₦airaland Forum

Take any of the roads mentioned in the article and use your google .

Hamxas:
Since y'all are asking for pics let me help OP.
Very good quality road i assure u

These are not the roads mentioned and were damaged by flood last year ! And thanks to the Governor They have been repaired

ivolt:
You didn't include any pictures of the project.
Why?

The named projects can be searched by you and seen .

Naira land allows 4 attachments. The projects are more than 4

Embracing Progress in Bayelsa: Governor Douye Diri's Remarkable Road Projects

By : Anthony Abody OTOBO

Bayelsa State has been witnessing a wave of transformation under the visionary leadership of Governor Douye Diri. The commitment to development is evident in the extensive road projects that have been undertaken across the state. These projects are not just about constructing roads; they are about creating pathways to prosperity, connecting communities, and building a stronger foundation for the future.

One of the key road projects that have garnered attention is the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road, which is set to enhance connectivity and accessibility for the people of Bayelsa West Senatorial District. This road is not only about facilitating smoother transportation; it symbolizes progress and inclusivity, reaching even the most remote areas and ensuring that development reaches every corner of the state.

In Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie Road stands as a testament to Governor Douye Diri's dedication to improving infrastructure. This road doesn't just connect towns; it bridges gaps and fosters a sense of unity among the people. Similarly, the Nembe-Brass Road in Bayelsa East Senatorial District is a lifeline for communities, opening up opportunities for economic growth and social interaction.

Governor Douye Diri's commitment to urban development is evident in projects like the newly dualised section of Glory Drive and the New Yenagoa City Link Road (YELGA). These projects are transforming the face of Yenagoa, creating a modern urban landscape that reflects the aspirations of the people.

The administration's focus on community development shines through in the completion of important bridges like the Immiringi Bridge, Elebele Bridge, and Nembe Unity Bridge. These bridges are not just about crossing water bodies; they are bridges to progress, connecting communities and opening up new avenues for trade and commerce.

The scope of Governor Douye Diri's vision extends beyond roads. Projects like the Ekeremor Secretariat Road, the Polaku-Sabagreia Road, and the construction of rigid pavement roads in various communities underline the commitment to holistic development. These projects enhance the quality of life for the people, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.

As Governor Douye Diri seeks a second term in office, it is important to recognize the impact of these road projects and the broader development agenda. Every road constructed represents a step towards a brighter future for Bayelsa State. It is a testament to the collective effort to uplift the state and provide its citizens with the infrastructure they deserve.

Let us join hands to support Governor Douye Diri's second term bid, acknowledging the progress achieved so far and the promising path that lies ahead for Bayelsa State. Together, we can continue to build a better tomorrow for all residents of the state.

#DiriIsBetter
#ProsperityTwoPointZero
#DiriLaw2023

Dear Prof Sir,

Today, as you celebrate another year of your life, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for everything you have done for me. On this special day, I not only celebrate your birthday but also the incredible person you are and the profound impact you have had on my life.

Prof Sir, you have been more than just a boss to me. You have played the role of a father, guiding me, nurturing me, and always being there when I needed you the most. Your wisdom, mentorship, and genuine care have shaped me. You have seen my potential, believed in me, and pushed me beyond my limits to achieve greatness.

When I stumbled, you were there to offer a helping hand and teach me the valuable lessons that only experience could provide. You provided a safe and nurturing environment where I could grow both personally and professionally.

Your unwavering support and belief in me have given me the confidence to take risks, pursue my dreams, and conquer my fears. You have inspired me to constantly strive for excellence, reminding me that success is not merely a destination but a journey of continuous growth and improvement.

Beyond the realm of work, you have shown genuine interest in my well-being. You have been there to lend an ear when I needed someone to talk to, offering words of encouragement and understanding. Your kindness, compassion, and empathy have touched my heart deeply, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have you as not only my boss but also as a father figure in my life.

Today, on your birthday, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your guidance, your patience, and your unwavering support. You have not only shaped my career but also touched my soul with your kindness. You have shown me the true meaning of leadership and the power of genuine care.

As you blow out the candles on your cake, I wish for you all the happiness, love, and success that life has to offer. May your path be filled with joy, fulfillment, and good health. May you continue to inspire and uplift those around you, just as you have done for me.

Happy birthday, dear Prof, and thank you for being the father figure I never knew I needed.

With heartfelt appreciation,
Anthony Abody Otobo

In the news...

A Non-Governmental Organisation in Bayelsa, the Gifted Natus Foundation has called for entries from prospective participants for its Mathematics Quiz Competition, Tagged "Bayelsa Mathematics Quiz Competition".

This is just as the foundation discloses that winners would go home with as much as 500 thousand naira - first position, 300 thousand naira - second position, while third position would get 200 thousand naira with lots of other consolation prizes to be won.

A statement by the planning committee of the competition says the competition which is scheduled to hold on July 1st in Yenagoa, is open to both public and private secondary school students of Bayelsa origin.

The statement made available by the Media and publicity officer of the committee, Mr Ogbomade Johnson Itutumeni, informs that entry would begin from Thursday 1st and end Thursday 20th June 2023.

He urges all interested students to pick their forms through their respective schools or directly from the committee at Gifted Natus Foundation Office, House 2 Old Assembly Quarters, Ekeki, Yenagoa Or Azaiki Public Library, along Imgbi Road, Amarata.

The competition's planning committee, therefore advises interested students and members of the public to contact 08039508130, 08165497476 for further enquiries.


#Bayelsa_Mathematics_Quiz_Competition

A REPLY TO ADIYA FAROUQ’S UNFORTUNATE UTTERANCES By Hon. Prof. Steve Azaiki Member, Nigerian House of Representatives, Yenagoa/Kolokuma-Opokuma Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State.

The recent statement made by Sadiya Farouq, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, is rather unfortunate. She claimed at a media briefing that Bayelsa was not among the 10 states worst impacted by the flood. She neglected the empirical evidence and proceeded to rank the states according to data she had imagined. She was blindsided by prejudice and carelessness.

Of course, her ranking is meant to support her decision on which states to be given relief materials and which states to neglect. That might explain her overlooking of Bayelsa State in the response by the Federal Government to the plight of flood victims. She stated at the media forum that 44 centres have been established across the country for the purpose of sheltering persons displaced by the flood. No such centre was established in Bayelsa State. Also, the state did not receive any relief material from the Federal Government. The state is largely left to fend for itself, because the Federal Government has reached the conclusion that there is no disaster to necessitate any intervention.

A minister that should be on tour, assessing the extent of damage caused by the flood, remains in the comfort of her office to produce data that is not supported by the reality on ground. Meanwhile, visitors to the state, who gained entrance only through aircraft, are expressing alarm at the level of disaster the state is facing. Since Sadiya Farouq would not visit the state to see things for herself, she needs to be informed.
Bayelsa is the major exit point for the waters of both the River Niger and the River Benue, making it prone to flooding from excess water coming from upstream. Mindful of this situation, the World Environmental Foundation for Africa (WEFFA), the NEMA and the HiMET had, prior to the flood, named it as one of the states to be heavily impacted by the flood. Minister Sadiya Farouq disregarded this warning.

When the flood eventually arrived, about 80% of the entire landmass of the state was covered in water, whole communities were sacked, farmlands were damaged, businesses were destroyed, and public infrastructures were knocked out. Portions of the East-West Road, which connects the state to Delta State and Rivers State and the rest of the country, were washed off, and the road became impassable. The people were trapped! Hardly any food could be produced from within the state and no food could be brought in from outside. Even cooking gas is no longer available because supply channels are no longer open.

The people are facing starvation! At a point, a litre of PMS sold for N1,000. The result of all this was a skyrocketing inflation that sent the cost of a measure of garri from N1,000 prior to the flood to N2,500 during this period. Sadiya Farouq is unaware of these things happening within her ministerial mandate!

The flood was so bad houses were washed away and people died. People had to move around in canoes, sleep in canoes, and cook in canoes. Rooftops became emergency sleeping places for some people. The human cost is high! But Sadiya Farouq does not know!

On Thursday the 3rd of November, I visited Yenebebeli, Ikolo and Yenaka communities, and I found people still having to use canoe or wade through water to get to their houses. On Friday, I visited King Bubaraye Dakolo of Ekpetiama Clan, and he told me people died. I also visited King Funpere Gabriel Akah in Gbarain Clan, and he told me people died. Today, Saturday the 5th, I visited King Nionio of Zarama, but we could not access the Biseni and Okordia areas because the floodwaters are still at window levels. But Sadiya Farouq does not know.

Though some of these incidents may have occurred in some other states, it is unlikely that any other state was cut off and isolated from the rest of the country. In a natural disaster of this magnitude when there is mass restiveness and anxiety, when people are in desperate search for relief, the inter-state comparison made by the minister is unwarranted and insensitive and her disregard of Bayelsa State uncharitable. She should rather be focusing on how to get help to those in real need, not engaging in divisive utterances.

The government needs to caution this minister and get her to be more responsible in the discharge of her duties.

THE 'MADE IN CAMEROON' FLOODS AND NIGERIA’S LIABILITY


By Etete, Enideneze, Media Practitioner/Public Affairs Analyst


For a decade now, starting from 2012 to 2022, floods have recurrently ravaged Nigeria, almost annually. Yet, Nigeria, the Giant of Africa has been moping at Cameroon for mercy, instead of tackling the mishap head-on.
While permanent solutions were awaited to no avail, this year’s flood disaster believed to be the worst, has left citizens, households and organisations in pitiable jeopardy. Buildings, roads, crop, fish and animal farms, property in households and offices have been damaged by the disaster.
Thousands of victims are rendered homeless, amid health hazards, imminent food scarcity, price hikes, poverty and hunger. A number of citizens have reportedly died in various parts of the Nigeria. The States of Niger Delta, located on the lowest seabed, states in the Middlebelt and some Northern States, nobly Northeast are the worst-hit.
Despite these devastating effects, the situation ironically seems to have become a normal thing for the people to live with. This is because Nigeria has apparently not taking full liability, to proactively provide permanent solutions in order to curb the 'Made in Cameroon' disaster.
Nigeria’s lack of will to tackle the floods is irrespective of being aware that the Lagdo Dam in Republic of Cameroon is likely the major cause of the flooding. Instead, it blamed State and Local Governments for ignoring warnings about the floods and for not taking precautionary measures ahead, in order to manage the effects. Rightly, to an extent, Governors and Local Government Council Chairmen have roles to play, but Federal Government has biggest obligation if this year's flood misfortune is to be classified as a national humanitarian disaster.
More so, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) caution Nigeria ahead, whenever Cameroon wants to open the Lagdo Dam which releases deluge of waters to River Benue, tributaries, River Niger and others. The agencies also explain ahead every flood incidents, the secondary roles that rainfalls, coupled with overflow of waters from Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro dams could play in the flooding. These warnings were issued early enough even this year, amid intra-agencies allegations of sabotage of Federal Government's efforts.
Identification of Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam as the main source of the floods in Nigeria, as also affirmed by the United Nations' International Organization for Migration (IOM), is contrary to attribution of the recurrent abnormal floods to rainfalls alone, which some persons usually interpret as the outcome of global climatic changes, causing the same havoc in other countries.
One would like to reason, albeit in a layman's view, subject to opinion of experts, that floods from incessant heavy rainfall might not be as recurrent and devastating as currently experienced ten years now, except it is end-times rain. More so, floods from abnormal rains tend to recede as soon as the periodic rains stop. Even that which comes from a rise in underground water, might not be as serious as floods caused by a dam opened to let out excess volumes.
Yet, despite having known the major and ancellary causes, at best, reactive measures are what Nigeria’s Federal Government and some of the State Governments embark upon, to try to rescue flood victims in some places, provide medical services and relief materials. These exercises are even, often ineffectively coordinated, and staggering sums of money are spent. Succor reaches some victims too late, while some do not get any reliefs at all, and then some die.
Crises or disasters are inevitable in human environment and life, and will happen when they will happen, yet, a proactive approach to handling issues before they get to conflict and later crisis stage, is the magic wand. This strategy, which goes with planning, implementing actions ahead, and communicating effectively at all stages is the shock absorber for known-known, unknown-known and even unknown-unknown crises.
More so as it is often said, when a problem and its roots are identified and analysed, that problem is almost solved. Sadly, this axiom has been disproved by Nigeria's inability to fix a decade's-flood mishap, which major cause is even known. Instead, Nigeria is at the mercy of Cameroon, begging to be given information whenever excess water will be released from the Lagdo Dam, or pleading that it should not be released at a go.
This is unbefitting of Nigeria, the so-called Giant of Africa having more land mass, higher population and other resources than many countries, including Cameroon, which constructed the Lagdo Dam far back 1977 and completed it 1982 to control flooding, provide electricity and irrigate farmlands.
From 1977 when Cameroon sought for Nigeria's cooperation, apparently in the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo's military regime, that Nigeria should build its own dam at Dasin Hausa in present Adamawa State, to receive and control excess water from the Lagdo Dam, reports assert that the Dasin Dam which is even said to have reached about 90 percent milestone, is yet to be completed by Nigeria's Federal Government.
President Mohammadu Buhari's administration alone is not to blame for this failure of not rounding off the Dasin Dam project, instead, all the adminstrations from 1977 to date, have their share of blames.
However, given the perennial nature of the destructive floods believed to be mainly caused by the Lagdo Dam, and secondarily by rains as well as overflow from our own dams, the Federal Government of Nigeria, needs to revisit the mega dam project at Dasin Hausa Adamawa and complete it, to avert similar flood misfortune next year and beyond. This could be more important than enacting a Water Resources Act to expropriate regions of their endowments.
The Kashimbilla/Gambo Dam in Taraba State should also be rushed to completion. More dams could as well be built by Nigeria in collaboration with State Governments, just as states could jointly build regional dams to manage flooding. Afterall dams could also generate electricity as well as aid farming.
In addition, land reclamation, construction of new canals, opening up of existing canals, construction of bridges, destilling, shore protection with dredging of Rivers, tributaries and creeks that are strategic to managing flood and erosion disasters, need to be done.
Proper planning of urban and rural settlements and adherence to the plans, with well-mapped out standard and well-elevated roads and streets, good spaces among houses as well as drainage systems, could also help to mitigate impact of flooding. Citizens should also obey planning and environmental laws, as well as build their houses in ways that could reduce impact of flood.
The Ecological Fund under Nigeria's Presidency, should not be like a banker holding deposits for customers. Instead, the funds should be proactively put into use for the purposes of managing ecological problems such as pollution, erosion, oceanification, desertification and floods. If governors are receiving allocations from the Ecological Fund, they should channel the monies to tackling ecological problems in their states.
Federal, State and Local Governments, public spirited individuals, corporate and charity organisations as well as international donor agencies should provide social and economic supports to victims of this year's flood. In doing so, care needs to be taking to ensure financial transparency and delivery to real victims. Materials, especially, edibles should not be kept in public warehouses or personal houses to entertain rats and insects, only to be shared as bad items.
Also as mitigation measures, temporary Flood Displaced Persons (FDPs) camps, with facilities, and permanent camps to provide temporary abode for victims in future floods, could be constructed in various places.
Aircrafts, drones and speed boats could be used to transport petroleum products, foods, drugs etcetera, to places experiencing scarcity and price hike.
The planning of transport sector in the country and by states ought to consider developing effective river transportation in riverine areas, as well as functional intra and inter-state air transport as alternatives to land vehicular and rail transport, which flood easily disrupts in some places.
Although, ten years have gone down history as a decade of floods originating mostly from Cameroon, Nigeria's Government should no longer treat the dangerous disaster as insoluble, the way problems of refineries, importing of petroleum products, fuel subsidy, electricity supply, restructuring and insecurity have seemed insurmountable debacles.
Indeed, my stand is that the major source of the recurrent flooding of many parts of Nigeria is known, if the reports are anything to go by, hence efforts should be made to provide permanent solutions. Nigeria and its political leaders should no longer remain akimbo nor resort to a-palliatives strategy which provides temporary reliefs while the doom's day waits for the people. The flood disaster which affects living and inanimate objects directly, instantly and massively has created an emergency situation, thus should be tackled the way Covid-19 pandemic was managed with all sense of seriousness despite suspicion of economic war and neo-imperialism.
Frankly, Nigeria ought to be concerned about its environment and devastating effects of floods on Nigerians, like its small neighbour Cameroon whose mercy we mope for every year as if it is our God.
The great African Poet, J. P. Clark says in his poem, The Casualties, that the casualties are not only those that die or get injured in a war, neither the souls and property lost, instead there are many more casualties. Thus, we are all casualties of the floods, one way or the other.
Therefore, while succor is expected for victims of this year's floods, the most important call is for Nigeria to see it as a liability to provide lasting solutions that could curb the 'Made in Cameroon' mishap, before the Lagdo Dam lags behind its current of water and do just what it knows, releasing the un-wated excess volumes to Nigeria.

PROF. AZAIKI LAUDS DR. ERUANI OVER INVESTMENTS IN YENAGOA, CSR INITIATIVES

The Lawmaker representing Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, Prof. Steve Azaiki, has lauded Group President of Azikel Group of Companies, Dr. Godbless Azibapu Eruani, for siting its corporate headquartres and refinery in the constituency.

Prof. Azaiki stated that location of the company’s corporate office at Obogoro and refinery at Obunagha-Gbarain in Yenagoa Local Government Area, would boost economic development in Bayelsa State as well as create employment opportunities.

He stated this at the weekend, during a visit to the corporate headquartres of the company at Obogoro in Yenagoa.

According to the Lawmaker, the capital-intensive investments embarked upon by the company, affirm Dr. Eruani’s business prowess, worthy of emulation by other Bayelsans.

Responding, Dr. Eruani thanked the Lawmaker for visiting, explaining that he chose to go into business in order to enable him contribute better to the development of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta.

Dr. Eruani stressed that economic development was private-sector-driving, thus Bayelsa State Government should provide more enabling environment to attract indigenous and external investors to invest in the state.

The business mogul said construction of the Azikel Refinery, done in collaboration with foreign partners, has reached advanced stage, stating that the 12,000-Barels per day facility would refine petrol, aviation fuel, diesel, cooking gas and kerosene for local sales and export, when completed.

He extolled Prof. Azaiki’s contributions to the development of Bayelsa State, while as a pioneer Agriculture Commissioner in the military era, Secretary to the State Government in the Late Chief D. S. P. Alamieyeseigha’s tenure and presently as a Federal Legislator, noting that Bayelsa’s history would be incomplete without reckoning the Lawmaker’s services.

Eruani who later hosted Prof. Azaiki at his community, Emadike-Ogbia, said as part of his company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR), fifteen catchment communities would enjoy free electricity supply from the Azikel Refinery’s gas turbine.

Conducting the Lawmaker and his entourage round ongoing shore protection and land reclamation projects at Emadike-Ogbia, Dr. Eruani narrated that the projects cost N15Billion, out of which the Federal Government contributed N9Billion, while Azikel Group of Companies foots N6Billion of the total cost.

In his remarks, Prof. Azaiki commended the Group President of Azikel Group of Companies for the lofty CSR and community relations initiatives, and called on the Federal Government and other companies in the state to do the same thing in other communities.

Azaiki urged the Federal Government to take actions on the resolutions of the House of Representatives’ which directed the Executive Organ to embark on shore protection projects at Obogoro-Atissa, Famgbe-Atissa and other Bayelsa communities experiencing coastal erosion disaster.

He advised Azikel Group of Companies to sustain the investment efforts to the fullest, and employ more youths from the host communities and Bayelsa State at large.

ATISSA-YENAGOA COUNCIL OF CHIEFS PLANS TO BUILD KING’S PALACE

Plans have commenced in earnest, to construct a King’s palace in Atissa Kingdom of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital.

This is the outcome of discussions spearheaded by Prof. Steve Azaiki, at the weekend, when he paid homage to HRM (Sir) King Godwin G. Igodo, Ebenibe of Atissa Kingdom and the Chiefs Council at Obogoro in Yenagoa.

Prof. Steve Azaiki, the Obevie One of Atissa Kingdom and member of the Chiefs Council stated that a palace for the King and his Council was overdue, given the vantage position of Atissa as host of the State Capital.

Azaiki, who is also a Legislator representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma at the Federal House of Representatives, assured of his contribution towards realisation of the palace project.

He therefore, urged the Council to set up committees and quickly work out modalities for construction of the palace. The Obevie One of Atissa Kingdom, added that he would be gladdened to see the project materialize in the reign of King Igodo who has resiliently served the Kingdom as its Ebenibe as well as former Chairman of Bayelsa Council of Traditional Rulers.

Speaking further during the homage, Prof. Azaiki urged the Council to set up a committee for redeveloping protocols of Atissa Kingship and traditions in order to enshrine reverence for the institution. Others are a committee to interface with Oguan ethnic groups in Bayelsa, Rivers and Edo States, to reinforce the people’s common heritage, and a committee for organising Atissa Annual Cultural Fiesta beginning November this year.

According to Prof. Azaiki, aside the Adiafa Festival, the cultural fiesta would serve as a means to fully show case and transmit Atissa’s entire culture to the present and future generations.

Pledging to support the committees in the discharge of the assignments, Prof. Azaiki assured he would also support the cultural fiesta.

Responding, Secretary and Spokesman of the Atissa Council of Chiefs, His Highness Roosevelt Abasi, thanked the Lawmaker for the initiatives and commitment to assisting the Kingdom in executing the aforementioned projects. He described Prof. Azaiki as a selfless leader who has contributed a lot to the development of society and individuals, assuring that the Council would swing into actions immediately.

In his remarks, HRH Victor Diemeze Awala, Ebene-Okunu Atissa, the Second, expressed delight over Prof. Azaiki's innovative ideas, adding that the Council already has more than 20 plots of lands to site the Atissa King’s palace project.

Similarly, Engr. Igonibo Igodo commended the Lawmaker for the kind gestures and urged him to use his vast affiliations to do more for Epie/Atissa and Bayelsa State.

The Atissa Council of Chiefs resolved in part, to launch a fund for the construction of the King’s palace. It called on Bayelsa State Government, Yenagoa Local Government Council, Nigerian Content Development Management Board (NCMDB), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and companies operating in the Kingdom to support the palace project.

The council thanked Governor Douye Diri for the erosion intervention project at Obogoro, and called for speedy completion of the canalisation project.

It further appealed to the President Mohammadu Buhari’s-led Federal Government, to approve shore protection project for the Obogoro, as directed by the House of Representatives’ resolution, following the community’s petition presented to the House by Prof. Azaiki.

In his vote of thanks, HRM (Sir) King Godwin G. Igodo, Ebenibe of Atissa Kingdom, appreciated Prof. Steve Azaiki for the homage, and prayed God to grant him more strength and opportunities to support physical and human development aspirations of the people.

Bayelsa-born philanthropist reveals plans to launch Michael Diongoli Foundation, praises family


Lagos—Mr. Michael Diongoli, the founder and CEO of UK-Dion conglomerate has hinted that he is set to launch the Michael Diongoli Foundation (MDF).

He stated that he is launching the foundation to put structures in place for his humanitarian services ranging from support for entrepreneurial projects, MSMEs funding, scholarship schemes, among others.

The Bayelsa-born financial expert and philanthropist who made this known during a parley with newsmen at his office in Lagos averred that the foundation would focus on supporting small and medium scale enterprises with necessary funds.

“We would have a programme that empowers businesses and would also run a scholarship programme for both academic and vocational skills.

“The idea is to sponsor a good number of youths who have the passion to learn but don't have the funds in line with their given career paths and areas of interest, ”he said.

Diongoli, a recipient of several awards including the African Finance Award, 2020, African Corporate Leadership Award, 2021, African Banking Brands Award, 2021, African Banks Excellence Award, 2021 and Institute Of Management Specialists in the UK Awards, 2021 revealed that the foundation would also look out for old people and widows across the nation.

He appreciated his wife and family for always supporting his ideas and vision stating that their support provides a soothing haven to operate from.

"I would say I have been fortunate to have a supportive family that understands my engagements, supports my vision and provides a soothing haven to operate from.

"When the home-front is at peace, business would thrive, and this has been my case/situation/story/reality," Diongoli said.

How Lagos-based financial expert Micheal Diongoli inspires Nigerian youths

By Kingsley Okezie

One of Nigeria's finest youths; Mr. Micheal Diongoli is blazing the trail with a plethora of achievements, even at the young age of forty. Being the founder and CEO of a prestigious investment conglomerate; UK-Dion Group, he has distinguished himself as a business mogul and a philanthropist par excellence.

Mr. Diongoli's inestimable strides are a source of inspiration to many youths across the length and breadth of Nigeria, and this can be mentioned in five ways.

First, just like any Nigerian youth would ever wish to become, Mr. Micheal Diongoli has mastered the craft of breaking even in business spheres and has also helped dozens of young businesses benefit from his exposure and wealth of experience in the business world.

The University of Bradford trained business and management guru has eminently consulted as a financial advisor to reputable national and international financial institutions, with outstanding results that have earned him the reputation of a global financial expert.

Also, in the early days of his career life, the Lagos-based financial expert worked as a financial and mortgage adviser with some top organizations and multinationals like Lowell Financials, Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays Bank and NatWest Bank all in the U.K.

He strongly believes that hard work rewards faster than cutting corners. His thought pattern is a reflection of what every Nigerian youth should represent. In his words “Never try to cut corners to survive, because you may just be cutting your surviving lifeline to success."

Aside from being a financial expert, Diongoli has touched lives with his philanthropic prowess; by empowering a new generation of young African entrepreneurs, catalyzing economic growth, driving poverty eradication and ensuring job creation across different states in the nation. He recently hinted plans to launch the Micheal Diongoli Foundation (MDF): a humanitarian outfit that seeks to support entrepreneurial projects, MSMEs funding, scholarship schemes, and sponsor a good number of youths who have the passion to learn but don’t have the funds in line with their given career paths and areas of interest.

Little wonder he is a recipient of various prestigious indigenous and international awards of recognition, in acknowledgment of his business leadership and economic empowerment of young Africans.

Today, Mr. Micheal Diongoli is one of Africa’s leading investors and philanthropists, a highly sort after financial specialist with impressionable results.

THE DOYEN OF BROADCASTING, A MAVERICK DJ IS GONE BUT MEMORIES WILL REMAIN

HE WAS THE FM VOCAL LOGO, BS CONNECTION

By Etete Enideneze


https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=539981444413239&id=100052041645878

Eternal peace to his soul!.

Late Brighten Sorgwe of Igbo City, Igurubia, (Igbogene-Epie) in Yenagoa, was an elder brother, uncle and indeed a doyen of broadcasting.

He was a mentor.

He made waves as a DJ, Newscaster and Presenter, right from Lagos where his talent was discovered and honed.

The Rivers State FM, Port-Harcourt, first Frequency Modulation station in Nigeria, one of or first in West Africa, was where his stunning announcing, presentation, newscasting and DJ prowess really shone to the delight of everyone.

He once told me the jists of his brilliant and fulfilling career, a huge inspiration for any one to take to broadcasting.

He told me how other DJs impersonated him, taking on his brand name, BS Connection, at shows in PH, often times while he too was in the audience. But he remained quiet and without people knowing that he was not the one at the deck. The impostors made good bucks with his name, unknown to clients that they were fake.

That was the wonder of radio, and how popular, BS, was in the Garden City of PH.

It was the analogue broadcaster phase, when broadcasters where only heard, but not seen. So, good performers remained invisible. It was unlike this era of converged offline-online multimedia broadcasting in which broadcasters are seen in visuals, on the internet. As a result, fans craved to see On Air Personalities of those days, in person.

BS for short, as he used to call his name while on air, lived a quiet and humble life, despite being famous.

He was a Phonologist par excellence. With Daniel Jones Phonetics Dictionary in his head, he could phonetize any language, any word, as far as it could be spelt in alphabets.

Generous with knowledge, Brighten dishes out phonetics skills on the spur of the moment. He would politely put you right in any wrongly pronounced word, whenever you discuss with him, because sounds suggest meanings, to communicate effectively.

That was his common but effective tutoring method, especially, to his junior colleagues in the station. He would listen to bulletins and music shows anywhere, and dish out the right phonetics, tone, stress, pitch and inflection to colleagues, on return to office.

As young ones, we felt the impact of his radio entertainment programmes, from far, especially, during his hay days at Radio Rivers 2, PH, when we used to gather round a radio set to listen to his Pop Trucking programme. In fact he made young ones to think of taking up DJ and broadcasting as a career.

My first encounters with him, were at No. 21 Creek Rd., PH in 1990/ 1991, where his sons, notably, Mr. Bright Asue, lived occasionally with his grandma, Late Igbeh in Late Kofi's house, the business tycoon from Onopa.

I and my cousin, Ememtain, were Jambites in JAMB preparatory classes at Students Aid, Gambia Str., Mile 2, PH, later Blessed Baham Extra-mural Classes, Aggrey Rd. Thus, we lived in Kofi's, our uncle's house, to have had the opportunity of knowing the ace Broadcaster. Others who lived in that house, were Dr. Yakiezibe Ogon who worked with Late Kofi, and later in King Malla Sasime's rendezvous at Nbonu Str., D-Line; Hon. Ayanate Bunas; Mr. Fiemeya Ayebabogha; Mr. Ojoko; Mr. Tarila, Kofi's son who hosted us, and his friend, Somiari.

Meeting Brighten Sorgwe one-on-one was a rare opportunity to be happy of, as anyone would want to see him live.

When Bayelsa was created, he returned to the state to continue his career at Radio Bayelsa, Glory FM 97.1. There again, BS re-enacted his broadcast and DJ talent.

I had returned home as a fresh, young graduate on creation of Bayelsa State. BS wooed some of us to join Radio Bayelsa when it just came on board. He assured he would groom us. I didn't bulge in, due to my interest in the print media, where I felt I could write and unwrite.

We thank God, he took on a few persons, like Mr. Munene Wilson and Sinikiem Ayoko etc, and mentored them. These Mentes and others are all doing well.

He didn't stop. Whenever he saw me at Radio Bayelsa, on my trips to place news, while I served as Press Secretary to Chief (Capt.) Walter Feghabo, then Project Monitoring Chairman, and later, Chief A. A. Asara who was then Politcal Adviser, and later Information Commissioner, BS, would counsel me to take to broadcasting.

On occasions where I'm anchoring as MC, BS, the Pop Trucking King, kept motivating me to join broadcasting. He said he wanted to give back to society by grooming youths for broadcasting career.

When he was appointed GM, I wrote his personality profile. To his dismay, it captured his life and career properly.

The only thing he added was his Professional Diploma in Broadcast Journalism, obtained from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) Ogba, Lagos. He asked me in captivating phonetics: Didn't you know, I'm a trained Journalist?". I said no, Sir! And I added it in a hurry. He said, his calling was DJ and presentation, which l had rightly stressed in the profile, not journalistic writing, which he didn't ply, that was why some of us never knew he was a professional Journalist as well.

His humility didn't allow him to okay it for airing on the station, because he felt, as an Acting GM, then, people could think, he was promoting himself to be made substantive GM. Unfortunately, there were no other radio stations in Bayelsa, to air it. He was later officially confirmed as GM. That personality write-up will be dusted and published to further eulogize the broadcast icon.

Brighten Sorgwe had a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration, Master of Public Administration Degree, and enrolled for a PhD in same discipline. He told me, he wanted to be equipped with adminstrative knowledge and skills, in case of switching to the core civil service. Yet, the unquenchable interest in broadcasting, didn't let him move to the Ministry of Information, early enough.

However, after serving as GM Radio Bayelsa, Late Brighten, was posted to the core civil service, where he retired as a Director in the Ministry of Information.

We prayed fervently, and moves were on, for him to be made Permanent Secretary, as a reward for his long service to the state. Unfortunately, the tenure of the adminstration at that time, in which Chief Asara who was pushing the idea to the Government, ended. It didn't work out even after then, as Permanent Secretaries were not appointed, except a few appointments, until Brighten retired meritoriously.

Life is a stage. He has done his roles.

Igbogene, Onopa, Epie-Atissa and Bayelsa lost a rare talent and humble personality indeed.

Rest in Peace! BS.

Watch out for full profile on the icon.

CHEERS AS THE INDOMITABLE LEADER, SEN. DICKSON CLINKS THE GLASSES

By, Prof. Steve Azaiki, OON.

Today, the 28th of January 2022, reverberates in the minds of many relatives, political associates, friends and well-wishers, as the born date of an indefatigable leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.

From the creeks and fecund soil of Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area of present Bayelsa State, came a great leader, in all sense of the word, "great".

Senator Dickson faced the tapestries of life in many facets, career wise - beginning with service to nation, through the Nigeria Police Force.

But, his calling, spurred by the knack for wordsmithing and oratory prowess inculcated in him by Literature in English, pointed at something else.

He listened to and made good, that calling, as he studied law, and became a legal practitioner. The robust practice from Port-Harcourt to Yenagoa, was a mixture of activism, especially, for the Ijaws and the Niger Delta, using the platforms of Ijaw National Congress (INC).

Politics was the next activity, which he began from the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), and later the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he was part of the Green Movement, a political association in the Bayelsa State Chapter of the PDP. The Green Movement was like a support group to the then Governor, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. It later also supported Dr. Jonathan's Vice-Presidential running mate election and the 2011 presidential elections, subsequently.

From there, Senator Dickson was selected for a cabinet position, as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General in the state, during Dr. Jonathan's tenure as Governor. His legal sagacity saw to the repositioning of the justice administration system in the state.

Politics was to gradually turn to his abode, as he thereafter ascended to the House of Representatives to represent, Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency. His outspokenness on issues were stunning and reckoned with.

Catapulted by fate from the House of Representatives to Governorship of Bayelsa, Senator Dickson, did remarkable reforms and put on a ground several infrastructures, indelible of the two terms he governed.

Dickson is also a maker of leaders and has raised youths and elders onto political leadership positions.

Presently a Senator in Nigeria’s National Assembly, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson has been at the forefront of issues of national, regional and his district's as well as Bayelsa's interest.

As the Ofrumapepe clinks the glasses, to mark his birthday, I and my family, as well as my Constituents from Yenagoa/Kolokuma-Opokuma Federal Constituency, wish him a happy birthday and many happy returns. We pray God to strengthen you and take you to greater heights for service to humanity.

May God also bless and strengthen your beloved spouse, Dr. Rachael Dickson, who has been a source of strength to you in your leadership outings.

Soar higher and higher, the indefatigable leader.

An Account of My Stewardship: A Speech by Prof. Steve Azaiki

I stand here today to give an account of my stewardship as a Member of the House of Representatives representing the Yenagoa/Kolokuma-Opokuma Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State. I do this as part of my duty of democratic accountability, to keep the constituents abreast of my activities.

Long before my election into the House of Representatives I have always had a desire to address public issues and find solutions to the challenges that confront humanity in any group or setting I find myself. That desire led me - when I was a student in Ukraine - to found the World Environmental Movement For Africa (WEMFA). It was founded in the wake of the nuclear accident that occurred in Chernobyl and the massive environmental disaster that resulted. I felt that if a disaster of that magnitude occurred in Africa, we would be caught unprepared and the consequences would be terrible. So WEMFA was a means of caring for the environment to avoid any disaster that could threaten human life. Today, its members are present in 48 countries in Africa and with more than 280 professors in its fold.

That desire to serve also propelled me to seek ways of harnessing the superabundant intellectual resources we have in this country and provide a channel for its targeted use for national development. That gave rise to the National Think Tank, which is an assemblage of eggheads who have amassed vast knowledge and experience in various fields of endeavour. Its membership boasts of professors, businessmen, administrators and others in the top echelon of their careers. They deliberate on important national issues and make recommendations to the appropriate authorities. The National Think Tank has accomplished a lot for this country. It is part of our effort to build a thriving nation.

Then my interest in education as a means of empowering people made me identify certain loopholes in our educational system. First, we established the Azaiki Public Library. We wanted to give to the general public the opportunity for easy access to a wide array of educational materials for research and learning. It is a state-of-the-art library with modern learning facilities. At the official opening of the library, President Goodluck Jonathan (represented by then Minister for Education) said, “This wonderful edifice, this house of knowledge, is a beautiful and inspiring gift to our nation.” The CEO of the National Library of Nigeria, Prof. L O Aina, has described it as “the best I have seen in our country. It is a gift to our country.” This library is a product of personal sacrifices we made to give the best we could to our people. We did not just believe in what we should do, we did it. And today we have what has been described as the best library in Nigeria sitting in our own locality in Yenagoa.

To further promote the acquisition of knowledge and fill the gap that exists in our educational system, we founded the International Society for Comparative Education, Science and Technology (ISCEST). The aim of this society is to promote teaching and cross-disciplinary research in education, science and technology and then apply the knowledge generated to the issues of policy and implementation in Nigeria, Africa and other settings. We often gather experts in comparative education from around the world for conferences in Nigeria. This is our contribution to the development of our people and our dear country.

These are just some of the efforts I have made towards improving society. I did all these as a private citizen. I did not fold my arms and watch. These achievements demonstrate the capacity that each of us has to contribute in building society around the values we believe in.

When I became Secretary to the Government of Bayelsa State, I saw it as an enhanced position for providing service to our people. I carried the burdens of people on my shoulders and sought means by which they could get help. In the area of education, I spearheaded the opening up of opportunity for our young people to obtain top class education both at graduate and post-graduate levels in foreign universities, especially in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. More than 800 students benefited from the scholarship programme we put in place. I was available to those who needed government attention in one way or another, including those who wanted to serve in the government.

During the administration of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson I was privileged to play a major role in getting 29 students from Bayelsa State admitted into the Lincoln University in America. This is the alma mater of famous African leaders like Nnamdi Azikiwe and Kwame Nkrumah (of Ghana). Some of these students accomplished outstanding academic feats that made Bayelsa proud.

My commitment to the educational advancement of our people has led to improved fortunes for many. One of the beneficiaries, Dr Idiseimokumo Akunama from Agudama-Ekpetiama, had this to say:

“I come from a very poor background. I had no hope of getting an education, but through the support of Azaiki, I went through first degree, second degree and, today, I am a Ph.D holder. Azaiki made sure I got a job. Through his effort I have been employed as a lecturer at the University of Uyo.”

Similar testimonies abound.

While serving as SSG I played key role in ensuring that the Niger Delta University was established. The idea for the establishment of this university had been muted during the military administrations that preceded the democratic era and, when the opportunity came during the administration of Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, I had to push for it. The effort proved successful, and today we have the Niger Delta University, a centre of academic excellence. Thousands of young Bayelsans have been groomed in that university and some have become widely acclaimed intellectuals and stars in their various fields of endeavour. This institution will continue to produce and provide the high-level manpower that we as a people need for prospering in today‘s economy. It all started as a little seed that we helped nurture.

There were many projects that we helped conceptualise and nurture into fruition during my tenure as SSG. It was all about serving the public, about looking out for what is best for our society. It was also about satisfying myself that I did my best.

That is the spirit I have taken with me into the House of Representatives. I was inaugurated as a member of the House in June 2019. Of course you know that, as a lawmaking body, we do not have executive powers. We make laws. But we are also an institution, within the framework of checks and balances put in place by our Constitution, that holds the executive arm to account; and in that regard, we have authority to seek explanations from the executive arm on how they implement the laws we make. We also pass motions, but that power is of an advisory nature, to make our opinion known on matters of national importance. Those pieces of advice may draw the attention of the executive to issues that they might have overlooked, and they may take them up and act on them.

So motions are also means for the exercise of legislative power. If they are compelling enough, the executive would act on them.

One such compelling motions was the one I proposed on the floor of the House on the 10th of June, 2020 calling on the Federal Government to restart the work of reconstruction and rehabilitation of the East-West Road. This road had been built several decades ago and, due to the volume of traffic it handles, especially the large number of heavy trucks, several portions of it had collapsed and become impassable. Time after time the government would send in contractors for rehabilitation, but the work was never really fully accomplished. Most of the time, it was a superficial patchwork that could hold for very short periods of time. But what inspired this motion was the deplorable condition of the road. Potholes had widened until they looked like craters; tarmacs had been eaten away by run-off water; and the bad state of the road had been worsened by heavy trucks. Worst of all, the contractor had stopped work!

The government might not have had the full picture of the problem and might have thought that road users could still manage. The government needed to be told. So I moved that motion. I also wrote to the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs notifying him of the unanimous passage of the motion in the House of Representatives and urging him to act. The government swung into action, without delay. The contractor quickly deployed back to site and the reconstruction and rehabilitation work commenced again. That was work that might have remained undone if we did not act. We spoke on behalf of our people, and the government listened.

Even before this motion on the East-West Road, I had moved another motion that the government responded to. It was a motion on COVID-19. At the time of the motion on the 19th of May, 2020 COVID-19 had become a pandemic. It was ravaging the entire world and nations were doing everything they could to devise solutions and protect their citizens from the worst consequences. I felt that Nigeria as a nation within the global community could not fold its arms and wait while other nations were fighting hard to protect their citizens. We needed to do something as a nation. We could do something. So I called on the Federal Government to set up N15 billion COVID-19 emergency fund for universities and tertiary institutions of learning for research in response to the pandemic. Some universities, with their meagre resources, had already manufactured ventilators. If our universities had more funds, they could make us proud in the research and development world. The motion was passed in the House and I wrote to the President offering my ideas on what Nigeria may do in the fight against the corona virus. The government again listened. Funds were made available as requested.

We have been in communication with the office of Mr President. On the corona virus outbreak alone, we have written three letters to the President urging him to take particular actions that we believe will improve our chances of rolling back the pandemic.

What this means is that we are putting our hands on deck along with others to steer the ship of our nation along desirable paths. If on both occasions that I proposed motions, the government took heed and followed the steps we advised, we are making powerful impact on the nation as a whole.

Our system allows every member of the National Assembly to choose some projects for inclusion in the federal budget, insofar as their total amount does not exceed a certain figure. That is what we call constituency projects. The constituency projects allow us to give to our communities projects that specifically needed by those communities, but which are likely to escape the attention of the Federal Government in Abuja. Usually, because of the small amount of money involved, we can provide facilities like street lamps, boreholes, classroom blocks, health centres, town halls or furnish and equip some existing facilities. We can also carry out skill acquisition and empowerment programmes. In the Yenagoa/Kolokuma-Opokuma Federal Constituency, we have done all of these in one community or another.

The constituency projects we proposed or implemented include:

1. Provision of solar street light in Okordia and Opokuma was implemented by the Border Communities Development Authority through Mortin Consult Limited as contractor.
2. Provision of 5KVA generators to health centres in YELGA and KOLGA Federal Constituency was executed by the Border Communities Development Agency through Benest Nigeria Limited as contractor.
3. Supply of musical and cultural equipment for youths and groups empowerment in YELGA and KOLGA Federal Constituency was executed by National Institute for Cultural Orientation through Lupres Nigeria Limited as contractor.
4. Surface dressing, construction and rehabilitation of Yenaka-Yenebebeli Link Road was executed by PRODA through Chypol Technologies Nigeria Limited as contractor.
5. Renovation of schools in Swali and Akaba Towns was executed and completed by National Lottery Trust Fund through Bazau Resources Limited.
6. Supplies, training and capacity building equipment for women and youths in YELGA and KOLGA Federal Constituency was implemented by the National Directorate of Employment through (1) EM-SQUARED MASTERCARD LIMITED, (2) CHYPOL TECHNOLOGIES NIGERIA LIMITED, and (3) MORTIN CONSULT LIMITED.
7. Renovation of town halls and community Primary Health Centres in Atissa and Epie Clans is an ongoing project being handled by National Institute for Cultural Orientation through Delse Projects Limited as contractor.
8. Renovation of town halls (Ayibabiri, Ayakoroama, and Freetown communities) and community Primary Health Centres (Gbaranma, Kalama, Ikarama, Ogboloma, Zarama, and Obunagha communities) in YELGA/KOLGA Federal Constituency is an ongoing project handled by National Institute for Cultural Orientation through Amazing Techno Limited as contractor.
9. Entrepreneurship development and skills acquisition for youths in YELGA/KOLGA Federal Constituency was executed and completed by the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Zaria through Pitmana Consulting Limited as contractor. 100 constituents benefited from this programme (50 for ICT and 50 for soap making).
10. Training and empowerment for women in YELGA/KOLGA Constituency. This is a project in the budget of the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Zaria, but it has not yet been awarded to any contractor.


There are other projects outside the usual constituency projects that we have implemented. They include:

1. Aquaculture and fisheries development programme from which the following communities benefited: Odi, Kaiama, Yenebebeli, Ikolo, Gbarantoru, Ikibiri, Zarama, Tein, Akpide, Polaku, and Nedugo Agbia. Fish ponds were provided for these communities and 10 youths from each of them were trained for that purpose. This project has been executed.
2. Provision of solar lights in the following communities: Odi, Kaiama, Gbaranbiri, Yenaka, Yenebebeli, Ikolo, and Koroama. This project has been executed.
3. Sports and games sponsorship and promotion in Yenagoa Town. This project is personal and has been executed.
4. Sponsorship of Azaiki Young Football Stars Tournament, 2020. This was a personal effort to promote sports, and has been executed.
5. COVID-19 enlightenment campaign and donation of safety equipment, distribution of food items and cash gifts to the elderly and vulnerable persons. This project is personal and has been executed.
6. Construction of skills acquisition centre in Polaku by the Federal Ministry of Works through Delse Projects Limited. This is an ongoing project.
7. Payment of WAEC and NECO fees for indigent students (50 in 2020 and 45 in 2021, excluding the number paid for in 2019). This project is personal and has been executed.
8. Leadership training of 50 constituents by the GOTNI Leadership Centre in Abuja sponsored by Prof. Steve Azaiki. This project is personal and has been executed.
9. We are also laying the foundation for the building of a Modern Primary School for Yenebebeli II Community.
10. In the current budget cycle, we have built two additional schools in the constituency.


Read Full Speech and view more photos By Clicking the link https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1767748040076648&id=100005244067503

THE CHALLENGE OF LEADERSHIP IN NIGERIA
A SPEECH DELIVERED BY PROF. STEVE AZAIKI, OON.,TO BAYELSA STATE PARTICIPANTS AT THE LEADERSHIP AND ENTERPRISE TRAINING BY GOTNI LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (CENTRE), ABUJA ON THE 11TH OF MAY, 2021

The Right Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Olufemi Gbajabiamila; the Minority Leader Hon. Ndidi Elumelu; His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, former Governor of Bayelsa State; Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Hon. (Dr.) Uche Ogah; His Excellency Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Federal University of Science and Technology (FUTA), Akure; Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Moses Jitibo; President of Young Professionals, Mr. Seliko Moses; the Chief Executive Officer of GOTNI, Dr. Linus Okorie; other invited guests and participants in this programme,

I am elated to speak to this select-audience of serving and future leaders of Nigeria from Bayelsa State extraction, including my good Constituents from Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, and non-Bayelsans alike.

Permit me to first of all state that, this programme is my personal initiative in collaboration with GOTNI, to sustain my avowed commitment to human capital development and progress of society. It is not a constituency project. It is therefore, not funded by the Federal Government or the House of Representatives.
The crux of my speech, Challenge of Leadership in Nigeria, was chosen at my own discretion, considering that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GOTNI, Dr. Linus Okorie, did not limit me to any topic.

Consequently, while I speak on the topic, I would adopt an experiential approach to the discourse.

This approach will make my presentation practical and lively. It will also enable me share my personal experiences and thoughts on leadership in order to inspire future leaders among the youths.
As was said by Paul of Tarsus, I did not learn under the feet of Gamaliel [or to replace with Nelson Mandela], as such I might not be able to state all that is in the whole gamut of the thorny issue of leadership, the bane of physical and human capital development in Nigeria and Africa.

Therefore, the use of my research works and personal experiences as part of case studies do not mean I would be offering unquestionable wisdom or foreclose discussions on the vast issues of leadership and good governance.

One task for a scholar is to rigorously seek and discover knowledge and make it available for the advancement of mankind and society. Not carrying out these obligations is like a sin and the scholar perishes with the knowledge kept in the cooler.

I have therefore, always considered it necessary to contribute to knowledge and human development, as exemplified by many of my publications, establishment of the Azaiki Public Library, sponsorship of conferences, scholarship awards to deserving persons and active involvement in state and national service.
These are more so, as education, knowledge and experience are useful for effective leadership in Nigeria and Africa.

Looking at Nigeria, the supposed Giant of Africa, many questions come to my mind. Many times I ask myself, what would happen if Tafawa Balewa, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Ernest Ikoli, Major Adaka Boro were to rise up and see what is happening now? How would they feel about the country they struggled to gain independence for?

Wouldn't they be worried at the decaying state and lack of basic infrastructures? Would the near loss of patriotism and people-oriented leadership not disturb their minds?
They would surely be appalled at these problems, and the spate of ethno-religion; regional and political conflicts that have thrown up divisions and insecurity in the country.

The terrorism in the North: particularly in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States; herders-farmers imbroglio, especially in Benue State; the so-called banditry in Kaduna, Katsina and other states; the booming "trade" in kidnappings in various parts of the country, and the current arsons and war-like situations in the South-East, spreading to the South-South, definitely shock not only Nigerians who are alive, but the nationalists who fought for the county's independence, would also be unhappy in the world beyond.
And the trend of insecurity is reaching for the crescendo, given foreign and local alarms raised about the influx of foreigners and arms/ammunition into the country, besides the Al-Qaeda-ISIS connections. Yet, the alarms are downplayed, and also not screaming as headlines on the front pages of our newspapers.
As I speak to you, what has been sarcastically code-named euphemistically as Unknown-Gunmen, Known-Gunmen in the South-East is spreading to the South-South, starting with Port Harcourt, and this is becoming worrisome.

Kidnapping has become an occupation in Nigeria. Corruption has become endemic. Boko-Haram terrorists are reportedly planning to annex parts of Nigeria to foist a secular country of its own, on the people.

The truth is that, Nigeria is at war with itself. But it doesn't seem to have so dawned on the Government, considering how the gory situation of insecurity is not been tackled head-on.
Economic crisis, leading to mass unemployment, poverty and hunger, besides killings and destructions, have made our youths, even graduates, hopeless, trend that occasioned the ENDSARS youth protest, among other reasons.

Our youths have been forced to risk their lives, by indulging in illegal migrations in droves abroad to engage even in illicit acts to try to eek-out a living.

The plight of our youths and the avoidable local and international crimes and vices of prostitution and deceptions, occasioned largely by unresponsive leadership, have given them negative tags abroad. Some of our young men and women are humiliated at embassies of European countries, America, India, China and the UAE.
The plethora of problems confronting Nigeria appears insurmountable, despite the egg heads that abound. There are sound academics and technocrats who could be of help, but the system of leadership and governance has emasculated them.
They could proffer little or nothing in their various fields because of lack of adequate institutional facilities, poor remuneration, lack of support for and utilisation of research outcomes, as well as leaders disdain for knowledge and the intelligentsias.

And the scenario does not augur well in a globalised world where economy and other activities are dominantly knowledge and information communication technology-driven.

The circumstance is worsened by selfish and sectional politics as well as endemic corruption in public and private sector governance.

We are succeeding in creating a generation of beggars in which even master's and doctorate degree holders have no option than to beg and survive from those not as knowledgeable. Many unemployed graduates are in the streets either doing menial jobs or corporate begging.

Talking about a generation of beggars reminds me of a story – “The Secret of Life”. An old man told his sons that, when you become twelve years old; I will tell you the secret of life. When one of the boys was twelve years old he asked his father to tell him the secret. The father told him that, the cow does not give milk. What are you saying, asked the boy incredulously? Just as you’ve heard it son, the cow does not give milk, you have to milk it. You have to get up at 4a.m., in the morning, go to the field, walk through the coral of manure, tie the tail, hobble the legs of the cow, sit on the stool, place the bucket and do the work yourself.

That is the secret of life; the cow does not give milk. You milk her or you don’t get milk.

The present generation thinks that cows give milk and that things are automatic and free.We are a generation of thinking that texting someone for cash seems to be a means of survival.
Agreed, ineffective leadership and unemployment may have made it so bad, every youth has a responsibility to rise up to the occasion of facing life's tapestries, by taking your destinies in your hands through hard work, then a push from a helper, could be the stroke of luck to accomplish your destiny.

Those of us who lived (live) in the village know that a hunter who returns from the forest with a goat is a thief. The hunter would be humiliated by being accused and punished.

Everyone is, or could be a leader, and would be applauded or blamed for leading well or not. That is the essence of this leadership training: to groom young leaders, refresh extant leaders and ensure effective and efficient leadership at all strata as well as encourage entrepreneurship. You are trained here today to also serve as agents of social change to other youths and society at large.

Leaders are by definition change makers. When you are called to lead, you are called to advance, move forward and improve the situation.

To be able to lead effectively, you must be prepared for leadership. Most Nigerian leaders, at all levels come to their position of authority at best ill prepared for the office.
Preparation entails education, continuous learning, practice, wide affiliations, mentorships, on-the-job experience, hard work and patience.

To achieve success in leadership, a leader must show discipline, passion, service, purpose, justice, equity and patriotism. A leader, who possesses and applies these principles, could shun tribalism, nepotism, religious bigotry, and injustice. Such a leader will always outperform the leader using intimidation, sadism and inexperience as the tools of trade.

In summary, let me reflect on a book written by one of the greatest minds that ever lived in Africa, “The Trouble with Nigeria”, written by Professor Chinua Achebe. According to him, “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership”. This is true. It is a statement of fact.

The 19th Century moralist and historian Lord Acton says, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. He was writing to Bishop Mandell Creighton in the year 1887. The quotation goes on to say, “Great men are almost always bad men”. More than 100 years earlier, William Pitt, the Prime Minister of Britain from 1766 to 1778, said something similar in a speech to the UK House of Lords in 1770: “Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it”.

The moral success and failures of leaders carry a greater weight and volume than those of non-leaders.

It is this opinion that has led me to suggest to my colleagues on the need to rewrite the constitution of Nigeria to make it “We the people…” My purpose at the National Assembly is to pursue restructuring of the country among other things, devolution of powers , resource control and ownership as the solution to the countries plethora of problems that are now threatening its corpus existence.

What's the place of education in leadership? “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” Your attitude not your aptitude will determine your altitude. “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn… and change”. Warren G. Bennis.

I love the educational quotes of Malcolm Forbes, when he said “The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open mind”. I believe a leader must have education, not just certificates, because certificates do not really make a leader, even though leadership skills could be taught and learnt.

Indeed, some say there is no truth about genetic leaders. It was Warren Bennis who said, “The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born – that there is a genetic factor to leadership. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born”.

I agree with Klaus Balkenhol when he says “There is a difference between being a leader and being a boss.” Both are based on authority. A boss demands blind obedience, a leader earns authority through understanding and trust”.
Education reminds us of an old African adage that says. “Other people’s wisdom prevents the king from being called a fool”.
Let me conclude that for Nigeria to make progress our leaders must become students of Lee KuanYuu of Singapore the author of “From Third to First”. It will be imperative to look at the leadership style of the Emirates (Dubai) and other countries such as, China, Rwanda, Kenya, India etcetera, as models for us to learn, adopt and adapt to solve our poverty of ineffective leadership.

Apart from learning leadership and governance, other solutions to the turbulence in Nigeria, need to be mooted over.
My conviction is that we need to rewrite our constitution and practice true federalism. We must insert in our constitution, just like Ethiopia did, a section or sections to guarantee the right to secede from the state. Whether it works or not, will depend on the agitating people's choice in a referendum.
Nigeria must re-establish values of patriotism, brotherhood, nationalism and unity.

We must reward hard work and respect one another.
We need to embark on a paradigm shift particularly in the area of placing little or no emphasis on wealth acquisition, as this singular act negatively affects the psyche of our leaders in the management of public resources. The culture of worshiping wealth has inculcated negative motives and unpleasant behaviours in our youths. And this needs to be curbed.

Let us begin to appoint/elect those who are qualified, capable and disciplined, onto positions of authority in our society.
Ladies and gentlemen, my brothers and sisters from Bayelsa your take home from my long discuss is that you must prepare yourself for tomorrow when opportunity will need to meet preparation.
Thank you, our invited guests, for honouring the invitation to the opening session of this programme.

I must appreciate Dr. Linus Okorie, the CEO of GOTNI, a classic leadership and public speaking outfit in Africa and Nigeria, and his team, for partnering with me on this personal project of mine.
Dear participants, I appreciate your applying to attend this training programme. I urge you to apply the knowledge and skills, as well as train others in the art and science of leadership, to make society a better place.

PROF. STEVE AZAIKI, OON, MHR

ISCEST Extends Tenure Of Executives

* As Prof. Adebiyi Harps Harnessing Positive Sides Of Covid-19

* Endorses 5G

* Advocates New Funding Models For Public Varsities In Nigeria


By Etete Enideneze


International Society of Comparative Education, Science and Technology (ISCEST), Nigeria, has extended the tenure of its Executive Council, led by Prof. Jason Osai. This was the highpoint of the organisation’s conference which commenced November 30, 2020 and billed to end December 1, 2020.

The development followed a unanimous resolution sequel to a motion by Mr. Uche Samuel Ogboaja and seconded by Mr. Enifome Donatus Emesakoru, on ground of disruption of the council’s efforts by COVID-19 throughout 2020.

The ISCEST is a body of academics and professionals in Nigeria, with affiliations to world organizations. It promotes discussions and research in science and technology to match theory with practice for society’s benefit.

Declaring the conference open, founding president of the ISCEST, Nigeria, Prof. Steve Azaiki, said the organization had successfully hosted six conferences offline in the past, noting that this year’s edition held online due to the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.

He added that as a conference that attracts attendees from across the world, it was important to host the current conference online, via Zoom.

Prof. Azaiki who is also a Lawmaker in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, thanked the executives and committees of the ISCEST as well as members and non-members from various locations for logging in to participate in the conference, which continues December 1, 2020 with main lectures.

Earlier in a keynote address, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, former Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), harped on the need to leverage on the positive impact of the Corona virus pandemic.

Prof. Adebiyi stated that the pandemic has challenged individuals, organizations and countries to adopt new methods of doing things. He gave the example of teaching and learning as well as online meetings and working from home via internet-based platforms as necessary approaches that ought to be improved upon.

Responding to a question by this reporter, on why Nigerian universities were yet to really adopt online approach to education, Prof. Adebiyi, a renowned scientist and academic, attributed the delay to poor funding and lack of modern facilities.

The keynote speaker called for new funding patterns to provide state-of-the-art facilities in Nigeria’s public universities, for instance, little contribution from parents. He stated that private universities in the country delivered lectures and held convocations virtually because they are funded by the high tuitions paid by parents of the students.

Without new funding patterns to provide adequate funds for upgrading public universities, the conflict between Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Federal Government, would never end, the don contended.

According him, the need to be prepared for the post-pandemic world was even compelled more by the Internet of Things (IoTs), which would connect nearly everything and activities online to boost data and ease human endeavours, just as the 5G network would boost speed in internet usage.


Thus, instead of been swayed by conspiracy theories, he said, Nigerians should rather embrace the new technologies, pointing out that the vaccines so far produced for Covid-19 are not connected to micro-chips as alleged.

He further gave the instance of efforts by pharmaceutical, educational and research institutions to discover vaccines against Covid-19, as another way the pandemic has gingered human efforts, advocating that Nigeria should take strategic advantage of the trends.

Similar development is being witnessed in the global economy where, he said regions and countries, for instance Europe and America instead of relying on China, are now looking inwards for home-based production of various goods and services that will lead to competition for foreign markets as well as give advantage to distribution companies whose liquidity profile would rise.

In a supporting comment, Dr. Lucky Eleanya, underscored the need for Nigeria and Africa to key into the latest innovations in the various sectors of national and global economy, reiterating Prof. Adebiye’s point of view, that the Covid-19 pandemic has created room for development of society, despite the negative effects.

Dr. Eleanya who is the vice president of ISCEST, Nigeria, thanked the congress for finding the executive worthy to serve in another tenure.

In her remarks, moderator of the online conference, Dr. Gertrude Shotte, described Prof. Adebiye’s keynote paper as timely, and a suitable pace-setter for main discourses at the conference, which ends December 1, 2020.

She lauded Prof. Azaiki and Nigeria Chapter of the ISCEST for working hard to ensure success of the webinar.

THE DAY CHARITY WAS PAID WITH EVIL,
A SPEECH BY HON. (PROF.) STEVE SINIKIEM AZAIKI, OON, ON THE DESTRUCTION AND LOOTING OF FACILITIES AT PUBLIC INSTUTIONS ESTABLISHED BY THE AZAIKI FOUNDATION FOR CHARITABLE SERVICES, DELIVERED 12TH MARCH, 2020 ON THE OCASSION OF GOVERNOR DOUYE DIRI'S VISIT TO THE LIBRARY

PROTOCOL

It was few hours to the day that was set aside for another historic event in Bayelsa State. Yenagoa, the Capital and its suburbs had already put on new looks, with decorations and preparations ahead. Though it was a party affair, so to speak, it was on the whole, a statewide event that was being awaited. As a result, every Bayelsan, irrespective of differences would have automatically been part of it or would have at least been touched by the event that was awaited.

But the unforeseen and unimaginable occurred, February 13, 2020. The long-awaited event was not to take place after all, following the stunning news that filtered into town and all homes. The unexpected news was like oxymoron. While it was sad to one side, it was good tiding to the other side.

Thus, the scenario, mixed with sadness and merriment, rather warranted a low-key celebration at last. It was indeed moments of celebration for the new winning side, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and of course the State.
But in a twist of dramatic irony, we could not celebrate as much, even though the festivity would have reached the crescendo, considering how God gave the victory to PDP.
For me, my supporters and the entire Yelga/Kolga Federal Constituency, it was double victory – The PDP had won at last, and the winner hails from our Federal Constituency. That is what we all worked and prayed for, and surprisingly, it manifested positively.
Sadly, our joy momentarily ebbed, if not totally cut shot, yet we braced up to solidarize with our new Governor and Deputy Governor as well as the PDP. I and my Constituents were re-enlivened by the subsequent revalidation of the Supreme Court’s ruling which struck out the appeal for review of the landmark judgement.

It was the havoc unleashed on the Azaiki Public Library, Museum and Institute of Science and Technology by a group of youths under the aegis of the All Progressives Congress (APC), that tried to cut short our joy of victory, yet we were undaunted by the conspirators.

While the Azaiki Foundation, incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as an organization has publicly condemned the acts, in the media, I as the Founder wishes to personally condemn the actions of the conspirators as heinous, primitive and the highest level of ignorance to be displayed by any homo sapiens in this millennium that life is knowledge-driven.
Indeed, the incident of February 14th, 2020, at about Noon, tempts me to now believe some of my friends outside Bayelsa, who had advised me not to locate the Azaiki Library in Yenagoa, instead, that I should locate it in Lagos or Abuja where the lofty effort would be more appreciated and utilized most by larger number of persons.
No! No! I should not regret locating the Azaiki Public Library and the other institutions in Yenagoa, my home, were I lived and grew up, to help the people catch up with the trend of information and knowledge-driven human capital development and economic growth. I indeed have no regrets putting such state-of-the-art facilities out there for charity.

However, I, my family, donors, users and even rational members of the public against the dastardly incident who have lent voices against the criminal and primordial acts, have continued to struggle to get over the pains caused us.
For me and my wife and children in particular, it has been hell trying to get our minds off the acts of wickedness meted against us, under the guise of political protest. The Azaiki Public Library and its allied institutions are the products of a ten-year plan. Yes! Ten years of personal sacrifice and commitment of personal funds at the expense of my pleasure and those of my wife and children, from 1999 to 2015 when the plans came alive, and even till date.

Many persons and groups, friends and sympathizers across the world have also condemned the acts. Among them is my friend, Former Governor of Adamawa State, and Ex-Minister for Youth Development, His Excellency Boni Haruna who lamented and encouraged us thus:
This is wicked, retrogressive and condemnable. We stand with you in the face of this work of the dark agents, believing it will not draw you back in your avowed determination to serve humanity through the public library owned by the Azaiki Foundation. Remain blessed.

But in all, despite the ugly incident of the attack and looting, we thank God that that dream of setting up a library, a library with up-to-date offline and E-books and journals in all disciplines and professions, was at last established and commissioned on May 19, 2015 for public use, and free of charge. As Colin Powel once said, “… a dream does not become reality through magic; it takes had sweat, determination and hard work”.

With determination, we realized the ultimate desire of building and equipping a public library and museum for public service, yet some persons do not appreciate the philanthropy. Such persons should imbibe Zig Ziglar’s advice that “Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions”, because as Elie Wiessel also notes, “When a person does not have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity”.
Ingrates should therefore, try to be grateful to those who make sacrifice for the betterment of society. I believe that history will judge us all in the future. Those who do good, those who pay good for good, those who reward good with evil, will all be judged by History and above all God Almighty. As such, in the face of this punishment meted against me by the assailants, I leave my case for God to judge.

My heart bleeds whenever I set eyes on the items destroyed and when I recall images of the items stolen. You might share my feelings as I graphically enumerate the quantum of damage and theft.

The following items running into Millions of Naira were destroyed, and or looted from the offline library: hard copies of books and journals; expensive pieces of furniture, book shelves; desktop computer sets; laptops; sets of Universal Power Systems (UPS); battery power inverters; television sets; projectors; fridges; freezers; air-conditioners, standing and table fans, as well as carting away of N6million from the safe in the accounts office.
Others are destruction of cars belonging to staff, readers and visitors; two official cars belonging to Chairman of the Azaiki Library, driven away by the attackers; mobile phones, laptops and monies belonging to staff, readers and visitors. These facilities destroyed and looted by the APC assailants, besides others stated hereafter, run into millions of Naira.

From the online library, digital facilities that were containing 30,000 E-books, encyclopedias; journals and other periodicals, among others were carted away by the APC attackers. The digital items include 150 computers and 50 pieces of Kindle E-book readers.
At the museum, the attackers destroyed, and made away with some expensive foreign and local artworks; historical artifacts; carvings; paintings and other items also worth millions of Naira.

From the Institute of Science and Technology, the attackers set ablaze some property and made away with others such as expensive marble tables and settees and the Azaiki Library’s pick-up Hilux vehicle which was parked at the Institute.

This is the ugly fate that befell edifices and facilities that were before now described and appreciated in glowing terms by many rational persons, both the low and high. For instance, the National Librarian and Chairman of the National Library Board, Abuja, Prof. L. O Aaina in a letter has this to say:
I was thrilled by the provision of the library and its service. Indeed, the library stands as the best I have seen in our country. It is a gift to our country and I am proud to be associated with this great effort. May God forever bless your loving and generous heart. 

Former President Shehu Shagari in a foreword to my book, Thoughts on Nigeria commented, thus:
[Aaziki] is patriotic…I see a man of highest standard – patriotic and selfless in his dedication to service; a man exhibiting a high sense of hope amongst enormous challenges […]. The world class library facilities and its contribution to education and knowledge …, the Niger Delta Museum ... speak volume of a man who is truly ahead of his time. Azaiki has given so much to our country [but] expecting nothing in return.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan who performed the commissioning ceremony of the Azaiki Public Library on May 19, 2015 through the former Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shakarau had described the public facilities provided by the Azaiki Foundation in the following expressions:
What I have seen here is amazing. It is interesting and worth the trouble of a presidential commissioning. Within the country, I have not seen anything like this, especially by a private initiative. Azaiki is a gift to the Nigeria nation and to his Ijaw people; a gentleman, who has lived his dream of giving back to society. Without the hindsight of making profit, he has rendered service to his people by building and donating the library to the community. You don’t need an architect. You don’t need to be a quantity surveyor to know what has gone in to the building.

Former president Jonathan bared his mind frankly, and further said that:
Azaiki is a great man he has given history and future to his community. No nation can rise above the level and quality of its education. What he has done is raising the level of education of Bayelsa people and Nigeria. I am sure with this project you must be a fulfilled person, because you have left behind a mark.

In like manner, outgone Governor of our State, Rt. Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, through the then Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Talford Ongolo, had at the commissioning ceremony spoken about the gestures of my Foundation thus:
I will like to commend the Azaiki Public Library Incorporated, especially the founder and financier, our own distinguished son of the soil, Azaiki, for sharing his vision intellect and resource with the good people of Bayelsa, Nigeria, Africa and indeed the entire world.
This library is not only for those who can read and write, but also for those who are curious and seek knowledge by other means. If properly utilized, the open doors of this library could become the stepping stone from which ambitious young people will set search of the Golden Fleece in all corners of the world.
I and my Foundation as well as other rational persons still relate our thoughts to the ideas of the various commentators cited in this speech and those not cited. Therefore, we will strive to be unperturbed and rather push ahead in our quest to contribute more and more to the advancement of mankind and society, through personal sacrifices.

In that resolve, we will continue to be guided by the admonishments of sages like Caeser Chavez who said:
We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community. Therefore, our ambition must be broad enough to include the aspiration and needs of others, for their sake and for our own.
We will continue to be propelled in that resolve by the philosophy of Charles Dewey that “Education is not [just] preparation for life, education is life itself”. Thus, we will always bear in mind the witty saying by Albert Pike, that: What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remain with us and is immortal”.

In line with the above philosophies of life, besides that of Carlos Maria, which states that: “To build up a library is to create a life”, and that a library “is never just a random collection of books”, I was inspired to build a public library integrated with museum, art works and conference halls. And in 1999, the planning began, thereafter implemented and achieved in 2015 for public use.

In fact, the purposes of my setting up such a library, were among others, to replicate what I saw abroad as a student and lecturer; encourage reading and research to boost knowledge and education; provide complementary services to educational institutions in the State; document and preserve history and custom; provide leisure to divert attention from unrewarding activities, manage boredom, and above all promote the overall development of society. I envisioned a public library that will be magnificent enough to attract meaningful people to gather and exchange ideas as well as help tackle social vices often directly traceable to idleness among young persons.

Yet, and surprisingly, some disgruntled, ignorant and unprogressive elements had long ago nursed ill will against such noble and selfless gestures, and used the opportunity of the APC’s political protest to unleash evil on the facilities so provided for charitable services.
Indeed, they rewarded charity with evil. But, their conscience will continue to disturb them.
On my part and the Azaiki Foundation, we thank all those persons and groups that stood by us in the trying moments, especially in condemning the uncivilized and criminal acts unleashed against the public facilities of the Foundation.
We call on everyone to remain law abiding in the face of this provocation, even as I assure of not relenting in rendering more services to society, through my personal and official capacities. This is my pledge.

Although they have paid charity with evil, we shall not emulate nor pay evil with evil. We abide by Mahatma Ghandi’s wisdom that “an eye for an eye will make the world blind”. Therefore, we leave our deeds for God, and history shall judge us all.
Thank you and God bless you all.


Hon. (Prof.) Steve Sinikiem Azaiki, OON,
FOUNDER, AZAIKI FOUNDATION

DIRI'S LIFE, DESTINY AND PUBLIC SERVICE


By Etete Enideneze, Media Practitioner and Public Affairs Analyst


HIS PERSONALITY

One trait that attracts goodwill and reward to a person is charisma backed with unrelenting willingness to serve anywhere and whenever given opportunity to do so. This aptly captures the personality and public service narrative of Senator Douye Diri. His story is indeed that of destiny and reward for patriotic service, having become governor after hopes had even gone dim.
He has so far committed 34 years of his productive life to serving institutions and humanity, at various levels, from 1985 to date and still counting ahead. This rare record puts him in the class of few Bayelsans with longest periods of service to society, through public offices.
Indeed, the name Douye Diri resonates with articulacy, dynamism, dedication, pragmatism, patriotism, and above all, his resolve never to amass wealth at the expense of the public.
These qualities earned him rewards, including nomination as the PDP’s candidate for the November 16, 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa State, besides other public positions in the past, on which he performed well.
Accordingly, many Bayelans who were sincerely keen about good governance rated him high as a person who is fit to be governor, and could render the needed services instead of pursuance of self-aggrandizement.

BIRTH AND EDUCATION
Senator Diri’s humble family background and Christian upbringing which began at Sampou in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of present Bayelsa State since his birth in 1959 are the secretes behind his qualities.
And of course, the influences of good education at Okoro Primary School, Sampou, later Reverend Proctor Memorial (primary) School, Kaiama, where he finished primary six in 1977; Government Secondary School, Odi, where he obtained WASC in 1981, all laid foundation for his rise to stardom.
More than that, his leadership career has been boosted by social science and administrative studies at the then Rivers State College of Education, Port-Harcourt, where he obtained the National Certificate of Education in Government and Economics in 1985, and later Bachelor of Education in Political Science from University of Port-Harcourt in 1990.

WORK CAREER
Senator Diri taught economics and government in secondary schools in the rural communities of the old Rivers State, most of which are now parts of Bayelsa State. As a young brilliant graduate burning with the political consciousness imparted in him by the likes of Prof. Kimse Okoko and late Prof. Claude Ake of the University of Port-Harcourt, he imparted same in his students.

SERVICE TO IJAW NATION
Diri could not resist the zeal to use that consciousness for the benefit of the marginalized oil rich Niger Delta and Izon Nation. Thus, he joined the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and became the pioneer organizing secretary, under the founding president, Chief Joshua Fumudoh. The organization championed agitations for resource control and creation of states, notably, Bayelsa State created in 1996, a movement which Diri was passionately involved.

POLITICS, POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS
Perhaps as a reward for his participation in the struggles, late Governor D. S. P. Alamieyeseigha appointed him as executive secretary of youth development centre, where he served from 2000 to 2002 and made valuable inputs to youth empowerment policies and programmes.
Other positions he was rewarded with within and outside the state, include youth and sports commissionership from 2005 to 2006, when Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was the governor; chairman of PDP’s disciplinary council in 2012 and member of University of Maidugiri Governing Council, 2008 to 2012. Again, he performed excellently in all these positions.
In recent times, Senator Douye Diri played pivotal roles in the governance of Bayelsa State, under the Restoration Government led by the indefatigable and pragmatic Governor Henry Seriake Dickson. He was deputy chief of staff to the governor in 2012, and later principal executive secretary to the governor from 2012 to 2014. These positions also groomed him to ably step into the mighty shoes of his predecessor, Henry Seriake Dickson.

STEWARDSHIP AT HOUSE OF REPS
One place where the patriot proved his mettle was the House of Representatives, in which he represented Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency from 2015 to June 2019. At the Reps, he made impact in different sectors, yet did not engage in publicity hype.
At the Green Chambers, he presented about twenty-four motions singularly and co-sponsored a few, to the delight of parliamentary spectators and Bayelsans.

Motions Related to Bayelsa
Seven of his motions that touched Bayelsa state directly were those on the completion of Bayelsa Axis of the East-West Road dualization project; oceanification threats to some communities in Bayelsa State; investigation of oil pipeline surveillance contracts; call for solutions to perennial flooding; intervention in Monkey Pox epidemic, and stoppage of extra-judicial killings by security operatives in the state.
Others are motions on oil spills from Agip pipelines at Kalaba/Ayamabele in Okordia, Yenagoa Local Government Area; thunder storm that occurred at Biseni in same area and landmines at Okoloba in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, all in the constituency he represented in the Reps.

Motions on Niger Delta
Three of his motions for the Niger Delta, concerned stopping of security agents from polluting the environment by the burning of so-called illegally refined petroleum products; stoppage of pollution arising from crude oil and gas exploration by oil companies as well as motion on resource control, which he defied intimidation by his colleagues from other regions.

Motions on National Matters
Far more than these, the Diri had to his credit, 14 motions on national issues, most of which were sponsored by him alone and a few co-sponsored. They include need for development of marine transport; inquiry into controversial sale of 2.6 GHz Spectrum by the National Communications Communication; stoppage of CBN’s policy of monthly Hundred Naira charge on ATM users; probing of conflict between Ministry of Finance and the Securities and Exchange Commission; investigation into crisis in National Health Insurance Scheme, National Intelligence Agency’s slouched Forty-Four Million Dollars as well as the alleged missing funds in the International Amateur Sporting Federation.
His other motions on national matters include probing of alleged lack of due process in the termination of Intel’s contract with Nigerian Ports Authority; alleged lack of transparency in the award of contract for modification of EGP 3B oil production platform by the Nigerian National petroleum Corporation/Cheveron Joint Venture; alleged non-transparent issuance of oil licenses in the marginal field category; alleged sleaze in procurement of health facilities; stoppage of the use of ethnic language in the Nigerian Army as was allegedly mooted, as well as auditing of police personnel and need to deploy new recruits to combat insecurity.

Bills Significant to Bayelsa and Nigeria
In terms of bills, Senator Diri sponsored four, while in the Reps. One of them was on establishment of a federal college of education in Bayelsa, an issue later taken up by Senator Foster Ogola, who then represented Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the Eight Assembly.
Other bills by Diri concerned creation of sports anti-doping agency; day for national fitness exercise and installation of CCTVs in public places to curb insecurity.

Petitions Important to Bayelsa and Nigeria
He also facilitated about seven petitions as follows: exclusion of Bayelsa in career Ambassadors nomination; negative impact of fishing trawlers on local fishing in Bayelsa water ways; alleged destruction of Shine-Shine, alias Sand-Sand community in Nembe by a federal security team; arbitrary detention of Mr. Collins Opume and family; Miss Ese Oruru’s saga; complaints against appointment of vice chancellor in Federal University, Otueke, as well as alleged impurities in a certain brand of soft drink.

CONSTITUENCY PROJECTS
Also while in the Reps, Diri influenced execution of solar street lightings; water; science laboratory equipment for schools and information communication technologies projects in more than eleven communities in Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency.
Similarly, he implemented more than six empowerment schemes which also involved entrepreneurship trainings jointly done with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDA), Abuja, and donated motor bikes, sewing machines as well as generating sets to the trainees from various wards.
In education, the dynamic legislator, now governor of Bayelsa State, paid school-fee bursaries to more than one hundred undergraduates in the Niger Delta University (NDU) and postgraduate students, during his tenure in the Reps.
Also while in the House of representatives, Diri, assisted about 39 Bayelsans, mostly from his constituency, to get employed in federal ministries, agencies and the armed forces.

A STINT AT THE SENATE AND ENTRY INTO GUBER RACE
Early 2019, his record of stewardship earned him ticket of the PDP, to the Senate. And of course, the electorate in Bayelsa Central Senatorial District equally reciprocated by voting him to the Senate to do more for the people.
As fate would have it, he again hearkened to a call for higher service, barely four months after inauguration of the Ninth Senate. The unrelenting servant of the people, contested the PDP’s primary election, and was declared winner.
Bayelsans on their part, scrutinized his credentials, and many stood by him in his governorship project, despite being despised by some persons.
Many Bayelsans were also in sync with the nomination of a pragmatist and jolly good fellow, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo as his running mate, and readily to supported election of the duo in November 16, 2019, but were initially flawed by the popular David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC), amidst protests and litigations by the PDP.

RESORTING TO FAITH AFTER INITIAL DEFEAT, AND THE JUDICIAL STREAK OF LUCK
In response, Senator Douye Diri had assured that all hopes were not lost, as far as the judiciary was in existence for redress. Many people may have doubted him, but justice actually came his way in February 13, when the Supreme Court in Abuja, a day to swearing in, nullified election of Chief David Lyon and Senator Degi Biobarakumo of APC over the latter's supply of false information on his qualification for the election. Diri and Lawrence were consequently declared winners by the INEC February 14, 2020, and sworn in as governor and deputy governor. This is indeed a stroke of destiny and political shocker that affirms the complexity in the game of politics.

HIS AGENDA FOR BAYELSA
Senator Diri promised all-rounded and evenly spread physical, industrial and human development in the state, through consolidation of existing projects and implementation of new ones.
With his agenda aptly anchored on the slogan, “Prosperity 2020”, Senator Diri, also assured that Bayelsans will surely get the best from his government, adding he will never let the state down.

EXPECTATIONS AND SUPPORT FROM BAYELSANS
As Bayelsans eagerly await the outcomes of the new governor's agenda, it is now left for every person and groups to forego sectional feelings and support the dynamic and patriotic Governor Douye Diri and his hardworking deputy, Senator Lawrence to move the state forward.
Doing so will enable the people to be firmly involved in the affairs of the state, to benefit more, now that the the Supreme Court has given the verdict, and INEC has acted to bring him to power.
###

A PRAGMMATIC SERVANT-LEADER, PROF. STEVE SINIKIEM AZAIKI

By :Etete Enideneze

BIRTH AND EDUCATION

Born to Mr. Stephen Azaiki and Mrs. Abirindi Azaiki, both late of Yenebebeli-Atissa in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Prof. Steve Sinikiem Azaiki had his primary education in St. Peter's Primary School, Yenagoa. He proceeded to Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Yenagoa, and later Government Secondary School, Kaiama, where obtained a Grade One West African School Certificate (WASC).

He obtained first, second and doctorate degrees in crop science from the Agricultural Academy in Kiev Ukrain, now known as University of Life and Environmental Sciences. These are in addition to a master’s degree in Project Management from Federal University of Technology, Owerri; a second PhD in Public Administration from the Ukrainian Regional University of Personnel Management, besides certificates in foreign languages; management and leadership, from Harvard and Oxford Universities, among others.

Prof. Azaiki is married, and blessed with children.

WORKING CAREER

Prof. Azaiki had a stint as science teacher in Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, soon after obtaining the WASC. On Return from studies abroad, he got employed as Level 13 officer in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 1993, and retired on Grade Level 17 in 2007, haven served as State Director in Rivers and Oyo States Directorates of National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

In Bayelsa State, he has served in about 16 positions, notably pioneer Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources; twice as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in late Chief D. S. P Alamieyesiegha regime, and a number of honourary advisory positions in the state, most recently, as Honorary Special Adviser on Agriculture, education and capacity building, to Governor Seriake Dickson; Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman of the Niger Delta University (NDU).

At national level, Prof. Azaiki served as Special Adviser to Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; Special Adviser to Minister of Police Affairs; Special Adviser to Minister of Youth Development; Honourary Special Adviser on Agriculture to late President Umaru Yar'Adua and Governing Council member, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

NGO LEADERSHIP

Chief among NGOs founded and co-founded by him are the World Environment Foundation for West Africa (WEMFFA) and the National Think-Tank of Nigeria (NTTN), all which he served as president, respectively, as well as coordinator and chairman of 13 committees to generate and recommend ideas for the development of the country. He is also founded and served for four years as President of the International Society of Comparative Education, Science and Technology (ISCEST), Nigeria, an organization promoting development of knowledge and skills, especially in Africa.

PROFESSORIAL ENGAGEMENTS
He has held academic leadership as Professor of Agronomy/Plant Protection at the Institute of Potato Research, University of Life and Environmental Sciences, Ukrain, his Alma Matter; Professor of Conflict and Crisis Management and International Relations at the Ukrainian Academy of Personnel Management and International Relations, as well as a Visiting Scholar/Fellow at the Institute of Petroleum Studies, University of Port-Harcourt.

AUTHORSHIP AND ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS ACTIVISM

Prof. Azaiki has delivered conference papers as well as published academic articles and books such as Inequities of Oil Politics in Nigeria; Oil Politics and Blood; The Evil of Oil; Oil, Gas and Life in Nigeria; Oil, Democracy and the Promise of True Federalism in Nigeria; Thoughts on Nigeria, My Journey in Politics (upcoming), and co-authored many others.

REMARKABLE SERVICES TO NIGERIA, NIGER DELTA AND BAYELSA

Some of his contributions to national development include resolution of Finima-NLNG crisis at the start of the project; initiation of the National Directorate of Employment’s skills acquisition schemes for youths; input into creation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); input into creation of Niger Delta Ministry and submission of recommendations on restructuring and resource control at the 2014 National Conference through WEMFA and NTTN.

At the state front, Prof. Steve Sinikiem Azaiki contributed to the creation of Bayelsa; made valuable inputs into policies and programmes such as development appeal fund that helped to kick off the state soon after its creation in October 6, 1996, the proceeds of which were also used to construct a major road in Yenagoa City; classification of chieftaincy stools and the establishment of NDU; creation of 24 local government areas; award of foreign scholarships to over 1000 Bayelsans during Chief Alamieyesigha administration and facilitation of political appointments and employments to many Bayelsans at the state and national levels; facilitation of admission for foreign scholarship awardees in Governor Seriake Dickson’s era, among others.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Prof. Azaiki has contributed to the development of Christian and educational institutions as well as awarded personal scholarships to students; free health and housing support to the needy within and outside his community, besides providing and facilitating employment and political appointments for several persons in public and private organisations.

The Azaiki Foundation provides public library and cultural museum services, free agricultural and environmental management services; a languages training centre as well as science and technology institute for promotion of research and knowledge-based economy.

ACTIVE POLITICS

Prof. Azaiki is currently in the Reps, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, and serves on house committees in areas of interest to Nigeria and its citizens. Soon after inauguration in the House of Reps, he joined the contest for the party’s governorship ticket for the 2019 election, but withdrew before the primary election in order to focus on the legislative position, instead.

It is my privilege and honour, to present to you an illustrious Bayelsan, a scholar of diverse backgrounds, a crack administrator and pragmatic leader, Prof. Steve Sinikiem Azaiki. OON, JP, the Honourable Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja.

AZAIKI UNFOLDS NEW PROJECTS FOR YELGA/KOLGA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY

*ASSURES FOREIGN SCHOLARSHIPS, MEDICAL CARE

BY ETETE ENIDENEZE

New constituency programmes are underway for Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency and the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District. The programmes will be in the aspects of skills acquisition, education and health.

These were disclosed by Prof. Steve Sinikiem Azaiki, member representing Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

He had last year promised to package more projects this year and beyond.

Prof. Azaiki who spoke in Yenagoa, at the ocassion of formal hand over of electricity generating sets to 39 primary health care centres in his constituency, said he was finalising talks with private and government donor agencies outside and within Nigeria, to carryout economic empowerment programmes in order to tackle poverty and step up the standard of living of his constituents.

Represented by Barr Francis Igodo, Prof. Azaiki also said that he would implement skills acquisitions programmes and free medical consultancy services for Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, and would extend same to Bayelsa Central Senatorial District.

He stated that good health and education were among the best indices to measure development, hence are among his areas of focus.

Meanwhile, Prof. Azaiki has promised to award postgraduate scholarships for First Class graduates, from his constituency, to study in Ukraine.

Prof. Azaiki has also announced 100 scholarships for his constituents who wish to study French, Chinese, Russian and Ukrainian languages at the Azaiki Institute of Science and Technology in Yenagoa to ease studying in those countries as well as easily get employed in today's multicultural global economy.

He further announced that the Azaiki Foundation would pay membership fees for 200 students in Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, to use the library in order to promote reading culture.

Earlier in a speech to kick off presentation of the electricity generating sets to the primary health care centres, Prof. Azaiki said it was part of programmes lined up in the health sector.

Azaiki in a speech read on his behalf by Bishop Montgomery Agbagidi, stated that the essence of donating the power generating sets was to boost health service delivery at the grassroots.

The lawmaker charged the health centres to make good use of the electricity generators, adding that more programmes would be executed in due course.

He thanked the Federal Government; the contractor that handled the project; State House of Assembly members, Bayelsa State Ministry of Health and paramount rulers of the benefiting communities for facilitating distribution of the power generators.

Prof. Azaiki disclosed that maternity homes in his constituency will also be given power generators to facilitate services to expectant mothers and babies, especially during immunisation exercises.

Speaking at the handover ceremony as Royal Father of the Day, Chief Godwin Odumgba, described the donation as a worthy gesture, especially in view of the epileptic power supply in the state.

Similarly, chairman of the ocassion, Fafi Prezeah, noted that the donation was part of the lawmsker's campaign promises in the health sector, urging that other elected officers should emulate.

Also speaking, chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Mr. Denye Ubarugu lauded Prof. Azaiki, for the number of programmes he has so far executed, and prayed God to grant him more opportunities to influence projects to the constituency.

The electricity generators were handed over to the heads of the health centres by Chief Lambert Ototo; Elder Israel Igbori and the other dignitaries present at the ocassion.

MEMBER, NIGERIAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, YELGA-KOLGA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY ( BAYELSA STATE) - PROF. STEVE AZAIKI SPEAKS ON FULFILLING CAMPAIGN PROMISES

"...I know my Campaign promises. I did not promise anyone I will build him a house, buy him a car, marry him a wife, cook for him, clean his backyard for him or give him money ..

I said; I will work real hard to influence Federal and state government projects in Bayelsa State, I will raise the standard of reasoning, create opportunities - employment, human capital building, capacity building, innovation, exposure, communication, education, training, encouragement, speaking up on environmental justice, correct the 'disbalances', that exists in Nigeria. This I have been doing and I will continue to do. Let me advice that there is no fund at the National Assembly to share to people.

I want to contribute to making laws and make sure the Izon nation is respected and appreciated. As for helping society , you can Google the Azaiki Foundation or simply visit the Azaiki Public Library or Azaiki museum of Niger Delta and museum of African Arts in Yenagoa. I have said time and time again that let us ask ourselves and our parents what has been our contribution instead of assuming others hold the key to a better society.

We must see ourselves as an integral part of the process. We must do away with the achaic unacceptable concept of dependency and ingratitude. Read the book '' The Hummingbirds ". _ Steve Azaiki

#CapacityBuilding
#Innovation
#Education
#training
#environmentaljustice

Photographer : Munene Jacob who is the hottest female photographer in the South of Nigeria did a story themed pre-wedding photos for a couple and it is going viral already.

The photographs features the couple in a market place. The wonderful photographs were featured on preweddingnaija

Check out the photos !

Also follow her or DM her on Instagram via the link : https://instagram.com/munenejacob_photos?igshid=8igggj9ghqvb

#WorldSteveAzaikiDay
#June2nd

AN OPEN LETTER TO MY LEADER, MENTOR AND FATHER ON THE OCCASION OF HIS BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

Dear Prof Steve Azaiki (OON) : My Leader, My Mentor And Father

I would like to start off by saying thank you !
As cliche as that may sound I mean that more than I could ever tell you !

I'd like to say thank-you for the right skills and knowledge that you’ve given me and other future leaders. You have inspired me in so many ways.

Thank you for the responsibilities they have pushed me to be a better person everyday.

I came in contact with you at the perfect time, not too early and not too late.

Some of the good things I overtime lost my fire for, looking up to your examples have made me realize that I still love those things.

You have flipped my world in such a short amount, I can only begin to imagine what you will do in the long run.

Closely studying your lifestyle has given me a better understanding of what it takes to achieve greatness in life.
you have been a great role model of selfless giving. You have always been eager to help no matter what is needed .

You are a fantastic example of wisdom, leadership, and foresight.
You are the most inspiring boss and mentor anyone could ask for.

I'm so happy to celebrate your birthday with you today! It's been truly a pleasure to work with you and learn by your example. Wishing you a very happy birthday.

I pray God's blessings will never stop coming to your life, you will live in excellent health to play with your great grand children, joy and laughter will never stop from your household, more wins will come your way, continues flow of income, God's Divine protection will accompany you and your family!

Once again Happy Birthday Sir .

Your Protege : Anthony Abody Otobo

A young female Photograher : Munene Jacob has dedicated a whole photo session to talk about the reoccurring suicide trend in Nigeria and the need for mental health awareness.

She noted that people faced with depression tend to result to having suicidal thoughts and that suicide is not the best solution to any difficulty one is facing !

In her words:

"It is time, we take our mental health serious in this country and in my works I pictured people trying to commit suicide, this is as a result of poor mental health status and depression... People should seek help from friends, family and most importantly professional help in dealing with suicidal thoughts"

Munene Jacob has also done a shoot on "rape"

Munene Jacob is an ambitious young female Photograher from Bayelsa who is currently a final year student of the Niger Delta University in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts.

When asked where she intends taking her craft to, She simply added "To The World and anything Beyond"


You can see more of her works on her Facebook Page : Munene Jacob Photography and on her Instagram Handle @munenejacob_photos

24th Jan, 2019 marked the official People's Democratic Party flag off in Bayelsa State which saw a mass exodus of PDP supporters from Yenagoa to Opokuma, Sabagreia and Igbedi.

In attendance was the presence of political heavyweights and chieftains Hon Moses Cleopas, Chief Timi Alaibe, Hon Isaac Kumokou, Barr Kemela Okara, Hon Boladei Igali, Hon Reuben Okoya and a host of other PDP chieftains.

The Party chairman Hon Moses Cleopas presented all the candidates to the crowd and thanked them for demonstrating their support by not just receiving them today but also voting PDP all through at the polls.

While, Hon Douye Diri, Prof Steve Azaiki, Hon Wisdom Fafi and others also seized the opportunity to thank the good people of Kolokuma Opokuma for their overwhelming support and good conduct during the rally.

Azaiki Media

SPEECH DELIVERED BY PROF. STEVE SINIKIEM AZAIKI ON HIS DECLARATION OF TO RUN FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN YENAGOA/KOLOKUMA – OKPOKUMA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY IN THE 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS ON JANUARY 21, 2019

Protocol:

Let me first express my gratitude and deep appreciation to all of you for honouring my invitation and putting on hold all you have scheduled today, to come here, and to listen to what I have to say. I do not, and will never, take your sacrifices for granted. You came here because of the value you attach to quality representation and good governance.

I must salute members of our great party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who have remained steadfast over the years. I am standing here today because you have kept faith with our party. You have been resolute, in spite of inducement, harassment, intimidation, and outright violence perpetrated against you, especially in the past four years, by those who thought they could either conscript everyone into their fold, or drive them to perdition in the ocean. However, by choosing to remain in, and with, the People’s Democratic Party, you have demonstrated unalloyed loyalty, commitment, and determination, to ensure that the ideals of our party are the main driving force of governance. Rest assured that your abiding faith in the PDP will be duly rewarded.

Permit me to also pay tribute and respect to the leaders and elders of our party, the People’s Democratic Party, for ensuring that democracy is deepened and a level playing field is provided for greater participation of many of us shaping good governance in our dear state. In this regard, I must single out the leader of the Party and the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Hon. Seriake Dickson. If you look across the state today, all of us will bear eloquent testimonies to the fact that Governor Dickson’s positive footprints, especially but not exclusively in the areas of infrastructure and human development, will remain indelible in the history of our state. Governor Dickson will always be remembered as an architect of good governance, one who has promoted inclusivity. I thank him for his courage and consistency in the transformational leadership of Bayelsa state.

Both as a public servant and civil society leader, the quest for contributing to the growth and development of our communities in particular, and the Niger Delta region in general, has been an important---probably the most important---part of my life. I was born into a fishing community of Yenebebeli here in Epie-Atissa clan. My mother was a fisherwoman, peasant farmer and trader. As a young boy, I recall how we travelled to communities as far as Nembe, Olodioma, Brass, Warri, and Onitsha to buy and sell wares like dry fish, plantain, cassava and cocoyam. Growing up in a fishing community just across the road, I came face to face with poverty, lack of opportunity and environmental pollution and destruction of our livelihoods as an aftermath of unsustainable oil exploration.

I will crave your indulgence for me to briefly summarize some of my activities and contributions that show in no uncertain terms that the well-being of my people has always been a guiding principle for the ideas I have proposed, and the actions I have taken over the years. As founder of the World Environmental Movement for Africa (WEMFA), I consistently used that platform to sensitize people---national and international---about the environmental challenges in the Niger Delta region. It is with humility that I say we achieved modest successes which were widely acknowledged. I have also served as a public servant in various capacities at the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), as pioneer Commissioner for Agriculture in our state and later as Secretary to the State Government.

My passion for education is reflected in the fact that I have been instrumental to about 2,000 scholarships awarded to our youths by various governments in the state. I am the founder of the Azaiki Public Library here in Yenagoa. I am also the founder of the Institute of Science and Technology,Yenagoa and of the Museum of African Arts and the Museum of Niger Delta. For four years, I was President of the International Society of Comparative Education, Science and Technology (Nigeria).

Indeed,I spent 30 active years in the academia, serving on Boards, Committees, and University Councils, I was appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Niger Delta University. I thank Governor Dickson most sincerely for the opportunity and immense support he gave me while I was Pro-Chancellor of the Niger Delta University. The governor is also truly deserving of praise for his courage in establishing the University of Africa, Toru Orua, and the Bayelsa Medical University in Yenagoa.

In addition to some of the assignments I have listed, for over a decade now, I have been the National Coordinator of the National Think Tank, a policy incubator with membership drawn from diverse backgrounds and expertise that have been deployed in articulating and pushing policy options towards the realisation of the Nigerian Project. The experiences I have gathered, and the network of enduring friendships I have established while serving in these various capacities in and outside of government, have made me to understand the meaning of service and have equipped me for a higher responsibility, which going to the National Assembly obviously presents.

I know that representation is an important moral responsibility. I know that representatives are supposed to be chosen from among individuals who are willing, and capable of conducting themselves in an exemplary manner for both constituents and the larger society. A Representative is one, I believe, who is accessible and who has the patience and disposition to carry the burden of the represented, in search for solutions. Someone who you can trust to ensure that never again shall our interests as a people and a region become commodities of exchange for the ambition of a few, or the bitter partisanship that defines Abuja politics. Someone whose voice will resonate loud and clear, to reflect the paradigm shift that favours peaceful engagement with stakeholders, attracting investment, generating employment and creating opportunities that will make our economy sustainable years after our oil wells dry up. I have considered all these factors and more. That is why I have decided to present myself to represent you, my people of Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency in the Ninth National Assembly, beginning in June 2019. You will be proud that you made the choice of investing your hope and mandate in me, to champion our collective cause at the Federal legislature.

For many years, and on many occasions, respected elders and prominent individuals in our state and across the region have beckoned on me to present myself for one elective position or another. I maintained a studied silence not because I chose to ignore them, but because I needed to wait patiently, make consultations until such a time when I believe we can together maximize the opportunities that such positions offer to the benefit of our people. I believe that opportune moment has come. As you may have observed, the National Assembly is an intricate and sometimes delicate forum that demands skilful negotiation, productive networking, and focused attention on matters that are relevant to the nation in general, but more particularly to your individual constituency. I will, therefore, strive to promote laws that affect the country as a whole, and also bring the federal government closer to the people of Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma, by attracting and domesticating national issues for the immediate benefit of my people.

I hope to work with our brightest minds across the state and the region. Those who will be able to step out and contest for other elective offices to provide quality representation. Our able governor has already raised the bar and has shown us what is possible when fair, committed and public-spirited individuals are in charge of governance. It is with this unity of purpose that we can champion the cause of the emancipation of our people from the shackles of poverty and underdevelopment.

If you look around the state today, you will still women, children and men, too, who suffer from hunger and disease. You will still see some shocking figures of maternal and child mortality and rising numbers of young people who cannot afford good education and those who are educated but not gainfully employed. This means that there is still a lot of work to do. That is why we must elect representatives at all levels who have the right vision and commitment to serve selflessly--- those who have the right networks of social capital across the country and beyond; those who will listen to you and learn from you; those whose experiences re-echo your daily challenges and reflect your priorities; those who are problem-solvers; and those who can help mobilize significant resources through programmes and projects that will help knock down the unacceptable figures of unemployment, hunger, disease, and general poverty.

A time has come to do away with the unfortunate stereotypes that have been used to characterise and even denigrate the Niger Delta citizen. We cannot achieve meaningful development if our youth continue to use mundane and violent methods to seek justice. Pipeline vandalism, kidnapping, robbery, killings, and disruption of production and general economic activities will only scare people away from our region. And yet, we need investments from all over, to boost our living standards. We live in a different world today---the Age of Knowledge---and so we must also collectively come up with new ideas and strategies to attain environmental justice, better livelihoods, and a future assured for generations to come. These are causes I will champion.

There are many sides to our region beyond oil that are yet to be showcased to other parts of Nigeria and indeed the world for mutual benefit. The reform in the oil and gas sector will be one of my biggest legislative priorities. I have studied and written extensively about the petroleum sector. As Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, issues relating to the oil sector were matters I had to deal with on a regular basis. With your mandate, these are the experiences I will take to the National Assembly, to extract a fairer and better deal for my people.

The presence of oil companies in our communities must be more visible than their rigs and trail of environmental destruction. For years, there has been a campaign to get the oil majors to relocate their headquarters to the Niger Delta region, rather than in Lagos or Abuja. But this has only been lip-service. Chevron has its global headquarters in California, and not Washington DC. ExxonMobil also has its global headquarters in Texas, and not in New York or Washington DC. Getting the oil companies to move their headquarters to the Niger Delta, where they prospect for and produce oil and gas, will create multiplier effects that will undoubtedly reduce unemployment and widespread poverty in the region. This is one goal I will pursue in the National Assembly, and ensure that it becomes reality.

I am aware that the current National Assembly has done well in passing the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) which is awaiting Presidential assent. However, other Bills are pending, among which is the Host and Impacted Communities Bill. As you know, that Bill is one that concerns us most as it is critical to the health, survival and livelihood issues of many us who live in oil-bearing communities. I wish to join my voice in calling for its passage and will do all within my capacity to ensure that the Bill, if it is inherited by the 9th Assembly, becomes law.

Environmental regeneration of the Niger Delta of which Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency is a critical part; combating the consequences of climate change; mainstreaming sustainable development; demilitarizing the Niger Delta, as well as rigorous oversight of Federal agencies charged with development programmes and projects for our region---these are among the priority items that, with your blessing, I will pursue at the National Assembly. Of course, let me add that because of the dynamism of life and nature of human existence, my legislative agenda will accommodate fresh proposals from my constituents, and indeed be responsive to other emerging issues and circumstances.

One issue that will be a top priority for me, and invariably for you---my people, is Resource Control and Management, and most importantly the Restructuring of Nigeria. I agree wholeheartedly with Governor Dickson that, for us the Izon Nation and the Niger Delta, the election of 2019 is a Referendum on the Restructuring of Nigeria. The Presidential candidate of our party, the PDP, is also in agreement on this vital agenda. While there have been some amendments, here and there, to the 1999 Constitution, those measures do not go far enough to address the yearnings of the Izon Nation and the Niger Delta region for a restructuring that empowers us to have greater and more beneficial control of our resources and destiny. The current federal structure is not working; it is dysfunctional.

You can count on me as a true Izon son, to be a relentless advocate of restructuring, until it is achieved. In doing so, I will continue to be inspired by the struggles of our heroes past. They include Chief Ernest Ikoli, Chief Harold Dappa Biriye, Isaac Adaka Boro, Captain Samuel Owonaru, Ken Saro Wiwa, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, and several others, whose valiant efforts for a better deal for the Niger Delta shall not be in vain.

Those who are familiar with me know how accessible I am. I have always been one among you. I will even now, with your mandate, be more accessible, to listen to you, to share ideas with you, to respond to your yearnings. I will not betray your trust.

The smiles I see on your faces convince me that you are willing to come with me on this journey. It may be steep. It may even take us to other turns in the coming months or years. One thing I promise is that I will consult you every step of the way. Your interest will be uppermost in every decision I will make.

A journey of one thousand kilometres, they say, begins with a single step. That step, I have taken today with your kind support. It is not going to be an individual endeavour. It is just that I have decided to offer myself as a vessel for the pursuit of our collective objectives. Whether we achieve our objectives satisfactorily will depend on how far we can close ranks and come together to rally around a common purpose. I am prepared to undertake this journey and I am very confident that, with your support, we will leave a mark on the governance landscape in this constituency, this state, and this region, for generations to come.

Today I, Professor Steve Sinikiem Azaiki, OON offer myself to contest for the Yenagoa- Kolokuma/ Opokuma Federal House of Representatives under our great party the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

I thank you most sincerely.

Professor Steve Sinikiem Azaiki (OON).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo0h4_XgApI

If there was anyone out there who had any doubt that the # ProfSteveAzaiki brand is the people's brand, today
17/01/2019 deletes all doubts as the good people of ODI TOWN in Kolokuma-Opokuma, spoke in one loud and clear voice that only one candidate is prepared and ready enough to represent them at the Yenagoa, Kolokuma-Opokuma seat in Federal House of Representatives, Prof. Steve Azaiki, OON!

The mammoth crowd that turned out to receive Prof. Azaiki and the PDP family was self-evident that the region has been taken.

Youths, men, women and children were overwhelmed with joy as the campaign train landed and they all expressed their solidarity and reiterated their readiness to vote Prof. Steve Azaiki, Hon. Douye Diri , Hon. Hon. Tonye HON. TONYE Emmanuel Isenah, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and indeed all PDP candidates in the 2019 elections.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WthgxJjNPuo

Chief. Nelson K. Yakia a famous historian; author of "The Epie-Atissa People: A Historical Survey" addressing the Atissa Council of Chiefs at the palace of Ebeni-Ibe of Atissa in Epie Language 3/1/2019 had this to say in support of the Candidature of Prof. Steve Azaiki for House of Representatives.

" Atissa people I greet you, I have so much joy that our Son has been picked as candidate of the PDP to go to the National Assembly in Abuja.

That place is a big house and not a small house. If you are not very strong you cannot open your mouth there. It is only fitting to carry someone who is strong to that house: not strong in wrestling or boxing, but someone whose strength comes from knowledge.

This our son has never contested any election but due to his intelligent nature, appointments has come from left and right.

He is the first Commissioner of Agriculture in Bayelsa State because he studied Agriculture in the white man's land.

He has gone to and worked in different places. There is no big man/woman in Nigeria that he has not sat down to discuss with before now. He has even worked in Ota Farm.
Because of his brilliance, He has also been Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government.

I believe the National Assembly suits him. So please, Epie-Atissa people, that place really suits him.

Others that said they want to go there would have started with Local Government, then State Assembly before such a place,you can not just go and start from the top.The National Assembly is bigger than them. "

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and drop a comment!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNThyX-z06I