PDP GOVERNORS' FORUM

 Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged lecturers at the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU) to end their seven-month-long sympathy strike with the national body of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Governor Diri insisted that the sympathy industrial action by lecturers of the university was no longer justifiable as they have been receiving their salaries monthly without going to work. He said although the institution’s governoring council had scheduled a meeting with the union, he said the lecturers ought to reciprocate the goodwill of the state government by returning to the classroom in the interest of the students. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, on Wednesday quoted the governor as saying on Tuesday night at a dinner in honour of the victorious Bayelsa United Football Club in Yenagoa that the state government had sorted out all the issues between it and the institution’s ASUU. Governor Diri noted that lecturers in fed...

 Governor Okezie Ikpeazu says that his Rivers State counterpart, Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike will be in Abia State next week Monday to commission some projects delivered to the people by his administration.  Governor Ikpeazu made this pronouncement today while  flagging off of the construction of Township Roads in Igwuruta Town, Ikwerre LGA, Rivers State on the invitation of Governor Wike. According to Governor Ikpeazu, the commissioning of the projects will mark the grand finale of the commemoration of the 31st Anniversary of the creation of Abia State, and will be an opportunity to reciprocate the invitations of Governor Wike to him for similar reasons.  Governor Ikpeazu thanked the Rivers State Governor for his friendship and for being an outstanding Governor who has raised the standard, especially in the provision of infrastructure for the people of Rivers State. The Governor advised his Rivers State counterpart not to be discouraged by the antics of detractors b...

 Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has described Catholic Bishop of Sokoto diocese, Dr Hassan Mathew Kukah as a rare servant of God who works selflessly to salvage mankind. Governor Ortom in a goodwill message to mark Bishop Kukah’s 70th birthday, praised his indomitable spirit over the years noting that “he stands firm and speaks truth to power all times no matter whose ox is gored. “Bishop Kukah is a rare gift to humanity. He identifies with the oppressed and the marginalized. He carries the burden of the poor and defends them even at the risk of his life”. The Governor recalled the many exploits, travails and triumphs of Bishop Kukah in his commitment to serve God and humanity, saying that in spite of all the challenges, he remained undaunted and rather spurred to do more for the common man. Ortom noted that Bishop Kukah is a symbol of peace, unity and justices who has been in the forefront of religious tolerance and harmony in the country. According to Ortom “Bishop Kukah dese...

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has given thumbs up to the state-sponsored football team, Bayelsa United, after emerging champions of the Group B2 Southern Conference of the 2021/22 Nigerian National League (NNL). Bayelsa United defeated Cynosure of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State 2-0 on Saturday at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa. The win sealed the team’s promotion back to the elite league seven years after dropping out of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL). Governor Diri in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, on Sunday, expressed delight that after several close attempts, Bayelsa United eventually gained the much-sought promotion to the NPFL. He commended the resilience and dedication of the players as well as the commitment of the Coach Diepreye Teibowei-led technical crew, saying they have again brought pride to the state. The governor also praised the chairman, Ebiki Timitimi, and other board members for their focus in ensuring ...

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has picked the current Member representing Zaki federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Mohammed Auwal Jatau as his running mate in the 2023 governorship election in the state.  The federal lawmaker who announced this to journalists in Bauchi, expressed his profound gratitude to the Governor for finding him worthy to be his running mate in the forthcoming election. Honourable Jatau, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, promised to reciprocate the honour by being a loyal and supportive running mate for the success of the PDP led administration in the implementation of the peoples-oriented projects. "I want to use this medium to express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, the incumbent Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for finding me worthy to be his running mate in the 2023 governorship election in Bauchi State. This is a great honor to me and I want to assure the G...

MY GOOD PEOPLE OF ABIA STATE, It is with thanksgiving that I address you today on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the creation of Abia State. I note that this will be my last Abia Day Broadcast to you as your elected Governor as by this time next year, you will be hearing from my successor whom God will select for you.  We have been together on this journey for the last 7 years and counting. We have weathered storms and celebrated triumphs. One thing I am not in doubt of is the fact that we have taken Abia State further than we met it 7 years ago. Our works speak for us. We have delivered many pioneering and indelible landmark infrastructural projects across various sectors of Abia State. These projects will serve as monuments to the work we did during our time long after we have left the stage. We have over 150 roads which our administration has commenced and delivered in the course of our tenure. We are strongly advancing work on another 48 roads and we have a target to f...

 Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says his team is more interested in a better Nigeria, and they are consulting widely with those who mean well for the country.   Governor Wike spoke when he interacted with journalists at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area, shortly on arrival from London on Friday.   In the company of the Rivers State governor were the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom and Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. Governor Wike, who confirmed their meetings with Peoples Democratic Party, presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo in London, explained that topmost on the agenda is how to make Nigeria better than what is it currently.   The Rivers State governor noted that all is not well with Nigeria and they are seeking remed...

 Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has implored traditional rulers to steer clear of partisan politics in the 2023 general election. Governor Diri said the monarchs should rather provide a level playing field for all political parties. He stated this on Thursday during a meeting with the state’s Traditional Rulers Council at its secretariat in Yenagoa, the state capital. While urging them not to allow any political party hijack the process to perpetrate electoral fraud, he however expressed the hope that introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would bring to an end electoral malpractices. He said: "As custodians of our heritage and culture, it is incumbent on you to provide a level playing field for all political parties in the state to freely canvass for votes in a conducive and peaceful atmosphere. "We all know that issues like elections fragment brothers, sisters and communities. So, as...

...List s governor’s milestone achievements Members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, #Enugu State Chapter, on Wednesday, reiterated their solidarity, loyalty and support to #Governor Ifeanyi #Ugwuanyi and the declarations by various groups and senatorial districts mandating the Governor to choose his successor as was done by his predecessors. Members of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation who made their position known when they paid a solidarity visit to Gov. Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, reassured the Governor of their unalloyed support and solidarity, stressing that they are solidly behind him and his political decisions ahead of the 2023 elections. Gov. Ugwuanyi, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu North Senatorial District in the 2023 general election and the leader of the PDP in Enugu State and the South East geo-political zone, had endorsed the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, to succeed him in office, in...

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has charged members of the state executive council not to forget that their performance was the yardstick to judge their success in office.  Governor Diri stated this on Wednesday during the 85th  weekly state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa. The governor urged the cabinet members to put in their best in positively projecting the image of the administration. He, however, expressed satisfaction with the feedback on their commitment so far, saying it is an indication that the state was making good progress. The governor charged them to do more in the second half of their third year in office, stressing that the race was not over yet. His words: “Your performance is the yardstick by which the generality of Bayelsans judge  whether you are doing well or not. I am sure that every commissioner is putting up his best to relate with the public and also to project this administration in very good light. “So far, th...

It is with a heavy heart that I mourn the passing of His Royal Highness (HRH), Enogie Edun Agharese Akenzua, the Enogie of Obazuwa-Iko, who passed at the age of 87 years. A royalty par excellence, Enogie Akenzua was an inimitable blue-blood, filled with wisdom, wit and courage. He loomed large and lived a life dedicated to upholding truth, Benin values and promoting communal integration. He lived an illustrious life as one of Nigeria's brightest journalists, a walking library of sorts, who provided unparalleled insight on Benin history, providing incisive and convincing explanations on thorny issues that confounded many about the kingdom and the Nigerian nation. A fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), he was cerebral in his engagements, deploying his deep knowledge and wisdom in conversations about Nigeria’s past, present and future. During his reign, Obazuwa dukedom recorded unprecedented growth and development as it attracted new investments while existing investors grew...

#Governor Ifeanyi #Ugwuanyi of #Enugu State has approved the constitution of a Project Implementation Committee (PIC) to ensure the smooth take-off of the newly licensed State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State. In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, the committee is chaired by Prof. Valentine O. Ekechukwu while the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Malachy Ikechukwu Okwueze serves as the secretary.  Members of the committee include a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Chika Okoro, a representative of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr. Nnaemeka Nwakanma, a representative of the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Prof. Obinna D. Onodugo, and the Vice Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (...

On this day, it is important to reiterate the need to strengthen global efforts and partnerships to end the scourge of human trafficking and all other forms of modern slavery. For us in Edo, we have recorded milestones in the fight against human trafficking and all other forms of human exploitation on the  back of our robust partnership with the private sector and international development organisations. With their support, we have been able to substantially contain the scourge of human trafficking and irregular migration, which once pillaged our youths, who are our most valuable resources. These partnerships must be sustained if we are serious in realizing the global vision of totally eradicating human trafficking and modern day slavery, as well as all other forms of human exploitations. Apart from the various programmes implemented by the state’s skills development agency, EdoJobs, to create more jobs and equip youths in the state with in-demand skills to be globally competitive,...

The administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Enugu State has congratulated Mr. Noel Ifeanyi Alumona, an indigene of the state who won the 2022 AFS Award for Young Global Citizens. In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, Steve Oruruo, the State Government expressed immense delight at "the uncommon emergence of a young Nigerian of Enugu extraction". Oruruo stated that "the State Government takes special cognizance of the huge inspiration and unprecedented impetus this phenomenal feat will invariably engender in the psyche of our teeming youths," adding that "of greater and more enduring significance, is the fact that this is the first time an African is winning this prestigious award since inception in 1914.'' The State Government commended "the unflinching sense of dexterity, unwavering commitment, unyielding vigour, sustained candour and unflappable diligence with which our illustrious son has pursued the emancip...

.... Gov Diri Appeals To FG On Counterpart Funds Bayelsa State Government has presented start-up packs and empowerment items to 366 pioneer trainees under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programme. Speaking during the graduation ceremony in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, commended the beneficiaries for the successful completion of their training, which he said was designed to make them prosperous in line with the agenda of his administration. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying his administration places priority on human capital development and will do all within available resources to sustain similar empowerment programmes. Governor Diri said the state was eager to move away from the tag of a civil service state to one with skilled individuals and entrepreneurs. He charged beneficiaries to put the skills acquired into profitable use, stressing that the days of insisting on white-collar jobs were over...

 Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has directed the security agencies to arrest the owner of a filling station involved in illegal oil bunkering in Port Harcourt. The Governor said government will ensure the prosecution of the owner of the filling station to demonstrate the resolve to reduce illegal oil bunkering activities in the State to the barest minimum. Governor Wike made this known at the flag-off of the construction of internal roads in Omagwa, which was performed by former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang, on Saturday. In keeping with the fight against illegal oil bunkering, Governor Wike said a filling station was sealed two days ago and he has ordered the security agencies to identify the owner and arrest him for prosecution. “If I hear of any filling station involved in oil bunkering, I will close that filling station. Therefore, I have directed the security agencies to identify who has that filling station in Diobu, arrest that person and we are g...

 Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has condemned in strong terms, the gruesome murder of a Benue State -born legal practitioner based in  Gusau, Zamfara State by terrorists. Barrister Benedict Torngee Azza, a legal practioner who is based in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital before he was killed by persons suspected to be terrorists in his house hails from Yelewata, Guma local government area of Benue State. Information by family sources and colleagues of the Benue-born legal practiotioner disclosed that on the night of Thursday, August 18th, 2022 at about 10:30pm, the killers broke into the lawyer’s home in Saminaka Area, Gusau beside the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) headquarters bypass. It was further revealed that, sensing danger, the Barrister Azza who was at alert attempted to escape from his killers but was overpowered and shot several times before he finally died from the gunshot wounds. Governor Ortom blamed the inability of the APC led Federal Government to protec...

.... As Prof. Gana flags-off 12th Flyover, bemoans failure of APC  Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has declared that any act of criminality tended to destabilise the State will not be allowed.   The Governor stressed that his administration has invested hugely in achieving the prevailing peace, and nothing will be tolerated in returning the State back to the dark days of insecurity.   Governor Wike spoke at the flag-off of the 12th flyover at the Mgbuoba, Ozuoba -Ada George Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, which was performed by Prof. Jerry Gana on Friday.   "Now, let me tell anyone who cares to listen, whether you're in PDP, APC, you're in SDP, you're in Accord or any other party, if I catch you trying to breach the security in this state, you'll go in for it."   "I will not allow anybody to destabilise this State. We have suffered insecurity and God has helped us together with security agencies to maintain peace. For me, whether it i...