factions who agreed not to perform any traditional rites of receiving the late A.B Digha Ongiri. Both parties agreed that S.D. Ben Koru should oversee the burial that every executive council collapsed for the duration of the burial. Both parties promised not to ferment trouble in Opu-Nembe and it's environs.
"It is my opinion that this document, Exhibit A, was made as stated in the document for the duration of the late A.B.Digha-Ongiri.
"It is my opinion that two factions existing,; the claimant and the3 defendant in the originating summons heading the various factions are daggers drawn. It is in the light of the above I make the following Declaration :
1. The Defendant is only the Chairman/Leader of a faction of the Opu N embe Council of Chiefs in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
2. That the defendant, not being Chairman/Leader of Chiefs, is not and cannot be the Regent of Opu-Nembe Community in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, in line with the customs and traditions thereof.
3. "An Order of Injunction restricting the Defendant from parading himself as Chairman/Leader of Opu Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State until such a time the proper procedure followed.
4. "It is also Ordered that both factions maintain peace until when proper procedure is adopted, in the appointment of a Leader/Chairman of Nembe Council of Chiefs and Regent of Opu Nembe community
" This is the judgement of the court."
Following this development which was not unknown to most members of the Opu Nembe Council of Chiefs you went about telling your surrogates that all was well, but you didn't have the courage to convene the first quarter scheduled meeting of the  Chiefs Council in April 2018, because of the judgement.
It was widely orchestrated that your compliance to the Court Order was not total, because within the same period you received 150 Surveillance jobs from an Oil Company meant for the Opu Nembe people, which you allegedly diverted unilaterally allocated to yourself, to your family members, and some of the human tools in your hand as alleged, without minding dire consequences. Are you telling the people that the Opu Nembe Council of Chiefs is now synonymous with you or your Private Company? "IKAONAWORIO AND CO, OR EFEREBO & IGOMA LIMITED?
Considering the judgement of Court 15/3/2018 that restrained you from parading yourself as stated above, it was expected of you to quietly and honorably obey the Court Orders and quit as an educated man, an Historian, a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) and a lecturer at the University...and as a man of honour and integrity, but you didn't do that.
Tuesday May 22, 2018, it was alleged that you told some of your surrogates that you commanded the Judge to change his earlier judgement to favour you.
And that you boasted, saying,  that the Judge has given you another judgement outside Court, and that you can now become a Chairman of the Chiefs Council and a Regent.
CONCLUSION:
1. You have no mandate to claim, because your mandate by the Constitution of the Opu Nembe Council of Chiefs, as Regent was for one year from 2014 and it has since expired.
2. Another Regent was also elected by the Opu Nembe Council of Chiefs, Chief Robert Johnbull Efere which divided the Chiefs Council to two factions.
You, Chief Ikaonaworio Eferebo Igoma led one faction, while, Chief Robert Johnbull Efere led the other faction and there was no peace in the land.
3.You were dragged to Court, and the Court judgment stated in part:
" It is obvious that two factions exist; Claimant and Defendant in the originating summons, heading the various factions. This is an indication both factions are daggers drawn"
That was what the Judge critically observed before taking the decision of restraining you not to parade yourself  as either Chairman of the Chiefs Council or as Regent, for the interest of Peace and Security of the people and the land of Opu Nembe Bassambiri.
4. In that suit you were the defendant, not the claimant. And the Claimant raised issues, A.B &C
A. A Declaration that you were only Chairman/leader of a faction of the Opu Nembe Council of Chiefs, and as such you were not the Regent of Opu Nembe community going by the customs and traditions, and finally that you should be restrained from parading yourself as either Chairman or Regent of Opu Nembe and all these prayers were granted by the Court, thus you have no mandate to call a meeting or preside over community matters with a Declaration that you are not  the Regent of Opu Nembe, and as a law abiding citizen of Nigeria, it is pertinent that you obey the Court Order!
By Otonye Godman Evans-Tubonah
Publisher/Editor-In-Chief
Golden Pen Newspaper
CC The Chief Judge of Bayelsa State
CC The Commissioner of Police Bayelsa State Command
CC The Director State Service Bayelsa State
CC All Chiefs of Opu Nembe.

GREAT OGBODO TAMUNO GROUP OF CHIEFTAINCY HOUSES MAKE HISTORY IN OPU NEMBE By Evans Tubonah

From left Chief A.Z.Aladede Dr. Amaegbe as Chief Tamuno

Nembe is one of the most ancient ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta Region, South-South Nigeria, which traditional values are relatively interwoven with other ethnic nations like the people of Bille, Okrika, Bonny, Opobo amongst others had remained unique, and second to none in the choice of their leaders; the Amanyanabo of the community or the election of a Chief to head a Chieftaincy House or to be elected as the Head Chief to a Group of Chieftaincy Houses.
We say history is made Thursday, 3rd of May, 2018 in the Great Ogbodo Tamuno Group of Chieftaincy Houses of Opu Nembe Bassambiri, when a new leader in person of Dr. M.F. Amaegbe emerged, unanimously chosen by the group and presented for the traditional chalking ceremony as Chief Tamuno, which took place in the sacred floor of King Gbolowei, Ogbodo 2nd/Chief Keremah "Okpu" (Mausoleum) in King Kariyai's Compound, Sikakapolo, In the ancient city of Opu Nembe Bassambiri.
The occasion scheduled to hold by 10.am Nigerian time attracted people of all walks of life in and outside Nembe and it's environ within and outside Bayelsa State. The occasion was to begin in earnest, but not without observing the strict traditions of the following:

a cross section of Chiefs

1. The tide. what says the tide, is it flowing? It is only by flowing tides that  chalking ceremonies must take place, and to beat  an unfavorable tide, which begins with ebbing to or in the morning, water can be collected during the flow of the tide to be kept in the mausoleum for the ceremony.
2. Such a great occasion cannot take place without a communication with the ancestors, the founding father of the Opu Nembe kingdom, King Obiai Ogbodo and the rest of the great ancestors that followed after him. They must be informed and also given assorted drinks such as native gin, foreign hot drink, sweet mineral drink etc.
3. There must be the "Ikisa" (traditional talking drum) to announce to the spiritual and temporal that the occasion was ready to hold or is on course.
4. The "Ekere" (wooden gung) must also be ready to be played all through the three day ceremony intermittently according to the time fixed.
On this historic occasion all protocols observed, which began with calling on the Almighty God, the Creator of Heaven and the Earth to take charge of all that the Great Ogbodo Tampon Group of Chieftaincy Houses was set to do.
After committing the programme to God, by Chief Albert Digigha Wari, the Priest of King Obiai Ogbodo, Elder Obeye Numofagha called on the ancestors through the ceremonies of sanctification and libation to also take their rightful place at the ceremony.

A cross section of Chiefs 2

That done, the stage was now fully set for the chalking, but not without an address by the Chairman of the Organizing  Committee for the Ceremony, Chief Tony Bokolo Alfred, who gave a briefing of how the Group went shopping for a befitting candidate for the headship position of the King Tamuno Chieftancy stool outside without results until, decided to look inward and found Chief (Dr.) Markson F. Amaegbe Orutari as he was, calling on him to step upward to lead the Group of Houses by taking the Tamuno title.
Chief Alfred said all the branches of the stalk of the Tamuno Chieftaincy stool agreed unanimously to give the highly exalted stool to Dr. Amaegbe because of his outstanding developmental strides in the Group and the Opu Nembe Chiefs Council. He appreciated the turnout and wished all attendees the best in life.
Then the the then Acting Head Chief, Chief A.Z.Aladede invited the Tamuno designate, Dr. M.F.Amaegbe to the sacred temple of the ancestors where he was chalked as Chief Tamuno, the Head Chief of the Great Ogbodo Tamuno Group of Chieftaincy Houses of Opu Nembe Bassambiri, which made it a day of celebration not only for the people of the Tamuno Group, but for the kingdom.

BAYELSA NEEDS MORE HANDS FOR DENTAL HEALTH-Dr. Sagbe

Dr Solomon Sagbe 

There has been a call on Bayelsan medical students in Nigeria and in the diaspora not to shy away from studies of dentistry. He made the call while exchanging views with the Golden Pen Newspaper in the Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa.

Dr. Solomon Sagbe said it  has become  necessary to raise an alarm because of the backwardness of the oral health sector and the suffering of dentistry patients, due to lack of man power in the sector. 

Dr. Sagbe who was the head of dental health care in Rivers State before the bifurcation, following the creation of Bayelsa, himself and nine others came over which made a total of ten (10) dental health care practitioners as follows:

"Before we came over, I was the head of dentistry in Rivers State. Those who came over with me include Dr. (Mrs) Opukiri, she is now a Permanent Secretary,  two dental therapists,  George and John, we had two dental technologists, late Mr.Reginald Kenigbolo and one Ebiweni Ugo who just retired last year and we had up to three dental technicians, just 10 of us" the dental specialist revealed.

He went further to explain that his vision as the leader of that sector, he had offered suggestions to successive administrations to establish a dental hospital in the state, and establish a comprehensive dental centres in each of the Senatorial Districts, and oral health centres in every Local Government Area in the state."

Dr. Solomon Sagbe who started work as a dentist in Rivers State and came over to Bayelsa said, he was full of hope for the state, considering her position as a virgin land that had the advantages of development at all the sectors of health care delivery, especially dentistry.
 Looking into the future of the practice he stated thus:
"Most of us are not in active practice... the only persons now practicing are just three, one in Government House Specialist Hospital, one in Diete Koki Hospital and one in Niger Delta University  Teaching Hospital,  Because of lack awareness, some people don't know that Bayelsa has dental facilities; hence some go to Rivers and Delta states for dentistry, they use to ask them and direct them to come back to us. "
To sustain the practice of dentistry in the state, Dr. Sagbe called on the students of Bayelsa state within Nigeria and in the diaspora to study dentistry which he said is an open door for easy employment.

COMRADE GBASSA CONDEMNS GOV. DICKSON, WARNS AGAINST SACK OF WORKERS By Evans Tubonah

Comrade Ebiserikumoh Gbasa

A Bayelsa based Human Rights Activist in the Niger Delta Region, South/South Nigeria, Comrade Ebiserikumoh Gbasa had condemned the Governor of Bayelsa state, Henry Strike Dickson over what he described as indiscriminate sack of civil servants in the state.
Ghasa who spoke with the Golden Pen Newspaper in the state capitalYenagoa, said, that the governor's action was illegal and unconstitutional and should be reversed without delay or else he will commit suicide.
Comrade Gbasa who is a social justice crusader stated that over five hundred (500) civil service workers have been sacked without reasons, without query and against the Civil Service Rules in Nigeria and across the world. He spoke with the Golden Pen in these words:
"My anger with Governor Dickson today is that, he has put Bayelsa in a pathetic situation. The Henry Seriake Dickson government has a destructive agenda against our people; workers, pensioners and contractors alike. And that has even transcend down to the children including old people, the pregnant women, and so many people have died..."
Comrade Gbasa graphically explained how  the Dickson government brazenly sacked the innocent workers  at various sectors, saying that:
"The Governor, Seriake Dickson has without reason, and illegally, and unconstitutionally removed over 3, 000 workers of the state. Over 1000 staff of Sanitation Authority, especially those who go to work 4.a.m. to clean our major roads, Niger Delta Television (NDTV), 3/4 of the workers have been laid off, Radio Bayelsa the same way, 3/4 sacked.
In the Niger Delta University (NDU), more than 2000 none academic staff are being forcefully transferred to another University a private University owned by Governor Dickson called African University. Since Seriake Dickson came...they have not carried out genuine recruitment exercise except through the government house. He is laying off people, he is recruiting in the back, his relations, his cronies."
Comrade Gbasa who noted with concern, stated that it's like the state is under the rules of 'a draconian law', while the governor goes around Nigeria to buy awards., and that he promised to turn Bagels to Dubai but Bayelsans have not seen anything near Dubai, not even Port Harcourt, mile One Diobu is better, the Human and People's Rights Activist and Social Justice crusader, called on the governor to call back the workers to save many from going to graves early.
Hear this:
"I don't know when government business  become a one man business, Today, some people amongst the civil servants have taken snyper (poison) and died, some pensioners who over 2years have not receive their pensions and gratuities and contractors  that were denied payment, suffer, like the contractors that built ecumenical centre at Igbogene, he had not been paid fully. If you demand for your money, they use police to chase you away"

Comrade Gbasa said the sacking of the workers was wrong and should be 're-visited in earnest, because , as he puts it:
"There is nothing like that in the Civil Service Rules and Regulations, for government to massively sack workers. Those that are due retire,ment, let them go genuinely.Don't treat them like fowl or goat. Call them back and restore back their hope, confidence and dignity. If this is not done, I will commit suicide" Comrade Gbasa threatened.
When Golden Pen Newspaper visited the office of the Head of Service, Rev. Thomas Zidafamor, to have clarification on the matter, he was said to have been very busy, but in a telephone interaction reacted sharply thus:
"Did you not listen to the radio broadcast by the governor? The governor had said all about it, and his line went off..."
In a related development, Golden Pen Newspaper also visited the office of the Chairman of the state Civil Service Commission, Dr. Peter Singabele who said:
 Sorry, I can't talk now, I have a meeting with the deputy governor, you come next week."
All efforts to reach other government officials for their comments proved abortive.

A FRONTLINE JOURNALIST HARPS ON MEDIA INDEPENDENCE/ OBJECTIVITY- Evans Tubonah

Kola Oredipe from right, with Evans Tubonah left

The Chairman of the Federated Chapel of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Bayelsa State, Comrade Kola Oredipe has called on media practitioners to hold tenaciously to  the professional tenets of independence and objectivity.
Comrade Oredipe, who is the Sub-Editor with Radio Nigeria in Bayelsa State, made the call while exchanging vies with the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Golden Pen Newspaper, Chief Otonye Evans Tubonah who visited him in his office, in Yenagoa.
Looking critically into the practice of journalism, Comrade Oredipe noted that whereas,  the Nigerian media is growing side by side with her peers across the world, turning inward, he said, the practice today as compared to what obtained, the ethics and professionalism years ago had dropped tremendously. Hear him:-
"You still refer to those early Journalists as the fathers of the profession, the value they brought into the profession is not what people are seeing today, that may be a question to ask, what had changed between that time and now?
 I think it's a reflection of the Nigerian economy, now...journalists are more exposed to corruption, a lot of journalists are also getting appointments, you can see the dynamics that came with the practice; but in those days they held the ethics so dearly. That is the challenge that we have now"
Speaking further on standards and  ethics, he noted that the standards and ethics of the profession had dropped which he attributed to state of the economy that had adversely affected media organizations not being able to pay their workers which according to him, had made some practitioners to compromise.
Kola Oredipe, said,
"it is not enough just to give an I.D card to journalist and to say, 'take,  this is your mail ticket',  and expect such journalist who has a family to cater for, and other siblings depending on him not exposed to corruption nor have ethical and or professional challenges. He however expressed confidence in some journalists who he said cannot compromise position no matter what! Hear this:-
"But I know that there are still journalists who can stand up and say... I stand with integrity, abide by the ethics, the code of conduct of the profession, trying to be fair and objective in their reportage, and with that we can say the media is still independent..."
He noted with concern that the Nigerian nation had not given the Media her rightful position in the scheme of things, he bared his mind to Golden Pen Newspapers in these words:-
"The three arms of Government, namely, the Executive arm, Legislative arm, and the Judiciary, see the journalist as a spy, so, they are never comfortable to see journalists around them, and it's very simple in the Nigerian system, because they feel that they are doing something that they don't want other people to see, and when they hear that a journalist is around, they feel very uncomfortable.
 "How can we grow the democracy without the media? We owe the people a lot in terms of information. What is happening in government, we owe the people, it's our duty to tell them this man holding public office should be accountable to the people, and it is through the channel of the media that the information and reports will come..."
Comrade Kola Oredipe posited.
Still spitting fire against the three arms of government: the Executive, the Legislative arm, and the Judicial arm, the frontline journalist stated that, the trio have given no space to the Media in the Nigerian system in the practice of freedom of expression, freedom to report, freedom of association which he said tantamount  trampling upon the constitutional functions of the media as the watch dog of the society.
 He described as unreasonable to sideline the media under whatever system of government and called on the authority at all levels to acknowledge the fact that, the media practitioners are all part of the Nigerian federation and that whatever happen to other Nigerians also happen to them.
He therefore called on the three arms of government to accommodate the fourth estate of the realm, the media,  to achieve cohesiveness in nation building, in our country.
Comrade Kola Oredipe's final word to the media on this encounter is a call on practitioners to maintain their professional independence in the report of factual news, maintain their integrity so as to be a reference point as to truthfulness and objectivity in  the noble profession, while warning against the media or some practitioners becoming a willing tools in the hands of other organizations or personalities.

CHIEF AGAMA THAN GOD, APPRECIATES SUPPORT FOR MOTHER'S BURIAL By Evans Tubonah

The first Son of the centeranian mother, late Madam Laura Igbogitariye Jonah Okoro, Chief (Sir) Stephen S.N. Appi Agama has appreciated God and the people of Nembe and others across communities within and outside Bayelsa State for their support at the burial.
Chief Agama who spoke in an interview with the Golden Pen Newspaper on-line stated that, the burial was highly challenging, but by the grace of God and support by the masses, the burial of the one hundred and one (101) year old mother was successfully done. The Chief who said his mother was born in 1916 and died in 2017 has this to say:
"She was strong enough for the past 10 years. She was running and moving fine, and she used to also dance, because she was involve in most of the cultural clubs. She was strong enough until four days to her death, when she became sick. Nobody moved her, she didn't punish anybody, she died peacefully in her own house...."
Chief Agama noted the uniqueness of his mother's burial and remarked as follows:

"It's a rare event seeing a 101 year old mother nobody assisted, who never used a walking stick to support herself to her last day. When I gave her a walking stick  to support herself some time she refused, saying,  No! She said she will use her feet to move, and she did...", Chief Agama revealed.
Giving a brief account of the centeranian mother, Chief Agama who spoke on behalf of the children said that his mother, the late, Madam Laura Igbogitariye Jonah Okoro gave birth to 15 children, 7 survived and that at the point of her burial the survivors were 5 who gave birth to 120 grand children, who in turn gave birth to 50 great grand children, while to crown it all, she also had 5 great great grand children, which made her the mother of 180 souls, at the point of departure to the great beyond.
CHALLENGES: It was so challenging, just to think of it, Chief Agama said. To bury such a great personality that would attract people from various communities and States across Nigeria, was not considered a 'tea party'. Here him:
"We the children of Madam Laura Igbogitariye Jonah Okoro were so much afraid in the beginning, because this woman is a popular woman, who married from Pegi Group of Chieftaincy Houses to late, His Royal Highness Sunday Stephen Appi, the founder and first king of Sand Sand Ama in Ikensi, in Opu Nembe. Therefore the Chiefs of Pegi Iseminyai Group, Elemah Group, Kalabo Group,  and indeed the whole Nembe Bassambiri as anticipated participated at the historic burial ceremonies."

"...the Ogbari Group, Ikata Group and many other groups of Nembe city, personalities from Brass Local Government area, from Southern/Ijaw Local Government area, Ogbia Local Government and all over, and so we were a little bit afraid of how to contain the team of relations..."
Chief Agama stated that the family did the best for her burial because she deserved it.
According to him, to that end, an uncommon casket wad prepared for her journey, a casket of a fish that is like the Shark called 'Ekwe' in Nembe. That has never been done in the history of burials.
He also spoke on reviving of some of the moribund burial traditions in these words:
"She is the first person, now reviving the culture of traditional 'due alapu' (chief for the dead). That culture has been overtaken by modern days service of songs for even those who never entered the four corners of a Church, they will organize service of songs..  All traditional rites were given to her from the first day.
"In the day of the burial, " Tiripaga segi" dance by women for a diseased person at the burial donations almost abolished, was revived. That made her burial, talk of people at various quarters congratulating the family for a ceremony well done." he explained. Pointing to a dance group he has this to say:
"The club that is dancing is called GOODLUCK of Otatubu-ama, 1946 was when this club was founded. She was the only surviving person. Anybody who died were represented by her daughters, she will be represented by her daughter. "Okara Lady" is another club she was the only surviving foundation member until her death will also come and perform. She was also the leader of Oluasiri Arugu, displayed on Saturday.
APPRECIATION:
Personally, I want to appropriate a number of people who supported the family for the burial. Number one, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), followed by Chief Ingo, Chief (Senator) Amange, the ultimate Vice Chairman, Chief Eweka of Nembe Chiefs Council, Chief Nengi James Eriworio, Chief Isere, Chief Iruo, Chief Vanman, Chief Duo, I also appropriate Golden Pen Newspape publisher, Chief EvansTubonah, Chief Pegi Chief Elemah, Chief Ogbari, Ikata, Inengite, Ovkiya groups and all of them. Anyone, I failed to mention, let them not take offense.Above all, Chief Agama gave thanks to God for  making the entire exercise a success thus:
"I gave glory to God who made it possible for me to see that everything went successful, and I wish all those who came from far and near... the reward of the Almighty, Chief Agama concluded.