INTER MINISTERIAL/AGENCY BRIEFING BAYELSA GOVT. GIVES SCORE CARD By Evans Tubonah

The Bayelsa State Government led by Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson has declared the total One Hundred and four (104) qualitative projects at inception of the administration from 2012.
Speaking at the occasion of an Inter-Ministerial Briefing organized by the Ministry of Information and Orientation under the auspices of the State Government, at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, n Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital,  the Governor of the State, His Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson attributed the successes of his administration to a robust security network put in place.
The Governor who was represented by "his dependable ally" the Deputy Governor of the State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), stated his administration's strategy was to provide security, to bring peace, so as to make way for rapid development in line with the RESTORATION Agenda of his administration.
To this end, he said, a Security Outfit code named "Operation Doo Akpo" was established for both upland and riverine operations, to tackle what he described as the most challenging  security situation that faced the state at the inception of the administration. Rear Admiral Gbotibiogha John Jonah (Rtd) stated that the

                                                                                 timely action taken by the government in these words:
"... the first thing that we pursued was security. We had no choice but to do so, knowing fully well that without security, you cannot for any meaningful projects, without security there will be inexhibition of movements.
"So, we started Iimproving the security system  in the state. Today, our security system is second to none in this country. ..."
Rear Admiral John-Jonah used the medium to inform the people of the the state, that the state government committed so much funds to the security project to achieve the enviable feat.
Giving a graphic explanation  on the establishment of "Doo Akpo" Security outfit, the Deputy Governor has this to say:
"At the point after establishing the state security outfit  Operation Foo Akpo...we conceptualized, constructed boasts. Most of the boats used by security forces were conceptualized in the state."
Rear Admiral John Jonah used the medium to to inform the people of the zeal and passion, the Governor, Hon. Dickson has for the development and transformation of the state.
Briefing the media, the Honourable Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Lawrence Ehrudjakpo Esq. gave a blow by blow accounts of 104 projects embarked upon by the RESTORATION Government, out of which some are completed and others at their various levels of completion, he said.
He highlighted amongst others "the ecumenical centre, University of Africa, Odi New Town, Pavilion, Bayelsa International Airport project soon to be completed, Control room, New Governors office etc.

Lawrence Ehwrudjakpo
Hon. Commissioner,
Ministry of Works and Infrastructure

Earlier the Hon. Commissioner for Information and Orientation Daniel Iworiso Markson said that the Governor of the State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson had touched all nooks and crannies of the state through the execution of people oriented projects.

Daniel Iworiso Markson
Hon.Commissioner,
Ministry of Information and Orientation

Iworiso Markson who took a critical look at the sector which the governor had done so much, according to him  in the areas of building new schools at all levels and providing necessary tools for learning etc.as a monumental achievement geared towards a greater future for sons and daughters of the state.
The Information Commissioner who packaged the programme to mark the 6th anniversary of the RESTORATION administration come February 14th  called on Bayelsans to appreciate the good works being done by government.
Dignitaries of all walks of life in both the public and private sector attended the opening ceremony.
The briefing lasted ten days.
              

THE FAILURES OF BAGELS GOVERNMENT By Evans Tubonah

Bayelsa is the only all Ijaw state in the Nigerian Federation, and it is the epicenter of the Niger Delta oil rich region in the South/South of the country.

Bayelsa though created 1996, now going to 21 years come October 1st 2018, is the most popular and most significant and or most important state for some obvious reasons:

1. It was in the land of Ogbia in Bayelsa, where oil was first found in commercial quantity that became the mainstay of the economy till date.

2. Bayelsan Son, Ernest Sisei Ikoli was one of the founding fathers of our nation, Nigeria.
3. Bayelsa is the smallest state, a minority in the Niger Delta Region and South/South, geopolitical zone that had produced a president.
These are some of the things that  announced the Ijaw land and people, Bayelsa in perticular to the world as economically viable, politically well advanced and integrated. The Ijaw people for many years wondered in many lands across the world, without a base until Rivers State was created as the first Ijaw State in the Federation, thanks to the then, Military Head of State, His Excellency, General Yakubu Gowon.
That was the genesis of the Ijaw race as a ethnic nation, with the appointment of His Excellency, Lt. Commander A.P. Diete-Spiff as 1st Military Governor of that first Ijaw State, Rivers. It was a great joy to the people especially the enlightened, because they knew that state creation go side by side with development.
So, to discuss the political journey of the Ijaw people and her development will start from Rivers State.
THE GOVERNMENT OF COMMANDER DIETE-SPIFF,"BUILDING FROM SCRATCH"

His Excellency
Commander A.P. Diete-Spiff
1st Military Governor of
Rivers State

The 1st Military Governor of Rivers State, Commander A.P. Diete-Spiff was just 29 years when he was saddled with the responsibility of the state.
Considering the challenges ahead he constituted his cabinet with men of credibility, men that were ready to fly the flagship of the state to a safe and prosperous destination.
His government  which announced it's administrative programme as "Building from scratch", left a legacy of unbeatable development in all ramifications.
With the leadership of Diete-Spiff as Military Governor of Rivers State, all Rivers people were integrated without upland/riverine considerations.
The people of Nembe, Ogbia, Kolokuma, Kalabari, Okrika Bonny, Opobo Ogoni, Ikwerre, Adoni, Ahoada and indeed every part of Rivers state cannot forget in a hurry, the legacies of Governor Deiete-Spiff.
The Rivers State Secretariat Complex is a visible testimony of the good start of that administration, which shows that government development vision was very high and laudable.
As a pioneer administrator, Commander Diete-Spiff laid all the foundations of that state: set up his economic policies, Ecucation, Trade, Industry, Agriculture, Fisheries, Sports Development, Arts &Culture, etc.
The Ijaw people knew, they had a state, and so many benefited with their sons and daughters going on scholarships to study within and outside Nigeria, who came back after graduation and occupied some of the best offices for our development.
The political journey of the Ijaw man left the shores of the Military to Democracy. And that took us to the Chief Melford Okilo era as Governor of Rivers State.
THE GOVERNMENT OF CHIEF OKILO: "DECENTRALIZATION POLICY"

THE FAMILY

THE FAILURES OF BACK

OGBODO TAMUNO GROUP OF CHIEFTAINS HOUSE DEDICATED TO GOD

A group photo of  Chiefs after thanksgiving at first Baptist Church Nembe

It was a great day in the history of Nembe Bassambiri (Opu Nembe) when the Royal House, Ogbodo Tamuno Group of Chieftaincy Houses went to the House of the Lord their God, to thank him for his goodness towards them.
The historic event took place at the First Baptist Church in the ancient city on Sunday, the 31st of December 2017, where the Chiefs, deputy Chiefs, elders the men, women and the Youths of the Royal House,  gathered and humbled themselves before the Lord God Almighty: acknowledging Him as their all and all in life.
At that thanksgiving service, the Chiefs also used the occasion to hand over the destiny of the Ogbodo Tamuno Group of Chieftains Houses for a dedication ceremony conducted by the Pastor in charge, Pastor Abbah, who spoke extensively on the rewards for individuals and or a group of people that  acknowledges God,  and offer sacrifices of  thanksgiving/ dedication  to Him for all His benefits, seeing the God factor as a trigger that enforces rest upon those who come to seek his face.
Pastor Abbah who commended the Ogbodo Tamuno Group of Chieftains Houses for  the unprecedented bold initiative of coming to God for thanksgiving and for dedicating the House to the protective hands of the Almighty, assuring them that whatever is dedicated into the hands of the Almighty is safe and secure and urged them to be steadfast in the faith and to continue their relationship with God anually by re-dedication.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Thanksgiving Committee, Chief Otonye Evans Tubonah told the Church that, the Group of Houses in agreement with the Word of God after worthwhile deliberations on holding the programme in their in their meetings passed a resolution to hold the 1st  thanksgiving and dedication ceremony on the 31st of December 2017.
Chief Evans Tubonah said, the position of the Ogbodo Tamuno Group of Chieftains Houses is strictly in line with the word of God , as in  1st Thessalonians 5: 18 that reads:
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" ( concerning.the Ogbodo Tamuno Group of Chieftains Houses).
To this end, Chief (Dr.) M.F. Amaegbe Orutari

 who stood in the place of the Head Chief of the Group of Houses, Chief A.Z. Aladede, who was unavoidably absent by reason of age, said it was the first thanksgiving/ dedication service by the Royal House since their forefather, King Ogbodo founded the kingdom hundreds of years ago,  and while appreciating the goodness of God towards them despite some challenges they passed through, Chief Orutari  called on the Church to dedicate the Ogbodo Tamuno Group of Chieftains Houses to God for His  leadership, love, protection, mercies, grace, favour, his lovingkindness and all the blessings of God to be upon the children of the Ogbodo Tamuno Group of Chieftains
 Houses in the years ahead.
At the reception held at the King Ogbodo square, Chief Orutari in his welcome address, appreciated the turnout at the twin occasion by the people despite series of other engagements.
The Vice/Chairman of the Opu Nembe Council of Chiefs in attendance, Chief B.F.Amakiri Duo remarked that the Ogbodo Tamuno Group of Houses had done what no other group of Chieftains Houses had done and urged the Group to mentain the tempo.
In their separate speeches, Chief Onayate Keremah, Chief Albert Digigha
Wari, Chief Abbot Clinton Tubo, Chief Tony Bokolo Alfred, Chief Allen Ameri and others spoke well of the good outing and urged them to continue in that light in the years ahead.
The Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Chief Otonye Evans Tubonah in his vote of thanks expressed gratitude to God for the success of the programme and the clementine weather, and also thanked all the attendees for their commitment and wished them all, journey mercies to their various destinations.

DR. AGADA SPEAKS ON BAYELSA STATE HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME

Dr. Agada
Executive Secretary Bayelsa State
Health Insurance Scheme

The Bayelsa State Health Insurance Scheme has been described as a well thought of programme that will better the lot of the masses, especially civil servants and Local Government employees.
The Executive Secretary to the scheme, Dr. Agada stated this in an inter view with the Golden Pen Newspaper in the State capital, Yenagoa that the scheme is intended to provide healthcare services at all levels: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary (P.S.T.), cutting across the nooks and crannies of the state. Hear this:-
"The Bayelsa State Health Insurance Scheme has a Board. That is the overseeing body and the scheme operates under the guidelines, and I as the Executive Secretary directs the Board how to achieve the goals and the targets that we have set for ourselves."
Explaining the modus operandi of the scheme, Dr. Agada went further to say that:-
"...the health insurance scheme is a health financing system that is designed to hold funds and actively provides qualitative health care services that is affordable for Bayelsans, based on their peculiar health care needs irrespective of their social standards and economic status...
"the contributions are that you pay according to your ability; risk is not taken as a criteria for qualification, There is equalization of risk; that means as they come, this will serve as a code. As they come, the poor pays as he could and the rich pays as he/hers, the poor could receive healthcare the standard that is reachable to the rich. Everybody is brought to the same level, that is the beauty of this social health insurance scheme" he said.
Different types of diseases are handled and treated under the scheme according to Dr, Agada. The Executive Secretary,  who stated that so many people have been registered, emphasized that the scheme has impacted on the lives of the masses in line with the vision of His Excellency the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson for establishing the scheme,