Connect with us

NEWS

Diri Tasks PANDEF to Focus on Region’s Devt Issues

Published

on

Share

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Sen Douye Diri has urged leadership of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to focus on issues that border on the region’s development in its advocacy as a voice of the region.

Senator Diri gave the admonition on Wednesday when a delegation of PANDEF led by its new chairman, Amb.

Godknows Igali paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.

He expressed his administration’s commitment to collaborate with the forum to address issues of development bedevilling the Niger Delta region.

The Bayelsa governor stressed that PANDEF needed the collaboration of governors of the region as well as interventionist agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the proposed South-South Development Commission in order for it to succeed.

His words: “PANDEF ought to play a key advocacy role in supporting the South-South Governors Forum. It was a divine arrangement that your meeting in Bayelsa coincided with the just concluded governors meeting.

“We must take issues of our development in our hands before waiting to seek external help. That is why in Bayelsa we are showing the example.”

Diri, who emerged as the new chairman of the South-South Governors Forum on Tuesday, said he would create a desk and assign an official to interface with PANDEF.

The Bayelsa helmsman stated that he had informed his counterparts in the South-South on the need to collaborate to establish a power project for the zone in order to attract investments.

On his administration’s part, he highlighted efforts aimed at facilitating the procurement of an independent power plant to enhance socio-economic activities.

The governor also spoke about infrastructure development to make communities accessible, noting that the ongoing central senatorial road leading to Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area would be completed and inaugurated before the end of this year.

According to him, “we are now building a bridge across River Nun to the headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area that has produced so much crude oil for this country but abandoned because they said the terrain was difficult.

“Now we are proving to them that the terrain can be conquered and that the bridge will be ready for commissioning by the end of this year. So we will drive to Oporoma by the end of this year.”

In his remarks, Chairman of PANDEF, Amb Godknows Igali, affirmed the forum’s support to the South-South Governors Forum to help reposition the body to bring about development and address issues such as fiscal federalism.

He said PANDEF as a voice for the people of the Niger Delta was being strengthened to be heard like other regional groups in the country and to participate in national discourse and relate outcomes to leaders of the region.

Amb. Igali said the body would set up a number of strategic working groups of experts in various fields and study the outcomes with a view to presenting them to the BRACED (an acronym for Bayelsa Rivers Akwa-Ibom Cross River Edo Delta) Commission.

While calling for political support for PANDEF, he congratulated Diri on his emergence as chairman of the South-South Governors Forum.

NEWS

IFC’s $50m Lagos Free Zone Investment Indicates Confidence in Tinubu’s Reforms – TMSG

Published

on

Share

Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG), says the 50 million dollars equity investment in the Lagos Free Zone by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is a vote of confidence in President Tinubu’s reforms.

In a statement on Tuesday by Mr Emeka Nwankpa, its Chairman, TMSG said the investment was a major indicator that the country’s business environment was gaining interest across the investment world.
According to him, it is an affirmation of Nigeria’s readiness for big business under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“That a reputable body like the IFC deemed it fit to commit a whopping 50 million dollars equity investment in a private business initiative in the country is no mean feat.
“Clearly, it is a stamp of approval by the international community that Nigeria is a good place to invest, a place where there is a guarantee of returns on investments.“But for us, it is a signal that the country is truly ready for big business as a result of ongoing reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration.”This is contrary to a few misconceptions in purely partisan quarters about the policies.”Nwankpa said that it was interesting that IFC’s equity investment was for the development and expansion of Nigeria’s first deep-sea port at the privately-run Lagos Free Zone.He added that the investment, the largest single financial commitment by IFC in recent years, was designed to address critical infrastructure gaps.”It will as well attract local and global businesses, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.“We are convinced that the decision to invest in the free zone will unlock new opportunities for businesses in the deep sea port that is already acknowledged to have world-class facilities.“We agree with President Tinubu that it is a testament to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda, as well as the ongoing efforts by his administration to attract foreign direct investment.“We also commend Tolaram, the owners of the Port-based industrial zone, which recently acquired Guinness and turned its financial fortunes around in just six months, for their continued efforts at showing that Nigeria is a good place to invest,” he said.He added that Nigeria’s business environment had recorded incremental improvement in the last few months in response to the federal government’s policies, noting that Nigeria remained Africa’s biggest investment capital.(NAN)

Continue Reading

NEWS

BREAKING: Edwin Clark Dies at 97

Published

on

Share

Former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Edwin Clark, is dead.

According to a statement released by his family, the chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF died on Monday night,

He was 97 years old.
“The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.

) Sen.
Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON on Monday 17th February , 2025.
’’

“Born in Kiagbodo, in the Ijaw area of what is now Delta State, late Clark attended primary and secondary schools at Effurun, Okrika and Afugbene before completing further studies at the Government Teacher Training College, which later became Delta State University, Abraka.

Thereafter, he worked briefly as a school teacher before traveling abroad to earn a law degree.

“He worked with the administrations of military governor Samuel Ogbemudia and head of state, General Yakubu Gowon between 1966 and 1975. In 1966, he was a member of an advisory committee to the military governor of the Mid-Western Region province, David Ejoor and was appointed Federal Commissioner of Information in 1975.

“May his soul rest in peace, Amen.”

“The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family.”

Continue Reading

NEWS

Lagos Lawmakers Demand Investigation into DSS Interference 

Published

on

Share

The Lagos State House of Assembly has called for a thorough investigation into the Department of State Services (DSS) for its undue interference at the complex on Monday.

Mr Stephen Ogundipe, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Security, and Strategy, made this statement in Lagos on Monday.

Report says that there was chaos at the Assembly on Monday, with lawmakers and staff clashing with DSS personnel upon arrival.

The complex was closed for several hours before legislative staff forced open the chamber’s doors.

Ogundipe said the presence of armed DSS operatives undermined the sanctity of the assembly and obstructed lawmakers from fulfilling their constitutional duties.

He called on relevant authorities to investigate this unwarranted restriction and ensure such incidents do not happen again.

Ogundipe stressed that the DSS’s presence infringed upon the legislature’s independence and directly attacked democratic governance.

The lawmaker also noted a DSS publication about a letter dated Feb. 14, titled ‘Enhanced Security Measures for LSHA.’

Ogundipe explained that the DSS released a letter from the Acting Clerk, requesting security presence at the Assembly complex, to justify their actions.

He stated that when lawmakers and staff arrived, they found the Speaker’s, Deputy Speaker’s, and Acting Clerk’s offices locked by DSS operatives, and the legislative chamber sealed.

Ogundipe emphasised that while the House had previously sought security from the DSS, the request never included invading offices or restricting access to the chamber.

“The letter requesting security never instructed the DSS to invade the legislative chamber or lock offices,” he clarified.

He added, “Today’s events raise serious concerns about undue interference in legislative affairs.”

Ogundipe reminded that lawmakers had lawfully removed the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and continued to support Speaker Mojisola Meranda’s leadership.

The lawmakers remain committed to enacting laws that promote the development and progress of the state. (NAN)

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS16 hours ago

IFC’s $50m Lagos Free Zone Investment Indicates Confidence in Tinubu’s Reforms – TMSG

ShareTinubu Media Support Group (TMSG), says the 50 million dollars equity investment in the Lagos Free Zone by the International...

NEWS16 hours ago

BREAKING: Edwin Clark Dies at 97

ShareFormer Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Edwin Clark, is dead. Your browser does not support this content. According...

Health19 hours ago

Imo, Abia Residents Advocate Measures to Address Healthcare Challenges 

Share Many residents of Imo and Abia, who are worried by the dangers militating against efficient healthcare delivery in the...

NEWS19 hours ago

Lagos Lawmakers Demand Investigation into DSS Interference 

Share The Lagos State House of Assembly has called for a thorough investigation into the Department of State Services (DSS)...

NEWS19 hours ago

Abia Govt. Announces Urban Renewal, Infrastructure Plans

Share The Abia Government has announced a series of urban renewal and infrastructure development projects aimed at transforming Umuahia into...

NEWS19 hours ago

Kogi Education Board Chairman Calls for Discipline, Commitment from Teachers

Share Dr Habiba Suleiman, Chairman of the Kogi Senior Secondary Education Board, has urged teachers to prioritise discipline and commitment,...

NEWS19 hours ago

Kaduna Dep. Governor Warns Against Unregulated Waterway Activities

Share The Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Hajiya Hadiza Balarabe, has expressed concern over unregulated activities along waterways, warning of their...

NEWS19 hours ago

Investors Lose N72.51bn on NGX

Share Trading on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) closed negatively, with investors losing N72. Your browser does not support this...

NEWS19 hours ago

Jigawa: Kazaure Emirate Distributes Zakkat Worth over N253m

Share The Kazaure Emirate Council in Jigawa has distributed Zakkat (alms) worth over N253 million to 13,694 less privileged families...

NEWS19 hours ago

Airtel Nigeria Increases Data Prices

Share Airtel Nigeria, the country’s second-largest telecommunications operator (Telco) has announced a significant adjustment to its data pricing structure. Your...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc