CrossFire Interrogator

PRESS STATEMENT PDP To Buhari : Not Too Young To Run is PDP Initiative The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lampoons President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for attempting to parade themselves as the architects of the ‘Not Too Young to Run Act’, which was sponsored and pursued by the PDP members in the National Assembly and State houses of assembly. It is instructive to note that President Buhari had no input whatsoever in the bill; never showed any support or enthusiasm towards the initiative and had no option than to perform a mandatory constitutional duty of assenting to the bill, as a clear reflection of the mood of the nation, given that the bill had already found an easy passage to the crucibles of the required approval of two-third of states in the federation. This development is indeed a democratic victory for the Nigerian youths over forces, particularly, the APC, that had hitherto disdained and disregarded them as lazy and inconsequential, but ha

SOUTH SOUTH GOVERNORS SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE... INSIST ON... RESTRUCTURING ,FISCAL FEDERALISM, DEVOLUTION OF POWERS... 13% DERIVATION OF EXCESS $1B SECURITY FUND... NO TO FG'S WATERWAYS BILL. A press statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State,  Francis Ottah Agbo noted that the  Forum made far-reaching resolutions. They include: The South South Governors Forum support the clamor for Restructuring,  fiscal federalism, devolution of powers from the Centre to the federating units. The Governors said for  Nigeria to be stable,  peaceful and prosperous,  it should be restructured.  They vowed to work with like minds to make it a reality! They also resolved to press for the release to the Oil producing states, the 13 percent derivation component of the $1b withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account by the FG to fight insurgency in the country. The communique which was read by the forum's Chairman and Governor of Bayelsa State,  the Honourable Henry Seri

TORU-ORUA LOSES RESTORATION CUP SEMI-FINAL The hopes of Toru-Orua community to be in the finals of the second edition of the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament ended on Tuesday. Toru-Orua, which is Governor Seriake Dickson's community, lost to Peretorugbene community 9-8 on penalties in the first semi-final game played at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa. The pulsating game, which ended 1-1 at regulation time, witnessed lots of interesting moments from the blast of the whistle till the end as both teams showcased strength and determination in their quest to be in the final of the competition. Toru-Orua midfielder, Bibo Amgbare, almost broke the deadlock with a beautiful free kick in the 33rd minute but his goal bound shot was parried by the goalkeeper while Peretorugbene's Matthew Effie's well taken free kick in the 38th minute was also saved. In the second half, both sides continued to mount pressure and missed a couple of chances. But the curtai

GOV. DICKSON CUP: SEMI-FINALISTS EMERGE Toru-Orua community from Sagbama Local Government Area on Thursday booked a place in the semifinal of the second edition of the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament otherwise known as the Restoration Cup. Toru-Orua advanced after defeating Ekpetiama community 4-2 on penalties at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa. Ekpetiama were the better side in the first stanza and dominated the game, scoring two goals in the process through Goodliving Gift in the 15th minute and Emeka Nwosu in the 40th minute. When hostilities resumed after the break, the Sagbama-based team mounted pressure from the blast of the whistle and in the 57th minute, Sunday Keme pulled one back with a beautiful header. The pressure continued and Sunday Keme's beautiful drive into the danger area after beating three players connected Tokoni Joel, who calmly placed the ball in the right corner to draw level. Toru-Orua didn't relent in their quest to win

BAYELSA GOVERNOR MEETS PRESIDENT BUHARI AT PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, HOLDS TALK ON RESTRUCTURING FISCAL FEDERALISM , NIGER DELTA AND NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES .... FG TO VISIT BRASS LNG PROJECT ....FEDERAL PROJECTS IN BAYELSA GOVERNOR of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja over the security situation in the Niger Delta and the ongoing agitation for the restructuring of the country. Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, he said he explained to the president the need to change the present approach to security issues in the region.Dickson said the president fully understood the issues he raised. He stated: “I am here this afternoon to see the President and to confer with him on critical national issues and also on issues that are pertinent to the stability, security and development of Bayelsa state and the Niger Delta region. And we had a very fruitful discussion and I am grateful to the Presid

BAYELSA GOVT ASSURES AMASSOMA COMMUNITY OF PROTECTION ...SAYS APC's REACTION SHOWS IT'S A  PARTY OF CRIMINALS  Bayelsa State Government, on Wednesday, assured indigenes and residents of one of the host communities to the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, of adequate protection from hoodlums and cultists in the community. The government urges all residents of the community to go about their normal activities without fear of intimidation or harassment.                  The government however said the reaction of the Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress to the NDU crisis is a vindication of Governor Seriake Dickson's position that the APC in Bayelsa is a party of criminals. A statement signed by APC chieftain, Doifie Ola Buokoribo, claimed that the hoodlums who attempted to  disarm the police of their  arms and died in the process were executive members of the party in the state. Special Adviser to the Governor of Public Affairs, Mr. Daniel Alabra

RESTORATION CUP SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT This is to inform all communities in Bayelsa State, football stakeholders and the general public that the Round of 16 matches involving communities in the ongoing Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament will be played on Sunday, May 20, 2018 at the following venues: YENAGOA LGA Azikoro vs Ekpetiama Venue: Okordia Time: 3pm BRASS LGA Okpoma vs  Buo-ama Venue: Twon Brass Time: 1pm NEMBE LGA Nembe City vs Opu-Nembe Venue: Otuasega Time: 3pm EKEREMOR LGA Peretorugbene vs Agge Venue: Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Ovom-Yenagoa Time: 1pm SAGBAMA LGA Toru-Orua vs Adagbabiri Venue: Ebedebiri Time: 3pm SOUTHERN IJAW LGA Amassoma vs Kalaowei-ama Venue: Oporoma Time: 3pm OGBIA LGA Otuasega vs Otuokpoti Venue: Nembe City Stadium Time: 3pm KOLOKUMA/OPOKUMA LGA Kaiama vs Ayakoro-ama Venue: Odi  Time: 3pm Signed: Tournament Director Restoration Cup 2018

BAYELSA HONOURS SAMSON SIASIA, OTHERS AS RESTORATION CUP TOURNAMENT ENTERS QUARTER FINALS Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson on Thursday, expressed commitment to continually utilize sports as a veritable tool to productively engage the youths, towards developing their God-given talents. Governor Dickson gave the assurance in Yenagoa, while speaking at the quarter- final draws Ceremony of the Restoration Cup, during which former Super Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia was unveiled as the tournament's ambassador. Represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Talford Ongolo, the Governor noted that, his investments in the sports sector, particularly the establishment of the sports academy would harness the budding talents in the state. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Francis Ottah Agbo, described sports as a money spinner, a unifying factor and a recreational activity, capable of diverting youths away from crime. While thanking t

Restoration Cup enters round of 16 ...holds quarterfinal draws Thursday ...presents Siasia as tournament's Ambassador Fifteen communities have already qualified for the crucial stage of the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament otherwise known as the Restoration Cup. The 16th team will emerge on Wednesday after the rescheduled game between Kalawei-ama and Ebikiri-ama at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex at 2pm to determine which community joins Amassoma, also from Southern Ijaw local government area. The draws for the quarterfinal will hold on Thursday at the Chief DSP Alamieyeiseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa. The event will also feature the public presentation of the tournament's Ambassador, Samson Siasia, a foremost indigene of Bayelsa, former Super Eagles player and coach of the Nigerian national team. One hundred and fifty teams, including three tertiary institutions, a media outfit, a religious organisation, a Government House team and the Nigerian Air

EMULATE LATE ISAAC ADAKA BOROH, BAYELSA GOVT TELLS IJAW LEADERS ...SAYS BOROH BELIEVED IN SELFLESS SACRIFICE FOR THE COMMON GOOD The Bayelsa State Government has challenged Ijaw leaders to emulate the ideals of the late Ijaw Freedom icon, Major Jasper Isaac Adaka Boroh. The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson described the late Boro as a hero who lived a selfless life and died in the pursuit of emancipation of the oppressed Niger Delta region in a statement to commemorate the 50th anniversary celebration of the late icon. Iworiso-Markson said that Boroh was ahead of his generation and was motivated into taking the risky path of the pursuit of freedom for the Ijaw Nation and indeed the Niger Delta because of his interest in the general good. The Commissioner said that the 50th anniversary celebration of Boroh should be a period for stocktaking on the Niger Delta agitation for resource control, equitable and fair process of resource allocation, t

FELICITATIONS ON WORLD FACILITY MANAGEMENT DAY, MAY 15TH 2018. By Michael Egiethua in Abuja. Mr. Paul Abbey The Institute of Global Facility Managers (IGFM), a leading facility management institute in Nigeria celebrates with Facility Management practitioners worldwide on this Facility Management Day. The day which is set aside every year is meant to serve as sensitization and awareness reminder of the need for professionalism in Facility Management. Speaking on this year’s commemoration, the President of IGFM, Nigeria, Mr. Paul Abbey, said the Institute would like to use this occasion to sensitize the government and the private sector in Nigeria of the need to place high premium in facility management culture, where the Art & Science of Facility Management professionalism will be enthroned in our national development. Federal Secretariat Building Abuja Mr. Paul Abbey said the institute is desirous about bringing to fruition value for money in facility

Bayelsa Governor Bags Nation Award ... As Borno Governor Describes Dickson As Change Agent The Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima has described the Countryman Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson as a change agent of the century!  He said Dickson has not only revolutionised agriculture in Bayelsa State but has changed the negative narrative of the state, by enthroning sustainable development and peace in the only homogenous Ijaw State. A press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary of the Governor of Bayelsa State, Francis Ottah Agbo noted that the Borno State Governor commended Dickson on Thursday while delivering a goodwill message at the maiden edition of the Nation Newspaper  Summit On Food and Agriculture which held at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja. Both Dickson and Shettima were also conferred with award of excellence in agriculture. Dickson was particularly honoured for the development of rural agro-business and fo

The Football Tournament Bayelsans are Talking About By Michael Afenfia Last week Saturday, I worked out for one hour only, instead of two in the gym as I usually did. I had to cut short my training session, but it was all for a good cause. My personal trainer informed me that he was now the head coach for one of the teams participating in the second edition of the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson Football Tournament christened Restoration Cup 2018 – a privately funded football competition for football sides in Bayelsa state that has the whole state talking. Communities, neighbourhoods, schools, media houses, banks and even the military have teams taking part in the tournament and it certainly has all of them excited. Even my wife is not left out of the excitement, seeing as she left the house before 7 o’clock that same Saturday to watch her male colleagues in the office play. And even though their opponents trounced them silly, she still came home with scintillating tales

RESTORATION CUP: PINAKIRI COMMUNITY DISQUALIFIED FOR FIELDING INELIGIBLE PLAYERS ...PERETORUGBENE ADVANCES The organising committee of the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament has disqualified Pinakiri community in Ekeremor Local Government Area for using ineligible players in the game against Peretorugbene community. Peretorugbene, also from Ekeremor LGA, filed a protest in which it alleged that Pinakiri fielded two ineligible players -Kutu Godswill, who was a player of George Turnah FC, a national league side, and Temple Wenibo a former player of Nembe City, another national league team. In the game played on April 30 at the Ekeremor centre, Pinakiri defeated Peretorugnene 3-1 on penalties after a goalless draw. The Organising and Disciplinary Committee of the tournament, in its report after investigating the matter, noted that the said players, Kutu Godswill and Temple Wenibo, were ineligible to participate in the competition having played professional football in the

Governor Dickson visits Mayor Of Houston .....Agrees on collaboration to catalyze the industrialization of Bayelsa Governor Dickson today 4th of May 2018 paid a courtesy call on the Mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner. In his remark, Governor Dickson commended Mr. Sylvester for his people oriented leadership and used the opportunity to offer condolences on behalf of the people of Bayelsa state to the mayor and the people of Houston for the January 1st, 2017 hurricane incident. The governor further stated that he came with a strong delegation from Bayelsa to attend the 2018 edition of the OTC and raised issues of interest about the Agge deep-sea port, the opportunities there are in oil and gas in Bayelsa state, the state's economic diversification drive and the utilization of the abundant gas reserves in the state to catalyze the Industrialization that Bayelsa and Nigeria rightly needed. Governor Dickson expressed delight at the success of his visit to Houston an

Female lawyer stabs husband to death, removes his penis in Lagos ● ...The UNIBEN Alumnus was found lying on the bed in the pool of his own blood, with his stomach ripped open exposing the intestines As if that was not enough, the killer severed his genital and placed it on his right hand. A female lawyer identified as Mrs Otike-Odibi Udeme on Thursday allegedly stabbed her husband, Sym Otike-Odibi to death, severed his genital and placed it on his right hand. The incident happened at Diamond Estate in the Sangotedo area of the Lekki-Epe expressway in Lagos. The tragedy was said to have occurred around 7:30am on Thursday, the police confirmed, describing the scene as an eyesore. The deceased, Sym Otike-Odibi, also a lawyer has been married to his wife, Udeme for three years without a child. SP Chike Oti, Police Public Relations Officer, while confirming the incident, said the Divisional Police Officer, Ogombo, Ajah, Lagos, received a distress call at about 0730h

PRESS STATEMENT RE: OBASANJO MAKES U-TURN, DECLARES SUPPORT FOR BUHARI It has come to the attention of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo that some elements in the Muhammadu Buhari camp and or support group are desperate to secure a second term, fair or foul.  In this desperation, everything is fair, including telling libelous lies against persons and institutions, instead of addressing the fundamental issues of statecraft and economic management.  In the last 24 hours the internet has been bombarded with deliberate falsehoods aimed at hoodwinking the unsuspecting Nigerians to believe that Obasanjo has now supported Buhari for his second term because of some perceived Buhari’s ‘superlative’ performance in his encounter with Trump during his visit to the White House in Washington D. C.   In another breath, these blackmailers insinuated that Chief Obasanjo met with some Nigeria Labour Congress leaders in his house in Abuja on Workers’ Day.  What a pathetic fallacy! Chief Obasanjo never met an

Re: Workers Day: Obasanjo Makes U-Turn , Declares  Support For Buhari .— DISCLAIMER My attention has been drawn to a  story by New Nigeria Reporters (an on-line medium) entitled "Workers Day: Obasanjo Makes U-Turn, Declares Support For Buhari), alleging that I, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, led the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress to pay a courtesy visit on Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at his Abuja residence as part of the activities to mark this year's Workers Day. Paying a visit to an eminent and distinguished citizen like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is an honour to us at the Nigeria Labour Congress. However, on this occasion, there was no such  visit, except perhaps, in the imagination of these fake reporters .Accordingly, readers are advised to ignore this story . I am still at a loss as to what possibly could have been the  motive of the promoters of this  story, since they did not as much as say what we told Chief Obasanjo during the visit. It is equally amazing that we we

BAYELSA GOVERNOR WANTS BAYELSA TO BE THE HOUSTON OF NIGERIA, AFRICA ....Dickson Is A Trail Blazer, Says NNPC GMD The Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson has said his administration is working very hard to make Bayelsa, the Houston of Nigeria and Africa as a whole. He said being the historical headquarters of oil and gas in Nigeria and Africa, Bayelsa deserves to be the Houston of Nigeria and Africa. A press statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo noted that the Governor was speaking on Tuesday during a session with the NNPC at the ongoing Onshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, USA. The governor stressed that making Bayelsa the Houston of Africa is realizable if the NNPC GMD, Dr. Maikanti Baru and the critical players in the oil and gas sector collaborate with his government. He recalled that Bayelsa participated fully in last year’s OTC which updated their knowledge in the oil and gas sector and helped them