CrossFire Interrogator

Governors of the South South states under the auspices of the BRACED (Bayelsa Rivers Akwa-Ibom Cross Rivers Edo and  Delta) Commission, on Tuesday, met in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. The meeting, which was hosted by Governor Douye Diri, had in attendance the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the deputy governor of Delta State, Monday Onyeme and his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Senator Akon Eyakenyi. Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, sent two representatives to the meeting. In a communique read by Governor Obaseki, who is chairman of the commission, the South-South states lamented the persistent poor state of electricity in the region. The commission noted that member-states had made huge investments in the power sector by successive governments of the region and called on the power companies operating in the region to work more closely with the state governments to ensure the operationalization of the new Electricity Act of 2023.   It also called on the Federal G...

    The Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, says that peace is paramount for the execution of projects and the rapid development of the Niger Delta region.   Ogbuku stated this during the Capacity Building Training on Conflict Management and Peace building for the staff of the Commission in Port Harcourt.  He stated that building capacity among the work force in dispute and conflict resolution was necessary to achieve peace for development in the Niger Delta region.   The Managing Director, who was represented by the Director Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Patrick Ekade, noted that conflict was something that could arise anytime and anywhere, hence it was necessary for the staff of the Commission to equip themselves with the needed capacity to enable them serve as peace ambassadors in the region.   The Acting Director, Dispute and Conflict Resolution, Mr.    Godwin O...

 … for us, its EDO FIRST always!  … for them, its godfather only!  By Chris Osa Nehikhare  When critics of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, raise the issue of servicing politicians or in more clear terms the godfathers, what usually comes to mind are the words of Jesus Christ, the greatest teacher in history, who said in Matthew 6:24 that “No man can serve two masters.” He further explained that “for either he will hate the one and he will love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and he will despise the other. You are not able to serve God and mammon.” In Nigeria’s current political system, most elected political leaders struggle with divided loyalties, torn between serving the interest of the people and those of their political benefactors, but in the long run, one suffers, and in most cases the former. I watched with disdain and utmost disappointment the most recent embarrassing outing of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the camera-shy and ineloquent ca...

The Federal Government on Monday reiterated its commitment to nurture young talents by fostering technological advancements. The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, made this commitment at the Award Ceremony of the 2024 Rwanda International Competition and the USA World Robotics Festival held in Abuja. Mamman emphasised the importance of recognising and supporting the nation’s young heroes. He acknowledged the outstanding accomplishments of students from Federal Government College, Ikirun, and the Federal Government College, Oyo, who excelled in the international competitions. The minister said the achievements of the young talents at the competition was a great feat for the nation. “The achievements of our young innovators reflect our commitment to providing a technology-driven educational environment. “We are dedicated to nurturing critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity from the foundation level, and ensuring that every child in Nigeria has access to opportunities in...

  The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has tasked the State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) on delivering quality education to Nigerians. The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hamid Bobboyi, made this known at a meeting with UBEC and SUBEBs quality assurance officers, on Monday in Abuja. “As professionals, you need no convincing that quality assurance is an important component of the teaching and learning process. “It ensures that school services consistently meet set standards; that content aligns with established educational standards and that the materials are relevant, appropriate, supportive and effective for the learners. “The federal government, doesn’t own any school, it’s the states that have these schools and it is our responsibility to ensure that we work very closely with them in the various areas in teaching. “This is to ensure that quality is assured in our schools in teaching, and ensure that teaching and learning is taking place properly,” he said. A...

  ...Promises Not To Touch Council Funds  Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday, swore in 14 new commissioners, newly-elected chairmen of the eight local government councils, their vice chairmen as well as the chairman of the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue, Daniel  Iniekezimene. The ceremony took place inside the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa. The re-appointed cabinet members, who served in the governor’s first term and retained their portfolios, include Biriyai Dambo SAN (Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice), Moses Teibowei (Works and Infrastructure), Maxwell Ebibai (Finance), Dr. Gentle Emelah (Education), Daniel Igali (Sports Development) and Preye Brodricks (Special Duties, Bayelsa East). Others who returned but were re-deployed are Dr Ebieri Jones, who was assigned to Trade and Industry from Mineral Resources while Flint George, who served as Special Duties, Bayelsa Central, was assigned to Budget and Ec...

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, will on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, lead Governors of the South South States for the BRACED (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta) Commission Governors Council meeting taking place in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The meeting among other issues will focus on regional interests and addressing critical issues affecting the region, including power, security, agricultural financing, and youth empowerment, among others. In a statement, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, said the meeting to be chaired by Governor Obaseki who is the current chairman of the Council, will be attended by the Governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Delta States. According to him, “The BRACED Commission Governor's Council, comprising the Governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa lbom, Cross River, Edo and Delta States will meet on Tuesday, 30 April 2024 in Yenegoa, Bayelsa state. “The meeting will d...