The 27th edition of the annual Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) sports competition got underway on Tuesday evening at the Samson Siasia sports complex, Yenagoa, with courts and other judicial bodies at both the Federal and States level competing. Declaring the Games open on Tuesday evening, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Mohammed, urged judicial workers to be actively involved in sports, to avert health challenges given the sedentary nature of their jobs. Our correspondent reports that this is the first time the fiesta is holding in Bayelsa and being hosted by the Bayelsa state judiciary.Represented by the Chief Judge of Bayelsa, Justice Kate Abiri, the CJN urged states’ judiciary to take the competition seriously, urging participants to also exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship.Earlier, President of the National Sports Association for Judiciary, Mr Emeka Ndili, applauded Bayelsa for hosting the event, expressing the hope that the competition would be memorable.In his remarks, Gov. Douye Diri, represented by the Secretary to the state government, Konbowei Benson, pledged the Administration’s readiness to invest in sport development, given the huge achievements recorded by the state’s athletes in various sporting competitions.The opening ceremony featured a colourful march past by the participating teams with the National Judicial Institute emerging winners, clinching the first medal of the competition.In the opening football match, hosts Team Bayelsa upset the Supreme Court Team by a lone goal.NAN reports that the participating judicial bodies, affiliated courts and states’ Judiciary are taking part in 11 sporting events at the Fiesta, billed to end on Sept. 30.
Tag: Bayelsa
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Bayelsa APC Chieftain Salute Buhari, Sylva, NAS Over PIB Bill
Amgbare Ekaunkumo,Yenagoa
The pioneer Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva and members of the National Assembly for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
Oruminighe in a statement he signed in Yenagoa on Friday and said the feat, which came after many failed attempts, that spanned over 20 years, was worthy of celebration.
Describing Sylva as a tactician and silent achiever, the APC stalwart, said when signed into law by President Muhammdu Buhari, the passed PIB would open a new chapter in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
He said that the passage of the PIB would raise investments in the sector, increase the revenue base of the country, and increase community participation, inclusion and development.
Oruminighe noted that Sylva had worked tirelessly to reverse the negative trends in the oil and gas sector, increased premiums in the gas sub -sector, opened up the African market to collaborative backward and forward integration in products development and sales since his emergence as a minister.
He said Sylva also facilitated the take-off of the Train – 07 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project in Bonny, Rivers State adding that the signing of the Investment Decision for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery, the Brass LNG Project, the renewed push for Local Content development and management amongst others set Sylva apart from many others before him.
Orunimighe commended President Muhammdu Buhari for giving Sylva the necessary support and latitude to turn around the oil and gas sector and urged the President to sign the PIB into law and put his name in the hearts of the people of the Niger Delta region.
He further commended the 9th National Assembly, led Sen. Ahmed Lawan for the boldness and commitment to the passage of the PIB.
Orunimighe profound commendations to the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, the Speaker, House of Representatives, all senators and members of the House of Representatives for their zeal and robust engagements that culminated in the passage of the PIB.
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Diri awards scholarship to Bayelsa 2nd first class law graduate
.. Bags NYSC Presidential honorees
Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has offered scholarship to another first class law graduate from the state, Miss Pere Esther Amazige.
Miss Amazige, who graduated from the Rivers State University in Port Harcourt, is the second female Law graduate to bag the scholarship after Miss Ebizi Eradiri that had a double First Class at the Niger Delta University and the Nigerian Law School.
Senator Diri made the offer on Tuesday while receiving Miss Amazige and her mother, Mrs Joy Amazige, in Government House, Yenagoa.
The governor, who assured her of his administration’s preparedness to sponsor her education up to doctorate level in any university of her choice within and outside the country, congratulated her for achieving the feat against all odds.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri saluted Amazige’s courage and resilience, pointing out that she was not deterred from achieving her dreams by her father’s death.
His words: “You have a lot of offers in the United Kingdom to go for your Master degree. Let me on behalf of the government declare that your admission in or outside the country will be taken over by the state government even up to Ph.D level.
“I use this opportunity to advise our young ones not to be discouraged by the circumstances they find themselves. Esther lost her father while in secondary school. Nothing can stop you when you are determined to achieve your dreams.
“Let Esther be your role model. With all the daunting challenges she and her mother faced, she remained focused and today we are celebrating her success. I urge the youths to learn from her success story.
He charged Miss Amazige to continue to be of good conduct and ambassador of the state and the country.
In his introductory remarks, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), described Miss Amazige as an intelligent and promising young girl, who bagged First Class in 2018 but narrowly missed replicating it at the Nigeria Law School.
In her remarks, Miss Amazige expressed gratitude to the governor for the opportunity to advance her education, saying her academic success was in fulfillment of her determination to make her late father proud.
She said she already had five admission offers for a Master programme abroad and promised to fly the flag of the state and the country high at all times.
In a related development, Governor Diri also hosted three Bayelsans that are recipients of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Presidential Honours Award.
The 2018/2019 presidential awardees are Dr Anointed Bagiri Riches, Engr. Abbott Temple Olotu and Bodisere Blessing Isaac.
He appreciated the awardees for positively promoting the image of Bayelsa at their places of primary assignment during their service year.
He noted that their feat was proof that given the opportunity and right environment, the youths of the state can compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.
His words: “That is why we keep preaching that the youths of Bayelsa are not lazy. The youths of Bayelsa are brilliant and can compete with anybody anywhere. You have just proven that to be part of the honorees of the President.”
He noted that the feat would spur other Bayelsa youths to excel.
While presenting the recipients, the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Gentle Emelah, stated that two of them were graduates of the state-owned Niger Delta University while the third graduated from the Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro.
*Receives NYSC Presidential HonoreesBayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has offered scholarship to another first class law graduate from the state, Miss Pere Esther Amazige.
Miss Amazige, who graduated from the Rivers State University in Port Harcourt, is the second female Law graduate to bag the scholarship after Miss Ebizi Eradiri that had a double First Class at the Niger Delta University and the Nigerian Law School.
Senator Diri made the offer on Tuesday while receiving Miss Amazige and her mother, Mrs Joy Amazige, in Government House, Yenagoa.
The governor, who assured her of his administration’s preparedness to sponsor her education up to doctorate level in any university of her choice within and outside the country, congratulated her for achieving the feat against all odds.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri saluted Amazige’s courage and resilience, pointing out that she was not deterred from achieving her dreams by her father’s death.
His words: “You have a lot of offers in the United Kingdom to go for your Master degree. Let me on behalf of the government declare that your admission in or outside the country will be taken over by the state government even up to Ph.D level.
“I use this opportunity to advise our young ones not to be discouraged by the circumstances they find themselves. Esther lost her father while in secondary school. Nothing can stop you when you are determined to achieve your dreams.
“Let Esther be your role model. With all the daunting challenges she and her mother faced, she remained focused and today we are celebrating her success. I urge the youths to learn from her success story.
He charged Miss Amazige to continue to be of good conduct and ambassador of the state and the country.
In his introductory remarks, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), described Miss Amazige as an intelligent and promising young girl, who bagged First Class in 2018 but narrowly missed replicating it at the Nigeria Law School.
In her remarks, Miss Amazige expressed gratitude to the governor for the opportunity to advance her education, saying her academic success was in fulfillment of her determination to make her late father proud.
She said she already had five admission offers for a Master programme abroad and promised to fly the flag of the state and the country high at all times.
In a related development, Governor Diri also hosted three Bayelsans that are recipients of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Presidential Honours Award.
The 2018/2019 presidential awardees are Dr Anointed Bagiri Riches, Engr. Abbott Temple Olotu and Bodisere Blessing Isaac.
He appreciated the awardees for positively promoting the image of Bayelsa at their places of primary assignment during their service year.
He noted that their feat was proof that given the opportunity and right environment, the youths of the state can compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.
His words: “That is why we keep preaching that the youths of Bayelsa are not lazy. The youths of Bayelsa are brilliant and can compete with anybody anywhere. You have just proven that to be part of the honorees of the President.”
He noted that the feat would spur other Bayelsa youths to excel.
While presenting the recipients, the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Gentle Emelah, stated that two of them were graduates of the state-owned Niger Delta University while the third graduated from the Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro.
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Gov Diri Commends VSF For Projects In Bayelsa
Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has lauded the Victims Support Fund (VSF) for the execution of projects in selected schools in the state.
Speaking in his office in Government House, Yenagoa, when he received representatives of the VSF, Governor Diri described the projects as timely and a welcome development, noting that Nigeria needed such initiatives to move the country forward.
A press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that Bayelsa was not as rich as being perceived and would therefore need the support of agencies like the VSF to meet its developmental needs.
The governor commended former President Goodluck Jonathan for setting up the VSF and expressed delight that it has been sustained and is meeting the needs of ordinary Nigerians.
He remarked that with bodies like the VSF bringing succour to people of the country, agitations against inequality and injustice would reduce.
His words: “Private initiatives like this that support and bring succour to our people are lacking in this country. I am glad that this initiative started when our leader and son was president of this country and it is not dead. This is certainly one of the testimonies of the former president, Goodluck Jonathan.
“I appeal to you and our leader, General (Theophilus) Danjuma (rtd), to see Bayelsa as one of your own and take it as a priority that in all you are doing Bayelsa should be among one of the first states you have as a priority.
“On behalf of the government and people of the state, I appreciate you for what you have done in our state because it takes effort and commitment to travel round Nigeria not minding the risk you are taking.”
While urging the VSF not to relent in providing basic amenities to people of the country, Governor Diri appealed for more infrastructure support for the state.
Earlier, chairperson of the COVID-19 Taskforce of the VSF, Mrs. Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, said they were in the state to inaugurate three borehole projects executed by the VSF in selected schools.
She listed Community Secondary School, Otuoke, Community Secondary School, Sagbama and Kaiama High School as the three beneficiary schools, which she said would also receive other sanitation consumables.
Mrs. Akerele-Ogunsiji remarked that the mandate of the VSF is to provide more enduring support, specifically sanitation facilities, to ensure that COVID-19 protocols were maintained.
She expressed appreciation to the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Pabara Igwele, for his support to the team, describing him as the promise of the future of Bayelsa.
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Bayelsa Police nabbed two varsity students with revolver pistol
By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Operatives of operation Puff adder in Bayelsa State say they have arrested two students of the State owned Niger Delta University for unlawful possession of a Revolver Pistol and Cultism.
Asinim Butswat, the Police Public Relations Officer (SP), stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Yenagoa.
He said the suspects had allegedly confessed to being members of Viking confraternity.
The police image maker said, the suspects, Joshua Daniel ‘m’ 23 years, 300 level student of Economics Department and Kevin Are ‘m’ 21 years, 200 level student of Department of Mechanical Engineering were arrested at Amassoma Jetty, on 16 March, 2021, at about 0300 hours, in possession of a Revolver Pistol.
He noted that, the suspects are assisting the Police with useful information to aid investigation after which they would be charged to court for prosecution.
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Better days ahead, Gov. Diri tells Bayelsans
Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has urged people of the state to look forward to better days ahead as they celebrate Christmas festivities. The governor charged them not to be discouraged by the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and the attendant economic challenges. Diri, who said these in his Christmas message on Friday, expressed the optimism that despite the challenges of the moment, there were better days ahead.
Daybreak reports that Christmas is celebrated worldwide, to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.Diri urged the people to reflect on the message of the birth of Jesus, which is about love, peace and hope.“For a world in need of healing and encouragement, the entire Christmas story is a harbinger of love, peace and hope.“Bayelsa State, like much of the world, is also facing demanding times. But God has kept us through this difficult situation and season.“More than at any other time, as we commemorate the birth of Jesus, we ought to take a moment to reflect and appreciate the fact that there is still hope of good tidings ahead of us as a people and as a state,” he said.
The governor stated that despite the disruption and the hardship during the year, the promise of prosperity for everyone in Bayelsa still endures.“Indeed, the prosperity of Bayelsa State is not negotiable,” he said.Diri also said that “for Bayelsa, this should be a season of gratitude and thanksgiving considering the gloom in the state at this time a year ago.
“We have much to be thankful for. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic was relatively mild in our state.“The peace and security paradigm has significantly improved and we just had an incident-free senatorial bye-election, devoid of bloodletting.“That is why I am fully persuaded that better days are ahead of us. Life will return to normal, and by this time next year, when we congregate again to enjoy the festivities with our loved ones, things would have improved.“I am confident that the Lord will keep us all till then,” he said.He also urged those that are privileged to be mindful of the people having tough time coping with harsh conditions, and to extend their generosity and goodwill to as many as possible.
“This is not only in consonance with the true spirit of Christmas, but encapsulates the character and nature of the average Bayelsan.“Let us also endeavour to celebrate responsibly and carefully and avoid acts that endanger our lives and that of our loved ones while observing the COVID-19 protocols at all times,” Diri said.
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Gov. Diri appoints BBNaija star Nengi as his Senior Special Assistant and Face of Bayelsa
Governor Duoye Diri has appointed BBNaija Star, Nengi, as his Senior Special Assistant on Girl Child .
This was announced during her visit to the state governor in his office this morning November 6.
Nengi was also announced as the Face of Bayelsa state. Her fellow former housemate in the BBNaija lockdown house, Neo, who is currently in Bayelsa with her, shared the good news on his Twitter handle. He wrote;“Omo my girl oo.. Senior Special Assistant to the Governor and Face of Bayelsa State. Congrats my sister @nengiofficial”
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BREAKING: Supreme Court strikes out Bayelsa suit against Rivers on Soku oilfield
The Supreme Court has struck out a suit against Rivers filed by the Bayelsa Government over the disputed Soku oilfield.
The court said Bayelsa was liable to abuse of court processes by asking it to make judicial pronouncements on a matter that the Court of Appeal had yet to adjudicate on.
Bayelsa approached the Supreme Court after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered it to refund the 13 percent derivation it had received over the years from the disputed Soku oilfield to Rivers.
The Special Assistant, Media to Rivers Governor, Kelvin Ebiri, in a statement, said at the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, Justice Ngwuta, who led a panel of seven justices, wondered why Bayelsa decided to file a suit at the apex court bypassing the Court of Appeal.
Ngwuta observed that Bayelsa jumped the gun insisting that the apex court could not make pronouncement on a judgment that was given by a Federal High Court when the appellate court had not entertained the matter.
He explained the Supreme Court lacks the jurisdiction to make orders on on a matter directly coming from the High Court and asked to take its grievances to the Court of Appeal.
The Bayelsa State government through its Lawyer, Kemsauode Wodu, applied for a formal withdrawal of the suit and it was struck out by the Supreme Court.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had while delivering judgement in a suit filed by the Attorney-General of Rivers State against the National Boundary Commission, had declared that the Soku oilfields belonged to Rivers.
Ekwo noted the failure and refusal of the National Boundary Commission to rectify the admitted mistake in the 11th edition of the administrative map of Nigeria since 2002, which erroneously showed St Batholomew River instead of River Santa Barbara as the interstate Boundary between Rivers and Bayelsa States ,was a breach of commission’s statutory duty and a flagrant disobedience of the order of the Supreme Court contained in its judgment delivered on October 10, 2012.
The judge explained the continued reliance on the said defective 11th edition of the administrative map of Nigeria by the other government agencies/statutory bodies, particularly, the Revenue Mobilisation , Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the Accountant General of the Federation in the computation of revenue accruable to Rivers from the Federation Account resulted in the continued unjust denial of derivation funds accruing from the Soku oil wells situate within Rivers State to the detriment of the state government.
Ekwo directed that notice be served of the decision of the Court on the RMAFC and the Accountant General of the Federation.
The judge said the National Boundary Commission (NBC) could not unilaterally delineate boundaries between Rivers and Bayelsa after the Supreme Court judgment on the matter and also dismissed an objection to the suit raised by the NBC.
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BREAKING: Tribunal voids Bayelsa’s Governorship election
The Bayelsa Governorship Election Tribunal has nullified the election that produced candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP), Senator Duoye Diri as Governor.
The three-member panel held the election was unlawful due to the exclusion of Action Democratic Party (ADP) and its candidate, King George from the November 16, 2019 governorship election.
The tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye election within 90 days.
Details shortly…
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Resident doctors in Bayelsa yet to suspend strike
Resident doctors at the Bayelsa State Government owned Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH), Okolobiri, have yet to resume from the indefinite strike suspended on Sunday by their national body.
The leadership of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) had on Sunday directed its members across the country to resume work as the Federal Government said it has cleared outstanding hazard allowances, among other demands.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NDUTH hosts the 100-bed capacity COVID-19 isolation centre located at the outskirts of Yenagoa, the state capital.
The rising spread of confirmed cases to 169 from 130 in Bayelsa with less than 200 bed isolation capacity has raised concerns of an impending crisis in the coming days.
Dr. Olu Inestol, the President of NDUTH chapter of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), told NAN on telephone on Monday that members of the association were still on strike.
“We cannot resume work yet like our counterparts in Federal Government establishments who are being paid the promised hazard allowances, but the same cannot be said for us at the state level.
“As we speak, nothing has been done about our own at NDUTH and that is why we cannot return to work, the strike therefore continues,” Inestol said.
However, at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa some resident doctors were seen at their duty posts attending to patients’ haven complied with the directive on the nationwide strike suspension.
Dr. Divine Irole, the President of ARD in the hospital, told NAN that the doctors have returned to work as directed.
She however said that her members were still to be paid the hazard allowances as announced and were still awaiting its implementation.
The hospital premises were scanty as few patients were seen around.