From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

A suspected ritualist in Bayelsa State identified as Bobby was on Wednesday apprehended for the alleged killing of Six-year-old boy at Aritalin area of Ovom community in Yenagoa Local Government area.The suspect, popularly known as Bobby, who is an Indigene of Ovom community, was apprehended at about 8:PM with the mutilated body of the boy while trying to escape to an unknown destination.

The discovery of the mutilated body, which threw the Hausa community into anger and a mob action on the culprit, was however stopped by Muslim elders and the suspect handed over to the Police. When the delegation of the National leadership of the Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence (AWAGBV) and the Federation of Muslims Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Bayelsa State chapter visited the family of the deceased boy, the family said despite the temptation to resort to violence, the peace loving Muslims community are demanding for justice.A member of the deceased family told the delegation of Gender Based Advocates that the deceased boy had visited Yenagoa to celebrate Salah, “but his life was cut short.”The Chairperson of FOMWAN in Bayelsa, Hajia Aisha Abeki who is also a member of Association Of Women Against Gender based violence while speaking expressed sympathy over the incident, declaring that women in the state are sad and unhappy over the incident, “FOMWAN condemn the action and call on the Bayelsa State Police Command to ensure that justice is done.”Also speaking, the President of the National Association of Women against Gender Based Violence, Dr. Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry, also condemned the act and called on relevant agencies to come together and ensure justice is gotten in this case.As at the time of filing this report, the Chairperson of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Dr. Boma Tonye Miebai, Fomwan Bayelsa and Dr. Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry confirmed to newsmen that they have secured the assurances of the State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu that they were already on the matter and that the alleged suspect has already been arrested.

From Anjorin Adeloye, Ibadan

A University don, Prof. Lateef Oladimeji Sanni on Thursday advised Ibadan Indigenes to brace up and give the development of the ancient city the priority it deserves, warning that gone are those days when governments were responsible for the development of the city.

”Chief Obafemi Awolowo as a Premier of Western Region constructed secretariat, established first Television station NTA and so on , Chief Bola Ige as governor of Old Oyo State established TSOS now BCOS, built Bola Ige International Market, Aleshinloye market among others. No government can do this for Ibadan again, so we need to brace up.”Sanni, who is also the President, (Anglophone) West Africa Association of Food Science and Technology, advised Ibadan indigenes to desist from land-grabbing and selling critical areas of the city to foreigners” saying it portends a grave danger.He said this at the Chief Kola Daisi Annual lecture organised by Ibadan Foundation which was held at Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, Ibadan.Sanni, who spoke on the topic, “Emergence of Modern Ibadan land”, noted, “Individuals are forcibly encroaching on land or property belonging to others or double-dealing in sales of land without the consent of the whole family members”.”Some are even releasing all documents to foreigners, which have implications. Thank God, His Excellency announced criminalization of this act. However, we must resist unnecessary sales of critical areas of Ibadan land”.He added that to advance Ibadan’s development, they must focus on sustainable urban planning, infrastructure improvements, economic diversification and community engagement while also addressing challenges like flood risk and environmental sustainability”.Advising people, especially the youths to return the city to its glorious past, stressed that the aged people have passed on the torch of advancement to the coming generations urging the youths to take up the development of the city from where the old people stopped.He underscored the importance of the circular road noting the project aims to create a 110-kilometre road that encircles the city providing easy access to all its major districts.He called on all indigenes of the city to prioritize various developmental projects that will enhance the beauty of the city.Earlier, the President of the foundation, Alhaji Tunji Afunlehin, in his welcome address, highlighted how scholarship and bursary awards to indigent students.Corroborating his claims, the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Ayoku Liadi, who reiterated that scholarships had been given to scores of indigent students in the universities, Polytechnics and other institutions.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Following the flood alert issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has urged residents of the state not to panic but rather cooperate with the government in taking proactive measures to mitigate the effects of flooding.

Ewhrudjakpo made the call recently during a meeting with the Ministry of Environment, the State Flood Control Directorate, the Environmental Sanitation Authority, Chairmen of local government areas and rural development authorities at his office in Government House, Yenagoa. The Deputy Governor assured that there would be less impact of flooding in the state because of the steps the government is taking to address the menace.He, however, urged the ministries of environment and information, the Flood Control Directorate and other relevant agencies not to rest on their oars but rather intensify efforts including embarking on sensitization campaigns on proper refuse disposal and clearing of blocked drainages.Senator Ewhrudjakpo equally charged the flood control directorate to extend their operations to areas that are heavily impacted every year such as Biseni and Tombia in Yenagoa Local Government Area and Obirigbene in Ekeremor LGA.He equally directed all relevant MDAs to work together to ensure that identified higher grounds in flood prone communities are sand-filled and made habitable in the event of any devastating flooding.His words: “The Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, Environmental Sanitation Authority and Flood Control Directorate should carry out sensitization programmes on the impending flood.”They should also enlighten our people in rural areas using town criers because we really need to adequately inform our people on the need to stay safe. The Directorate should not pay attention to Yenagoa, the state capital alone.”There is a need to identify higher grounds in places that are flood prone like Biseni and Obrigbene communities so that flood victims could relocate there for safety”.In his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon Ben Ololo, said in the last couple of weeks, his ministry and the Flood Directorate Control made collaborative efforts in clearing drainages and canals.According to him, more funding and machinery will be required to open up more drainage to reduce the impact of the natural disaster of flooding and erosion.In their separate contributions, the Director General, Bayelsa State Flood and Erosion Control Directorate, Chief Omuso Wilson Omuso and the Mayor of Yenagoa City, Bulodisiye Ndiwari, confirmed that the people of Biseni had donated about 15 hectares of land for government to develop as a relief camp for flood victims.