NEWS
VP, Ex-Presidents, Govs. Others Bid Bayelsa Gov’s Father Farewell
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Scores of prominent Nigerian leaders, on Saturday, bid farewell to Pa Abraham Joseph Michael (AJM) Diri, father of the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, at Sampou community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.
The attendees included a cross-section of leaders, namely Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and his wife, Dolapo, former Presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr Goodluck Jonathan alongside his wife, Dame Patience, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Iyorchia Ayu as well as the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
State governors and governors-elect at the funeral service were Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, (Governors of Delta), Senator Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and wife, Betty, Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Darius Ishiaku (Taraba).
The governors-elect of Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Taraba and Niger states were also present.
Chief Obasanjo, in his goodwill message delivered by Vice President Osinbajo, described Pa Diri as an exemplary teacher, a Lay Reader, and community leader, who gave his children proper upbringing.
According to him, “we are here to celebrate the life and times of Pa Diri. The array of personalities here is an indication that Pa Diri brought up and nurtured the aspirations of so many children.”
The former Nigerian leader noted that the late Diri’s reward as a teacher came not just through his son, Senator Diri, but attracted so many notable Nigerians to Sampou to celebrate a humble teacher.
“He could not have imagined that an array of personalities would come here to honour him. According to the book of Proverbs 14:23, “in all labour, there is profit.”
Former President Jonathan, in his remarks, said he was with the bereaved Diri family in appreciating Obasanjo, Osinbajo and all those who came to celebrate and honour the family and the people of the state.
He recalled that Pa Diri passed on a day that the present administration in the state was marking its third anniversary and prayed God to strengthen Diri and his family.
Also, former Vice President Atiku said: “There is a special relationship between me and the people of Bayelsa State. l am with you as a family and that is why l am physically here.”
The PDP presidential candidate noted that he attended the funeral ceremonies of former governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha in Amassoma, former Governor Seriake Dickson’s mother at Toru-Orua and that of Diri’s father.
Responding, Senator Diri said he and his family as well as the entire state were humbled by the large turnout of high profile dignitaries in his community to bid his father farewell.
“We are indeed overwhelmed. There can be no love more than that. I would not have thought even in the wildest of my imaginations that there would be a large number of high profile Nigerians here to celebrate my father.”
Diri, who described his father as a disciplinarian, noted that he impacted positively on all who crossed his path and they all shared his positive attributes.
Other dignitaries who graced the event were one-time Bayelsa military administrator, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd), wife of former governor, Mrs Margaret Alamieyeseigha, Managing Director and Country Chair of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr Osagie Okunbor, Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig. Gen. Barry Ndiomu (retd), Senators Uche Ekwunife and Ben Murray-Bruce as well as the PDP governorship candidate in Kogi State, Senator Dino Melaye.
The Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, his wife, Beatrice, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, other state and national lawmakers, the state Acting Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, president, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Ayah, Justices of the state high court, commissioners and other top government functionaries, business mogul, High Chief Victor Egukawhore, captains of industry, traditional rulers as well as clerics among others.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Sector-wide Coordinating Office-Programme Management Unit (SCO-PMU) domiciled in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.A statement on Friday by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, said the unit would ensure efficient, transparent and accountable management of external grants mobilised towards the implementation of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
Ngelale said SCO-PMU would report to a Steering Committee/Ministerial Oversight Committee chaired by the Minister, including the Minister of State, Permanent Secretary; Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and relevant development partners. “The SCO-PMU will serve as the secretariat and delivery unit for the NHSRII and is to be headed by a national coordinator (NC).“The functions of the SCO-PMU include programme management, monitoring and evaluation, engagement and supervision of Independent Verification Agents (IVAs) for NHSRII programmes and fiduciary management, among others.“Consequently, the President has approved the appointment of Dr. Muntaqa Umar Sadiq as the National Coordinator of SCO-PMU,” he said.Report says that Sadiq has over 17 years of experience in public health, impact investing, investment banking, energy, and climate financing across the health, finance, climate and energy sectors.He had served as Head of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Chief Executive Officer of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria.He also served as Head of the Nigeria Energy Transition Office and Private Sector Engagement Adviser at the World Bank. (NAN)
The Federal Government says it has no plan to slash scholarship students’ allowances as recently projected in the media.The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, stated this during a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Abuja on Friday.
Report says that there was a report that the ministry, through the Federal Scholarship Board, announced a slash in allowances of foreign scholars stranded in Russia, Morocco, and Algeria among others.
The slash in scholars’ allowances under the federal government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship (BEA) was attributed to the economic crises.Mamman said that there was no slash in scholars` allowances but rather an adjustment due to Foreign Exchange fluctuations (FOREX).“We want to clarify what has been in the media on allowances paid to scholars under the Bilateral Scholarship Agreement.“We want to place it on record that the ministry and the Federal Government for that matter have not slashed the allowances due to students.“What happened is some adjustments in the amount due to them because of FOREX fluctuations, and as soon as we get the balance we have applied for, we will pay them.“But for now, what is in the budget is what we can pay. So, there is no slash, we will even be happy to increase, so this is what has led to the adjustments,” he said.(NAN)
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, on Friday, has urged Nigerians to calm and patient with Federal Government and should give the the government more time to address these pressing concerns.In a statement issued by CAN and signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh ,President, CAN and made available to journalists in Abuja.
CAN also urged all Nigerians to consider alternative means of expressing their grievances. He however said CAN stands in solidarity with the citizens of nation during these challenging times of economic hardship and pervasive hunger. The statement reads in part, “As we navigate this period of crisis, it is imperative to uphold the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to peacefully protest and express their grievances. The right to assemble and voice discontent is a cornerstone of our democracy and must be protected and respected by all. Peaceful protests are a powerful tool for civic engagement, allowing the populace to communicate their concerns and hold leaders accountable. However, the anxiety related to the impending protests is heightening, especially given the volatile experiences in countries like Kenya and Pakistan.”We must also draw from our recent history. The #ENDSARS and #RevolutionNow protests, though rooted in genuine grievances, were marred by tragic incidents where miscreants hijacked the process. This led to widespread looting, destruction of properties, and unfortunate loss of lives. These experiences have shown us that mass demonstrations can quickly degenerate into chaos if not properly managed and coordinated.” In light of the planned protests scheduled to commence on 1st of August, CAN urges all Nigerians to consider alternative means of expressing their grievances. We recommend giving the government more time to address these pressing concerns. This period should be used to explore other legal avenues that will not easily give hoodlums the opportunity to hijack the exercise to destroy our national assets or endanger lives and properties. Dialogue, petitions, and town hall meetings are viable options that can yield positive results without the risk of disorder.”We call on the government to cut the cost of governance and expedite its efforts to alleviate the hardships in the land. The opulent lifestyle of political office holders must be addressed to demonstrate the sincerity of those in government to improve the living conditions of the people. Likewise, it is imperative that the government implements the newly approved national minimum wage to provide immediate relief to struggling families.”Furthermore, specific measures must be taken to put an end to kidnappings, banditry, and mass killings that have plagued various parts of our country. The security and well-being of every Nigerian should be paramount, and urgent action is required to restore peace and order.”We also call on the government to expedite its efforts to alleviate the hardships in the land. There is an urgent need for more refined and effective policies that address the root causes of the economic challenges we face. The government must deepen its consultations with stakeholders, including religious leaders, to create a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to problem-solving. By working together, we can devise sustainable solutions that reflect the needs and aspirations of the people.”In these trying times, let us all remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). As we seek to bring about positive change, let us do so with a spirit of peace, love, and unity. Our strength lies in our ability to come together, support one another, and work collectively toward a better Nigeria.”We pray for wisdom and discernment for our leaders, resilience and hope for our citizens, and divine intervention to guide us through these difficult times”.
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