PDP GOVERNORS' FORUM

Posted by Admin All is now set for the hosting of the maiden edition of Akwa Ibom State Education Summit, tagged Human Capacity Development for Sustainable Transformation of Persons and Society" and scheduled for Thursday 5th through Friday 6th of September, 2019 at Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio Auditorium, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo . The Summit is targeted at creating an environment for developing the minds of Akwa Ibom people to enable them assimilate the various developmental programmes and projects of the state administration in the education sector. Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, stated this during his interaction with Government House Correspondents at his office. He emphasised that education plays a sustainable role in the transformation of a given society, adding that the state government cannot afford to toy with the human capacity development of it citizens, hence the convocation of the summit to chat a way forward for the education sec...

By Pat PA Okon Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade, has returned six primary schools to the original owners, the Catholic Church. The affected schools, which are located in the three senatorial zones of the State, are Sacred Heart Primary School, Calabar; St. Mary's Primary School and its convent school, Calabar and St. Peter's Primary School, Ekpene Tete, Akpabuyo. Others are St. Benedict's Primary School, Igoli, Ogoja; St. Joseph's Primary School Idum, Mbube, Ogoja, in the Northern Senatorial Zone and St. Eugene's Primary School, Ochon, Obubra in the Central Senatorial District of the State. Announcing the decision to handover the schools at the State Executive Chamber, Calabar, Governor Ayade said that the government was left with no choice other than to return the schools to their original owners. The Governor said that he had no doubt that the church will bring standard to bear on the running of the schools. According to Ayade, "The wa...

By Tony Okechukwu Zamfara State Governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has approved with immediate effect,  the construction of 14 Primary Health Care centres and the renovation of some of the existing ones by the Local Government Council Chairmen in their respective Local Government Areas. The Governor's approval was to improve the standard of the State health care facilities at all levels, especially at the rural areas, and have  modern hospitals with facilities that will provide quality health care delivery to the people of the areas, especially women and children. Other approvals given by the Governor include the construction of befitting housing accommodation for Local Government staff, that will be located in all the 14 government headquarters in the State, with the view of improving the living standards of Local Government staff and their families. The Governor also approved the reconstruction of all the 14 Local Government Council secretariats to be of the same ...

By Tony Okechukwu The Sokoto State Government, Thursday, stopped the N8m fumigation exercise launched by his predecessor, Senator Aliyu  Magatakarda Wamakko, to tackle malaria in the State. Wamakko (APC, Sokoto North) had on Wednesday flagged off the exercise in the State. The State’s Ministry of Health, in a statement, Thursday, by one of its directors, Muslim Adamu Gobir, said that the decision to stop the exercise was taken in the best interest of the public. According to the statement, “The sprayed chemicals may be hazardous and can lead to poisonous inhalation and consequently becomes toxic among the people". "To safeguard the health security of the public, henceforth, no person or group of persons should carry out any chemical spray without the consent of the ministry. "The Ministry in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment constituted a high powered public and environmental inspectors to go round and apprehend anybody found carrying out such ille...

By Tony Okechukwu Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has declared that his administration is committed to creating access to basic  education for rural and oceanic communities of the State. Speaking during a courtesy visit by the World Bank Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) on Thursday , Governor Wike said  that the State Government embarked on the reconstruction and furnishing of rural schools to encourage parents to send their children  to school. He said: "In the last four years, we have reconstructed and furnished 253 basic schools in the State.  These schools are located mainly in the rural and oceanic areas". "We reconstructed and furnished these schools to give our children  access  to quality education". Governor Wike explained that his administration abolished every form of fees in primary, junior and secondary schools to encourage parents to educate  their children. "I have abolished every  form of p...

By Tony Okechukwu Delta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated sprint star, Raymond Ekevwo, for emerging Africa's fastest man at the ongoing 2019 All African Games in Rabat, Morocco. Ekevwo, a Deltan, ran his all-time personal best of 9.96 seconds to win the men’s 100m event at the Games on Tuesday. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, on Wednesday in Asaba, Okowa commended 20-year-old Ekevwo who hails from Agadama community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the State, for making Delta and Nigeria proud. He noted that the athlete is a product of the State Government’s constant and huge investment in sports development. According to the Governor, over the years, the State Government has done well in positioning its youths to excel in sports, with the provision sporting facilities across the State. "On behalf of the Government and people of Delta, I congratulate an illustrious son of the State, Raymond Ekevwo, on his ...

Posted By Pat PA Okon Three frontline Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants in Bayelsa State have pledged that their administration would give priority consideration to sports development. The aspirants, Senator Douye Diri, Dr. Nimibofa Ayawei and Barr. Kemela Okara, who are all seeking the sole ticket of their party to contest the November 16 governorship election, made the promise when organisers of the Restoration Cup presented the tournament's branded jerseys to them.  PDP Governorship Aspirant, Sen. Douye Diri, (middle); flanked by the Director General of the Restoration Cup Football Tournament, Mr. Ono K. Akpe (right); and Restoration Cup Tournament Director, Hon. Daniel Alabrah, during the official presentation of the Restoration Cup Jersey for the 3rd edition of the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson Football Tournament "Restoration Cup 2019"  Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, and PDP Governorship Aspirant, His Excellency, Rear Admiral Gbor...

By Pat PA Okon Governor of Cross River State, Sir Benedict Ayade, KSJ, is set to appoint about 70 Special Advisers (SAs) to assist in the running of his second term administration as the State House of Assembly, Wednesday, granted him a consequential approval for the said exercise. Though on recess, the Assembly’s emergency plenary of Wednesday was preempted by a request from the Governor, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Innocent E. Eteng, appealing the House for a go-ahead on the appointment exercise. Following a motion by the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, and seconded by the Deputy Leader, Rt. Hon. Fredrick Osim, the House unanimously resolved for the Governor to proceed in the process, stating that the approval was necessary to allow for the Governor to constitute a team to co-pilot his second term administration. The House further advised His Excellency to consider all 25 State Constituencies in the appoi...

By Pat PA Okon Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has accused multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta of funding “terrorism, criminality and breakdown of law and order". He alleged that oil pipeline surveillance contracts awarded by the oil firms were foundational to the security threats in the region. A statement issued on Thursday, Dickson’s Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the  Governor to have said this on Wednesday, during the inauguration of the 'Rise for Bayelsa Campaign'. The campaign, according to Alabrah, is aimed at attracting global attention to the ravaging effects of oil spillage, pollution and environmental degradation in Bayelsa State.  The Governor was quoted as saying, “They (oil firms) are not only polluting our land, creeks, waterways and communities, they are also taking their terrorist and criminal activities to a frightening level". "These cases of killings during elections,...

… says poor remuneration dangerous to anti-graft war By Tony Okechukwu Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has declared his readiness to tackle poor remuneration in the State’s civil service, stating that poor remuneration packages could be counterproductive to anti-corruption initiatives. The Governor, who was quoted as making the assertions while addressing the newly sworn-in Commissioners in the State reiterated his commitment towards finding a lasting solution to the issue of poor remuneration in the civil service. The Governor stated that under his leadership, it would be business unusual, as he would do everything possible to ensure that workers in the State were not exposed to the temptations of corruption. The Governor said: “We do have challenges and I can give you an example of the kind of issues that we are faced with. When I was on the podium being sworn-in, I announced that I was donating my salary to the pension board. I actually thought my salary was ...

By Tony Okechukwu Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has stated that the establishment  of State Police will go a long way to resolving the current security challenges facing  the country. Governor Wike said that the present security structure makes it difficult  for the Federal Police to respond quickly  to security challenges. He spoke on Wednesday when he granted  audience to the United Nations  Special Rapporteur on Human Rights , Ms. Callamard Agnes, at the Government House Port Harcourt. He said: "We believe that there should be State Police for us to effectively  fight crime in the country. Our system is fashioned towards the United States, which has Federal, State and Local Police. Each of them have their responsibilities. "In the present situation, if a crime is committed, the Commissioner of Police will first report to the Inspector General of Police, before taking any action". Governor Wike told the United Nations de...

By Tony Okechukwu Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said that the development of the State is a collective responsibility that should not be hindered by personal, ethnic, religious or political leaning. The Governor stated this on Wednesday in Asaba, when members of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers led by their Chairman, the Obi of Owa, Emmanuel Efeizomor II, visited him, and urged Deltans to be passionate about the development of the State. He said that citizens of the State owed it the duty to contribute to its development, and called on them to use the opportunities available now to impact positively on the lives of the people. Okowa assured that his administration would remain focused and pursue programmes that would attract investors, adding that Delta State was a peaceful State open for investment. He commended the traditional rulers for their contributions toward the realization of prevailing peace in the State. “Traditional rulers in this Stat...

...Charges him to maintain already achieved success and standard. By Pat PA Okon The Bayelsa State Governor, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, on Tuesday tasked the newly sworn-in Chairman of the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission, BYSIEC, Hon. Ball Oyarede, to carry out his responsibilities with firmness and integrity. The Governor charged the new BYSIEC boss to ensure that the success and high standard of the commission was maintained through the conduct of credible, free and fair elections. A statement by the Special Adviser to the governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted him as having said this on Tuesday shortly after the swearing-in ceremony in Government House, Yenagoa. Governor Dickson who extolled the leadership qualities of Hon. Oyarede said the Bayelsa state Electoral body is now complete and stronger to deliver in its duties to the state. He also commended the former acting Chairman, Hon. Remember Ogbe, and members of the Commi...

By Tony Okechukwu The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has urged Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku to appoint its members into his incoming cabinet, as reciprocation for the support given him during his re-election bid. Felicitating with the Governor on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the creation of Taraba, Tuesday in Jalingo, the spokesperson of the group in the State, Joachim Dangana, implored the chief celebrant to fulfil his campaign promise of providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths. He charged members of the National Assembly to prioritise people-oriented laws and eschew acts capable of making them beggars before the executive arm of government. The youths applauded past Governors for their contributions to the development of the State.

By Tony Okechukwu Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has stated that his administration is committed  to making Rivers people happy  through  the continuous execution of pro-people projects. Governor Wike also announced  that the Rivers State Government will employ  additional 450 youths to strengthen the Task Force on Street Trading, Illegal Markets and Motor Parks in the bid to clean up Port Harcourt. Speaking after inspecting projects  that will be commissioned during his first 100 days for the second term on Tuesday, Governor Wike assured Rivers people that he will work  diligently to surpass his first term achievements. He said: "I believe that when we celebrate our first 100 days of our second term, the people  will know that we are still working". "I know that Rivers people will be happy at the end of the day. They  will see that we have continued  to deliver  on our campaign promises". Gov...

By Tony Okechukwu Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, said on Monday that he has always been in constant communication with his predecessor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, over the past administration’s policies in the overall interest of the people. Makinde spoke yesterday while playing host to a delegation from Foursquare Gospel Church, which visited him in his office in Ibadan. He said that it was the responsibility of any administration to provide good governance, adding that his government would not hesitate to sustain any good policy of his predecessor in a bid to enhance the living standard of the people. The Governor said that he won the election without godfathers, adding that this had helped his administration to stabilise. Congratulating the church on the successful election that brought about the new leadership of the church, Makinde said that politicians and election management bodies have something to learn from the Foursquare Church on the peaceful conduct of electio...

By Tony Okechukwu The Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has flagged off the construction of 13.5bn rural road projects. The World Bank assisted Rural Access and Moblity Project (RAMP) include 380.7 kilometers of rural road across the 27 Local Government Areas of the State. Speaking at the flag off at Onuimo, Isu and Mbaitoli LGAs of the State, Governor Ihedioha assured the readiness of his administration to partner development agencies for the betterment of the State. The Governor said that he approved the swift payment of the counterpart fund to activate the project upon assumption of office. The Imo State Governor, who decried the poor state of roads in the State, said that the project will boost agriculture and socio-economic development in the State, and reduce rural urban migration. In his words, "As soon we assumed office, the RAMP project attracted our attention, and so came under review. Our task teams and committees analyzed the program and its processe...

By Admin The Governor Henry Seriake Dickson-led Restoration Group has swept the national delegates election of the Peoples Democratic Party in all the eight local Government Areas òf Bayelsa State. The Restoration Team had earlier overran the Timi Alaibe Campaign Organisation and other non Restoration aspirants of the party in three-man Ward Delegates Congress organized by the Governor òf Ebonyi State, Chief Dave Umahi, on Saturday. The Ward delegates who were elected on Saturday participated alongside other stakeholders to elect the national delegates of the party in the election organized by the Deputy Governor òf Abia State,  Dr. Ude Oko Chukwu, the Bayelsa State National Delegates Returning Officer Monday. All the ward delegates assembled at the respective local government headquarters to join other stakeholders of the party to elect the national delegates from the local government areas. A critical analysis of the list showed that over 90 per cent of the na...

…says Oyo is ready for agribusiness By Pat PA Okon Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has announced the revocation of the Moniya-Iseyin road contract awarded during the administration of the immediate past government for the sum of N7 billion. Governor Makinde, who made the disclosure while speaking at the launch of a $5 million Agribusiness Project Initiative by Farmcrowdy, said that the road was central to the government's resolve to promote agribusiness. According to him, the previous government awarded the contract to an Engineering firm that did not have capacity to handle the project, adding that even though the owner of the firm was known to him, he could not mix friendship with the business of governance. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the Governor as saying that the contract was revoked to enable him address the challenges of moving farm produce around the State. The Governor added that the State Go...

By Tony Okechukwu Delta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated Deltans on the 28th anniversary of the creation of the State. In a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the Governor thanked the people of the State for their resilience, patience, cooperation and support to all administrations that had governed the State in the last 28 years. He assured that his administration would continue to build on the gains recorded by his predecessors, in order to create a stronger Delta . Felicitating with citizens of the State on the anniversary, the Governor said "Our beloved State has continued to blossom in spite of challenges confronting us as a people". "My administration appreciates Deltans for their resilience and peaceful co-existence among us". "In the last four years that we have been on the saddle, we have continued to build on the gains recorded by our predecessors, and I assure you that better ...

By Tony Okechukwu Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Monday, harped on the need to depoliticize the fight against corruption in the country. He also said that the best way of fighting corruption is through strengthening institutions. Tambuwal stated this at the  signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Sokoto State Government and the United Nations (UN), on the 2019 UN Sustainable Development Partnership Framework plan at the Government House in Sokoto. The initiative was also launched. "We need to depoliticize the fight against corruption, it should be holistic, not selective prosecution by a section with political powers",  he said. He advocated separation between the Office of Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and that of the Minister of Justice for the fight against corruption to succeed in the country. The Governor expressed support to efforts towards strengthening democracy and good governance in the country. Tambuwal, who is the Vice C...

By Pat PA Okon Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, Monday, held a meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Alexey L.Shebarshin at the Russian Embassy in Abuja. The meeting was focused on improving the following sectors; Agriculture, Health, and Solid Minerals, as well as Education. The Ambassador said that the Russian Government is ready to partner with the Zamfara State Government to work in collaboration, so as to assist the present government in improving the state economy, as well as create wealth among the citizens of the State. He added that his country, which specialises in minerals exploration and excavation, will provide Zamfara State with expertise that will enhance the State's economy for global marketing . He also extended an invitation to the Governor on the upcoming, first Russia/Africa Union  Summit on October, 24-25,2019, which will focus on fostering economic, political and cultural cooperation. He further said that during the summit,...

- Workers storm the streets over non-payment of salaries - Take case to Gov. Emmanuel Posted by Admin Workers at the State-owned primary mortgage institution; Akwa Savings and Loans Limited (ASLL) on Monday protested the non-payment of their salaries and arrears. The angry workers, numbering at least 70, locked the main gate to the headquarters of the financial institution on Abak Road, chanting various solidarity songs. Some of the inscriptions on their placards read: "Akwa Savings must not go down, Gov Udom act now",  "Gov. Udom, Please Come to our aid" among others. The protesters called on the relevant government agencies to compel debtors of the bank to pay up and begged for government intervention in the payment of their salaries. Earlier in 2016, the bank had published names of her major debtors including Hon. Michael Enyong - a two-time representative of Uyo Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Emem and Sons Limited, Senator Emman...

By Tony Okechukwu Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has attacked Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for demolishing the Trans-Amadi Central Mosque in Port Harcourt, the State capital. The mosque was demolished on Tuesday 20th August, 2019 by the Rivers State Government. According to MURIC, the demolition is the most odious and insidious attack on an Islamic landmark in that part of the country in recent times. This was made known to the media in a statement issued on Monday, by the Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola. MURIC said, “This demolition exercise is illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional. It is an exhibition of gross, undiluted Islamophobia and the most odious and insidious attack on an Islamic landmark in that part of the country in recent times. It is another evidence showing that established thugs have seized the reins of power in certain government houses in Nigeria". "Both the Chief Imam of Trans-Amadi Central Mosque, Alhaji Haroon Muhammed a...