CHIEFS COUNCIL HOLDS EMERGENCY MEETING, ADDRESSES COMMUNITY OVER SONS AND DAUGHTERS CALL FOR ELECTION OF A KING

It was Saturday the 22nd of August, 2020 when the Opu Nembe Bassambiri Council of Chiefs, called an emergency meeting to delibrate on some pertinent issues raised in a letter forwarded to the Chiefs Council by a body called: "SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF OPU-NEMBE..." a body comprising the Council of Deputy Chiefs, the Elders Council,

theCommunity Development Committee (CDC), the Opu Nembe Youth Federation, Special Elders, the Opu Nembe Improvement Union, the Women Group, and Special Women,

In their letter dated 11th August 2020, captioned: "Letter of Notification" jointly signed the leaders of the various groups raised five pertinent issues for the Chiefs Council to consider or to walk along with as follows:

1. There shall be no Council of Chiefs elections or change in the leadership of the Council of Chiefs until a King is chosen and coronated.

2. That this act of King installation should not exceed from this day 12th August, to 30th October 2020.

3.We as a people want to celebrate the New Year 2021 with our new King.

4. There shall be no agenda in the Chiefs Council meeting apart from the election and coronation of a new King for the community.

5. That burial in honour of a deceased Chief shall not be held until a King is elected and installed."

Paragraph two of the letter which expressed the mind and the feelings of the writers has this to say:

"It has become a burden to us that as things are going on in our Kingdom, we will never have the taste and the sight of a King for reasons best known to you our Chiefs. It has been Eight (8) years since our late (King Ralph Michael Iwowari (OON) Mein the (VII) was laid to rest with our ancestors. 

It has not been crystal clear that the persons assuming office as Regent/Chairman in the Council of Chiefs has assumed themselves as Kings and has looked and reasoned away from installing a King...."After a briefing at the Chiefs Council by the Chairman on the development, the Chiefs proceeded to the traditional open field, Ogbodo square to have an interactive session with the community.

The Chairman of the Chiefs Council, Chief D.I Oriango Ekpeleyai-Oruwari who addressed the gathering spoke on a wide range of issues bordering on responsibilities of the Chiefs Council under the present leadership. He also talked about other issues that the traditional government  could not shy away from addressing on daily or weekly basis, and described the call that the Chiefs Council should do no other thing but only to concentrate on the election of the King, was not to the. best interest of the community because of other pressing needs calling for attention.

Talking about what the Chiefs Council is doing about the election of a new king, the Chairman said:

 "To elect an Amanyanabo is for both those at home and those outside to come together to consult and take a position to elect a befitting King for the Kingdom. Hear him:

" To elect an Amanyanabo,.we all need to consult in and outside together ..Right now to elect the next Amanyanabo,.as the world is changing, we are also changing, we have what is called Construction...We have decided how to do things and written it down and if you derail  we will tell you, that is not what we agreed on.

"Therefore, as we are writing our Constitution, the Amanyanabo and the Chiefs Council, how they will function or relate, such writings are also there...in that regard after we had finished writing those things before the King is enthroned will be better than making that law in the face of a sitting King, that is why when nobody had sat on the throne we better make the law, seal it, when the person comes in, and the book is given to the person, the person will begin to move in that direction, we will also walk in that direction."

The Chairman explained that while the Chiefs Council was almost making ready the Constitution for printing, when some people of this community approached us to make presentations and we gave them time, believing that their presentations may add or subtract from the Constitution.

That was why we waited for them and they came and discussed the issues with us.

They also put it in writing... because of our efforts we have come to this level, but you think we have done nothing..

"We are making the Constitution, when we finish with that then we will  come to the next stages to elect the Amanyanabo..."

The Chiefs Council Chairman concluded

Responding,

 the Chairman of the Deputy Chiefs Council, Deputy Chief D.C.Otorudigha said himself, Elder Jumbo Olali T. and the President of the Youth Federation were to present the position of the community.

First presentation by Deputy Chief Otorudigha reads:

"We are not forcing you and if what we have written does not go down well with you, we apologise.

 But what we are saying is that, right now the present Executive of the  Chiefs Council should not be dissolved nor removed, they must be in office until the King is elected and coronated.."

2nd  presentation by Elder Jumbo Olali T. reads::

"If we must learn from experiences of the past of what someone had passed through that will give us good direction.

"During the time of Ogbodo the 7th, late Chief Korobo Tamuno was Chairman of the Chiefs Council there was disagreement between the King and the Chiefs Council, it was about the Constitution written by the Chiefs Council, if he signed it, in a short while they were going to remove him, therefore the King said No! but if they removed that clause he was going to sign it.

" Those days either Chief Ogbu or Yousuo was President of Opu Nembe Improvement Union. We went to SDP Secretariat and decided that matter, and there was unity and any of the Chiefs that was there can bear witness to this.

"On that ground the Community is saying that the Constitution you are writing when an Amanyanabo is elected what name he will bear is one of the thoughts the Chiefs Council is having in heart as one of the works you will do.

What we are saying is that, whenever a Constitution was written as we knew in those days, and it is given to the King he signs it and the Constitution becomes a law, isn't it?

"Now, a Constitution is being written when there is not yet a King, the question is, when the King comes, is he going to sign it?"

3rd presentation by the President of the Oou Nembe Youth Federation, Moses Ebitimi Ayerite reads:

" We the Youths have delibrated and what we are coming out with is about the time, Amanyanabo will be elected. The Chiefs Council could remember that anytime you scheduled a meeting to elect a new exco.you never failed. In that light, we know the time we have given in our letter, if we see progress then only, shall we discuss extension of time, but not now."

That ended the historic interactive session between the Chiefs and the Opu Nembe Bassambiri Community.

INIRUO WILLS CALLS ON BAYELSA GOVT. TO ESTABLISH ADEQUATE SECURITY PRESENCE AT OLUASIRI

There has been a call on the Bayelsa State Government to provide adequate security in the Oluasiri axis of Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The call was made by Barrister Iniruo Wills during an interview online with the Golden Pen Newspaper on the Security challenges facing the Oluasiri clan which he described as "the Bakassi" of Bayelsa State.

His concern over the security laxity in the area, came at the heels of a fracas that occurred between two militant groups  that resulted in the death of seven (7) persons as widely orchestrated.

While condemning the incident as unfortunate and a great lose to the Oluasiri people in particular and a lose to humanity in general, Mr. Wills opined that such occurrence (s) could have been avoided if adequate security measures had been in place.

He noted with concern that from inception of democracy, 1999 to 2020, the Bayelsa State Government had never showed  interest for the development,  well being, and prosperity of the land and people of Oluasiri, but only interested in the wealth accruing to the state.

Hear him:

"Oluasiri had been left without adequate security by the Bayelsa State Government for the past 20 years. What the Government is always interested about, is the money coming from the federation account to the state; but.they had never dropped even a pin there in Oluasiri."

Barrister Wills, a former Commissioner for Information and Orientation and former Commissioner for Environment identified two major factors as responsible for what he described as the lawlessness at Oluasiri. Hear him: 

                "The state government knows too well that Oluasiri is the seat of the gas plant and is 'the Bakassi of Bayelsa State through which the state government receives billions of Naira monthly from the  federation account."

He calls on the present administration of the state to amongst other things:

1. Take urgent steps to correct this abysmal security laxity  that the predecessors to the present goverment failed to address over the years that had made Oluasiri a place of lawlessness.

2. The Bayelsa Government should bring development and employment to Oluasiri because of its contributions to the cake of the state.

3. I would suggest that the Bayelsa State Governor pay a visit to Oluasiri to assertain the paucity of security and development in the area so as to find necessary solutions.

4. It is also important for Government to invite stakeholders of Oluasiri and of Chiefs of Opu Nembe Bassambiri.Council of Chiefs to a meeting to.delibrate on how to restore Oluasiri to her lost glories in the state. 

Concerned about the insensitivity of the Bayelsa State Government on the boundary issue over the years, Barrister Iniruo Wills spoke in this light:

"There is low interest and poor handling of the boundary matter causing mysterious and perplexing judicial outcomes on the boundary axis."

He asserted that:

5.There is also a breakdown  in community leadership, I would like to therefore call on the leadership of the community to wake up to the challenges ahead with a view to repositioning and or returning the Oluasiri clan to the fast lane of peace and development.

He concluded by saying:

"Oluasiri was not like this when  there was security presence and people were going about their normal businesses and children were subjected to parental authority."

He called on the community leadership to shun catelism but to galvanize all Oluasiri people with a view to nipping in the bud the ugly trends of violent attacks and killings perpetrated without restraints over the period, due to security laxity in the area. 

NCDMB TOWER BUILDING COMMISSIONED IN BAYELSA, PRESIDENT BUHARI COMMENDS MANAGEMENT TEAM

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari had given commendation to the management and staff of the Nigerian Content Development Management Board (NCDMB) for timeously completing the 17 storey building Board

headquarters in the Bayelsa State capital Yenagoa.

The President who gave the commendation at the occasion of the virtual commissioning of the project spoke on the vision of his administration towards national content development. Hear him:

"The completion of this project reflects our drive to provide infrastructure across the country to serve as mechanism for investments and enable us on job creation and eradication of poverty.

"This commissioning brings to the fore the importance of local content of all activities in our national life. I believe strongly, local production of our goods and services is one of the.surest ways to empower our citizens and give the vital opportunities to excel in their chosen professions and business endeavors."

He clearly stated that: "This is two of the executive orders issued under our goverment are reliable to enforce local content to further recruitment and further replicate the successes being realized in the Oil and Gas industry, said the President.

He directed the Minister of petroleum for State, Chief Timipre Sylva to Commission the project.

Muhammadu Buhari at the visual commissioning of the  high rising tower building, commended the Management and staff of NCDMB led by the Executive Secretary Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote for impressive performance, while urging them to keep the tempo.

Chief Timipre Sylva, Nigeria's  Minister of petroleum for State assigned by the President to officially commission the building, while speaking at the occasion made a stertling revelation about the role he played at the early stages of the project and now. 

Hear him:

"This to me is a very emotional moment because some years ago, when the NCDMB headquarters was sited at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, I was Governor and had the privilege at that time to have allocated this plot of land for this edifice.

So, I was part of the begining, but as all of you know, for some moment, I thought I was no longer part of this project;

but today, by the grace of God and by the grace of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am again part of the completion. So, you can understand why it's a very emotional moment for me..

"This project as far as I am concern, is a salute to Mr. President's avowed

commitment to continuity. Mr. President had never played politics with development, that's why although the foundation of this project were laid in 2015, before the advent of his presidency, he ensured that this project continued and completed.

"I am very delighted and highly appreciative of Mr. President and NCDMB for the commissioning of this magnificent building in Bayelsa State. The completion of this project is a key achievement in the portfolio of priorities given to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources under the next level agenda."

The Oil.Minister thanks President Muhammadu Buhari for his visionary leadership, he continually provides for those in the Ministry and the entire country to ensure that the narrative of the oil industry has changed from obscurity to transparency, and transpire in development.

The commissioning of the project according to Chief Timipre Sylva, was symbolic in many ways: "It shows Mr. President is Keen to see infrastructural development in every part of the country, it shows that skyscrapers and other laudable infrastructures can be built also in the Niger Delta, it shows that indigenous contractors can perform wonders when given the opportunities, it shows that the people of Bayelsa and indeed the entire Niger Delta are receptive to development and it shows that Nigerian Content is here to stay"

The former Governor highlighted that parts of what he called symbolic development was the construction of a 3rd Megawatts gas fired power plant in partnership with NAOC Joint venture to service the new headquarters in the NCDMB industrial park under construction.

The gas fired power plant, as the Oil Minister made it clear was 'just a tip of the iceberg as the Ministry of Petroleum Resources under the direction of Mr. President was set to unlock opportunities in the gas resources of the country instead of just quoting the statistics of the gas endowment of the nation every year.

"Our declaration of 2020 as the year of gas is not a fluke. Throughout this year 2020 and beyond, our focus for gas development will be significant from export gas to demestic gas.."

Emphasizing more on the use of gas, the Oil Minister said: 

"We will develop our energy to unlock the gas beyond the ground and eliminate the wastage of the flames.."

He used the medium to call on local and international investors to join goverment efforts for the benefit of all.

Chief Sylva gave kudos to the people of Swali Community, the Government and people of Bayelsa State, the Nigerian Company, Mega Star and the Executive Secretary of NCDMB and his management team for the completion of the laudable project..."

Also speaking the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri has this to say:

"...it is my great pleasure to attend this visual presidential commissioning of this 17 storey headquarters building of the Nigerian Content Development Management Board in Yenagoa and the 10 Megawatts gas flare Independent power plant at Elebele I. Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.'

Governor Diri in a spirit of elation spoke as follows;

" On this historic and very special occasion, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to His Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for providing the strong political will and backing to continue with this project and bring it to conclusion timeously .

" Mr. President, the people of Bayelsa are saying thank you, the people of Bayelsa are saying- nua.

"My warm congratulations to sons of the soil, our own brother, the man who has piloted this project, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr Simbi Kesiye Wabote and his entire team for the successful completion of this gigantic tower.

"Now, that this outstanding structure has been built, the easthtics of Bayelsa in Yenagoa has changed. It is time to face the business of helping to build the economy and lives of the people of this state and indeed Nigerians."

Governor Diri was emphatic on the implementation of the mandate by the NCDMB the Governor remarked thus:

"In accordance with mandate of the Board and in line with the World Bank Initiated local content policy document. The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing the world to think in creating an interdependent  ways. We should plan from this episode and escape the inevitable pandemic of agitations that will break out; if communities are not factored into development equation.

He used the medium to Congratulate partners of the State, the Nigeria Agip Oil Company that has been in Bayelsa since 1962,  urged and pleads with the company to relocate her headquarters to Yenagoa. Hear him:

"Most of your operations are domiciled in Bayelsa, and it will be good your headquarters be relocated to Bayelsa."

Senator Diri said, his administration was ready to partner and dialogue with companies and corporate bodies to settle down in the state by creating enabling environment to all.

The Executive Secretary of the Board,.Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote in his Welcome Address spoke homorously as follows:

" am not a man gifted to emotions while making speeches or making presentations, but today, I.am sincerely filled with emotions.

Permit me if I faulter in the process, but I hope not.

"Today, marks the long awaited hour set aside to commission our magnificent headquarters building and the 10 Megawatts gas fired power plant built in partnership with the Nigerian Agip Oil Company Joint Venture as a capacity development Initiative standing tall at 70 metres, the main building represents hope that is visible  from afar and near to... development."

Graphically explaining the component of the high rising building, the E.S said:

"Site construction started in the fourth quarter of 2015 and we've turned back to ensure that we finish what we started. About half of what you see on the surface is buried below to keep the building standing and provide structural foundation support, using 207 piles each at 800 millimeter diameter driven to 30 meters dept as the foundation carrying this structure."

Engr Wabote who went further,  stated that:

The ground floor area of the building is 30 thousand square metres, equivalent to four football fields and able to accommodate more than one thousand (1000) walk space for our own use and for the use of other occupants of the building.

"We put a lot of thought into design of the building, not only to bring out it's edifice but to also focus on the subsequent usage covering the agronomics acostate security, safety, energy efficiency and maintenance"

Some of the specifics according to him, include the use of fire retardants, intelligence building, management systems that cut down power consumption by 25% provision of over hanging cradle under roofed slabs ... to clean sides of the building..."

He gave kudos to the major contractor, 'Mega Star' and other sub- contractors who he said were all local Nigerian Architects who designed and supervised the execution... worked day and nights and delivered the world class project, as he calls it, "...with impressive safety standards. 

"The materials used is 76 percent Nigerian Content with the tiles, electric cables, granites and other building materials, the manpower on services and labor is over 95% Nigerian Content, the skills transferred to the local workforce in the construction of high rise building has been unprecedented.

While appreciating the uncommon feat achieved so far the NCDMB boss expressed his feelings thus:

"We are proud of the end to end thinking that went into the design and execution of this project which is typical of Nigerian Content.

"If statistics is anything to.go by, I am told that, this is the tallest building in the South South region and the South East region of the Nigerian geo-political."

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for enabling the NCDMB for achiecing the great feat and for giving all the support in his desire to create and build a lot of infrastructure in the country.

Goodwill Messages came from the pioneer Executive

Secretaries of the Board,. Engr.Ernest Nwapa, E.S Arc. Denzil Kentebe, HRH Chief Wilcox Seiyefa Job and others who all spoke well of the completion and commissioning of the historic project.

STAKEHOLDERS PRESENT PAPERS ON KINGSHIP OF OPU NEMBE KINGDOM

With a view to streamline processes of electing a new Amanyanabo of Nembe Bassambiri Kingdom, the Opu Nembe Council of Chiefs had received in audience two groups of stakeholders made up of academicians, and professionals in an emergency meeting held at the First Nembe Town.Hall Friday, 1st August, 2020.

The first was: "A PROPOSAL BY: OPU-NEMBE CONCERNED INDIGENES TO THE OPU-NEMBE COUNCIL OF CHIEFS..." 

The spokesperson of the above group and it's Co-ordinator, Elder Okene Simon Peter highlighted the content of their presentation thus:

"A MODEST PROPOSAL: THE IMPERATIVE FOR ONE DYNASTY FOR A UNITED KINGDOM"

Elder Peter Okene hinged his presentation on the need for the land and people to acknowledge the fact that visionary societies always focus on rapid growth.

Hear him:  

"Substantial community development remainst the dream of all societies. The history of many societies, including ours have thought us , this is guaranteed, if and only if, the changes necessary for each development are timely recognized and effected by a committed leadership in an atmosphere of peace and unity.

"Humbly and respectfully, we the under-sigmed sons and daughters of Opu Nembe Concerned Indigenes wish to observe and state as follows:

"1. We appreciate the event that led to the adoption of the dual dynasty system operated in Opu Nembe since 1978, and the good reasons that informed that historic decision. It was indeed one of the best decisions that was ever taken in the annals of Opu Nembe political history and culture.

"2. That we equally appreciate the dividends, progress and challenges our beloved Kingdom has experienced on account of that revolutionary decision. While some, as all Opu Nembe patriots know, have been very and wonderful, others have created some instability, stagnation and retrogression:

"3. That in the current stage of our evolution as a Kingdom, it is expedient that we pause and ponder on the need for further changes in the processes and qualifications necessary for selecting our future Amanyanabo:

"4. That from our observations, limiting the seach to just one Royal dynasty at time as it has been the practice since the 1978 decision is no longer in the interest of majority of the Indigenes of our kingdom, if sustainable community development remains our ultimate dream:

"By the very fact that the history of many societies including ours have taught us, we need to make further changes necessary for the attainment of the goal of selecting a committed leader in an atmosphere of peace and unity:

"Consequent upon the foregoing, we hereby propose as follows:

"a. That the current dual dynastic system of monarchy be modified:

"b. That in it's place, a single, unified dynastic system be instituted:

"c. That in line with the reality of our history and culture as a  kingdom, the proposed single, unified dynasty should be a consolidation (merger) of the existing Ogbodo and Mein dynasties, both in the naming and numerical traditions:

'd. That in terms of nomenclature, therefore, it should be known and referred to either as the  "Ogbodo-Mein Dynasty" or the "Mein- Ogbodo dynasty", although the first is apparently, more appropriate, historically and chronologically speaking:

"e. That if 'd' above is açceptable, the following scenario is anticipated"

"Most humbly, our Lords spiritual and temporal, are convinced that, if this is followed through a number of positive and progressive dividends would be realized.

"a. It would help in creating wider space for selecting the Amanyanabo-ship candidates;

"b. It would promote a greater degree of merit and produce the best qualified candidates and eventually, the Amanyanabo:

"c.It would promote social cohesion and political inclusiveness in the leadership system:

"d. It would help in reducing the tendency of making by the Amanyanabo looking sectional and parochial. This has often been the weaknesses of the dual dynastic monarchical system operated presently.

"e. Ultimately, this will also produce a better Amanyanabo sufficiently equipped to meet the local, national and international challenges of the 21st century Opu Nembe...."

In a related development,  a 2nd Group called: "THE OPU NEMBE (NEMBE BASSAMBIRI) CONSCIENCE GROUP" made a paper presentation titled: "OPU NEMBE (NEMBE BASSAMBIRI) KINGDOM AND KINGSHIP"

The group gave historic account of King Obia yai Ogbodo who ruled as the last King of a united Nembe at Ogbolomabiri, when he Founded Bassambiri, crossed over and lived there as the 1st King Ogbodo of the Kingdom.

The group led by Gasi Biobaragba, who in his took a bold step through the archives of history said:

"Kala Ekule ... begat Peresuo and Okorotei, Peresuo begat Obia and Obia begat Ogbodo. Meanwhile, Okorotei begat Opo and Opo begat Mein through a woman called Ina, Ina the mother of Mein was married from Tombia, Ekpetiama Community by King Ogbodo with big dowry but had no child with her before he died.

" Thereafter she had a child with Opo Ogio's grandson. But from the Nembe practice matrilineal tradition hence any child born by Ina shall all be of Ogbodo including King Mein ... to have occupied the Bassambiri throne.

" Furthermore, since King Ogbodo married Ina the mother of Mein with big dowry, Ogbodo had become the sole parent and his property. Therefore, any product from Ina including herself belong to Ogbodo. King Duguruyai and King Arisimo are direct children of Mein. Meanwhile, Ebifa is the son of Duguruyai, Oguara and Ben Wari are all grand children of Mein in the lineage of Ogbodo."

Clarifying the platform of Opu Nembe Bassambiri Kings in history that Group pointed out, saying:

"It is not farfetched that King Ben Wari in his presentation to the Commission of Inquiry in the Nembe Chieftaincy dispute under the Sole Commissioner, O. Ukelonu from 11th-20th September.1959 showed that King Ben Wari stood on the platform of King Ogbodo and not King Mein. ... This is evident in the ... report of the inquiry ... signed by O. Ukelonu (Sole Commissioner)  in 1959 .. released in an official document No 24 of 1960..."

"Opu Nembe may have had a good day as both parties ended the exercise in resolving that Ogbodo (Amakoromo), his children and Mein his (Ogbodo) daughter son's children will rule the kingdom in succession. Notably numbering the Kings from each group distinctly and separately and not adding them together implies two kingdoms and two.founders at the same time or other on a different piece of land devoid of any relationship between the two."

The Group went further as follows:

"Sadly we are talking of one indivisible land and people, one ancient well, one national deity and priest, one national shrine (Suotugu) one opubio (arena of the initiated), one national supreme court (Ibidikiri) one national water front (opupogu), one cemetery ( duedibiyo), one evil forest (seipiri), one ogilolo (spiritual harbour), one opolotiri (townsquare) etc..."

On the unification of the dynasties, and what name should be used as Amanyanabo of Opu Nembe (Nembe Bassambiri the Group posited as follows:

" More than sufficient evidence abound to the authenticity of Ogbodo as the only and sole founder and ruler in his own time and children. Opu Nembe has ever been and still OGBODO AMA. Both ancient and contemporary undeniable records, oral tradition, and ... folklore all accede this fact.  It has been irrevocably rendered in songs by all national priests (Nembe Temesuosiba ongu) "Ogbodo is the diadem in all traditional rites and rituals even at the national shrine (Suotugu) to this day..."

Relying on the above points, the Opu Nembe (Nembe Bassambiri) Conscience Group expressed appreciation to those who muted the laudable idea to correct what they called, age long error of operating dual dynastical order in Opu Nembe Bassambiri, while describing the call for harmonization of names of all passed kings serially and to choose a single title for all future Kings as a most welcome devolopment.

Hear this:

"A single title model for Opu Nembe.(Nembe Bassambiri) Amanyanabo becomes imperative to sustain, preserve and internationalize our collective history and.descent...The single title model promote our identity... It will not be out of place if we consolidate our common heritage by applying the title Ogbodo to our Kings in Opu Nembe (Nembe Bassambiri)..

"Surfice it to say over and above all dynastical inclinations, Ogbodo remains the soul and only title for any Amanyanabo of Opu-Nembe (Nembe Bassambiri), they also concluded.

The Opu Nembe Bassambiri Chiefs Council, led by Chief D.I Oriango Ekpeleyai-Oruwari after receiving the papers, thanked the two groups for their worthwhile presentations, while giving assuances that the Council will come out with an acceptable position in the next Scheduled General Meeting.

HOW WE FOUGHT THE BATTLE OF COVID-19 IN BAYELSA STATE- DR. INODU APOKU

Introduction: The global pandemic that ravaged across the world in 2020 called Coronavirus or Covid-19 killed over millions of people which led to a gathering by the leadership of World Health Organization (WHO) which came out with measures to tackle the pandemic.

The ravages of the Coronavirus pandemic threatened all nations, and did not even spare  advanced nations such as the United States, the UK, China where the disease was born, Italy etc.

All nations battled for survival of their people. The leader of Africa's largest and most populous nation, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria raised an alarm and came out with the protocols by the ((W.H.O) through the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) to the states, and the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri without waste of time constituted a Committee with a seasoned Medical Doctor in the State to take the lead in the 'titanic' battle of Covid-19.

With a view to updating information on how the state Government fought the ferocious Coronavirus pandemic, our medium, Golden Pen Newspaper visited the office of the appropriate Senior Government Official at the State Secretariat, Yenagoa for an interview.

Excerpts:

Golden Pen: I am Otonye Evans Tubonah, the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Golden Pen Newspaper print and on-line. Am in your office to get an update on the battle of Covid-19, but before we proceed, could you please tell the public your name and office?

Ans: I am Dr. Inodu Nathaniel Apoku (KSA) the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health Bayelsa State, and the Co-Chairman of the mult- sectoral Committee responsible for the management of Covid-19.

Ques: What can you tell Bayelsans and the world about the Coronavirus pandemic war situation in the State?

Ans: Well, we have gone a very long way. In February when the issues of Covid-19 ravaging the entire world as a pandemic came into being. We thank God that we are in a place to be used as instruments in this fight.

By his grace we have done it, we fought Covid to a stand still. Covid-19 started at Wuhan in China ... with symptoms and signs  like: Fever, Lose of appetite, Sorethroat, Lose of smell, and Body pains. 

And by this February, the symptoms were seen amongst our people in the State. I think our first index case was seen 27th of February amongst the civil servants who claimed that he had no contact with anybody and had no history of haven travelled out of Bayelsa State. He was picked up and screened and it turned out to be positive. Samples were collected from his entire household. His wife was positive, their three children were also not free. 

They became the first index case of COVID-19 in  Bayelsa State. 

Ques: What measures did you take to arrest the situation that been your first case?

Ans: Immediately the cases were identified we made provision quickly and took them to isolation center and a Professor of infectious diseases.who himself is the CMD of the Okolobiri.General Hospital was in-charge of the management of the patients.

Then some protocols were made for people to follow. First we had to train our people, all medical personnel in the state were trained..

We brought out all those in the private sector and started training them in the management of COVID-19 protocols:

* Washing of hands

* Use of sanitizers

* Wearing of mask

* Maintaining social distance

All of these were mentioned to the people being trained. The training were being replicated  even at the local government areas.

" We came down and formed an E.O.C Emergency Operational Center, where every 4, O Clock, people gathered together to brainstorm on ways of how to manage this disease.

 because Covid-19 patients cannot be treated along with other regular diseased persons.

And E.O.C was advised to be replicated at the primary level, the Local Government level, and Local Government  Chairmen were given the authority to be Chairmen of implementation committees in their respective Local Government Areas. So we started all of these, we quickly also provided a quarantine center.

People were asked to isolate  themselves in their homes, they that were not able to properly isolate themselves were taken to quarantine centers. Government made provisions at quarantine centers in Yenagoa.  Also, a place was designated to collect samples from people who came down with the symptoms of the disease. Those who had symptoms like:

* Fever, lose of appetite, sorethroath, lose of smell, and body pain.samples were collected and we were going to Benin, because we had no center of our own. And from time to time patients were taken there. Those who turned to be positive were sent to the isolation centers treatments follow immediately.

Ques: Ministries of the state Civil Service were almost closed down, what informed that decision?

Ans: We noticed that, and as prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO), we knew that the disease because of its level of infectivity does not encourage a group of people gathering together in a place, and the state government now said, because of that reason those who are at level 01-12 should stay at home to reduce gathering of large number of people in a place. Uptil now they have not been called back, we are considering the possibility of calling them back to work. The decision was informed by the fact that the disease spread so fast when people gather together in a place.

And if you noticed, we have many of those people in the work force. So, goverment now decided and said, Yes! Go home, we are going to pay your salaries and uptil now they have been at home.

It was a.wise.decision taken by the management team in the ministries so that we.don't unnecessarily infest ourselves, and even take it back to our homes.

Ques: When the Government ordered the lockdown, what.steps were taken to chushion the effect of their hardship?

Ans: You know we were one of the earliest states to start lockdown as.a.way to mitigate the spread of the disease, and you can see that all of it has come down well with us, and at a point the Churches were asked to close. There was no Church service and markets were also destroyed, illegal structures where people use to hang out and form a crowd were also.destroyed. All of it were means to mitigate the spread of the disease. Two major markets were brought to size. Illegal structures where all manner of people congregate to gossip and talk were destroyed, and people were asked to vacate all those places.

Ques: How many times did this state government give palliatives to cushion the suffering of the lockeddown masses, and how did they feel?

Ans: I was not involved, because I was in-charge of identifying who were really sick and see that they were properly treated and discharged. But I know that Government made provision, large amount of money was provided for the purchase of palliatives: rice, garri etc and they were given out according to Local Government Areas, and people became excited and on the side of government, we actually saw that COVID-19 can be pursued and driven out of our state, and we are very happy because we were able to  reduce its level of infectivity, as people were restricted to their houses.

 Concerned with the welfare of the masses the state government assisted them with palliatives while they stayed at home to.get foof to eat. So, a lot of people were quite excited and happy.about it.

Ques: Just for the purposes of records, can you mention names of members of the COVID-19 Committee of the State?

Ans: I wouldn't go into that, it's quite an extensive one. We  had.two Committees: the implementating Committee, multi-sectoral Committee where the Governor himself is.the Chairman, am co-Chair with him. Then the implementating Committee, I am solly the Chairman. Then we have sub- implementing Committee on Security, manned by Sparrow Jack, a retired Commissioner of Police, a very intelligent and proactive man, they are basically in-charge of enforcement of all the policies that we had put in place viz. closing down of Churches. ...we set up a monitoring Committee especially for Churches on Sundays and also for the Mosques on Fridays to see if they are adhearing to the principles and protocols of COVID-19.

So, all of those things are going-on, the implementing Committee was formed basically by those who volunteered. And it was the volunteers that we used at the entry points to screen those who were coming in.

In the course of all these we discovered that a lot of people from the North who really had nothing to do in the State were coming in their numbers. When we identified those group of people we asked them to go back.

But at the border those who were carrying essentials; food items, drugs and water were allowed to come in after being screened. That was how we operated until this time. So far...we had total number of 5000 samples collected from people for screening. A total of confirmed cases, we had about 339 persons screened and confirmed positive. Out of this number 284 had been treated well and discharged. Over 90% of our patients went back home well.

unfortunately we lost 21 persons.

Cut-in, did we lose some of our prominent persons too?

Ans: Yes, very prominent persons also died. Chief Dokpola and Dr. Kosipre who was CMD of Hospitals Management Board died because of it. It's unfortunate, it happened. That is the sad end of it, we are still working to see that Bayelsa is free. It's still ongoing, all the protocols are still being observed. We have seen that COVID-19 itself is easing out that's why the Governor has graciously permitted the worship of middle services in all of the Churches and even amongst Moslems...

So far so good, we have done very well, the state also had done very well, the implementating Committee and every other team have done well.

Ques: You said, the state Government, and all the Committees have done well, what do you have to say about the Governor and you, talking about relationship in the COVID-19 battle in the state?

Ans: I have a very free access to him, he personally goes to the entry points to see how we are doing the screening, and to be sure that people are there at all times doing their normal works in terms of enforcement and implementation of the protocols that had been prescribed for the management of COVID-19.

So, he had been very supportive every point and time. He always want to know what we are doing or had done. We never lacked any material to work with. His disposition had been quite encouraging, like am telling you, I had undisturbed access, any time I call, he picks my calls and we discussed modalities of how to go about it...

Ques: Let's talk about the re-opening of schools, what are the modalities?

Ans: The Governor in following the trend has come to realize that infectivity had reduced, plus or minus, for weeks, we've not had any case. He said, this is the time we should talk about opening of schools.

And as a.very proactive Governor, he just didn't want to say: schools be re-opened, No! He first consulted with the management team, the medical team and they gave him a very wise counsel and invited those who are in the public service, as well the Ministry of Education to come in and we instituted a training.

A one day training for trainers who would go down to the Local Government Areas to Cascade the form of training, they had in the LGAS. Training is all about the protocols of COVID-19.

A monitoring team had also been constituted to ensure compliance.

Golden Pen: Thank you, Mr. Chairman for being with us.

Dr. Apoku. Thank you!