Flooding: I’m Surprised No Federal Presence Yet In Bayelsa - Obi

*Says State Needs Urgent Help

Former Governor of Anambra State  and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has expressed surprise that the federal government had yet to respond three weeks after a massive flooding hit Bayelsa State.

Mr. Obi said flying into the state in a chopper gave him a better aerial view of the situation and that the state needs urgent help.

Obi spoke on Saturday in Yenagoa, the state capital, when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Douye Diri at the Government House before they both visited internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the Oxbow Lake Pavilion camp in Yenagoa.

He lamented the hardship experienced by people of the state as a result of the floods and wondered why the federal government had not sent a high-powered delegation to the state with a view to providing assistance for the people. 

While calling on the federal government to declare an emergency  over the flooding in parts of Nigeria with Bayelsa as a case in point, he remarked that as a state that is strategic to the economy of Nigeria, it deserved more from the centre.

He called on the international community, donor agencies and public-spirited individuals and organizations to assist the government navigate through this difficult moment. 

Obi lauded Governor Diri’s handling of the situation so far and urged him not to give up while promising to stand with the people in their trying moments.

The Labour Party presidential candidate said he decided to suspend his campaign to sympathize with the people of Bayelsa and other states affected and promised not to resume campaigns until this phase of flooding was over.

He noted that though as governor he experienced the 2012 floods, the current one was more devastating.

His words: "There is no way anyone will be happy with the situation in Bayelsa. My appeal is for the federal government to send a strong team to come see what is happening here. 

“I was a governor in 2012 but I did not see what I have seen today. The federal government needs to declare an emergency in Bayelsa considering the strategic importance of the state to Nigeria. 

"I appeal also to the international community and donor agencies too to help. Bayelsa needs urgent support. What I have seen here is unimaginable. The federal government needs to intervene immediately."

Responding, Governor Douye Diri expressed appreciation to Obi for his show of love to people of the state, saying he feels comforted by his visit, which was the first by any high profile individual.

Diri lamented the impact of the flood, which he said has claimed lives, property and destroying the economy of the state.

The Bayelsa governor acknowledged the concern showed by President Muhammadu Buhari by directing federal rescue and disaster management agencies  to assist the state. He however noted that the directive was yet to be adhered to.

The state’s helmsman assured people of the state that his administration will continue to stand with them and spare no effort in providing relief to victims of the flood.

Diri also said that his government was already thinking about the post-flood challenges, especially with the destruction to critical infrastructure in the state.

He said: "I feel comforted this morning, like one who has a friend and brother. At your level, you are the first to visit Bayelsa State. 

“This flood has been with us for three weeks and we are losing lives and property on daily basis. Our economy is as good as gone. We have been trapped with the East-West road broken into two on both sides. 

"Yes, we have received some hope from Mr. President but we are yet to see one senior government official like you that came to empathize with us. We still call on the federal government to do the needful. I have also written to all relevant bodies to come to our aid. 

“As you rightly observed, this is beyond what a state can handle. On behalf of a grateful state, we thank you for coming. If half of the resources taken away from Bayelsa are put in this state we will not be crying for help. 

“For people of our state, rest assured that  the government will stand with you until we come out of this disaster. I call on the federal government of this country to sit with the states affected to find solution to the flooding. We cannot continue living this way."

At the Oxbow Lake IDP camp, Obi pledged an undisclosed amount while Governor Diri led other top government officials to other camps at the Universal Primary Education (UPE) School, Ovom and the Saint Peters Church, Yenagoa where he assured of government's continuous support and donated the sum of one million naira each to the victims.

Flood: Gov Diri Lauds Azikel Group’s Donation

...Extends Workers Break 

...Confirms Flight Resumption At Bayelsa Airport

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to take a cue from the management of Azikel Group of Companies that pledged a donation of N350 million worth of food items to flood victims in the state.

Senator Diri made the call on Monday when president of the firm, Dr. Azibapu Eruani, paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, commended Eruani, who is a son of the state, for identifying with the flood-ravaged people of the state, noting that it was a demonstration of his love for his people In their time of distress.

His words: "You are the first person from our state to visit us at your level and capacity and that shows that you hold your people in your heart.”

Diri, who also spoke on the state’s airport road being threatened by the flood, said the government took some urgent steps to rehabilitate portions of the road linking the facility and that the United Nigeria Airlines resumed commercial flights on Monday.

“Let me let Nigerians know that the airport is not cut off. Our airport is functional. That is why Azikel Group today flew into Yenagoa through the Bayelsa airport. 

“We took some proactive steps on the road leading to the airport. That road is now motorable and the airline operating here has also resumed today.”

Governor Diri restated his call on the federal government to intervene in undertaking repair works on the portion of the East-West road ravaged by the flood at both axis of the bordering states of Rivers and Delta.

He also urged the Azikel Group to expedite action on its modular refinery project in order to enhance supply of petroleum products to the state.

In his remarks, Dr Azibapu Eruani said his visit was to offer hope to the people since the state government alone cannot shoulder the challenges occasioned by the flood.

He said the massive devastation caused by this year's floods informed his management’s decision to donate the food items to the victims.

In a related development, the governor announced the extension of the break for civil servants in the state by another one week.

He had last Tuesday during a state broadcast announced an initial break of one week to cushion the effect of the floods on workers in the state.

He made the fresh pronouncement at Zarama community where he made a stop in continuation of his tour of flood-impacted communities of Zarama and Okordia in Yenagoa local government area and Kalama in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area.

Diri stressed that the compassion of a true leader was felt not only during electioneering period but also in times of distress.

He underscored the need for all to be their brother's keeper,  particularly in this trying times, noting that natural disasters were no respecter of political parties or ethnicity.

In separate remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, and the member representing Yenagoa Constituency 3 in the State Assembly, Ted Elemeforo, urged the people to see themselves as one and care for one another.

They noted that the presence of the governor was to demonstrate his love for the people and his examplary leadership.

Suswam And The Burden Of Endless Killing Of Farmers In Benue

 

 

Senator Gabriel Suswam's passion for the protection of his people knows no bound. That passion almost drove him to early grave in 2014 at Umenger, Guma Local Government of the state where armed Fulani herdsmen ambushed his convoy and engaged his security details in gun battle when he went visiting communities raided by the herders in the state.

 

On that fateful day, the former governor also visited Uikpam in Mbabai, Guma LGA where the armed herders had killed 28 farmers and destroyed houses.

 

Exasperated, Suswam had remarked thus: We are being attacked, our foodstuffs including yam barn and farms burned and destroyed without anyone coming to our aide. Some of our people were killed and taken away while some captured and taken alive.”

 

Today, as senator representing Benue North East, the former governor is confronted with a worse scenario as more farmers are falling to the herdsman's dagger in his senatorial constituency.

 

In Gbeji, Ukum Local Government Area, for instance, where 36 bodies, including two policemen have so far been recovered and many more missing after an onslaught by pastoralists last Wednesday, October 19, 2022, the ex-governor expressed dismay with the lackadaisical attitude of the federal government in the face of mayhem perpetrated by the herders. 

 

Addressing families of victims and other survivors, Sen Suswam berated the Federal Government for what he described as its irresponsibility and failure to provide security for citizens.

 

According to him, "the Federal Government has failed woefully in the protection of lives and property," lamenting that the rising insecurity has exposed the country's nakedness.

 

The senator who said he had visited Mchia which is the same radius as Gbeji where 22 persons were murdered and several others injured two weeks ago, described the incessant killings as highly unacceptable.

 

His words: “The Federal Government has gone to sleep and do not care about the security of the people. These are peasant farmers whose property has been destroyed and their lives have been decapitated.

 

“I commend the bravery and gallantry of our security agencies but they are overstretched under the circumstance. I cannot sleep in Abuja while our mothers who farm food that we eat are killed in this way.”

 

"So far 36 bodies have been recovered from this dastardly attack by herdsmen. This is totally unacceptable by all standards. It is a clear indication that the Federal government has failed in protection of lives and property of the people that they swore to protect.

 

"What this means in effect is that power has been transferred to non-state actors. They are totally in charge now and as they come to kill people at will and go freely and no person has ever been arrested," he lamented.

 

The Senator went on, "How can such a government say that it is a government? We don't have a government. Because when you swear to either the bible or the quran that you will protect lives and property of the people and the people have been consistently killed and no decisive action has been taken.

 

"Nothing has been done, no person has been arrested, it means that we don't have a government."

 

The Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Professor Anthony Ijohor, SAN, who represented Governor Samuel Ortom on the trip, expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident.

 

He reiterated the stand of the Benue State Government that since the Federal Government has failed to provide security for the people, a license should be approved for the State Government to procure sophisticated weapons for the Community Volunteer Guards to protect the people.

 

The Governor insisted that the limited conventional security agencies were overstretched and were unable to provide adequate protection for people of the state.  

 

"We are standing on our request for the Federal Government to give us a license for our Volunteer Guards to bear AK-47 and other sophisticated weapons. The security agencies have been overstretched, that being the case, our people have to defend themselves," he said.

 

The Governor urged young people to stand firm and protect their lands, stating that self help is the only option left, since the present administration at the centre has shown that it is incapable of providing security for the people.

 

He sympathized with those who lost loved ones in the attack on Gbeji and encouraged them not to lose hope no matter the circumstances, saying the State Government would provide palliatives to offer succour to the affected persons.

 

In his remarks, Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly and PDP Governorship candidate, Engr Titus Uba, who also was on the senator's entourage, expressed sadness over the unprovoked killings which he said have gone on for too long without the Federal Government arresting the situation.

 

The Speaker insisted that since the Federal Government is not ready to provide security to stop the Benue killings, the authorities should grant license to the State Government to procure firearms for Volunteer Guards to complement conventional agencies in tackling insecurity in the state.

 

Uba also advocated the creation of state police to enable each state of the federation to deal with rising security challenges.

 

House of Representatives Member for Ukum/Logo/Katsina-Ala Federal Constituency, Dr Richard Gbande, State Assembly Member for Ukum, Thomas Mlanga, Chairman of Ukum Local Government Council, Derick Kaatyoo as well the Acting Ter Ukum, Chief Utambe Nyagba who also spoke during the visit, unanimously said, “What has been done to us as a people is that we have to protect ourselves."

 

Recall that Gov Ortom, in order to stem the tide of killings by armed herdsmen promultigated the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017.

 

In spite of that, the herders have remained adamant and continued with the killings.

 

Consequently, the state government constituted the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards to complement conventional security agents in the fight against criminality and banditary.

 

During the inauguration of the second batch Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, BCVGs, Gov Ortom gave one month deadline to the federal government to approve his letter to procure AK-47 license for BCVGs, failure which said he should seek the advice of his people on what to do.

 

The governor said that he had applied for approval of AK 47 riffles license but regretted that over three months he was yet to get response from federal government.

 

"If there is no reply in the next one month, I will revert to my people to advise on what to do because the Federal Government is complicit on the issue of herders’ attacks on the state,” he said.

Flood: 21 States Have Received Relief Materials -Umar Farouq

 

 By Ere-ebi Agedah

 

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has confirmed the distribution of relief items to 21 states affected by the floods .

 

The Minister made this known at a Briefing to keep the public abreast of response and interventions made so far by the ministry and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on the flood situation across the country.

 

Umar Farouq stated that distribution of food and non-food items to other states were already ongoing.

 

“ A total of 21 States have received relief materials so far. These States are Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Enugu, FCT, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Lagos , Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo,  Oyo , Sokoto, Taraba and Yobe.

 

“While specialized teams are on ground, there are still some States and local governments that are inaccessible and hard to reach. To address this, we are working with the Military Disaster Response Units and other stakeholders with specialized skills and equipment to ensure that we use other means to reach hard-to-reach areas and people at risk.

 

“Distribution to other states affected by floods in Nigeria is ongoing. The materials being distributed are emergency food items and non-food items  including rice, maize, garri, vegetable oil, tin of tomatoes, seasoning and beans. The non-food items are materials used to assist with temporary shelters for displaced communities including roofing sheets, cement, nails, ceiling boards, blankets, nylon mats and zinc”.

 

The Minister also said that the Search and Rescue Operations have been on their toes since the flooding started and have continued to evacuate, relocate and refer victims to hospitals for immediate care. She called on other stakeholders to join in efforts to assist affected flood victims.

 

“We hope that other Ministries, Departments and Agencies such as Water Resources, Health, Works and Housing, Agriculture and Environment will join us in the next briefing with their own updates on operations to resolve this emergency we are facing. I also implore government at all levels, especially State and Local Governments, to share information with us and also play their role in the response, in line with the National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.

 

 “I commend local communities for their resilience. We received a report that in 144 LGAs, local communities worked together to provide the first response to their families and neighbors. The Search and Rescue Team, which is responsible for evacuating people and providing life-saving first aid and medical support and referrals to hospitals has so far been able to reach 199 local government areas within 25 states.

 

“These operations are ongoing and I urge communities at risk to adhere to warnings and instructions issued by these teams as they work to protect and save lives.

 

“Our express our sincere appreciation to his Excellency President Muhammadu BUHARI for his support and timely special intervention in addressing the flood intervention”.

 

“A high-level delegation will visit some states next week  to follow up on operations and to identify any new challenges and gaps in the operations that need to be addressed. This will enable government to access the situation  on  ground and provide and meet with victims and families that have been affected.”.

 

As 24th October 2022,  3,219,780 persons were reportedly  affected by floods in 2022.

 

1,427,370 persons have been internally displaced, approximately 2,776 persons were  injured, approximately  612 people lost their lives, 181,600 houses were partially damaged and another 123,807 houses  totally damaged. 176,852 hectares of farmlands were partially damaged while 392,399 hectares of farmlands have been totally damaged.

 

 Daily situation reports can be accessed on the Ministry’s  and NEMA Websites.

Nigeria's DSS Boss And His Well-Deserved Medal Of Honour

By Kenneth Atavti 

While a section of Nigerians queried President Muhammadu Buhari's 437-or-so-man list of recipients for National Honours, almost no one muttered against the consideration of Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi (CFR), the Director-General of Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS).

With over 40 years experience in security and intelligence gathering matters up his sleeves, there was never any doubt that Bichi would deliver when he was drafted to replace Mathew Seiyefa in 2018. 

His conferment with the award of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) was well-deserved.

"Today, 11th October, 2022, the Director General, Department of State Services, was conferred with the National Honour Award of COMMANDER OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC (CFR) by the President and Commander-in-Chief President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. The honour is in recognition of DGSS' sterling leadership qualities and particularly for his tremendous contributions to the national security management of the country. 

"The Management and Staff of the DSS rejoice with the DG on this momentous occasion and wish him good health and greater heights. 

"Congratulations, DG, Sir: Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi CFR, fwc," Peter Afunanya, DSS Public Relations Officer wrote in hearty felicitation. 

Because of the classified nature of their dealings, many of the DSS achievements, especially under the helms of Bichi, remain unsung. Except on very rare cases, their successes are not escalated across the media space. “My vision is to create a friendly work environment, enhance staff capacity through training and welfare, as well as ensure that the DSS remains a democratically-complaint intelligence agency in Nigeria”. These were his watch words to which he has largely lived up to.

On October 11, 2022, when the man of valour was rewarded for his professional diligence, the Presidency noted that the honour was in recognition of his "sterling leadership qualities and particularly for his tremendous contributions to the national security management of the country".

*His Achievements*

His era birthed a new wave of professionalism and precision in Nigeria's elite secret police. His leadership has brought organisational change and development. His skill and capacity has been tested in the ways he has managed the existential threats confronting the country. From the EndSARS protests in 2020, to kidnapping, armed bandits, insurgency, economic crimes, etc. Bichi championed the synergy between other security agencies to take constructive actions that addressed threats that came before, during, and after the EndSARS protest.

So many high profile crimes have been busted with the aid of intelligence shared among sister security agencies under his leadership. Some of these include the case of pension thief, Abdulrasheed Maina who was nabbed and brought to his knees to answer for his crimes. Also, he has inspired successes in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the North East and North West regions. His leadership has steadily provided intelligence for anti-corruption agencies as part of efforts in the fight against financial crimes.

DG Bichi's recognition and award confirms the postulation that the reward for a good work done, is more work. But of course his reward is a prestigious gold medal that he can wear with dignified pride. Under his watch, Nigeria's secret police is now getting commendation and positive feedbacks from fervent critics for their many successful operations and exploits that are all geared towards ensuring that Nigeria’s internal security and indivisibility is guaranteed. 

Security experts have posited that the DSS under Bichi's leadership, have become thecountry's five senses and the pillars upon which the security of the country is solidified. It would be recalled that after the 2019 presidential election, an election monitoring group- International Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, honored Bichi, with an award. "The award was in recognition of the exemplary performance by the Service and its personnel during the just concluded 2019 general elections," the group said.

The DSS boss has continued to ensure the protection of democratic institutions in the country. This would in turn strengthen the country's democratic culture, provide policy support to all levels of government through timely dissemination of intelligence, providing timely security education for the public through effective information and communication management. 

Truth be told, his many reforms has improved overall public confidence in the DSS and reversed previously held notions that it is unfriendly. There has been routine training and capacity building for staff, acquisition of new tools and technological capacity to meet contemporary challenges, partnership with strategic groups, strategic communication and robust fight against terrorism and insurgency.

Courtesy of Bichi, the Service now has improved documentation systems; Information Technology (IT) facilities for various administrative and operational purposes; massive conversion and upgrading of qualified staff; landscaping and beautification of the national headquarters; sponsorship of local and international training programmes for personnel to enhance their capacity to surmount emerging threats.

He has also overseen the formation of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) and Tactical Teams to respond to emergencies; continuous expansion of health facility and purchase of modern medical equipment for enhanced staff welfare; sustained collaboration with sister agencies as well as effective collaboration with strategic stakeholders and partners; and attraction of projects from strategic stakeholders.

*About Bichi*

Born on February 23, 1956 in Hagagawa Qtrs of Bichi Local Government, Kano State, Bichi attended Kano State College of Advanced Studies between 1975–1977, and later Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1977–1980 where he bagged a degree in Political Science.

He later attended strategic training at the National Defence College, Abuja, where he obtained a certificate with the authorization to use Fellow War College (FWC).

Prior to his appointment by President Buhari on September 14, 2018, Bichi was Director of Administration and Finance at the DSS Headquarters from 2015–2017.

He began his career in the Security Division of the Cabinet Office in Kano State from 1981 to 1984, and in 1984, he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organization, the precursor of the present State Security Service, now renamed Department of State Services, where he rose to the rank of Director and served in several states, including Niger, Sokoto, Abia, Bauchi, Lagos and the FCT.

Atavti, is the Crime/ Judicial Editor of Nigerian pilot Newspaper in Abuja.

Gov. Diri Laments Flood Devastation In Bayelsa

Presents Cash Gifts To Communities 

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has bemoaned the devastation of property and the hardship visited on people of the state by flood.

Governor Diri, on Thursday, undertook an on-the-spot assessment of the flood situation in some communities and described it as very dire.

The governor, who was accompanied by the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Solomon Agwana, the Commissioner for Environment and chairman of the Task Force on Flood Mitigation and Management, Mr. Eselema Gbaranbiri, his Works and Information counterparts, Moses Teibowei and Ayibaina Duba respectively as well as other top government functionaries, made stops at Tungbo, Sagbama town and Adagbabiri, all in Sagbama Local Government Area.

He also visited Odi and Kaiama communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.

While addressing the people in Izon dialect, the governor said he wanted to get first hand knowledge of what the people and the communities were going through.

He encouraged them not to despair even as he acknowledged that it was a trying period for everyone.

Diri presented cash gifts to the affected communities and assured them that relief materials will immediately get to them through the task force on flooding.

He equally called on Bayelsans to look out for one another and accommodate victims as homes and communities were being sacked.

His words: “I felt this was not the time for me to sit in my office while my brothers and sisters are in pains, hunger and in want. So I came to see things for myself. 

“Roads have been overtaken by flood, houses submerged and the people are now internally displaced.

“We have sought out some high grounds where some of them will be resettled temporarily. We have also made palliative and medicines available.

“I came out in order to comfort the people so that they will know that their government stands with them in their time of trouble.

“Water has no respect for anybody as my house is also flooded in my community. So, everybody should be strong and be careful this period, particularly the women. Your children should not go into the water. It is a very tempting period but I know God will see us through. 

“I have approved N450 million to provide succour for the people, which is the first tranche. Having seen things for myself, we will approve more money so our people can have something to eat while they go through this experience.”

The governor called on the federal government to come to the aid of the state as the present situation was beyond the resources of the state government just as he restated his call for the building of a dam around the River Niger.

The state’s helmsman also said he would consider inviting state governors in the low areas of the country to brainstorm on a lasting solution to the perennial flooding affecting the people along river lines.

In separate responses, the member representing Sagbama Constituency 3 in the House of Assembly, Salo Adikumo, the Amananaowei of Sagbama community and the Community Development Committee chairman of Adagbabiri community, Mr. Oyinke Ekiye, expressed their profound gratitude to the governor for his magnanimity towards them.

They prayed God to give him the strength, vigour and mind to attend to the needs of the people at this discomforting times of the state.

Bayelsa Task Force on Flooding Visits Affected Communities

Promises Succour For Victims

The Bayelsa State Task Force on Flood Mitigation and Management, at the weekend, visited some affected communities for an on-the-spot assessment of the impact.

Communities visited in Yenagoa and Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Areas included Tombia-Ekpetiama, Odi, Sampou, Kaiama, Gbaranma  Sabagreia, Okoloba, Biseni and neighbouring communities as well as some areas within the Yenagoa metropolis.

Speaking after the exercise, the Commissioner for Environment and chairman of the task force, Iselema Gbaranbiri, lamented the impact of the flooding in Biseni community, which he said was almost totally submerged. 

Gbaranbiri sympathised with people of the area on behalf of the Governor, who he said was passionate about their wellbeing hence the setting up of the task force on flood mitigation on Wednesday during the state executive council meeting.

On the situation in parts of Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA such as Odi and Sampou, Gbaranbiri said both communities were relatively safe at the moment due to the water barrier built by the government while areas like Gbarama, Sabagreia, Okoloba and Kaiama were heavily impacted with institutions such as the Ijaw National Academy, the Girls Secondary School in Kaiama and the Bayelsa State Sports Institute at Asoama flooded. 

The Environment Commissioner explained that the essence of the on-the-spot assessment was to get first-hand information about the situation and identify areas of need for government to provide succour to the people. 

While calling on the Federal Government to assist the state government in alleviating the sufferings of victims, he stated that other local governments areas will be visited and that succour would be provided for those affected in form of building of higher grounds, provision of relief materials and medicals. 

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, said the concrete water barrier built in three communities was a pilot project based on the advice of his ministry.

He noted that the trial water barrier has proved to be effective so far, saying government was still monitoring its effectiveness.

He assured that a decision will be taken by the government to replicate them in other communities and possibly improve on them. 

Teibowei stated that the state government also implemented a home-grown technology in parts of Yenagoa such as the Epie creek in Okutukutu area, which has prevented the area and parts of Opolo from being flooding so far.

He said a similar measure will be replicated around down Yenagoa, Obele, the Law School at Agudama and other parts of Yenagoa. 

He expressed optimism that by the time the home-grown technology, which has been implemented in parts of Yenagoa metropolis, was fully implemented, the issue of flooding will be mitigated in the state. 

Also, the Director of Operations, Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA), Mr. Ayii Aziowei, sympathsed with those affected, stating that the government would do its best to provide relief for victims.

PDP ‘Crisis’ Over Soon - Gov Diri

Bayelsa state Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed the conviction that the feud within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would soon become a thing of the past.

Senator Diri stated this on Sunday during the PDP South-South Zonal Stakeholders meeting at the Ibom Hall in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State ahead of the party’s presidential campaign flag-off on Monday.

The Bayelsa governor, who described the PDP as a big family that has held sway in the South-South geo-political zone, noted that in such large families there were bound to be disagreements.

His words: "South-South is the only zone that has a preponderance of PDP governors. Therefore,  it should be the zone to kick-off the PDP presidential campaign. 

“We have also been lucky to produce the vice presidential candidate. 

"PDP will continue to demonstrate strength in the six states of the South-South. Our party is a big family and in any of such families, it is normal to have differences. I strongly believe that the differences would be settled soon and we will come back as one indivisible party.

"Our region is blessed with human and material resources as well as politically and we will continue to add value to Nigeria and the party."

In his remarks, the PDP Vice Presidential candidate and Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, said the essence of the meeting was to strategise on how to mobilise the people at all levels to ensure a landslide victory for the party in next year's general election.

Senator Okowa also acknowledged the role of the PDP governors in development of the region, stressing that time had come for the party to rescue the country from insecurity and economic downturn.

Also speaking, the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, noted that with the impressive turnout of stakeholders at the meeting, it was a clear indication that the party was ready to clinch victory in 2023.

According to him, the outcome of the Edo and Osun elections was a clear testimony that the PDP was the party to reckon with in the election.

In his contribution, Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, described the PDP as the pillar of the South-South region

Mr. Emmanuel underscored the need to go into the election as a strong team not only to make a strong impact but also to ensure that the party took over the leadership of the country in order to reposition the economy.

Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, former governors of Edo, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, Cross River, Senator Liyel Imoke, Rivers State, Celestine Omehia, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, were among party leaders that delivered goodwill messages at the meeting.

Northwest Ireland: Seven Killed In Petrol Station Blast

By Ebi Kesiena

Seven people have been killed in an explosion at a petrol station in County Donegal in Ireland’s northwest, police said on Saturday.

The Garda Siochana police force said eight people were hospitalised as “the search and recovery for further fatalities continue” at the site in the village of Creeslough.

Rescue efforts by Ireland’s emergency services went on through the night at the scene where on Friday afternoon an explosion had ripped through a petrol station forecourt and the facade of a nearby apartment complex.

Ireland’s police, fire, ambulance service, and coast guard, and the air ambulance service from Northern Ireland as well as a specialist team from the UK-run province were in attendance.

Letterkenny University Hospital, 24 kilometres (15 miles) from the explosion was placed on an emergency footing as it said in a statement it was dealing with “multiple injuries”.

Ireland’s Premier Micheal Martin said in a statement that his “thoughts and prayers are today with those who have lost their lives, and those injured in the devastating explosion”.

“People across this island will be numbed by the same sense of shock and utter devastation as the people of Creeslough at this tragic loss of life,” 

Also, thanking members of the emergency services who are working throughout the night in extremely traumatic circumstances.

Israel: Authorities Discover Bodies Of 2 Soldiers Killed In Independence War 74 Years Ago

Enyichukwu Enemanna 

The Israel Defense Forces, IDF on Friday announced it has identified the remains of two troops killed at the war front with Egyptian forces during the War of Independence, over 74 years after their deaths.

Yitzhak Rubinstein and Binyamin Aryeh Eisenberg, both members of the Palmach, were among the troops who defended Kibbutz Yad Mordechai from an Egyptian attack in May 1948, days after Israel declared independence.

The two, along with Palmach medic Livka Shefer, were captured by the Egyptians while Eisenberg was evacuated on a stretcher to a nearby kibbutz. It was unknown where they were taken and in 1952 they were recognized as fallen soldiers whose remains are missing.

According to the military, Shefer’s body was found in the village of Majdal (today Ashkelon) in 1949 and then moved to a mass grave in Kibbutz Nitzanim, where it was identified four years ago.

Citing an “intensive investigation” it conducted over the past decade, the IDF said it determined that the remains of Rubinstein and Eisenberg were similarly buried at Nitzanim, without further elaborating.

The military said their relatives were informed Friday morning of the development by Maj. Gen. Yaniv Assor, head of the IDF Personnel Directorate.

With the latest development, the names of Eisenberg and Rubenstein will be added to the memorial at Nitzanim, as was Shefer’s. A ceremony is due to be held in the coming weeks.

“Every Hebrew mother should know that we will not give up until all the children of Israel are returned to their graves and we’ve revealed the burial places of those martyrs whose burial places are unknown,” Assor said in a statement. “Today, the State of Israel and the IDF have fulfilled its moral obligation in establishing the burial sites of Benjamin Aryeh Eisenberg and Yitzhak Rubenstein.”

Eisenberg, born in Poland, 1927, moved to Mandatory Palestine in 1946. Shortly after, he enlisted in the Palmach, the elite fighting unit of the pre-state Haganah militia. Rubinstein, who was born in Ukraine in 1913, joined the Palmach after arriving on a refugee boat in 1938.

The IDF said both were killed in battle on May 24, 1948.

Shefer, Rubinstein and Eisenberg have all been awarded ranks posthumously, as there was not yet an IDF to be part of when they were alive.

With few exceptions, the military continues to search for the bodies of soldiers whose burial places are unknkown, sometimes decades after their death.

South Africa: Ex-President Jacob Zuma Freed From Prison

Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been set free following the expiry of his prison sentence for contempt of court, a government department said on Friday.

Zuma received a 15-month sentence last year after he ignored instructions to participate in a corruption inquiry, thereby committing a court contempt. 

He handed himself in on July 7 last year to begin his sentence, which led to the worst violence South Africa had seen in years as his angry supporters took to the streets.

In a statement, Zuma said he felt relieved to be a free man and thanked his supporters.

"The... messages of support on social media and other platforms kept me strong and focused on ensuring that those who wanted to break my spirit and resolve do not succeed," he said.

Zuma was released on medical parole in September 2021. But in December, the high court set aside the parole decision and ordered him to return to jail. Zuma appealed the ruling and remained on parole pending the appeal outcome.

His appeal had not been determined by the time his sentence expired.

"Mr Zuma complied with his conditions for medical parole as set out during his placement," the Correctional Services department said in a statement.

"All administrative processes have now been concluded and the sentence expiry date marks the end of him serving his sentence under community corrections."

We Have $310 Million Economic Reform Funding Agreement With Rwanda — IMF

Enyichukwu Enemanna 

The International Monetary Fund said on Friday that it had reached a staff-level agreement for a 36-month Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) to support Rwanda’s economic policies and reforms with $310 million  and help it build resilience against climate change.

Rwanda is the first African country to reach a staff-level agreement to access the Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST) 

Rwanda's gross domestic product is forecast to grow 6.8% in 2022, the IMF said in a statement, higher than the 6% it predicted in June.

The funding agreement is subject to approval by the IMF's executive board, which is scheduled to consider it in December this year.

The IMF said a mission to the East African country had discussed reforms to strengthen the fiscal framework, sustain effective forward-looking monetary policy and mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Addressing high inflation, long-term development needs and emerging climate risks remain a policy challenge in a highly volatile global environment," the Fund's statement said.

Innovative African Countries 2022

Niger Delta: Group Urge PMB To Score Valid Points Before Its Tenure Elapses

The League of Niger Delta Elders has urged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC government to salvage its administrations and as a matter of urgency to score some valid points before its tenure elapses.

In an Open Letter, on Friday to Solomon Lalong, Governor of Plateau State and Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign, the group bewailed the APC government for failing to deliver on its many promises made to the Niger Delta region noting that this sad development has taken the region backwards in terms of development. 

"As the 2023 general election draws nigh, it has become crucial to express our displeasure with the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, on their failed promises to the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

"The alarm raised by Godswill Akpabio, the erstwhile Minister of Niger Delta Affairs that the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC is on "life support", is a reality which has taken the region aback, and is disrupting the developmental story of the region that is begging to be written in gold.

"The deliberate failure of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to constitute a substansive NDDC Board is a minus in their achievements, especially as they leave office in a few months time. 

"This Gestapo-like decision, has left the NDDC leadership in the hands of a Sole Administratior for too long. This has in turn botched the working relationship between the NDDC, International Oil Companies, IOCs and the Niger Delta Ministry. 

"These bureaucracies are largely responsible for the trapping of funds which would have been used to fast-track payment to contractors for projects executed in the region.

"The East West Road still lies uncompleted. The report of the NDDC Forensic Audit which revealed that as much as 13,000 projects remain uncompleted across the region, is yet to be made public.

"To this end, and as a matter of urgency to score some valid points before leaving office, the current administration can still salvage itself," the letter written by Oyintari Peretimi, the group's spokesperson read.

Bayelsa Gov Meets President Over Medical University, Road Projects

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Wednesday, met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Governor Diri, who was accompanied to the meeting by his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, former Military Governor of Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, and the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama, King Bubaraye Dakolo, sought the President’s intervention and the support of the Federal Government in addressing some critical infrastructural and developmental issues in the state.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that in pursuance of the President’s policy to establish six new federal universities of medical sciences and bio-medical technology in the country, the state was willing to hand-over the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) to the federal government to cover the South-South region.

The governor noted that the medical institution was equipped with a 300-bed hospital and had all its programmes accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The governor equally sought the support and collaboration of the federal government on the ongoing three senatorial road projects in the state. They include the Yenagoa-Angiama-Oporoma-Ukubie road in Bayelsa Central, the Sagbama-Ekeremor-Agge road (Bayelsa West) and the Yenagoa-Ogbia-Nembe-Brass road (Bayelsa East).

According to the governor, Bayelsa, being the most littoral and riverine state in Nigeria, grapples with very peculiar environmental challenges that place greater burden on the cost of infrastructure development.

“This notwithstanding, successive administrations have made spirited efforts to connect the state through massive investment in roads and bridges. Yet we have the least road coverage in the country, which makes most communities inaccessible by road.

“To take advantage of the Blue Economy, my administration has continued the construction of the three senatorial roads designed to terminate at the Atlantic Ocean.

“These roads, which are long-conceived federal projects that have suffered lack of attention, will provide enormous benefits to our communities and enable easy access to our nation’s oil and gas assets.”

The Bayelsa governor also solicited the President’s intervention to resolve the controversy surrounding the revoked Atala Marginal Oilfield (OML 46) licence, which is owned by the state government.

He explained that state government acquired the marginal field through the Bayelsa Oil Company Limited (BOCL) since 2003 but was surprised that in April 2020, a few weeks after he assumed office, the federal government through the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) revoked the licence.

Diri stated that the oilfield was reallocated to “a private company based on wrong information supplied to the relevant authorities.”

President Buhari, in his brief response, assured the delegation that he will urgently look into the requests and act on them.

NDLEA, Interpol sign MoU on access to global criminal data records

By Gowon Emakpe

 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and the International Criminal Police Organization, INTERPOL , have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU that will enable the anti-narcotics agency contribute to the pool of global criminal data and also access such records of 195 countries around the world for its use.

Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA,  Mohamed Buba Marwa, signed for the Agency while the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the National Central Bureau and Vice President, Interpol Africa, Garba Baba Umar, endorsed the document on behalf of the global body.

Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy of the Agency said speaking at a brief ceremony at the NCB secretariat, Force Headquarters Abuja on Wednesday,5th October 2022,  Marwa reminded the audience that drug business is international in scope while the scourge of drug abuse has continued to destroy lives, youths, families and communities, stressing that it also fuels criminalities because perpetrators either consume illicit substances or use proceeds to fund their nefarious criminal activities.

“As we are after the drug cartels and barons, we are not under the illusion that they won’t be after us but we are always steps ahead of them. This is why all security agencies must collaborate to fight the cartels, whether in Nigeria or anywhere in the world. We are therefore happy that the signing of this MoU allows us access to contribute and benefit from criminal data records of 195 countries globally”, 

Marwa, commended the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman for providing good leadership for the Nigeria Police and his commitment to partner with NDLEA in the fight against illicit drugs in Nigeria, citing the IGP’s memo to all police formations across the country to always transfer drug cases to NDLEA across the states for investigation and prosecution, as a mark of such collaboration.

Speaking earlier, AIG Garba Umar commended Marwa for transforming NDLEA to a ground breaking agency within a short time of his assumption of office. He called for more support for the anti-narcotics agency from all relevant stakeholders especially security agencies.

He highlighted the significance of the MoU to the success of NDLEA operations and assured of the full support of Interpol at all times.

 

Nigeria @ 62: Medicliq Provides Free Medical Checkup For IBB Golf Club Members

In commemoration of Nigeria’s 62nd Independence anniversary and the 82nd birthday of elder statesman and former military governor of Rivers State, Alfred Diete-Spiff, a healthcare technology organization, Medicliq Health Care has taken free medical services to members of IBB Golf Club in Abuja.

The group which deploys technology such as telemedicine, emotional intelligence, virtual consultations with doctors from across the globe and others in administering to the health care needs of millions of people in Africa said it is poised to making access to decent medical care affordable and easy to everyone irrespective of age and status.

Speaking with newsmen at the weekend in Abuja, the CEO Medicliq Health Care, Dr. Abubakar Ibrahim said the decision to choose the Golf Club, which he said is a game novel among senior citizens is borne out of the need to reach the elderly in its free medical campaign, stating that it is poised to touch the lives of more people with the right support from relevant agencies of government.

According to Dr. Ibrahim, similar outreach has taken place outreach in Jos, Kano, Port Harcourt and more cities across the federation, adding that the organization is in consultation with a lot of government agencies in its effort to make health care affordable and accessible to all Nigerians.

“We have several kinds of innovations that we are working on, currently we have a device which is like a mobile clinic that has everything, it is a box which is mobile and can be taken to any rural community and can perform treatment care just from our box without  going to a hospital.

“You have access to international doctors from that box, you can speak to a doctor across the world, it has internet access, it connects directly to the satellite, and we can reach any community wherever ” he said.

While noting that many Nigerians no longer pay attention to critical health concerns since post COVID-19, Dr. Ibrahim expressed optimism that this innovation will go a long way in providing answers to health issues such as depression, mental health, communicable diseases and others affecting individuals because of change of lifestyle.

“It is an innovation that can change all these, just the same way the mobile communication evolved, it is time we moved from mediocrity in health care to technology where we can now start saving lives.”

According to him, the reception has been impressive despite the little distraction associated with the charged political atmosphere ahead of Nigeria’s major election in 2023. He appealed to the government to activate relevant agencies to raise awareness about the decaying mental health care in the country.

In his comment, CEO Red Saphire Mr Ono Akpe while saying that Medicliq is spending a lot of money to sponsor the outreach noted that there was no religious and tribal sentiments in various states it has covered.

He said the mobile app introduced by the organization assists patients in having access to medical care irrespective of their location.

“We have a wonder-kit, a whole clinic on the go and that box is a magic box that can check you up for most general issues you would have including cardio, ECG, ear , nose and throat issues and amongst others.

“It can be used in any community, rural and urban to treat patients and all they need to do is to connect it to the satellite and you can get international doctors that will appear on the screen and consult with the patient directly, all you need to do is put up the box set it up and with the screen you can be linked up to a doctor that has been programmed” he added.

Medicliq has other Medical Outreach programmes in Abuja planned for the month of October to commemorate Nigeria's 62 Independence anniversary.