GOV DICKSON WANTS BAYELSA PROFESSIONALS ABROAD TO INVEST IN THE STATE AND SUPPORT DEVELOPMENTAL EFFORTS OF GOVT

21/05/2013

Bayelsans in the diaspora have been urged to come back home and explore the enormous potentials of the State by investing in various sectors of the State’s economy.

They have also been told to apply the knowledge acquired during their sojourn abroad to support the developmental efforts of Government as well assist in developing their communities.

Governor Seriake Dickson who made the call while inauguration a 25-member Diaspora Mobilisation and Contact Committee in Government House, Yenagoa, noted that Bayelsa is in a hurry to develop and attain enviable heights in all critical sectors of human endeavour.

He therefore charged the committee to encourage diaspora professionals to partner with government in bringing about the needed human capacity and infrastructural development in the state.

“We have come to the stage in our development that we want to mobilise the resources of our people because our human resources are the most important resources at our disposal. Earlier, in the life of this administration, we knew that we were going to get to this point. That was why I appointed the Chairman of this Committee, Mr. Charles Preye Zuofa, as Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Mobilization. But I knew that just appointing one person would not be able to get the job done because of the magnitude and importance of the assignment”.

Governor Dickson reiterated his administration’s vision of making Bayelsa the melting-pot of all Ijaws and urged the members of the committee to be good ambassadors of the state by promoting the cultural heritage of the Ijaw man.

Apart from wooing donor agencies and non governmental organisations to partner with the state in the provision of medical supplies and other relief materials especially during emergencies, the committee is also expected to develop synergy for inter and intra cultural harmony as well as promote exchanges at all levels.

The committee’s terms of reference, according to the Governor, also include building capacity for investment opportunities for corporate investors from Bayelsa in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia.

“You are to project Bayelsa as a tourist attraction to the diaspora community, friends and investors as well as encourage the teaching and learning of the Ijaw language, history and culture amongst our children in the diaspora”, he added.

Responding, Chairman of the Diaspora Mobilisation and Contact Committee, Mr. Charles Preye Zuofa assured the Governor of the committee’s readiness to work together with the restoration team to actualize its agenda.

The Chairman conveyed the appreciation of the delegation of the Bayelsa Diaspora community who attended the 2013 Boro Day Anniversary, saying they were impressed with the ongoing infrastructural development in the state.

The committee has Tarela Diffa-Umeri as its Secretary while Mr. Lancelot Anyanya, Amagbe Kentebe and Inemo Samiama are to serve as members.

Other members of the committee representing are United States based Francis Kabiowei Udisi, Dawari Long-John, Dr. David Ogula, Dr. Beniah Oye, Cordelia Neiketin-Tawari, Joseph Ebiware, Matthew Sikpi, Mrs. N. Akamande and Mrs. Regina Onyeibe.

Members of the committee resident in the United Kingdom include Mr. Rowland Ekperi, Moa Anyamah, Professor Prince Efere, Peter Okorodudu and Funkezi Koroye-Crooks, while Mr. Shedrack Fubara is based in Canada.

Pere-ere Owonaro, Juliet Pog’sosia and Dr. Kemekeyi Oti are based in Holland, France and Germany with Esther Boro and Justice Joffa in the Scandinavia and Ghana in West Africa respectively.

BAYELSA WELCOME THE WORLD AMAA 2013

Bayelsa State Government says it has concluded arrangements for the successful hosting of the 2013 edition of African Movies Academy Awards (AMAA) scheduled to hold in Yenagoa between 13th and 20th of April, 2013. The one week programme is expected to feature among others; Film in a Box Training for 500 students, Praise Jam, (an evening of praise and prayers to start the AMAA week), Book and Craft Fairs, Musical concert and awards to distinguished artistes within and outside the shores of the Country.

Briefing Government House correspondents on the level of preparedness, the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson expressed the hope that the achievements and overall success being envisaged from this year’s AMAA will surpass all previous ones.

The Governor disclosed that, concerted efforts were being made to attract private sectorparticipation in this year’s AMAA to make it bigger and achieve much wider acceptance by a greater section our society.

Hon. Dickson explained that, already some key players in the private sector of the economy are collaborating with the State Government to bankroll part of the entire cost of running this year’s AMAA, adding that Globacom, Sterling Bank Plc and host of other notable establishments have agreed to be part of AMAA 2013.

Highlighting the Tourism potentials of the state, Hon. Dickson said hosting of AMAA, will aside from attracting personalities far and wide, will also boost the confidence of local and foreign investors, who will in turn create employment opportunities for the teeming youths of the State. According to him, this year’s event as specified in the programme starts with the training of 500 youths in their various choice of careers.

The Bayelsa State Chief Executive used the opportunity to assure visitors and residents of the state of the security and safety before, during and after AMAA celebrations and reaffirmed his administration’s policy of zero tolerance for crimes and criminality. Calling on the people of the state to utilize the opportunities and maximize the gains, Governor Dickson said the essence of the programme is to showcase the tourism, investment and overall economic potentials of the state to the rest of the world.

Gov Seriake Dickson pledged support for the Proposed 1ST NIGER DELTA COUNCIL SUMMIT by the Honorable Minister of Niger Delta Elder GODSDAY ORUBEBE

The Honorable Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday
Orubebe CON was in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital today in
continuation of the Ministry’s 5-Day Working Visit to the Region.
Where he was received by the Executive Governor of the State Rt. Hon.
Seriake Dickson.

In his address the Minister Stated that today is an Historic day for
both the Ministry and the State as Bayelsa State remains an all
important and strategic State in the Region and Nation at large. He
highlighted the purpose of the visit as an opportunity stressing the
achievements of the Ministry most especially the East-West Road which
was awarded 2006 by the Obasanjo’s administration without any detailed design and financial Plans which foiled the project.

The Minister restated that the visit is an all important one to inform
the State of the Ministry’s Plan on convening a National Council of
the Niger Delta where all Stakeholders will collaborate and discuss Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow... The way forward for the Region.

In his RESPONSE the Host Governor thanked the Minster for the visit and
pledged his commitment to the development of the Region by presenting
his total support for the Minister. He noted that development is all about
Process and Framework not an OVERNIGHT Venture which the people need to know

Describing The Honourable Minister as a SILENT ACHIEVER who has
written his name in History Book of The Niger Delta and urged him to
remain focus on his plans for the Region and lauded the idea of the
Summit as a Good Venture to give the Niger Delta a Big Boost for the
Nation which his Blue Print to develop the Nation despite the heat of Negative criticism.

REFUTAL OF COMMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO THE OJORO OF IJORA (OBA FATAI AROMIRE) AND APPEARING IN BOTH PRINT AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA, WITH RESPECT TO BAYELSA STATE GOV’TS PROPERTY SITUATE AT. 251 APAPA ROAD, IJORA, LAGOS

The attention of the managing director of Bayelsa Property and Investment Company Limited, Mr. Azana Azazi, has been drawn to a number of recent print and electronic media articles attributed to the Oba of Ijora in Lagos State. According to the said PUBLICATIONS, the Oba of Ijora apparently blames the Bayelsa State Government for abandoning a property used by suspected terrorists in Ijora to store arms and as a hideout for suspected terrorists. The Oba is also apparently urging the Lagos State Government to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the property belonging to Bayelsa State.

While it is true that Bayelsa State Government owns a property in Ijora (located at No. 251 Apapa Road), we want to state unequivocally, and with reference to page 6 of the Punch newspaper, of Tuesday 26th 2013, that the apprehended culprit was not arrested at the said property belonging to Bayelsa State Government. Neither were any arms or bomb manufacturing materials found at the said property belonging to Bayelsa State. Rather, the suspected terrorist, arms and bomb manufacturing materials were found at No. 24 Aromire Street Ijora, which is two streets away from No. 251 Apapa Road, (about a distance of 1km) and is in no way connected to Bayelsa State.

 It should be noted that a thorough search was carried out by the relevant security agencies at No. 251 Apapa Road, belonging to Bayelsa State, and no incriminating evidence was found. It should also be noted that Bayelsa State has not at any time abandoned her property in Ijora, rather the property has several warehouses with lawful tenants, and is protected by 24 hour armed security. Therefore the insinuation attributed to the Oba of Ijora is incorrect and should be entirely disregarded by the public.

SIGNED:
MR. AZANA AZAZI (Managing Director)