PDP GOVERNORS' FORUM

 Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration will do its best to ensure the South South campus of the National Judicial Institute (NJI) is sited in the state. Governor Diri gave the assurance on Wednesday when the House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary led by Hon. Oluwole Oke paid a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa. He said siting the NJI in Bayelsa will complement the campus of the Nigeria Law School in Yenagoa.  He promised members of the committee of his government’s support to achieve the reforms required of the justice system in the country, particularly as they carry out their oversight function in the state.  Diri called on his former colleagues to bring their wealth of experience to bear in addressing the challenges bedeviling the judiciary and tasked them to proffer solutions at the end of their tour. His words: “You talked about the NJI. We have the Law School here in Yenagoa, and this will complement a school l...

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has hinted that members of other political parties might be in the new cabinet to be unveiled soon. Governor Diri stated this on Thursday shortly after the weekly five-kilometre Prosperity Walk, which terminated at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa. Diri alongside his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 11, 2023 governorship poll and were sworn in for a second term on February 14, 2024. The Governor said he would consult widely and ensure he picks his cabinet members from across political parties in the state in order to form an inclusive government. He said: “l want to assure you that we will not take long in bringing our cabinet back because we are not going to create human beings from heaven. It is still the same Bayelsa people that will form my cabinet and we know ourselves." "We will consult widely and take every segment of society...

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed delight that youths of the state have  keyed into the vision of his administration by availing themselves of skills acquisition opportunities to make them self-reliant. Governor Diri stated this on Wednesday during the closing ceremony of a three-day leadership and entrepreneurship training for youths at the DSP Alamieyesiegha Banquet Hall, Yenagoa. The training tagged, "Building the Bayelsa Youth for Leadership" was organised by the State Government in collaboration with the Prosperity Youth Coalition and GOTNI Leadership Centre. The Governor, who stressed that the days of stereotyping Bayelsa youths as militants, lazy and touts were over, noted that by their recent conduct, they have shown that they can stand out in any field of human endeavour. He said his first tenure focused on developing the needed manpower through the building and equipping of technical and vocational colleges to redirect the focus from certific...

The Chairman of Sterling Bank and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21, 2024 Edo gubernatorial election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, has presented his Certificate of Return to the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. The candidate presented the certificate to Governor Obaseki at the Edo House, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Edo State September 21, 2024 governorship election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo (left) presenting his certificate of return to Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the Edo House, Abuja, Tuesday, February 27, 2024 Ighodalo had won the Edo PDP primary election last Thursday after defeating nine other aspirants who had contested in the election held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State. Upon presenting the certificate to Obaseki, Ighodalo reiterated his commitment to repositioning Edo State as a leading sub-sovereign in Africa, if elected...

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has urged investors to tap into the potentials of cocoa in the state, saying that his administration is already taking steps in addressing past challenges that stunted growth of the sector. Addressing a global audience of investors in the cocoa sector in London, the United Kingdom, on Wednesday, Governor Adeleke noted that Osun brand of cocoa is highly sought after by end users providing investors with a guarantee of returns for their investments. Governor Adeleke, who pointed out that Osun is a major cocoa belt in Nigeria to underscore opportunities, outlined ongoing efforts by his government to expand the production base and unleash the benefits of the sector for both the state and investors. "Our cocoa is the traditional species which has the best taste in chocolate and other related products. Our brand is therefore much sought after by end users," Governor Adeleke remarked. "Our cocoa sector faces several ...

Governor Dauda Lawal has emphasised that education is a top priority in his Six Smart Agenda as it is the foundation of civilisation. In a ceremony held on Wednesday in Gusau, the Governor flagged off the distribution of teaching and learning materials to 250 public primary and junior secondary schools throughout Zamfara State. A statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the materials were provided by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Abuja and UNICEF. According to the statement, the items to be distributed are for 250 beneficiary schools, which comprise 242,176 Textbooks for different grades, 200 Play Materials for ECCDE, 25 ECCDE Tables & Chairs, 8,210 Library materials resources and  35 UNICEF (NLP) focus schools for solar power equipment. During the flag-off ceremony, Governor Lawal expressed that Zamfara, an educationally disadvantaged state in Nigeria, will continue to require support and engagement from nationa...

Governor Dauda Lawal hosted the leadership of the Zamfara State chapter of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD). The meeting held on Tuesday in Government House, Gusau, discussed several issues, including the construction of vehicle transit areas and traffic management in the Zamfara capital city. A statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the vehicle transit areas will be established to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion as part of the ongoing urban renewal project. He added that Governor Lawal plans to establish the designated vehicle transit areas on two state axes to improve transportation infrastructure. Addressing members of the two unions, Governor Lawal said the initiative will lead to an enhancement of the quality of roads in the state's capital. “I have directed the construction of trailer parks at two entrances of Gusau: one on the Funtua to Gusau road and the ...

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said that his administration was working towards cushioning the effects of the prevailing economic hardship in the country on workers in the state. Senator Diri stated this on Tuesday while addressing chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Barnabas Simon, who led members on a nationwide protest to Government House, Yenagoa. The governor assured that he would meet with the state's Head of Service and the NLC chairman to discuss the modalities to reduce the working hours of civil servants in the state with a view to mitigating their plight. While commending the NLC for peacefully carrying out the protest, he equally applauded the security agencies for allowing the protest to hold as it was a national directive to all Nigerian workers. He said: “I want to assure that as a worker-friendly government from day one, we will consider the issues you have raised, particularly the reduction of man-hours of...

The Governor of Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas has assured the North East Development Commission of the commitment of his administration to work with the commission to prioritize and identify key areas of interventions for the progress of the state and the region. Dr Agbu Kefas gave the assurance this Monday at the Exco Chamber Government House Jalingo while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer and management of the commission on a courtesy visit. Receiving them, Dr. Agbu Kefas identified insecurity and poor infrastructures as among the challenges bedeviling the northeast sub-region of the country and said with the collaboration of the commission, the challenges will be surmounted. According to Dr Agbu Kefas, the work of the commission is very instrumental in driving positive change and impacting the lives of the people. The Governor said he is looking forward to a beneficial collaboration with the commission for more impacts in the state in the year 2024. Dr Agbu K...

The Governor of Taraba State Dr Agbu Kefas has officially flagged off the rehabilitation of the Runway of the Danbaba Suntai airport in Jalingo and commissioned two firefighting trucks procured by his administration for the airport. Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Agbu Kefas said the work is aimed at providing the people of the state with befitting airport for business activities and movement in and out of the state. Dr Agbu Kefas has reiterated his administration's commitment to put in place the needed infrastructures for better service delivery to the people. He said the firefighting trucks were among the rescue equipment required by the airport to operate effectively. He said with the airport fixed, the youth of the state will be trained in aviation among others. The representative of the company handling the project said they have the expertise to successfully implement the project and assured that they will improve the quality of the airport. The commissioner of Transport, Yakub...

The Governor of Taraba state Dr Agbu Kefas has urged newly posted security chiefs to the state to be proactive in their operations to fight crime and criminality in the state. Dr. Agbu Kefas stated this on Monday at the Exco Chamber Government House, Jalingo when he received three posted heads of security agencies in the state on an introductory visit. Receiving the newly posted Commander 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army Jalingo, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidebere Uwa, the newly posted Commissioner of Police, David Layomum, and the newly posted Controller of Immigration Service, Abdulmumini Lawal, the Governor of Taraba State Dr Agbu Kefas expressed hope that their posting will be a blessing to the state and urged them to deploy their wealth of experience to ensure crime and criminality have no place in Taraba State. The Governor stressed the need for the Officers to provide pragmatic leadership and ensure transformations in their various commands. While congratulating the officers on ...

Governor Dauda Lawal was presented with comprehensive updates on the status of various ongoing projects in Zamfara State. The governor presided over the Zamfara State Executive meeting on Monday at the council chamber of the Government House in Gusau. A statement by the governor's spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the Executive Council had sat for the sixteenth time since the inauguration of Governor Dauda Lawal's administration. According to him, the chairman of the council, Governor Lawal, received detailed reports on the progress, challenges encountered, and expected timelines for the completion of each project. These updates covered various sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. During his address to the council, Governor Lawal emphasised the core values of his administration's rescue mission, which prioritises accountability and transparency. “We have an enormous responsibility ahead of us as we embark on a rescue ...

 The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is taking steps to combat the current hike in food prices in the State, urging for the collaboration and support of all stakeholders to proffer lasting solutions to the incessant price surge and guarantee better welfare for the people of the State. Obaseki met with relevant stakeholders including market associations, traders, and farmers’ unions, among others, at the Urhokpota Hall, in Benin City, to chart actionable measures to address the rising cost of living, particularly food prices in the State. He said, “I called this meeting because of the cost of living in Nigeria as things are hard, especially the prices of food. The people can't eat anymore and as an administration, we can't just keep quiet but to act.” Obaseki continued: “We have called this meeting to see how to solve this problem as trading blames will not lead to any solution to the serious challenges we are facing. All problems have solutions, and we are here to discu...

Governor Umar Muhammad Bago of Niger State has described Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, as one of the best performing Governors in the country.  Speaking to journalists in Bauchi over the weekend, Governor Bago said without preference to party lines, Governor Bala Mohammed stood out among his peers considering the remarkable infrastructural development he has been dishing out to the people of Bauchi.  He noted while Bauchi and Niger were created on the same day, they have been fortunate in having successive leaders determined to implement the developmental blueprint of the state.  "Niger and Bauchi States were brother and sister. Niger is the brother, Bauchi is the sister, because we are created the same day and we share a lot of similarities." "The Executive Governor of Bauchi State is my senior brother and my mentor. He has been so good to me even when he was a Minister while I was still a small boy. He gave all the kind of encouragement that is neede...

Governor Dauda Lawal has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensure that future generations receive a high-quality education in Zamfara. Governor Lawal said this on Saturday during the third annual inter-house sports competition 2024 of the Almufida International Academy in Gusau. A statement by the Governor’s spokesman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that the school's proprietor awarded Governor Lawal with an award as the Grand Commander of Friends of the College (GCFC). He said the Governor was impressed by the students' high skills and enthusiasm displayed during various sporting activities. During his speech, Governor Lawal expressed appreciation for the school's management in maintaining high standards. He praised the students for their excellent sportsmanship, teamwork, and professionalism. "I am impressed by what I saw here. These positive attributes indicate a bright future." “I am here today to show my support and encouragement towards revamping...