GOV DICKSON ASKS POLITICAL CLASS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPEN DOOR POLICY OF GOVT………AS BAYELSA TURNS 17

01/09/2013
GOV DICKSON ASKS POLITICAL CLASS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPEN DOOR POLICY OF GOVT………AS BAYELSA TURNS 17

As the nation marks her 53 rd Independence and the 17 th year anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa State, Governor Seriake Dickson has urged the political class to take advantage of his open door policy.

Making this known in a broadcast to the people of the State, the Governor said this has become imperative in order to avoid the acrimonious political culture of the past, which had thrust the State in the headlines for wrong reasons.

As the State intensifies its efforts to attract local and foreign investors, Governor Dickson stressed the need for a departure from the past.

According to him, there is need to avoid the acrimonious political culture of the past as this has given the state a bad name and scared away tourists and investors.

In order to avoid this vicious cycle, he said his administration has refrained itself from reacting to unwarranted provocations and blackmail, noting that “Our patience and tolerance should not be misconstrued for weakness. It is an essential building block of the new Bayelsa.”

Hon. Dickson noted that, with an improved security situation, the State has become a delight for local and foreign investors.

He explained, ‘investors and tourists have started streaming into Bayelsa. This is evident by the various events that the State has hosted which include Africa Movie Academy Awards, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant, which we won, the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion, NAFEST and the World Tourism Day.

In all of these, there was no breach of peace and security. Consequently, we are now a tourist and investors’ destination and one of the safest places to live in and do business.”

The Governor disclosed that, the development has earned the nomination of the State security outfit, Operation Doo-Akpo an International award by the African Security Watch in South Africa.

Reiterating his commitment to infrastructural development, Hon. Dickson said his administration would soon unfold the new Yenagoa city which is 15,000 hectares lying between the Epie Creek and River Nun beginning from Igbogene to Tombia in the north down to Yenaka.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

GOV DICKSON, NA’ABBA, EZEIFE WARN POLITICAL CLASS AGAINST INORDINATE AMBITIONS CAPABLE OF TRUNCATING NATION’S DEMOCRACY

01/10/2013
GOV DICKSON, NA’ABBA, EZEIFE WARN POLITICAL CLASS AGAINST INORDINATE AMBITIONS CAPABLE OF TRUNCATING NATION’S DEMOCRACY

The Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, the former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife and the former Minister of Transport and chieftain of pan Yoruba socio-cultural group; Afenifere, Chief Ebenezer Babatope on Monday warned the political class in the country against inordinate ambition, stating that it is capable of truncating the present democratic dispensation.

They made the call at a Public Lecture marking the 17 th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa and 53 rd independence celebration of Nigeria at the Banquet Hall, in Yenagoa.

Assessing the present political situation in the Country at the lecture with the theme, “Good Governance as a Panacea For Promoting Stable Democracy and Sustainable Development,” they decried the security situation in the country and the disposition of some politicians whose actions and utterances are capable of jeopardizing national unity.

In his presentation, Chief Babatope enlivened the hopes of the people, submitting that the nation would outlive the onslaught of Boko Haram.

Describing the insurgence of Boko Haram as a phase in the country’s political history, Chief Babatope stated that the nation had experienced such in the past.

According to him, ‘we may have all the Boko Harams of this world shooting and murdering people all over the place, the truism, however, stands that the commission of these ugly incidents have never provoked President Jonathan in to imposing autocracy, wickedness and political extremism on the people of Nigeria.

“I say again and with great respect to Nigerians that President Goodluck Jonathan has stated times without number that his Government is ready to dialogue with Boko Haram and all those who share different opinions with the Government and people of Nigeria at any time.

Speaking on good governance and accountability, Chief Babatope said the election of people into political offices or positions of responsibility should be based on their record of performance and not through rigging of election.

He, therefore, appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission not to succumb to the whims and caprices of political blackmailers.

Assessing the performance of President Jonathan and Governor Dickson, the chieftain of Afenifere, said the duo have proved themselves and deserve to be given another chance in 2015 and 2016.

Also, speaking at the occasion, the former Governor of Anambra state, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife stressed the need for true federalism and accountability that would impact on the welfare of the people.

“Our coming together as a nation, according to him, is not by accident and we should join hands in promoting the unity of the country rather than fanning the embers of crises.

“God’s plan for us as a nation is that we survive as one permanent Nigeria, restructured for efficiency and effectiveness. Restructured, so that Nigeria becomes a country where things work”

On good governance and accountability, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ghali Na’Abba called on the political class to embrace people-oriented policies.

Calling on the politicians in the country to borrow a leaf from Governor Dickson’s style of transparency and accountable leadership, which he said has assisted in establishing political stability and security in the State.

In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson also called on the political class to pursue their ambitions in a manner that would not be inimical to national interest.

Describing disagreements as normal in a democratic setting, the Governor noted that what the country is currently facing may not be unconnected with the inordinate ambitions of some impetuous politicians.

“Disagreements and differences in perspectives are normal. We should not shy away from disagreements because that is what democracy breeds. But whether we agree or disagree, we must do so at all times in the national interest. That to me is one missing link, as it seems that people have fast-forwarded 2015.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

AS BAYELSA CLOCKS 17: GOV DICKSON TASKS PEOPLE ON PATRIOTISM

29/09/2013

As Bayelsans join the rest of the country to celebrate Nigeria’s 53 rd independence and 17th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa State, they have been urged to think, speak and act positively to attract peace, development and progress to all nooks and crannies of the State.

This was the message delivered by the state Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson at a special thanksgiving service organized by the State Government at the King of Glory Chapel in Government House, Yenagoa.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Edmund Allison Oguru, Governor Dickson noted that the period offers all an opportunity to reflect on their past and envision the future.

According to the Governor, no society rises above the level of its citizens as negative thoughts and actions are detrimental to the peace and progress of any people and nation.

Consequently, Governor Dickson enjoined men and women of goodwill to pray ceaselessly for the corporate existence of the country.

He said” given the times that we are in, we should make better use of our thoughts and words because thoughts are important. We should therefore think, speak and act positively. Whatever that has happened to us as a nation is part and parcel of the process of nation building. There is a great future for us in this country and all we can ask is continued prayers that we are headed towards a vision where there will be genuine peace, progress and development that would be beneficial to everybody irrespective of ethnicity, religion and social status.

The Governor, who read the only lesson at the service from the book of Psalm, chapter 95, verse 1 to 11, said his administration has been able to record some achievements in line with its restoration agenda, noting however that, there is still room for improvement.

Delivering the sermon, the Bishop of Bomadi Vicarate of the Catholic Church, Most Reverend Hyacinth Egbebo, called on Nigerians to learn to be more patriotic in all their dealings.

Most Reverend Egbebo decried the manner in which the people enslave themselves by craving for foreign lifestyles and perpetrating acts such as human trafficking and child abuse at the expense of their customs and traditions.

He cited some instances where majority of Nigerians have now turned to be fanatics for foreign club sides rather than supporting their local leagues and advised such people to have a rethink.

The Bishop particularly berated those who look down on locally made products, stating that the trend would adversely affect the growth of our local technologies and the country’s economy.

Commenting on the concept of freedom, Most Reverend Egbebo posited that political freedom is meaningless unless the people are spiritually free, stressing that true freedom lies in the ability to utilize the resources to improve human conditions.

He also commended Governor Dickson for his efforts at transforming the landscape of the state, especially in the provision of infrastructure and urged him not to relent.

Intercessory prayers were offered for the State and Country, peace and unity, the President and his team, the Governor and his team and the Legislature and Judiciary.

The service, which was well attended featured praise and worship.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

AS BAYELSA CLOCKS 17: GOV DICKSON TASKS PEOPLE ON PATRIOTISM

29/09/2013

As Bayelsans join the rest of the country to celebrate Nigeria’s 53 rd independence and 17th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa State, they have been urged to think, speak and act positively to attract peace, development and progress to all nooks and crannies of the State.

This was the message delivered by the state Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson at a special thanksgiving service organized by the State Government at the King of Glory Chapel in Government House, Yenagoa.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Edmund Allison Oguru, Governor Dickson noted that the period offers all an opportunity to reflect on their past and envision the future.

According to the Governor, no society rises above the level of its citizens as negative thoughts and actions are detrimental to the peace and progress of any people and nation.

Consequently, Governor Dickson enjoined men and women of goodwill to pray ceaselessly for the corporate existence of the country.

He said” given the times that we are in, we should make better use of our thoughts and words because thoughts are important. We should therefore think, speak and act positively. Whatever that has happened to us as a nation is part and parcel of the process of nation building. There is a great future for us in this country and all we can ask is continued prayers that we are headed towards a vision where there will be genuine peace, progress and development that would be beneficial to everybody irrespective of ethnicity, religion and social status.

The Governor, who read the only lesson at the service from the book of Psalm, chapter 95, verse 1 to 11, said his administration has been able to record some achievements in line with its restoration agenda, noting however that, there is still room for improvement.

Delivering the sermon, the Bishop of Bomadi Vicarate of the Catholic Church, Most Reverend Hyacinth Egbebo, called on Nigerians to learn to be more patriotic in all their dealings.

Most Reverend Egbebo decried the manner in which the people enslave themselves by craving for foreign lifestyles and perpetrating acts such as human trafficking and child abuse at the expense of their customs and traditions.

He cited some instances where majority of Nigerians have now turned to be fanatics for foreign club sides rather than supporting their local leagues and advised such people to have a rethink.

The Bishop particularly berated those who look down on locally made products, stating that the trend would adversely affect the growth of our local technologies and the country’s economy.

Commenting on the concept of freedom, Most Reverend Egbebo posited that political freedom is meaningless unless the people are spiritually free, stressing that true freedom lies in the ability to utilize the resources to improve human conditions.

He also commended Governor Dickson for his efforts at transforming the landscape of the state, especially in the provision of infrastructure and urged him not to relent.

Intercessory prayers were offered for the State and Country, peace and unity, the President and his team, the Governor and his team and the Legislature and Judiciary.

The service, which was well attended featured praise and worship.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

BAYELSA GOVT SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH SPAIN ON INVESTMENT

29/09/2013

BAYELSA GOVT SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH SPAIN ON INVESTMENT

Bayelsa State Government has commenced discussions with the Spanish Government to explore the possibility of attracting Spanish investments to the State.

Governor of the State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, who stated this during a courtesy visit to the Spanish Embassy in Abuja, is of the view that such investments would also help in bolstering the economy and fast-track the overall development of the State.

According to him, the State has huge potentials in agriculture, adding that with the cooperation of the Spanish Government, the sector could serve as a viable source of revenue and create employment opportunities for the citizenry.

Governor Dickson, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Bayelsa House, Abuja, Chief Diekivie Bovie Ikiogha, remarked that the State was focusing on agriculture to diversify its economy away from crude oil and gas, which are wasteful assets.

He noted that although, Bayelsa State contributes about 45 per cent of crude oil and gas to the Nigerian economy, the State Government has decided to prioritise investments in the non oil sectors to put the State’s economy on the fast lane of development.

He enumerated possible areas of part partnership with the Spanish Government to include, science and technology as well as automobile.

Governor Dickson assured the Spanish Government of his administration’s support and cooperation in its proposed investments in Bayelsa state, especially, in creating the enabling environment for their businesses to thrive.

Earlier, the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Alvaro Castillo Aguilar, had explained his country has long standing economic ties with Nigeria, stating that 16 per cent of Spanish gas and petroleum products are imported from Nigeria, where Bayelsa State constitutes one of the largest sources of the crude oil and gas.

Ambassador Aguilar noted that exports from Nigeria to Spain have improved, especially in the oil and automobile sectors, since after the two countries signed an investment protection agreement in 2009.

According to him, there are already plans by the Spanish Government to build an automobile spare parts fabrication plant in Bayelsa State for its Land Rover vehicles in the Nigerian market.

The Spanish ambassador listed other areas of investment in the State as road construction, agriculture and renewable energies and appealed for a conducive atmosphere to enable the businesses operate at optimum capacity.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

NAFEST OPENS IN YENAGOA AMID POMP AND PAGEANTRY: PRESIDENT JONATHAN WANTS PARTICIPANTS TO USE EVENT TO PROMOTE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE AND INTEGRATION

NAFEST OPENS IN YENAGOA AMID POMP AND PAGEANTRY: PRESIDENT JONATHAN WANTS PARTICIPANTS TO USE EVENT TO PROMOTE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE AND INTEGRATION

It was a parade of men and women adorned in colourful attires and costumes depicting an array of cultures and traditions cutting across the length and breadth of the country including the Federal capital Territory at the opening ceremony of the 27 th National Festival of Arts and Culture, ( NAFEST) in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

The week-long event would be featuring competitions such as traditional dance music, arts and craft, children’s essay writing, children’s drawing and painting, traditional wrestling, book fair and guided tours to tourist sites in the state.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony of NAFEST with the theme, “Culture, Peace and National Transformation,” President Goodluck Jonathan said the choice of the theme was in line with the present administration’s desire to transform the country into a virile and prosperous nation.

The president who was represented by the state Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson urged contingents to the cultural festival to leverage on the NAFEST platform in tapping and promoting cultural heritage, peaceful co-existence and national integration.

President Jonathan commended the State Government for its relentless efforts at delivering what he described as purposeful governance aimed at justifying the State’s appellation as the Glory of All Lands.

“The Federal Government believes that a proper grasp of the people’s culture enhances understanding and smooth administration at all level. We also believe that for tourism to make significant contribution to the Gross Domestic Product it must be driven by the people’s culture and heritage”

“We are happy to note that the success of the Nollywood that is giving Nigeria a good image in the international arena has also become a potent tool of national rebranding. This is attracting the desired global attention to our culture. In realization of this, let me assure you that we will continue to pay special attention to the sector in the transformation agenda of my administration.”

In his speech, Governor Seriake Dickson noted that the event was not only a cultural fun-fare but also a rallying point to uphold the rich arts, aesthetics and cultural values of the country.

The Governor, who called on the contingents to compete in peace and build bridges of unity, urged cultural workers to continue to protect the nation’s values and traditions towards boosting wealth creation and value re-orientation.

Governor Dickson attributed his administration’s developmental strides to the prevailing peace brought about by the huge investments in security, enjoined participants and visitors to visit tourist sites in the state.

In his words: “Let me further inform this gathering that Bayelsa state is a land with diverse culture and ethnicity, a land that is truly a conference hub and cultural nerve centre of the Niger Delta.

“The various communities that make up Bayelsa State were settled in the Niger Delta several thousand years before the arrival of the Portuguese on the coast of the Niger Delta in the late 15 th century. There are relics of the European adventure in our land till date. An example is the Atlantic Slave Trade in Akassa, Brass Local Government Area of the State now a tourist centre to behold.”

Also speaking, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke, described culture as the main collateral of the people and a platform for harmonious co-existence among any people, noting that “the day the people lose their culture, they would be lost forever.”

In his address, the Executive Director of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Mwajim Maidugu, called on the people of the state to take advantage of the festival by visiting the various venues where different aspects of the Nigerian culture would be showcased.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

BAYELSA GOVT TO COLLABORATE WITH ISRAELI AGRO FIRM, AS GOV DICKSON VISITS MORE PROJECT SITES

15/09/2013
BAYELSA GOVT TO COLLABORATE WITH ISRAELI AGRO FIRM, AS GOV DICKSON VISITS MORE PROJECT SITES

The Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson  disclosed at the weekend that his administration would collaborate with an Israeli agro firm to construct one of its proposed massive fish farms in Boro town, Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area of the state, as he continued an on-the spot assessment of some of the projects sites in the State This, according to him is aimed at boosting fish production in the State for local consumption and export.

The Governor has therefore, called for the cooperation of the Chiefs and people of the community, especially in the provision of land for the immediate commencement of the project.Accompanied by top government functionaries, the Governor Dickson expressed satisfaction with the pace of work in some of the sites visited, stating that some of the projects will be completed on or before the deadline.

The projects sites visited include; Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama, Teachers Training Institute at Bolou Orua, Isaac Boro immortalization project and a 2,500 capacity spectators’ pavilion in Kaiama and the NYSC  permanent orientation camp in Kololuma Opokuma local government.Others are; Isaac Boro family House, the Memorial Institute and Low cost Housing Estate situated within the Boro town.

Describing the completed administrative and hostels blocks of the new NYSC  permanent orientation camp as standard, the Governor observed that the project when completed would rank among the best in the Country.According to him, the facility will not be underutilized at any point in time, as it could also be used for other prigrammes such as youth leadership training.Conducting the Governor round the camp, the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo explained that the six hostel blocks which are nearing completion will accommodate a thousand corps members.

Governor Dickson, who ordered the inclusion of a sick-bay as an additional structure at the camp, also directed the commissioner to extend the main access road to the parad ground.At the Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro College of Education, Sagbama Town, Hon. Dickson inspected the access road, administrative block, ICT library and one  block of 24 classrooms that have been completed.

The State Commissioner for Education, Chief Salo Adikumo, the Provost of the College, Professor Saviour Agoro and the Registrar, Dr. Guagha Berezi conducted the Governor round over 24 ongoing projects including hostels, offices and Science laboratories which are at various levels of completion

Responding to some requests of the college, the Governor promised that Government would survey and acquire more land  for the construction of other critical infrastructure.Governor Dickson however, urged the contractors to redouble their efforts and ensure the completion of the projects for commissioning on or before February, next year.Other projects the Governor inspected include the referral general hospital Sagbama, site for the construction of the Abadiere Childrens’ Home, Tungbo and internal roads at Toru Orua.

 Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State