Monday 12 November 2012

DEPLOYMENT OF BAYELSA SOCIAL MEDIA MEMBERS TO MDAs for REPORTING UPDATES





     GOVERNMENT OF BAYELSA STATE OF NIGERIA
Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Research & Social Media
Government House P.M.B 01, Yenagoa Bayelsa State – Nigeria

 

 
The following members of the Bayelsa New Media Team have been deployed to interface with the following MDAs for purposes of enhancing effective reporting of activities and for updates and policy communication.

1. CAPITAL CITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY………………Blessing Oyanimigha & Sekegha

2. STATE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION………..Ebi Brisibe & Nworisara
3. BYS UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION………………Kokobaiye Abeki & Godgift Azibakanye
4. BYS POST-PRIMARY SCHOOLS BOARD………………………Kola Richard & Loveth Eniye
5. BAYELSA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY…………Nwokedi Nworisara & Anita Godspower

6. BAYELSA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD…………………Engrs. Godspower & Engr. Kola
7. BYS CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION…………………………………Karinate M.& Sekegha Oguara
8. OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF SERVICE……………………………Idumange & Blessing

9. BYS ENVIRONMENTAL SANIRTATION AUTHORITY…………Engr. Idibiye David & Blessing Oyanimigha

10. MINISTRY OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT…………Charles Opuwaribo & Idumange John

11. MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS OFFICE……………Saint Mienpamo & Karina M.

12. BYS LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE COMMISSION………….Ebi Brisibe & Andrew Ehigiator

13. BAYELSA SCHOLARSHIP BOARD…………….Idumange & Charles Opuwaribo

14. THE TREASURY………………………………Idumange & Godgift Azibakanye

15. MINISTRY OF IJAW NATIONAL AFFAIRS………Blessing & Godspower Benakiegha

16. MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT…………………………Nworisara & Godgift Azibakanye

17. MINISTRY OF WORKS & INFRASTRUCTURE….Engr. Godspower & Idibiye David

18. MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY………….Ebi Brisibe & Anita Godspower

19. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION…………………………….Kola Richard & Idumange John

20. MINISTRY OF POWER AND ENERGY…………… Engr. Godspower & Idibiye David
and Taribio Edoghotu

21. MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY…… Philip William & Charles Opuwaribo
22. NIGER DELTA TELEVISION……………………………..Mirian Makbere & Nwokedi Nworisara
23. BAYELSA STATE BROADCASTING CORPORATION…….Idumange & Mirian Makbere
24. MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS……………………………… Blessing and Anita Godspower
25. MINISTRY OF HEALTH………………………………Saint Mienpamo Onitsha & Andrew E
The aforelisted persons have been authorized to visit the MDAs to which they have been assigned at least once every week. The deployment takes immediate effect.

Dr. Idumange John FCE, FCDipl; FIPM; FCIM, FIPDM; MNIM; MISMN; MCIA; MCBA; Etc
SSA to the Governor of Bayelsa State on Research & Social Media

Friday 9 November 2012

ADDRESS OF CHIEF IBORO IGE-IDABA: EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF CCDA ON THE VISIT OF THE BAYELSA SOCIAL MEDIA COMMITTEE

ADDRESS OF CHIEF IBORO IGE-IDABA - THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF YENAGOA CAPITAL CITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ON THE OCCASION OF THE VISIT OF THE BAYELSA STATE COMMITTEE OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO THE AUTHORITY ON NOVEMBER 7,2012

The SSA to the Governor of Bayelsa State on Social Media and Research, members of the Bayelsa State Committee on Social Media, I welcome you.
I met John Idumange, the SSA first time when I was trying to make an input into the Masterplan in the not too distant past. We are all members of this family so I do not need to go too much into Memory lane as to how the Authority came to be. But for the past 6 years, both the government of Former Governors Alamieyeseigha and Goodluck Jonathan were able to put forward the Master,we are plan. The first Yenagoa city Masterplan was put together by Herbert Adukeh and later a review known as the Yenagoa city Masterplan Strategy focused on phased development which put more impetus on the development of specific areas of the master plan. Apart from the status; ie the creation of the institution the development of the Yenagoa Capital City still lacks basic technical ingredients to push development forward. You see we are Bayelsans and the responsibility is on us to develop the capital city that reflects us as a people. We are also the defacto capital of the Ijaw Ethnic nationalism and we have to develop a city that reflects that status. Apart from the fact that we are a major contributor to our national wealth in terms of revenue, we also have to develop a city that reflects that status. Developing a city for Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, Bayelsans, the Niger Deltans, South-South and Nigerians at large takes efforts. It is those efforts that are lacking that we would focus on.
First of all, it is the intention of the authority to establish a Base Map. A Base Map that will form the basis of planning and development. We shall also carry out what we call the Land Use Plan and the Zoning plan. These are the basic tools of planning and development. These are the initial technical inputs that we focus to ensure a viable city for us all. And in terms of physical development we still believe that emphasis will be on both commercial and industrial infrastructures which of course are very necessary for our economic development. And the city cannot just grow; the city is composed of people of different ethnic nationalities, custom and traditions. We intend to enlighten all the inhabitants of the city to know that developing a city is the responsibility of all Bayelsans and for citizens to contribute their quota towards the development of the city by adhering to spatial discipline. There is a lot of emphasis on fiscal discipline-management of funds and resources but people hardly talk of special discipline, how we use our space and this is important because almost 80% of activities are conducted on space and they have their rules. The use of Land and its resources define the character and vision of the people. And the people must be aware of their own contribution towards the development of the State and that is why we are interested in your visit. Because with the Social Media, you have a wider outreach and can assist the authority in educating the masses as to their responsibility the development of the city that befits us as a people. So our slogan to all Bayelsans : “Let’s build our city”. On that note, I once again welcome you to Yenagoa Capital City development Authority and I invite you to partner with us for developing a city that will be of pride to all Bayelsans. It is our conviction that the restoration agenda and the focus of government to ensure that initiatives that will better the citizenry economically, socially and otherwise are encouraged and as a strong member of the Restoration government, I think you are also aware that the government has the political will to transform Yenagoa into a World Class City. What we need to do now is to emphasize adherence to the Master plan.
The master plan helps make projects sustainable. For instance the Abuja Airport Road was designed in 1976 and it is still the same design since 30 years because a provision was made for the future. If you are developing a dual carriage way in Azikoro, you don’t need to tamper with the road furniture and infrastructures-that is the essence if planning and sustainable development. The Master plan is implementable. The Master plan is still a viable document for our planning. As I have always said, it is not a cast iron thing, but we should endeavor to adhere to the provisions of the master plan. But we can only adhere to those provisions if certain basic technical inputs are there. You must have an engineering design for you to know the right of way, for you to know the exact setbacks. For the development of basic infrastructural facilities just as you mentioned the commercial facilities the Central Business District CBD.
The CBD should warehouse basic commercial facilities that guarantee the sustainable development of the city: It must be controlled and the only way to control it is to hold the land resources. That is one of the reasons we are emphasizing that for us to properly control developments within the Yenagoa capital city, there must be a deliberate effort on the part of Government to acquire strategic lands. When it comes to development and implementation of the master plan, sometimes you find out that the greatest violators of the master plan (which arises out of lack of synergy) are government institutions. There are aspects of land use that are compatible but others that are spatially incompatible. Putting a housing estate within the core centre of our industrial estate is not only but incompatible. Sometimes when you look at the structures put up by heads of institutions who are supposed to be core planners or implementers of the master plan in terms of location, you know that such facilities are not rational but are based on unprofessional, rudimentary knowledge. So we would collaborate with you to the extent that you assist us in massive enlightenment of the public on the need to imbibe the spatial discipline when purchasing land to always ensure recourse to the master plan. On the other hand we would advice government to take appropriate actions that are necessary to give us a good city - that is part of our responsibility and also to enlighten the government and the citizenry on our collective actions towards building a city. Building a city is a massive investment that can only attract right people to the city if you have a sound land administration and you cannot build a city a sustainable city if you as an authority do not have control over the land.
So the CCDA as a matter of fact must have control over the land. Somebody wants to build a house, someone is allocating a land and you want to control development, how? Is the land allocation in consonance with the zoning? Is the land allocation compatible with the building regulation and standards that are set for a particular zone and particular areas? Also and most importantly is to build the capacity of the institution that drives the forces. All of us must sit down and agree that the authority has enormous responsibility. And if we agree that the authority has that responsibility of delivering a world city, then the institution must have a world class capacity to deliver, in terms of staff. For now we have just 47 staff and those 47 are not permanent staff; for every reason, that 47 are not even enough to control the Swali district not to talk of developing a 15 km square City as Yenagoa. If you are coming into Yenagoa, nobody should tell you that you are coming into a de-facto capital of Ijawland. Lagos State for instance has reclaimed Bar Beach up to 3 km. into the sea .Building massive estates on where you think is an ocean and building two 5 star hotels and that is the enabling environment which you create to attract the right investment and partners in the development process. We shall reclaim lands; provide the necessary leadership to utilize the available resources to put in our best to ensure the speedy implementation of the Master Plan.
RESPONSE BY HON. JOHN IDUMANGE - THE SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE ON RESEARCH & SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE OCCASION OF THE VISIT OF THE BAYELSA STATE COMMITTEE OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO THE AUTHORITY ON NOVEMBER 7,2012
You are all aware that Master planning is an expensive and long term project. For instance it took London more than 50 years for their master plan to take shape. Our interest here is to forge synergy in line with what the Governor of Bayelsa State has emphasized several times to the effect that Ministries, Departments and Agencies should work together as a team because team work achieves more. Having been close to the Agency during King A.J. Turners’ tenure as Executive Secretary of CCDA, I know you are likely to face the same recurring challenges as you pursue the dreams and aspirations of this agency.eg Ministry of Works may come to say Why are you doing our job; Ministry of Lands and Survey may also say the same thing. This is why the Authority needs to work in synergy with the relevant Ministries to avoid conflicts. We are also interested in providing a template to report you because the social media world which we live depends on what I may call Digital Darwinism: it is when your voice is loud and your ideas are clear that the society reckons with you. No matter how beautiful a lady may be, if she does not dress well and come out nobody will see her and that is why most of the beauty queens you see are actually not the most beautiful women. So we have been going around to MDAS to see how we can work together, build linkages and forge the necessary synergies for the smooth implementation of government policies and programmes. There are three ways to do it. By discussing it on social media; by coming to take part in some of your activities, packaging them and do effective policy communication using the instrumentality of the social media. For instance, we can provide a blog and task you to give us the content. We can also activate your moribund website and bring vitality into it.
We all know that most potential investors around the world may not know what we have unless we showcase them. Until you showcase our potentialities to the world they will not come to invest. That is why the Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson is working frantically to invest in security because once there is security the necessary corollary is tourism will flourish, industrialization will be a reality, and there will be Foreign Direct Investment and other attendant development spill-over effects. Only a couple of days ago, the Governor initiated the Bayelsa Investment Forum in South Africa. Government will take similar steps to strengthen our resolve to bring in investors. The Bayelsa State government will then achieve its main objectives of poverty reduction, wealth creation and employment generation.
Now, I don’t intend to bore you but you will discover that some time ago, if you look across, a portion of land was dredged and cleared we used to call it the Central Business District(CBD), so much money was spent today the place has been overgrown with weeds. I don’t know I may be wrong, but once there is a responsible government in power, once people are ready to work with enthusiasm and commitment, once they are devoted to the reason they came into government, once you are faithful to the restoration government then there is hope for a better performance. Like the Governor said, it is not money that does it not money that does the work it is our collective will; our collective resolve that will do it. The Obama’s Presidential victory in America has proven that it is not only money that can make things happens but the collective resolve of people. Since no amount of money is enough to implement the master plan, the trick we use here is to market whatever we have here in order to woo foreign investors. Foreign investors will come because you cannot develop your master plan alone. Foreigners will have to come and assist. Just take a look at this little flood we are facing. You discover that it is beyond the capacity of the state government and even the Federal Government and that is why we are calling on global partners to come and assist in whichever way possible. So Sir we want to partner with you to ensure that we promote your programmes and policies both to the seat of government and to the people.
So at every point in time we would be able to tell the governor and other decision makers that we need to invest in the capital city. For the past 4 and half or 5 years ago there was a lull in the activities here and I came to the gate and I was almost in tears. I am sure that the restoration administration will fund this agency very well. Why governments establish authority is to fast track the implementation of certain policies and programmes by by-passing the red-tapism of the ministries to ensure that things are done faster. It is on this authority that I assure you on behalf of the Bayelsa Social media committee that we shall showcase your activities. As a promise, at least one member of the Bayelsa Social Media Team will visit the Authority once every week to bring updates on your activities and report same to the relevant publics.
Sir, feel free to let us know where you face challenges, don’t hide it, have confidence in us; and from today we are partners in progress. Let us jointly work in the years ahead to ensure that the Yenagoa City Master plan is implemented. No matter how short the notice may be let us know, and we shall report CCDA on the Social Media. It high time we built a rock sure foundation upon which the coming generation will continue. Thank you for sparing time from your busy schedule to welcome us. God bless the CCDA and God bless Bayelsa State.
Transcribed by Nwokedi Nworisara

Thursday 8 November 2012

AMENDMENT OF 1999 CONSTITUTION; BAYELSANS TOLD TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY

08/11/2012
Bayelsans have been called upon to come out en masse and participate actively in the ongoing process of constitutional amendment in the Country.

Governor Seriake Dickson, who made the call when members of the House of Representatives from the State visited him at Government House, noted that Government is concerned about the need for proper involvement of the people.

To this end, he said government is already taking appropriate steps including setting up an advisory committee to start the process of consultation “so that in no distant time we can meet with our representatives and members of the House to harmonise our common position”.

“As the only homogenous Ijaw state, there are issues we the Ijaw people are concerned about to have a place in the Nigerian Federation as part of efforts to bring about an equitable, stable, a lasting democratic and prosperous Nigeria.”

Hon. Dickson commended the leadership of the House of Representatives for spearheading the constitutional amendment and taking the process to the people in whom, he noted, true sovereignty resides.

While calling for closer collaboration between members of the National Assembly and the present administration, Hon. Dickson stressed that the State cannot afford any kind of dichotomy.

His word: “We need all hands on deck. The dichotomy between Abuja-based politicians (so called) and politicians that are locally based is over. I want to call for closer partnership and interactions with members of the National Assembly from Bayelsa State and those of us who are trying to hold the home-base. We need to provide that synergy and let people know that we cannot afford any division”.

Earlier, Leader of the team, Hon. Warman Ogoriba, representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma Federal Constituency explained they are in the state to hold wide consultations with their constituents with the aim of getting their imputs on the various contentious issues that in the country’s 1999 constitution.

Hon Ogoriba also seized the opportunity to congratulate Governor Dickson on his recent victory at the Supreme Court and pledged their continued support to the present administration.

Other members on the team include Hon Nadu Karibo, representing Ogbia Federal Constituency, Henry Ofongo (Southern Ijaw), Foingha Jephtah(Brass/Nembe) and Dr. Stella Dorgu(Sagbama/Ekeremor) 

Daniel Iworiso-Markson

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

BAYELSA SOCIAL COMMITTEE VISITS CCDA: CALLS FOR SYNERGY

BAYELSA SOCIAL COMMITTEE VISITS CCDA: CALLS FOR SYNERGY

Yesterday, November 7th, 2012, the Bayelsa Social Media Committee paid a courtesy call to the leadership of CCDA to seek partnership with the aim of forming a synergy to enlighten and create public awareness on the need to establish a road map to form the basis of development in Bayelsa State.

The executive secretary of CCDA, Chief Iboro Ige - Idaba said, in terms of Physical development of the state, CCDA will carry out a (land Use Plan) and a (Zoning Plan) as basic tools of planning and development. He said as cities compose of different ethnic groups, proper management of space is important to development as the use of land and resources defines the character of a State.

Chief Iboro said, some modest achievement was recorded during the era of President Jonathan and former Governor Alamieyeseigha when they were Governors of the State respectively. He said a review of the master plan was due, as he is aware of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson plan of implementing the Yenagoa master plan, so as to bring renewed impetus to bear on specific aspects of development. 
The CCDA boss said, in terms of revenue, Bayelsa is a key contributor to the country and must reflect such in structures and Development. He said building the capital city of Bayelsa State is a collective responsibility and must not be accrued to the Agency alone, as a solid foundation is Imminent for the Implementation to provide the technical framework to succeed. 

He further stated the need for a geological and proper delineation of a 15 kilometer radius, as the master plan must be reviewed for at least 25yrs before implementation as a quick fix would be detrimental to the state. He said the Abuja master plan was designed in the late 70s and was supplanted 35yrs later. He spoke on the need for proper studies on drainage systems and that proper coordination must be looked into. He said, conventional standards acceptable all over the world must be enforced in Bayelsa State.

Chief Iboro Ige said, adhering to provisions of the CCDA Law is very critical to the implementation of the Master Plan. The Executive Secretary said facilities that guarantee basic structures and this can be possible when government acquires strategic lands for the purpose of development to attract foreign investment. He said CCDA comprises of 47 workers, whose staff strength is not enough to see to the challenges of the State. 

Responding on behalf of Bayelsa Social Media Committee, the SSA Research & Social Media, Hon. Idumange John emphasized the Importance of synergy between the CCDA and the Social Media in the area of creating awareness on the essence of implementing the Master Plan.  He said the Restoration agenda and focus of Government is to embark on initiatives that will fast track development.

The Hon. Idumange John said, after the initial enthusiasm on the development of the Master Plan there was a go-slow in the immediate past administration because of lack of political will. He urged the CCDA Board to use all resources at her disposal to revamp the Master Plan because it is critical to the aesthetic beauty of the City and the investment prospects that would emanate thereform. “It is proper to underscore the need for aggressive implementation of the Master Plan as a very first step of developing tourism in the State, Idumange reiterated!

He thanked the Executive Secretary of the CCDA and his team for the hospitality accorded him and his team and promised to promote the policies and programmes of the agency by enlightening the general public on the need to understand the importance of planning, caring for their environment and contributing their quota to the implementation of the Yenagoa City Master Plan. 

Ms. Blessing Oyanimigha is of the Social Media Committee

Yesterday, November 7th, 2012, the Bayelsa Social Media Committee paid a courtesy call to the leadership of CCDA to seek partnership with the aim of forming a synergy to enlighten and create public awareness on the need to establish a road map to form the basis of development in Bayelsa State.

The executive secretary of CCDA, Chief Iboro Ige - Idaba said, in terms of Physical development of the state, CCDA will carry out a (land Use Plan) and a (Zoning Plan) as basic tools of planning and development. He said as cities compose of different ethnic groups, proper management of space is important to development as the use of land and resources defines the character of a State.


Chief Iboro said, some modest achievement was recorded during the era of President Jonathan and former Governor Alamieyeseigha when they were Governors of the State respectively. He said a review of the master plan was due, as he is aware of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson plan of implementing the Yenagoa master plan, so as to bring renewed impetus to bear on specific aspects of development.

The CCDA boss said, in terms of revenue, Bayelsa is a key contributor to the country and must reflect such in structures and Development. He said building the capital city of Bayelsa State is a collective responsibility and must not be accrued to the Agency alone, as a solid foundation is Imminent for the Implementation to provide the technical framework to succeed.

He further stated the need for a geological and proper delineation of a 15 kilometer radius, as the master plan must be reviewed for at least 25yrs before implementation as a quick fix would be detrimental to the state. He said the Abuja master plan was designed in the late 70s and was supplanted 35yrs later. He spoke on the need for proper studies on drainage systems and that proper coordination must be looked into. He said, conventional standards acceptable all over the world must be enforced in Bayelsa State.


Chief Iboro Ige said, adhering to provisions of the CCDA Law is very critical to the implementation of the Master Plan. The Executive Secretary said facilities that guarantee basic structures and this can be possible when government acquires strategic lands for the purpose of development to attract foreign investment. He said CCDA comprises of 47 workers, whose staff strength is not enough to see to the challenges of the State.


Responding on behalf of Bayelsa Social Media Committee, the SSA Research & Social Media, Hon. Idumange John emphasized the Importance of synergy between the CCDA and the Social Media in the area of creating awareness on the essence of implementing the Master Plan. He said the Restoration agenda and focus of Government is to embark on initiatives that will fast track development.


The Hon. Idumange John said, after the initial enthusiasm on the development of the Master Plan there was a go-slow in the immediate past administration because of lack of political will. He urged the CCDA Board to use all resources at her disposal to revamp the Master Plan because it is critical to the aesthetic beauty of the City and the investment prospects that would emanate thereform. “It is proper to underscore the need for aggressive implementation of the Master Plan as a very first step of developing tourism in the State, Idumange reiterated!


He thanked the Executive Secretary of the CCDA and his team for the hospitality accorded him and his team and promised to promote the policies and programmes of the agency by enlightening the general public on the need to understand the importance of planning, caring for their environment and contributing their quota to the implementation of the Yenagoa City Master Plan.


Ms. Blessing Oyanimigha is of the Social Media Committee

GOV HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON MESSAGE TO BAYELSANS


GOV DICKSON MESSAGE ON ENVIROMENTS


GOV DICKSON SWORN IN MESSAGE


WELCOME MESSAGE BY GOV HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON


GOV HENRY SERIAKE MESSAGE ON SECURITY RENEW


Emergent use of social media: a new age of opportunity for disaster resilience.



By Saint Mienpamo (Director of Operation) BAYELA NEW MEDIA TEAM
Abstract
Social media are forms of information and communication technology disseminated through social interaction. Social media rely on peer-to-peer (P2P) networks that are collaborative, decentralized, and community driven. They transform people from content consumers into content producers. Popular networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and Google are versions of social media that are most commonly used for connecting with friends, relatives, and employees. The role of social media in disaster management became galvanized during the world response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake. During the immediate aftermath, much of what people around the world were learning about the earthquake originated from social media sources. Social media became the new forum for collective intelligence, social convergence, and community activism. During the first 2 days following the earthquake, "texting" mobile phone users donated more than $5 million to the American Red Cross. Both public and private response agencies used Google Maps. Millions joined MySpace and Facebook discussion groups to share information, donate money, and offer comfort and support. Social media has also been described as "remarkably well organized, self correcting, accurate, and concentrated," calling into question the ingrained view of unidirectional, official-to-public information broadcasts. Social media may also offer potential psychological benefit for vulnerable populations gained through participation as stakeholders in the response. Disaster victims report a psychological need to contribute, and by doing so, they are better able to cope with their situation. Affected populations may gain resilience by replacing their helplessness with dignity, control, as well as personal and collective responsibility. However, widespread use of social media also involves several important challenges for disaster management. Although social media is growing rapidly, it remains less widespread and accessible than traditional media. Also, public officials often view P2P communications as "backchannels" with potential to spread misinformation and rumor. In addition, in absence of the normal checks and balances that regulate traditional media, privacy rights violations can occur as people use social media to describe personal events and circumstances.
Source
National Center for Environmental Health Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Social media: A guide for researchers

http://www.rin.ac.uk/system/files/imagecache/content_image/content/images/network_globe_0.JPG
Social media is an important technological trend that has big implications for how researchers (and people in general) communicate and collaborate. Researchers have a huge amount to gain from engaging with social media in various aspects of their work.
This guide has been produced by the International Centre for Guidance Studies, and aims to provide the information needed to make an informed decision about using social media and select from the vast range of tools that are available.
One of the most important things that researchers do is to find, use and disseminates information, and social media offers a range of tools which can facilitate this. The guide discusses the use of social media for research and academic purposes and will not be examining the many other uses that social media is put to across society.

Social media can change the way in which you undertake research, and can also open up new forms of communication and dissemination. It has the power to enable researchers to engage in a wide range of dissemination in a highly efficient way.

Web materials 1: Links and resources

Audio and video tools
Blogging and Microblogging tools
Examples of academic and research blogs
Social networking services
Location based tools
Social bookmarking, news and social citation tools
Research and writing collaboration tools
Presentation sharing tools
Project management, meeting and collaboration tools
Information management tools
Virtual worlds



Sunday 4 November 2012

SOKU/OLUASIRI OIL WELLS/ OIL FIELD: RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD STOP HEATING UP THE POLITY.

Government of Bayelsa State of Nigeria

Press Release
SOKU/OLUASIRI OIL WELLS/ OIL FIELD: RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD STOP HEATING UP THE POLITY.
Ordinarily, having issued a press statement last Tuesday on the Oluasiri Oil Wells/Oil Field which clearly shows that the said oil wells/oil fields (which Rivers State refers to as Soku) belong to Bayelsa State, the Bayelsa State Government would have maintained a dignified silence in the face of provocation on the subject matter. But the Bayelsa State Government is compelled to issue this statement though with restraint, to respond to the press statement of the Rivers State Government published in many national newspapers in the country to save the Ijaws, Federal Government agencies and the entire country from the desperation and lies of the Rivers State Government.

For all intents and purposes, the said press statement of the Rivers State Government on the above issue was obviously intended to create crisis amongst the peace loving Ijaw people in Rivers and Bayelsa States and garner public sympathy for Rivers State.

The said statement, which was signed by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information, on the instruction of the Rivers State Governor amongst others, accused the presidency of mischief. This is not only disrespectful and insulting, it also smacks of insubordination and arrogance on the part of the leadership of the Rivers State Government. While this matter remains in the front burner of public discourse, it is advisable for the Rivers State Government to stop denigrating the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because the office of the President is the highest institution in the land. Public Office holders must at all times protect the sanctity of public institutions and not to desecrate same the way the leadership of Rivers State did and is still doing.

The government of Bayelsa State therefore urges the Rivers State Governor and his appointees to refrain from making inciting and inflammatory remarks capable of triggering off inter communal crises among our people. It will be recalled that Bayelsa State Government has restrained the Nembe people from responding to the threats and drums of war by the Kalabari people as this could lead to great disaffection between the two communities.

We also urge our fellow Ijaw brothers and traditional rulers to refrain from being used by Governor Ameachi as tools to cause disunity between the people of Rivers and Bayelsa States over the derivation matter because derivation is purely a state matter and not a matter between communities.

The HARD FACTS about Oluasiri/Soku Oil Wells/Oil Field are as follows:

1. The Rivers State Government had previously filed two suits against the Bayelsa State Government at the Federal High Court and the Supreme Court respectively in other to assert its purported ownership over the said oil wells/ oil field and woefully failed as the said suits were all struck­-out by the courts.

2. Soku is a village in Rivers State while the oil wells/ oil field and the flow station are located in the Oluasiri Clan in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The name Soku oil wells/oil field was wrongly given by Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd (SPDC) since Soku village was their operational base at that time. This is not peculiar to Soku. For example, the Idu oil wells/oil field is named after a town in Ekpeye land in Ahoada East LGA of Rivers state while the oil field is actually located in Biseni land of Bayelsa State. Similarly, the Omoku west oil field is in Biseni land of Bayelsa State but Omoku is a town in Rivers State.

3. The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in its report on the Familiarization/Verification visit to oil producing states, volume 1, Main Report, August 2006 in Chapter 3, page 30 also acknowledged the above anormaly when it stated as follows:

“The Bayelsa/Imo/Abia State Governments complained that the naming of oil fields was often done arbitrarily without any regard to the culture and particular environment of the people where the wells or fields are located. This has given rise to wrong attribution by relevant agencies”.

4. Incidentally, Soku village in Rivers State is about 10 km, as the crow flies, from the flow station while the Oluasiri / Soku oil wells/ field is surrounded by various Oluasiri villages of Nembe LGA in Bayelsa State.

5. The Special Presidential Committee on verification of oil wells in volume one of its report on disputed oil wells of December 2000 (P; 25/26) after a painstaking field verification process and hearing from both states stated and recommended as follows:

‘‘4;5.6 Soku Oil Field

The team relied on the legal notice captioned “The Eastern Region Local Government Law, 1955 E.R. NO 26 of 1955. Instrument Establishing the Nembe District Council” tendered by Bayelsa State on Pages 40-41 of its submission. It should be noted that while the Kalabaris of Rivers State call the area Soku, the Nembe people of Bayelsa State call it Oluasiri which is one of the councils mentioned in paragraph 5 of the above mentioned instrument.


In the light of the above, it is recommended that the production from Soku Oil Field be attributed to Bayelsa State.’’

6. It is worthy of note that the Rivers State Government had in its white paper (1993) titled: RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT REPORT OF THE JUDICIAL COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY INTO THE DISTURBANCES / CONFLICT BETWEEN AKUKU-TORU AND BRASS LGA OF RIVERS STATE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF HON JUSTICE PETER B. AKERE rejected the use of River Santa Babara as the boundary between the Kalabari people of Rivers State and the Nembe people of Bayelsa State. The Rivers State Government in the said white paper specifically stated as follows:

‘‘The commission recommends that;
(i) Until that stage is reached, a temporary map which reflects the Rivers Santa Barbara as an administrative boundary should replace Exhibit SG 1.’’

Government:
(a)Rejects the recommendation of the commission in B (2) (i) above...”

The Rivers State Government can therefore no longer claim River Santa Babara as the boundary between the Nembe people of Bayelsa State and the Kalabari people of Rivers State and hence the boundary between the two States.

7. Following dispute between the Nembe and Kalabari peoples, J.G. Cousins Acting District Officer of Brass Division acknowledged River San Bartholomew as the boundary between the Nembe and Kalabari people when in His report dated November 1952 titled KALABARI/NEMBE FISHING DISPUTE stated in paragraph 4 as follows:

“…I note that Consul Hopkins fixed the boundary between Nembe and new Calabar (Kalabari). This is mentioned in the report of the commission into the Kula-Nembe boundary dispute presided over by Mr B.G. Smith acting District Officer in 1944, to which I am also referred by the Nembe Chiefs.”

The New Calabar people in the above quotation refers to the present Kalabari people of Rivers State.

8. The 11tth edition of the administrative map of Nigeria, further confirms the fact that River San Bartholomew is the boundary between Nembe of Bayelsa State and new Calabar (Kalabari) of Rivers State which has metamorphosed into the boundary between the two States.

9. For now there is no pending litigation over the Oluasiri oil wells/oil field between Rivers and Bayelsa States since the Supreme Court struck out the suit by the Rivers State Government challenging Bayelsa State’s ownership of Oluasiri oil wells/oilfield. The matter was heard under suit number SC/106/2009: Attorney General of Rivers State vs Attorney General of Bayelsa State and Anor.

10. Between, 1996 to 2006, the Rivers State Government wrongly collected several billions of naira from the federation account accruing from the Oluasiri oil wells/oil fields, which was wrongfully allocated, to it by the Federal Government.

It is pertinent to note that the 11th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria has not been set aside by the National Boundary Commission or any Court of law. Furthermore since the creation of Bayelsa State it is the 11th edition of the administration map of Nigeria that defines the boundary between the two states. Therefore The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) was perfectly right in attributing and paying the revenue accruing from the said oil wells/ oil field to Bayelsa State.

We therefore urge all Nigerians to discountenance the frivolous and baseless allegations contained in the press release by the Rivers State Government as they are calculated to mislead the entire Country and instigate crises amongst the Ijaw brothers in Kalabari and Nembe communities.

Inspite of this provocation, the Bayelsa State Government will remain focused and determined to ensure a peaceful resolution of the issue.

Thank You.

God bless Bayelsa State
God bless the Ijaw Nation
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeira

SIGNED:

Deacon Markson Fefegha
Hon. Commissioner of Information and Orientation
Bayelsa State
Nigeria

BAYELSA SOCIAL MEDIA COMMITTEE PLANS VISIT TO EDUCATION PARASTATALS: SEEKS TO FORGE SYNERGY

from left: SSG Prof Edmond Allison-oguru and SSA to the Governor on Research and Social Media Hon. John Idumage during the Inauguration of the Bayelsa State Social Media committee
·        
 BAYELSA SOCIAL MEDIA COMMITTEE PLANS VISIT TO EDUCATION PARASTATALS: SEEKS TO FORGE SYNERGY
This week, the BAYELSA SOCIAL MEDIA COMMITTEE will visit all educational parastatals in the State. This was disclosed yesterday by the Chairman of the Committee Dr. John Idumange who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Bayelsa State on Research & Social Media.
According to the Chairman, the parastatals to be visited this week include:
1. THE BAYELSA STATE SCHOLARSHIP BOARD
2. THE STATE UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION BOARD
3. THE PRIMARY EDUCATION SCHOOLS BOARD
Those to be in the entourage of the Chairman include: Mr. Nwokedi Nworisara who is also the Secretary to the Committee. Other members are Ms. Blessing Oyanimigha; Mr. Saint Mienpamo Onitsha; Mrs. Anita Godspower Benakiegha; Comrade Ebi Brisibe and Mr. Sekegha Oguara.
The aim of the visit is to forge synergy between the education sector and the Social Media. The Committee seeks to ensure that all activities and programmes of the educational parastatals will be transparently and dispassionately reported on the social media. The administration of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson places enormous premium on human capital development and Bayelsans are eager to know how the educational policies and programmes of government are implemented. 
The overarching goal of the visit is to foster closer relationship between the parastatals and the office of the SSA on Research and Social Media to promote the effective dissemination of accurate information to the citizenry. The Governor of Bayelsa State who is my boss, places premium on education and we must do all within our powers to ensure that educational policies and programmes of the Restoration administration are adequately reported on the cyber space, Dr. Idumange said!


Saturday 3 November 2012

BAYELSA THANKSGIVING DAY; GOV DICKSON CALL FOR SUSTAINED PRAYERS FOR STATE AND FEDERAL GOVT

BAYELSA THANKSGIVING DAY; GOV DICKSON CALL FOR SUSTAINED PRAYERS FOR STATE AND FEDERAL GOVT

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has performed the ground breaking ceremony of the State ecumenical centre with a call on the church and Nigerians to remain prayerful for President Goodluck Jonathan in his efforts at laying a solid foundation for a greater and more prosperous Country.The Bayelsa State governor also prayed God to sustain the prevail peace and tranquility in the state as well as provide the much needed resources to enable government complete the ecumenical centre project in record time.He explained that the decision to build the centre was borne out of his administration’s desire to appreciate and dedicate the state to God for his manifold blessings.

Governor Dickson, who expressed gratitude to the church for their continued prayers and support, emphasized the need for bayelsans to form the habit of thanking and appreciating the goodness of God at all times for His kindness and mercies.He noted that, it was this purpose that the State Thanksgiving Day Law was enacted with the 2nd of November every year set aside specially as Thanksgiving Day, pointing out that, it was not by accident that all good things started from Bayelsa, including the first oil well to produce in commercial quantity and the first President of the country from a minority stock, among others.“As the governor of Bayelsa state, I have every reason to thank God.

During our electioneering, we put God first in everything that we did and we were able to record a political feat that is unprecedented in the history of our dear state” Governor Dickson remarked.He went further, “In spite of the threat and the reign of terror then, no life was lost while God has given us victory over all the litigations instituted against this administration. Whatever feat recorded by this administration, it is to the credit of the people of Bayelsa state”.“For this administration to succeed and deliver the dividend of democracy as promised during our campaign, we need the support of everybody”.

Also in his brief remark, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Bayelsa State chapter Most Reverend Israel Ege thanked the governor for the warm relationship between the church and government, noting that the state has recorded another landmark achievement by setting aside a particular day to give thanks to God.Quoting copiously from the gospel according to Saint Luke and the Book of Psalm, the Cleric stressed the need for thanksgiving, adding that the state had in the past gone through turbulence, notably the recent flood that left in its trail the destruction of property worth millions of naira and the recent Supreme court verdict that upheld the victory of Governor Seriake Dickson election.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of the contracting firm, Core Services and Consulting International Limited, Mr. Victor Omobude said the project when completed would not only be a worship centre but also serve as an iconic tourist attraction in the state.According to him, the edifice, which is designed by world renowned architect, Professor Giorgio Pagnoni comprises restaurants, offices, conference rooms and an altar with a remote control hydraulic system.For better cooling effect, he added that the centre will also have about 5 kilometre of underground piping to circulate natural air as back up to the normal air-conditioning system.

In their separate remarks, the Chaplain of Aso Villa Chapel, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba and Apostle Zilly Aggrey of the Royal House of Grace International Church commended the state government for embarking on the project and prayed God to continually bless the Governor.The Ecumenical centre to be situated at the gateway town of Igbogene, on completion is expected to have a sitting capacity of about 3,000 people.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State
His Excellency Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson at the Bayelsa State Maiden Thanksgiving Service at the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Niger Delta Praise Singer Asu Ekiye Performing alongside Dr. Juanita Bynum at the Bayelsa State Maiden Thanksgiving Ceremony at the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

His Excellency, The Governor of Bayelsa State Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson and Niger Delta Praise Singer Asu Ekiye at the Bayelsa State Maiden Thanksgiving Service at the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Dr. Juanita Bynum and Friends at the Bayelsa State Maiden Thanksgiving Service at the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State





Dr. Juanita Bynum at the Bayelsa State Maiden Thanksgiving Service at the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State


His Excellency Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson at the Bayelsa State Maiden Thanksgiving Service at the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, standing right behind him his wife Mrs Rachal Seriake Dickson and his Deputy








Buchi performing at the Bayelsa State Maiden Thanksgiving Service at the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Her Excellency, The Wife of the Governor of Bayelsa State Mrs. Racheal Seriake Dickson and Niger Delta Praise Singer Asu Ekiye at the Bayelsa State Maiden Thanksgiving Service at the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai preaching at the Bayelsa State Maiden Thanksgiving Service at the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
 

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