PDP GOVERNORS' FORUM

By Tony Okechukwu Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has declared that  many States are being used to fight against Rivers State for the illegal grabbing of the State's oil wells. Commissioning the Dualised/Reconstructed Birabi Street, Elegbam-Rumueme in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Friday,  Governor Wike said that the State has the capacity to resist any form of oil well annexation. He said: "So many States are being used to fight Rivers State to collect our oil Wells. We have the capacity to fight back.  No State will take what belongs to Rivers State". "Whether you are PDP or APC State, anybody who attempts to take what belongs to Rivers, Rivers State will fight back". "This is not a question of party. It is the interest of the State that matters. My interest is Rivers State, not political party. If you are in PDP and you don't love Rivers State, I will not love you. My love for you is based upon your love for Rivers Sta...

By Pat PA Okon Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has commissioned four roads completed as the 1st Phase of Rumuepirikom Internal Roads in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. Shell Location Road, one of the four roads commissioned was renamed Engineer Lawrence Anele Amadi Road by Governor Wike. He spoke on Thursday at the Engineer Lawrence Anele Amadi Road. "We flagged off the construction  of these roads in 2018. This is the first phase of the internal roads of this community". "While I remain as Governor, our community will get its share of projects. This ward is the backbone of PDP in our Local Government Area. They gave us the highest votes during the elections", he said. Governor Wike thanked the people of Rumuepirikom for cooperating with the contractors during the execution of the project. He thanked the Rimuepirikom community for the warm reception accorded to his entourage over the construction of the internal roads. Permanent S...

Delta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated Mr. Azubuike Osumili on his appointment as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Amazing Inspiration Media Limited, owners of Inspiration FM Lagos, Ibadan, Uyo and Lasgidi FM. Okowa said that Osumili, an illustrious Deltan from Umuaja in Ukwuani Local Government Area of the State, was a consummate and award-winning broadcast journalist, media consultant, news personality with over 20 consecutive years as a reporter and editor. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, on Tuesday in Asaba, he lauded Osumili for his professional competence and contributions to the growth and development of the broadcast media in Nigeria. Okowa urged Osumili and other citizens of the State in privileged positions in the media industry, to contribute to the "Stronger Delta" vision of his administration by marketing and attracting investors to the State. "On behalf of the Government and ...

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has sent a message of condolence to the family of Obong Ufot Ekaette, a one-time Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and pioneer Minister of the Ministry of  Niger Delta Affairs. According to a release by his Chief Press Secretary Ekerete Udoh, Governor Emmanuel  celebrated the contributions of the departed Elder Statesman to the development of Akwa Ibom State in particular and Nigeria in general.  “He was a thoroughbred public servant who was transparent, honest and a stickler for excellence, qualities he brought to bear in the execution of the key offices of public trust he held in the course of his illustrious career. "The Government and the people of Akwa Ibom State are grateful for his contributions to the development of our State where he once served as the Deputy Governor. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. He will be greatly missed.”

The management of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has been urged to caution AGIP Petroleum Company from interfering in the forthcoming Bayelsa State Governorship Election scheduled for November 16. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youths, under the aegis of PDP South South Youth Vanguard, made this call Tuesday, less than two months to the state governorship election. The youths said it has become imperative to call on the NNPC because of the implication of AGIP backing a particular candidate in the state election against other candidates. Recall that last week the group had warned AGIP against such move, adding that such action is capable of causing crisis in Bayelsa State. The youths, in a statement by its National Chairman, James Efe Akpofure called on the management of NNPC to take urgent steps in addressing this development. The youths, which had earlier called on the Bayelsa chiefs, elders and stakeholders to warn the oil company to face the business...

Posted By Admin Workers in Akwa Ibom State Civil Service who took part in the 2017/2018 Promotion Exercise have another cause to celebrate alongside the 32nd State Anniversary as the State Governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, has approved the release of their promotions. The Governor's decision was communicated by the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien in his office in Uyo. Essien said the Governor has also approved the release of funds for the scheduling of the pre-promotion examination seminar and subsequent conduct of the Administrative and Professional Officers Compulsory Class Examination (APOCE) and other promotion formalities. The Head of Service described the Governor's gesture as another demonstration of his usual sincere concern for his Workers. He acknowledged with appreciation, that in addition to regular payment of salaries and gratuities, the state government is also constructing affordable Houses for Workers at two Housing Estates located at ...

AGIP, an oil company operating in Bayelsa State, has been warned to stop interfering in the forthcoming governorship election in the state. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youths, which gave this warning in Abuja, called on the federal government to caution the oil company. The youths, under the aegis of PDP South South Youth Vanguard, noted that AGIP’s interference in the forthcoming election is capable of causing crisis in the State. The youths, in a statement by its National Chairman, James Efe Akpofure also called on Bayelsa chiefs and stakeholders to warn the oil company to face the business that brought them to Nigeria. Specifically, the youths noted that AGIP is sponsoring a particular candidate in the forthcoming coming election and has already empowered him. The youths further noted that the action of the oil company is capable of destabilizing the state just because of vested interest. The PDP Youth Vanguard said: "Our investigation revealed that AGIP ...

-        Thanks the good people of Akwa Ibom State. Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has dedicated his victory at the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Uyo to God and the good people Akwa Ibom State. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, Governor Emmanuel said “Today, the overwhelming victory that the good people of Akwa Ibom State gave me at the March 9, 2019 gubernatorial election was again reaffirmed by the Election Petition Tribunal. Let me use this opportunity to thank our ONLY GOD who saw us through the campaigns, the elections and the victory without any loss of lives. This could only have happened, because we believe in God and His presence and guidance has never departed and will never depart from this State. To you my dear and great Akwa Ibomites, thank you for the love, faith, belief and trust you have shown me, your prayers and hope in my capacity to take this State to a place ...

Bauchi State elders and stakeholders have thrown their weight behind Senator Sulaiman Mohammed Nazif as the right person for the Peoples Democratic Party Deputy National Chairman (North). Recall that the previous occupant, Senator Gamawa Babayo, who was suspended by the party leadership over allegations of dereliction of duty and anti-party activities, had also defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), making the position vacant. Senator Nazif, it was gathered received the backing of the elders and stakeholders because he is cool-headed and will be loyal to the state governor, Senator Bala Mohammed. The elders, it was further gathered,    have distance themselves from the aspiration of Senator Abdul Ningi, another party member, who it was learnt, was interested in the position. Explaining why they are backing Nazif, the elders said they don't want any conflict of interest in the state, adding that peace in Bauchi is paramount. Speaking wi...

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youths yesterday commended the governors for throwing their weight behind the decision of the party's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to challenge the judgement of the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal (PEPT), on the Atiku-Buhari case bordering on the 2019 Presidential Elections. The youths, under the aegis of PDP South South Youths Vanguard noted that the governors' position was the best decision at this point in time that PDP and Atiku are challenging the case at the Supreme Court. The PDP Governors, under the aegis of PDP Governors Forum, had in a statement on Sunday said, that the judgement stood justice on its head, and if not challenged at the apex court may constitute a hog in the wheel of "our developing democracy." The governors, which also said that they are hopeful that the Supreme Court will do justice to the case, had added that the judgment is nothing but "wrong signals to our t...

By Pat PA Okon The Governor òf Bayelsa State, the Honorable Henry Seriake Dickson, has warned against the unauthorized use of his name as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum for statements not authorized by him. The Governor condemned in strong terms the unacceptable conduct by some persons, who use his name without seeking his clarifications and consent to make comments on national issues, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, on Tuesday. Governor Dickson said that while he is reputed to make comments on sensitive national issues, it was odd and criminal for any person or group of persons to make attributions to him in statements he did not authorize. He warned those behind the  deplorable act to desist forthwith. He stressed that it was the conventional standard for him to be consulted on all statements, in order to avoid being misrepresented. The Governor directed that every statement from the forum must be personall...

…as enrolments in public schools increase By Tony Okechukwu Oyo State Government has promised to clamp down on illegal private primary schools operating within the State, saying that a taskforce would be set up in earnest to address the menace. The development was made known to newsmen on Monday, by the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, during an inspection of schools in the State capital. Adeniran revealed that the State Government without further delay, would set up a task force, to be spearheaded by the Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, in collaboration with Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board. He said that the task force would close down all mushroom private schools endangering quality in the education sector in the State. Dr. Adeniran however charged parents and guardians to enrol their children and wards in public schools, noting that the free education policy by Gov. Seyi...

By Tony Okechukwu In line with his commitment to the creation of access to quality basic education, Rivers State Governor,  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Monday, commissioned the reconstructed and remodelled Sea-Bed Model Primary School, Port Harcourt. The school is one of the 253 schools upgraded and expanded  by Governor Wike in the last four years. The Sea-Bed Model Primary School, Port Harcourt, was delivered as part  of Governor Wike's first 100days in office for his second term. Commissioning the school,  Governor Wike assured Rivers people that he will continue to uplift the standard of education  in the State through critical interventions. He said: "We shall continue to engage  in human  capital development. And the best way to engage in human capital development is to  fund  educational  development". Governor Wike announced that the State  Government has awarded contracts for the construction of 69 primary and ba...

By Tony Okechukwu There is apprehension in the Imo State civil service following the submission of the report of the technical review committee on appointments, recruitment, and promotions in the service. The committee was set up by Governor Emeka Ihedioha following allegations that the Rochas Okorocha administration hurriedly recruited and promoted many people towards the end of his second tenure. The committee, chaired by Austin Otuokere, submitted the report to the Deputy Governor, Gerald Irona, who said that the government would study the report and consider the recommendations made. However, many of the civil servants, who spoke to our News men, implored the government not to use the report as an instrument of victimization.

Posted By Admin As Akwa Ibom clocks 32 years on September 23, 2019, the government and people of the State are set to celebrate the anniversary with a lineup of activities. This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information, Sir Charles Udoh, while speaking to reporters  in his office on Friday, September 13, 2019 on the imperatives of the anniversary celebration. According to the Commissioner, the celebration, which is scheduled to commence from Saturday, September 21, will feature projects commissioning by the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo. The projects to be commissioned include the most digitized power sub-station in West Africa situated in Ekim, and the Flour Mills in Onna; among others. The project Commissioning exercise will be followed by a State Banquet in honour of the Vice President on the same day. Sir Udoh mentioned that on Sunday, September 22, an Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service will be held at the Uyo Township Stadium at 10am wh...

By Pat PA Okon Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike was yesterday berated for congratulating President Muhammadu Buhari over his victory at the Presidential Election Tribunal. The PDP youths under the aegis of PDP South South Youths Vanguard, also took Wike to the cleaner for describing the panel set up by the PDP to resolve the Minority Leadership crisis in the House of Representatives as the most corrupt in the history of the party . The governor had on Wednesday congratulated President Buhari on the validation of his election by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, urging him to use his victory to work for all Nigerians, irrespective of their political leanings and also to work towards the unity of the country, as the country is divided.   Reacting to Wike's position, the PDP South South Youth Vanguard, in a statement by its National Chairman, James Efe Akpofure, said that the governor is biting more than what he can chew. He said that the gove...

BY Pat PA Okon Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara State has been conferred with an award of Excellence for Peace and Competent Leadership by the Noble Women Initiative for Sustainable Democracy (NWISD). A statement by the Director-General (Press Affairs), Yusuf Idris Gusau, said the award was presented to the Governor by the National Leader of the organization, Hajiya Maryam Samaila during a courtesy call on him in his office in Government House, Gusau. Samaila said the organization decided to honour the governor with the award of excellence in order to encourage him for the good work he is doing in Zamfara State in providing security to the lives and properties of his citizens. The governor had embarked on dialogue and reconciliation with bandits which is considered the best approach in resolving crisis the world over. The NWISD leader added that the ability of the governor to resolve the menace of armed banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State i...

By Tony Okechukwu Zamfara State Government has concluded the screening of 200 students to be sponsored to study in four foreign countries. The Consultant of the programme, Dr. Jazuli Musa, disclosed this in Gusau on Wednesday at the special orientation programme for the students organised by the State’s Scholarship Board. Musa said that the State Government would sponsor the students to study Medicine and paramedical courses, Engineering and Computer Science, among others. He said that out of the number, 21 students would be sponsored to study in China, 70 of them in India, 50 to study in Sudan, while the remaining 59 would go to Cyprus. "We have so far concluded all the screening exercise; we are now giving them orientation. You know after the announcement of the programme by the State Government, we registered over 700 students who indicated their interests". “We employed some academic staff from the Federal University, Gusau where we conducted the examinatio...

By Pat PA Okon  Bauchi State Government  is making efforts to address the challenge of poor school infrastructure and teacher shortage. Many classes remain overcrowded and millions of kids, especially in the rural areas, are still not attending school.  An educationist, who would not want to be named, agreed that the issue of out-of-school kids, estimated at 1.3 million, demands immediate attention from State authorities. Policy makers in the State attribute the rise in number of children not attending school to many factors, one of which is poverty and the influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) into the State, which has continued to swell. However, the authorities claimed that the State has devised ways to deal with the matter, including investing huge resources with set targets and time frame to increase enrolment. UNICEF, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), have at one time ...

By Tony Okechukwu Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have commended the decision of the Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson, to review the party’s choice of running mate within the timeframe given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for substitution of candidates. Dickson and some party chieftains stirred fresh crisis in the PDP ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa, when they insisted on Senator Lawrence Erhujakpor, who hails from the Governor’s Sagbama Local Government Area, as the running mate to the party’s candidate, Douye Diri. Party stakeholders, including members of the Bayelsa East Forum for Justice (BEFJ) rose to condemn the development, describing it as clannish, selfish and recipe for failure at the election. The BEFJ, in its latest statement, however, commended Dickson for his decision to review the choice of Erwujakpor, following outcries from members of the party. Chairman of BEFJ, Monday Eribo, said that ...

By Tony Okechukwu Governor  Bala Mohammed has approved the immediate refund of N15 million to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) field office in the State. Bala gave the approval, Tuesday, during an interactive session with UNICEF officials led by the State Chief Field Officer, Mr. Bhaw Pathak, at the Council Chamber, Government House, Bauchi. Bala Mohammed was responding to a request made by the UNICEF, on the need for the State Government to refund the money for not utilizing it through the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, during the last administration. The Governor condemned the previous administration in the State for spending N732m unaccountably due to poor documentation, saying that the State Recovery Commitee will be directed to recover the funds. He assured UNICEF of his administration's determination towards the timely payment of its counterpart funds, to enable the State access more interventions from donor age...

…Education Ministry set to return  N28m illegal fees to parents By Tony Okechukwu The Government of Oyo State, on Tuesday, explained why it cancelled the 26,000 hectare-forest lands, which was allocated to the immediate past Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, during his administration. The State Government, which made the explanation through the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola, said that it was reprehensible for anyone to take possession of forest lands, knowing the importance of forest resources to the ecosystem, humanity and animals. Hon. Ayoola, who gave the explanations at a press briefing held after the State Executive Council meeting, indicated that it was wrong to decapitate forest resources at a time that countries of the world were looking to increase their forest resources and curb global warming. He noted that it was ungodly for anyone to cite agricultural production as basis for allocating forest lands for personal use, especi...

Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba State, on Monday in Jalingo, gave assurance of safety to the corps members during the closing ceremony of the 2019 Batch B Stream II orientation course. Ishaku, congratulated the corps members for the successful completion of the first part of their service year, urged them to take advantage of the enormous potentials in the State to prepare themselves for a life of self reliance, saying that government jobs are increasingly scarce. "My dear gentleman corps members, I urge you to accept your posting in good faith. Endeavour to be promoters of peace and progress in the communities where you will find yourselves. Live an exemplary life so as to be positive influences to the people around you", he said. "On our part, my government will do all that is required to guarantee the welfare and security of all corps members serving in the nook and crannies of the State". NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Florence Yaakugh, who disclosed th...

By Pat PA Okon Sokoto State Government has purchased 23 tricycles for the evacuation of refuse in the State.The Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Sagir Bafarawa, disclosed this to journalists. He said that the administration was committed to the cleanliness of the State, hence the purchase of two (2) payloaders and twenty three (23) tricycles. According to him, the government is planning a vigorous sensitization campaign against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the State. "We have to change the mindset of some people who still hold to the tradition of dumping refuse anyhow. We will soon embark on a vigorous sensitization campaign to change that habit among our people", he stated. The Commissioner added, "This is to ensure that the State is counted among the best in terms of cleanliness and beauty". Bafarawa said that the State Government was mulling over the idea of collaborating with the private sector to establish a waste recycling plant in the...

By Pat PA Okon Governor Bello Matawalle has approved the immediate promotion of 6,709 primary school teachers who had not been promoted for over 10 years. Matawalle made this known in Gusau on Tuesday while speaking at a political forum organized by the senator representing Zamfara Central, Senator Hassan Nasiha. "I just approved the promotion of this Universal Basic Education (UBE) teachers because I believe they have a genuine complaint, which I investigated and found it to be so". "They have been unfairly treated by past administrations but they remained patient, hoping that one day, their prayers would be answered and God will bring someone that will clean off their tears". "My emergence as Governor is partly to clean those tears by the will of God, which is what I have done". "All of them would be promoted to their next grade levels, so that they would be encouraged to put in their best in educating our children for a better future...

- Demands probe over the illegal invasion - Accuses police of invasion in a 'gestapo style' Posted by Admin The PDP Governors Forum has in very strong terms condemned the recent raid on the Abuja residence of the Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi, describing the development as not only a direct attack on democracy, but a provocative assault on the sensibility, integrity and an affront on the fundamental rights and constitutional freedom of the people of Ebonyi State, the Forum of Governors, millions of PDP members and supporters across the country, and Nigeria in general. The raid came barely one week after Governor Umahi and his colleagues in the South-East Governors’ Forum took a bold decision banning herdsmen from moving around with arms in the region. In a press statement issued from its Abuja Secretariat on Sunday, the Chairman of the forum, Hon. Seriake Dickson (Executive Governor of Bayelsa State) on behalf of his colleague-members of the forum said...