CrossFire Interrogator

GOV. DICKSON TO NIGERIANS: BE OPTIMISTIC OF 2019 The Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson on Monday enjoined Nigerians to have a renewed mindset as they enter 2019. He said despite the expected challenges, 2019 holds a lot of promise and called for collective support for the political leadership in the country. The Bayelsa Governor in his New Year message signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson expressed strong optimism of a prosperous 2019. Dickson who used the opportunity to thank Bayelsans for their abiding faith in  his administration in the last seven years, also said he remains committed to his declaration of finishing well and strong. According to him, the last seven years has been very challenging but with the prayers and support of Bayelsans, the Restoration Government has remained focus on its agenda of rewriting the story of Bayelsa State. The governor assured that his administration will use t

SHEHU SHAGARI'S DEATH, A MAJOR LOSS - Gov. Dickson. ...URGES NIGERIANS TO EMULATE SHAGARI’S  SIMPLE LIFESTYLE The Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has described the death of former President Shehu Shagari, as a major loss to the country. The Governor who expressed shock and his heartfelt condolences over the death of Nigeria’s first elected President described Shagari as a compassionate leader and decent politician who was considerate  of the peculiar challenges of the Niger Delta and the Ijaw Nation in particular. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media Relations, Mr Fidelis Soriwei, the governor said that Shagari passed on at a critical time his vast experience and wise counsel was needed in the country. Governor Dickson urged Nigerians to learn from and emulate the simple, decent and peaceful lifestyle the former President lived. He condoled with the Shagari family, Alhaji Muktar Shagari, former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Hon.

NIGERIA SITTING ON A TICKING TIME BOMB IF WE DON’T RESTRUCTURE NOW …..THERE MIGHT BE NO NIGERIA TO RESTRUCTURE IN 20 YEARS TIME…. Gov Seriake Dickson By Michael Egiethua in Abuja. Gov. Dickson and the Panelist presenting the book to the public The Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson has said that Nigeria with its increasing youth population, high crime rate, drug abuse, cultism and other social vices may in 20 years’ time when our population would have reached an estimated three Hundred and Fifty to Four Hundred Million People (350,000,000 to 400,000,000) be a Ticking Time Bomb if we do not Restructure now. Governor Dickson further emphasized that we cannot afford a Nigeria of approximately Four Hundred Million Human Beings who are constantly quarrelling, squabbling and questioning their commitment and Patriotism. At a time when we would have become one of the most populous nations on the face of the Earth, when today assault rifles can be bought

CHRISTMAS: GOV. DICKSON URGES CHRISTIANS TO EMULATE CHRIST ...calls for prayers ahead of 2019 polls Bayelsa State Governor, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson has called on Christians in Nigeria to be more prayerful as the country moves towards another round of crucial general elections. In his Christmas message signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the governor said only prayers can avert any negative plan by enemies towards the country. He said Nigeria must remain united even after the elections, stressing that the outcome of the polls should not throw the country into chaos. According to him, elections will come and go but Nigeria and Nigerians will remain and called on political leaders not to inflame the country with their misguided utterances and actions. Dickson also called on Christians to eschew every form of acrimony but use the period of Christmas to show love to one another which is a major virtue of Jesus Christ,

DEJI ADEYANJU LIKE DINO MELAYE:  ARE THERE STILL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS WHO SEEK TO PROTECT AND DEFEND INDIVIDUAL HUMAN RIGHTS?  By Frank Tietie Deji Adeyanju Are there human rights organizations who still seek to protect and defend individual human rights? Quite frankly I don't know anymore. Some people who are referred to as human rights defenders, including me, Frank Tietie, who claim to defend the rights of the poor, oppressed and persecuted, may not be sincere. Don't we do much of what we do only when it is convenient or when some money or popularity will flow therefrom? The truth about it is that the impulsions of much we do as a people either in government or in civil society, especially so called human rights groups are driven by gain and not by a commitment to applying the principles of protecting and defending human rights. Indeed, it is about how much gain and how convenient it is for us, to do the human rights work. I recall when

GOV DICKSON VISITS PA CLARK OVER DEATH OF HIS SON The Governor òf Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has visited Ijaw   National Leader, Pa Edwin Clark, to condole with him on the death of his son, Chike. Dickson described the death of the 43 year old Chike as sudden, sad and untimely and prayed to God to give the elder statesman and his family the fortitude to bear the loss. He said that he, the Bayelsa people and indeed the Ijaw nation were shocked by the painful occurrence. He encouraged the elder statesman for the strength to pull himself together in spite of the sad occurrence. The Governor assured the Ijaw National Leader òf  the support of the people especially in his moment of trial. “We are here and before the interment, we will still be here. I came and it is one of the main reasons I am in Abuja. We are here on behalf of the people of the state to condole with you on the sudden, sad, untimely departure of your son, Chike. “I was shocked by the sudden

BAYELSA DECLARES RECEIPT OF N13.5BN ALLOCATION FOR DECEMBER ...GOV DIRECTS PAYMENT OF DEC. SALARY BEFORE XMAS ...OFFERS SPECIAL XMAS BONUS TO WORKERS ...TO PAY OUTSTANDING ONE MONTH SALARY ARREARS IN JANUARY  The Bayelsa State Government has declared receipt of N13.6BN as allocation from the Federation Account for the month of December, 2018. The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Maxwell Ebibai, said in a statement on Saturday that the Governor, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, had issued a directive for payment of December salary and allowances to workers before Christmas. According to the Commissioner, the Treasury Department has commenced the process of carrying out the Governor’s directive with a view to ensuring that the workers get their salaries and allowances before Christmas. He stated further that the Governor also approved the payment of a special Christmas bonus to all categories of public servants which would be paid according to cadre in appreciation for the suppo

Restructuring: Buhari lost golden opportunity - Gov. Dickson Says Biafra not geographical concept but metaphor for injustice, inequity Bayelsa State Governor, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, on Friday extended the frontiers of the restructuring debate, saying President Muhammadu Buhari lost a golden opportunity to become a great statesman by vehemently rejecting his party, the All Progressives Congress's position on the restructuring of Nigeria. He also said that it is a major tragedy for Nigeria and his leadership that the President dumped the report of his party's committee on restructuring and devolution of power led by the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, into the trash can. Governor Dickson, who spoke in Abuja on the topic: "Federalism, Restructuring and Nation-building" at the public presentation of "We are all Biafrans," a book authored by veteran journalist and rights activist, Mr. Chido Onumah, restated his position that his relen

DICKSON DOLES OUT OVER N150M CASH AWARDS TO  B AYELSA ATHLETES …Says Awards to Motivate Them to do better in Future Festivals   Bayelsa State Governor, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, on Thursday splashed over One hundred and fifty million Naira cash awards to the state’s contingent to the 19th National Sports Festival, in Abuja, from 6th to 16th of December, 2018.   A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei quoted the Governor as having made the pronouncement, when he received the contingent in Government House, Yenagoa.   The Bayelsa Contingent emerged fifth in the tournament with 32 gold, 56 silver and 49 bronze medals. Governor Dickson described the performance of Team Bayelsa as remarkable and expressed appreciation to contingent for making the state proud.   He noted that the cash gifts were to underscore and appreciate the athletes for their contributions, sacrifice, determination, hard work as well as to motivat

DICKSON SWEARS IN 5 NEW COMMISSIONERS , CALLS FOR CONCERTED ACTION AGAINST INCREASE IN CULTISM AMONG TEENAGERS, MINORS IN BAYELSA ...URGES NIGER DELTA LEADERS TO UNITE AGAINST SCOURGE ...FIRST FLIGHT TO LAND IN BAYELSA AIRPORT IN JANUARY Bayelsa State Governor, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, on Wednesday called for concerted action against the upsurge of criminality and social vices such as cultism, cult related violence and drug abuse in the Niger Delta region. Governor Dickson, who made the call while swearing in five newly appointed commissioners in Government House, Yenagoa, described the development as disturbing and crippling. A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr Fidelis Soriwei listed the new commissioners to include Comrade Udengs Eradiri for Ministry of Youth Development, and Chief Victor Sam-Ateki, Special Duties for Eastern Senatorial District. Others are Mr Arthur Andrew in charge of the newly created Ministry of Stat