NEWS
Group Faults Call for Resignation of DSS Boss
A Civil Society Organization, Save Nigerian Movement (SNM) has said the recent call for the sack of the Director General of the Department of State Security (DGSS) Mr. Yusuf Magagi Bichi was the handiwork of high profile criminal suspects, who were under prosecution various crimes of multiple dimensions.
Describing such calls as a desperate bid by criminal elements to hoodwink Nigerians and curry public sympathy against the service in particular and the federal government in general.In a statement by its Convener, Rev. Solomon Semaka, SNM noted that the call was a reckless ploy and afterthought deployed by powerful criminal suspects undergoing trial in line with the rule of law.
“These individuals have resorted to smear campaign against the federal government apparently in a bid to evade justice and stamp their feet and take control of the system “
“These high profile and very powerful criminal syndicates already in custody have deployed their enormous financial war chest in a battle of vendatta against the service at the detriment of national security and Nigerians.
“As a frontline Civil Society Organisation committed to promoting democracy and societal values, we deem it necessary to condemn the purported call for the sack of the leadership of the DSS and threats of a nationwide protests by those we consider as crisis entrepreneurs who always avail themselves to be bought by wealthy criminals at the detriment of Nigerians.
“It is troubling that some Nigerians have sold their conscience to the same corrupt elements that impoverished us while in public office, indulging in all forms of criminality instead of service to the nation. The allegations made by these crisis entrepreneurs against Bichi and the DSS are baseless to say the least and a clear case of corruption fighting back.
” We have no doubt that this is a sinister plan to blackmail the federal government and its security agencies especially the DSS from going on with some high profile corrupt cases it is currently handling including that of the former Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the suspended EFCC chair just to mention a few.
“We must emphasize and warn these criminal elements that using their criminal wealth ,influence and faceless groups to sponsor campaigns of calumny against the DSS is an old trick and Nigerians must not fall for it. It is shameful that some greedy Nigerians have teamed up with enemies of the country just because of selfish financial gain” . This is a clear case of corruption fighting back to overwhelm the state.
“The DSS must do its job and refrain from falling for cheap blackmail as they strive to ensure national security”.
The group maintained that the DSS under Yusuf Magagi Bichi has demonstrated commitment to maintaining internal security and should be commended rather than attacked by sponsored elements emphasizing that Nigerians have confidence in the ability of DSS to effectively prosecute all criminal elements who try to undermine Nigeria’s national security no matter how highly placed.
“We urge Nigerians to question the motives behind the faceless groups and lawyers who only seek justice for the wealthy regardless of their heinous crimes against humanity and the nation. Under normal circumstances, these groups should instead be fighting for the interests of the poor but the reverse is the case, this is curious and suspect”, the statement added.
The group passed a vote of confidence on the DSS and its leadership and urged Nigerians to disregard the so-called protests and remain focused on efforts aimed at stabilizing the country and building a secured and prosperous nation for all Nigerians.
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State government has commended the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) for propagating the teachings of Jesus Christ and its intervention programmes towards providing succour to people affected by natural disasters.The Deputy Governor, Sen.
Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo gave the commendation recently when the Christian Council of Nigeria, South-South zone, paid him a courtesy call in Government House, Yenagoa. He expressed delight that the CCN had offered to support the state’s development initiatives which he described as laudable and also congratulated the new South-South Zone executive members of the foremost Christian organisation in the country on their election.Ewhrudjakpo implored the current executives to make a difference by consolidating on the gains of their predecessors and demonstrate exemplary leadership, stressing that true leaders respond to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.Commenting on the interaction between the church and society, the deputy governor expressed displeasure over the church’s inability to adequately play the role of catering to the welfare of the less privileged.According to him, the churches should not place unnecessary burden on their adherents but allow them to make free will donations to support their programmes and projects.He also frowned at the practice whereby the church now placed more emphasis on materialism to the detriment of spiritual wellbeing as exemplified in the scriptures which enjoin humanity “to seek first the kingdom of God and all other things shall be added unto them.”Ewhrudjakpo further noted that one of the major concerns of the church should be about attracting people to the word of God for redemption and salvation as well as taking care of the needy.On the CCN’s request for land in Bayelsa, he expressed the government’s willingness to provide land for the purpose of establishing the National Research institute for the South-South zone.In their presentations, the National General Secretary of CCN, Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, and the South-South Zonal Chairman, Rev. Dr Jonathan Ihwighwu, said they were in the state to hold a zonal meeting as well as inaugurate the new executive of the CCN, South-South zone.Rt Rev Onyemara explained that aside from its evangelical mission, the CCN also provides humanitarian services and assists in developmental issues.He added that in 2022, the General Assembly of the CCN resolved that the South-South zone should establish what it called, the Institute of Church and Society and appealed to the state government to provide land for the building of a national research institute in Bayelsa for the South-South zone.The Bayelsa State Chairman of CCN, who is also the Bishop of the Northern Izon Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev. Funkuro Amgbari, that of Rivers State, Rev Dr Innocent Ordu and their Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River and Edo counterparts accompanied the Zonal Chairman on the visit.The Highlight of the visit was the offering of prayers for Governor Douye Diri, Senator Ewhrudjakpo and the entire government and people of Bayelsa.
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Government has again indicated its determination for effective collaboration with reputable individuals and firms to harness the abundant resources in the Blue Economy sector of the state.The Deputy Governor, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, indicated the state’s readiness at a dinner organized by the state government in honour of participants of the Senior Executive Course(SEC) 47, 2025 of the National Institute For Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Yenagoa, at the weekend.
Ewhrudjakpo, described Bayelsa as a state richly endowed with not only oil and gas but also huge marine resources as low hanging fruits waiting for investors to pluck.To this end, he called on private and other corporate investors to look at Bayelsa for new investment opportunities in the blue economy sector, especially in the area of developing a deep sea port.He also reiterated the foresightedness of the present Bayelsa State Government in establishing a ministry of marine and blue economy, and assured prospective investors of the safety of their investments in the state.The Deputy Governor urged the participants of the Senior Executive Course 47 to act as ambassadors of Bayelsa and tell the world about the potentialities of Bayelsa in the blue economy sector.Ewhrudjakpo equally implored the team to make its report available to the state government in good time, stressing that Bayelsa was looking forward to the outcome of their study in the state believing it will help in the development of the sector.His words: “We are happy that you are happy. We are here to round off what we started some few days ago. As we all know, everything that has a beginning must have an end.”We believe that in Bayelsa we have the potential for a vibrant marine and blue economy. That is why the present administration created a separate full-fledged ministry to oversee that critical sector. We are the first state to do so in the country.”Just as oil and gas, the marine and blue economy is also very important to us. And so, we are looking forward to the outcome of your study so we can see what we can achieve with it in the area of blue economy.”We want you to be our ambassadors and tell other people that Bayelsa is investment friendly. Bayelsa is also very safe for investment.”For the participants, I believe that your coming today will add to our thinking capacity and we are open to all the critiques that will come with it.”Earlier in his opening remarks, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, lauded participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, 2025 for their choice of Bayelsa and the discipline they all exhibited throughout the period of the study tour.Prof Ayawei, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, SSG’s Office, Mr Felix Asingbi, expressed optimism that their visit will open up opportunities for the state to make progress in the development of its blue economy potential.Also speaking, the Leader of the NIPSS Study Team, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Umar, commended the Bayelsa State government for what he described as exceptional hospitality accorded to members of the team.He said going round the state enabled the team to have first-hand knowledge of Bayelsa’s huge potential in the blue economy sector, and urged the government to vigorously pursue the development of the sector.
From Francis Sadhere, Delta
The Delta State Government has issued a stern warning to contractors handling state-funded projects, emphasizing that it will not tolerate substandard work, negligence, or any form of misappropriation.Speaking on the government’s renewed commitment to infrastructure accountability, a senior official of the state’s project oversight agency stressed that effective monitoring and reporting mechanisms have been put in place to track the progress and quality of ongoing projects across the state.
He stated that the state will take decisive action against any contractor found delivering poor-quality work or engaging in sharp practices, noting that public funds must be judiciously used for the benefit of the people.”Let me make it clear: any contractor who fails to meet the standards expected of them or attempts to cut corners will face the full weight of the law. This administration is determined to deliver projects that will stand the test of time,” the official said.The agency, according to him, is actively inspecting projects to ensure they align with contractual specifications and timelines, adding that erring contractors risk sanctions ranging from blacklisting to legal action.This move comes as part of the state’s broader effort to promote transparency, accountability and value for money in all government undertakings.Residents have welcomed the warning, urging the government to match words with action and ensure no contractor goes unpunished for delivering substandard work.
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