THE BENEFITS OF GOV DICKSON’S FREE EDUCATION POLICIES IN BAYELSA STATE: BY MIENPAMO SAINT

Benefits of Free Education

In the words of Francis Bacon, Knowledge is Power, Power to live a decent life, Power to earn a decent income, Power that brings you respect and dignity. When knowledge can bestow the power for so many things, why should it be restricted to a few who have the advantage of wealth? Knowledge needs to be free for all those who deserve it, and what a person deserves should be decided by an individual capability and intelligence and not by wealth. The best and simplest way to disseminate knowledge to all those who deserve it, is through free education. Making education free at the least at the primary level, or maybe, even up to the secondary and/or post-secondary level, would only benefit our society. Lets look at some of the most important benefits of free education.

Remedy to Society ills:

Our society is more divided by wealth than by any other criteria. There is the unbelievably rich few, the very rich, the middle income group, the poor, and those in utter poverty. And amidst all this are impoverishment, unemployment, and destitution. How can anyone think of spending money on education, when they do not have money for food and shelter? However, education is the remedy for all these ills that plague our society. Education is the only means that can open up the doors that lead to employment, and through it food, shelter and better quality of life. Therefore, providing free education to the deserving ensures that atleast the future generation can step through these doors to a better living.

Greater advantage:

Although scholarships are intended for the disadvantaged few, the disadvantaged aren’t just few. Scholarships help only a handful, for others providing free education would come as a great relief.

Focus on learning:

Providing free education would enable students to concentrate on learning and gaining more through the education, instead of struggling with the payment of tuition fees and meeting other expenses. When the focus shifts to learning it leads to empowerment of the youth to work towards an increasingly intellectual society.

Improved quality of life:

Free education would lead to more educated people. More educated people in the society leads to overall improvement in the quality of life in the society. Through better employment and elimination of the struggle for basic needs, people would concentrate on the higher aspects of life, such as improving administration and management of issues that impact the society in general. Therefore free education would have a very positive impact on the overall quality and thinking in the society.

Better governance:

More educated people would mean better governance from the grassroots to the national level. Educated people would make better choices in electing their representatives and are better equipped to question corruption and misuse of power. Therefore, education is not only the remedy for the ills of unequal wealth, but also the remedy for the ills that plague our administration and governments. By making education free, we prod our society towards the path of better governance.

Equal opportunities:

Intelligence and talent are not the forte of the wealthy alone. There is lot of untapped and undiscovered talent and intelligence lying covered under impoverishment and destitution. Free education opens the doors of opportunities to these talented people. Through free education, we can ensure that the talented and intelligent can gain the assurance of a better tomorrow through maximizing their academic potentials.

Free education would be beneficial to those who deserve it, as well as, to the society as a whole. Where everybody is talking about equal and better opportunities, the prospects of a better future should not be lost due to lack of equal opportunities for education.

Mienpamo Onitsha Saint is the Director of operation. Bayelsa New Media Team

BAYELSA INFO COMMITTEE HOLDS TOWN HALL MEETING IN SAGBAMA

AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY HIGH CHIEF BOMA SPERO-JACK JP, CHAIRMAN, BAYELSA PUBLIC INFORMATION MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ON THE OCCASION OF THE TOWN HALL MEETING HELD IN SAGBAMA TOWN IN THE SAGBAMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAYELSA STATE ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 24rd, 2013

PROTOCOL

On behalf of the Bayelsa Public Information Management Committee, I am delighted to welcome you all to this important Town Hall Meeting in Sagbama town today. The THEME: of the Town Hall Meeting is “PUBLIC INFORMATION AT YOUR DOOR STEPS: WHAT ROLE FOR THE CITIZENS”? Before I talk on the theme of today’s Town Hall Meeting, let me hasten to add that this Committee was inaugurated on Wednesday 20th March, 2013 at the Executive Chambers of the Banquet Hall, Government House–Yenagoa by His Excellency, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson. The Committee was inaugurated with the following Terms of Reference.

SAGBAMA TOWN HALL MEETING HOLDS OCTOBER 24TH, 2013

Bayelsa Public Information Management Committee holds a Town Hall Meeting at Sagbama Local Government Area with the THEME: PUBLIC INFORMATION AT YOUR DOOR STEPS: WHAT ROLE FOR THE CITIZENS?

The Town Hall Meeting will discuss the following:

1. What is public information?
2. Characteristics of Public Information.
3. What you look out for when you want Public Information?.
4. Content of accurate Public Information and how it is disseminated.
5. Official Channels of obtaining accurate public information
6. Role of citizens in seeking Public Information.
7. Strategies for verifying accurate information

DATE: THURSDAY, 24TH October, 2013
VENUE: SAGBAMA TOWN HALL
TIME: 10 AM

YOUTH GROUPS, WOMEN GROUPS, ELDERS, CHIEFS AND TRADITIONAL RULERS NGOS, CBOs, CSOs and the general public are invited.

THE RESTORATION ADMINISTRATION IS NURTURED BY TRUTH. PLAY YOUR PART!

BAYELSA GOVT PUTS SYLVA’S AIDE UNDER SECURITY WATCH

BAYELSA GOVT PUTS SYLVA’S AIDE UNDER SECURITY WATCH

The Special Adviser on Security Matters to the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Richard Perekeme Kpodoh has been put under security watch over an alleged inciting statement.

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the government has directed relevant security agencies to take appropriate action.

Describing the statements credited to the former Special Adviser as a threat to the existing peace and tranquility in the State, the release added that if not nipped in the bud it is capable of plunging the State into chaos.

The statement reads in part, “Mr. Kpodoh had in the last couple of days vigorously pursued his inordinate plans by dishing out deliberate falsehood about the Federal and State Governments with a view to creating a state of insecurity and disaffection, using the platform of the so called new PDP, ostensibly to destabilize the home base of Mr. President.

“Government wishes to remind Bayelsans of the antecedents of Mr. Kpodoh and warn vulnerable Youths as well as the unsuspecting public to be mindful of this group of disgruntled persons, who are only out to mislead and misinform them as part of their grand design to achieve their selfish motives.

“Piqued by the fact that, the current administration has achieved so much within so short a time, what they couldn’t achieve in 5 years, they have resorted to deliberate blackmail and propaganda.

“Furthermore, the general public is hereby enjoined to note the serial killings and wanton destruction of property of perceived political opponents, leading to heightened fear and insecurity perpetrated by the said Mr. Richard Kpodoh.

“As a responsible Government with a clear mandate to provide adequate security for its citizens, this administration will not hesitate to deal decisively with any individual or group, no matter their status, that decides to take advantage of the existing peaceful and convivial atmosphere in the State.

“In view of the foregoing, Government wishes to advise law abiding Bayelsans to be wary of the antics of these mischief makers, who are clearly out to use them to attract undue recognition. This Government has a clear vision and cannot be blackmailed by anybody or group all in the name of playing politics.

“Members of the public are therefore, advised to go about their normal duties, as Government is prepared more than ever before to protect lives and property of the citizens.

“Government also wishes to warn that it will spare no effort at ensuring that anyone found wanting is made to face the full wrath of the law”.

BAYESA PUBLIC INFORMATION MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE CONGRATULATES NIGERIA @53 AND BAYELSA @17

The Bayelsa Public Information Management Committee wishes to felicitate with President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, and his amiable Vice President Arch. Nnamadi Sambo, GCON, on the 53rd Independence Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Committee also felicitates with Governor Henry Seriake Dickson and his Deputy Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah Rtd. on the 17th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa State. Today, the transformation Agenda and the Restoration Agenda are yoked together in one bundle of life, assuming the dynamo of a progressive revolution that seeks to uplift humanity.

The Committee is proud of the Restoration Administration of Governor Dickson for the aggressive developmental strides being taken in the area of providing physical infrastructure, free education, affordable health care services and rapid agricultural development in the State. We cannot recount the monumental blessings your administration has bestowed on the State in the area of promotion of Ijaw culture, tourism and the hospitality industry. For the first time in the history of Bayelsa State since creation, your administration has successfully hosted AMAA; MBGN, WORLD TOURISM DAY, AND NAFEST within a space of 4 months. This is unprecedented.

Within a space of 16 months, the Restoration Administration has opened vistas of opportunities in investments, some of them on PPP model. We have no doubt in our minds that soon, investors will create jobs in the States, revamp ailing industries and establish new ones with a view to reducing poverty and teaching our youths to create wealth. You have created sustained peace and an investment-friendly atmosphere to attract Foreign Direct Investment, FDI. With your visionary leadership, Bayelsa State will soon forget its unedifying past, as glory and hope beckon the State.

Our leaders Bayelsa State in on her road to greatness, and this is an avowed commitment and our manifest destiny God is using the Restoration Administration to accomplish. We of the Bayelsa Public Information Management Committee hereby re-dedicate the State to God for greater achievements in the months and years to come. We are confident that the Restoration Administration will surely and steadily lead us to our assured destination. We are confident, we shall overcome!

Long Live the Bayelsa Public Information Management Committee!
Long Live the Government of Bayelsa State!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.!!!

Signed: Secretary
BPIMC
October, 1, 2013

“NO NEW PDP IN BAYELSA STATE” STATE SECRETARY AFFIRMS

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has denied the existence of a new PDP in the state, saying the party remained a united body marching ahead to fulfill its destiny as laid down by the founding fathers.

In a statement in Yenagoa, the ,Secretary of PDP in the state, Hon. Keku Godpower stated that any insinuation to the contrary was false and could only be the handiwork of mischief makers, adding that the state chapter of the PDP was not factionalized and will continue to be committed to President Goodluck Jonathan, the state governor, Hon.Seriake Dickson and the national leadership of the party.

The statement which was made available to the press read in parts:” Our attention has been drawn to the rumour making the rounds that our great party, the PDP, now has a new faction in Bayelsa State. We want to make it abundantly clear that there is nothing like that in the state”

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State remains one and indivisible body, marching ahead spiritedly to fulfill its destiny as laid down by the founding fathers”

” We are one family resolute in the basic ideals of democracy, leadership and development of our people. We are not factionalized and no amount of rumour mongering, insinuation or even incitement will change the situation because we have elected long ago to be democrats in all our ways and to be steadfast to the basic principles of that leadership entails. Indeed, we must state it without equivocation that we are resolutely behind President Goodluck Jonathan, our dear Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson and the national leadership of our great party. For the avoidance of doubt, we in the BayelsaState chapter of the PDP joined other state chairmen just yesterday in Abuja to affirm our loyalty and outright support to the Bamangar Tukur leadership and we stand by this conviction as a matter of honour and decency.”

The party Secretary further stated: “”We urge all our members to continue to support the PDP and its sole leadership in the state and at other levels for the purpose of further entrenchingdemocracy in our country. It is by so doing that we can also benefit more from the dividends of good governance as facilitated by democracy and as we have also witnessed in Bayelsa State in particular and the nation in general. We must stand up for something as our conscience could lead us and indeed we must stand up to be counted that we are guided by what is right and never by any inordinate ambition. We are conscious of the greater good to us when we continue to co-exist in an atmosphere of peace and unity we have in the state.”

BRIDGE DID NOT COLLAPSE IN BAYELSA — GOV’T

Yenagoa — Bayelsa State government yesterday dismissed the claim that the 45years old iron bridge linking the Igbogene and Okoloibiri communities in Yenagoa local government area of the state collapse, saying it was only shut down to motorists due to noticeable defects.

The narrow bridge, used by the community and motorists traveling in and outside the state, was built by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in the late 60s due to its exploration activity of the Ekelebo oil well in Okolobiri.

The State Commander of the FRSC, Mr Vincent Jack, was quoted by some online news media as confirming the collapse of the bridge and stating that his men were engaged in rescue effort at the scene.

But the Bayelsa government, through the Works and Infrastructure Commissioner, Lawrence Erudjakpo, said the reported collapse was not true.

“Let me confirm to you that we got a report on the defective nature of the bridge and the possible threat of collapse.

We quickly asked the construction firm working in the area to shut down the bridge from motorists.If you go there, you will see that it is still been used by pendestrians but not motorists,” he said.

BAYELSA DEP. GOV. INAUGURATE STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Sequel to the signing of the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency Bill by Governor Henry Dickson on 3rd July, 2013, a nine- man State Emergency Management Agency has been inaugurated.
Speaking during the inauguration in Government House, Yenagoa, the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd) called on the committee to borrow a leaf from already existing disaster management agencies to carry out it assignment.
The deputy governor noted that because of the flood experienced last year, the state government is not resting on her oars; it has set up various state organs to tackle disasters and the impending floods in the state.
He explained that the State Emergency Management Agency is a very important Agency that needed to be put in place since it was a federal government directive.
He urged the agency to liaise with the National Emergency Management Agency to attract relief assistance, since they are saddled with the responsibility of giving relief to disaster- prone states.
According to the deputy governor, some of the functions of the agency, include, formulate policy formulation on all activities relating to disaster management and co-ordinate plans and programmes for efficient and effective response to disaster in the state.
Other functions are to develop and maintain an electronic data base, co-coordinate and promote research activities, relating to disaster management in the state as well as monitor the state of preparedness of all organizations or agencies which may contribute to disaster management in the state.
The Agency is also to carry out other functions by educating and informing the public on disaster prevention and control measures and also to co-ordinate and facilitate the provision of resources for search and rescue and other types of disaster curtailment activities in response to distress call amongst others.
In his response, the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency, Col. Roland Yekorogha (rtd) thanked the state government for finding them worthy to be appointed to serve in the agency.
Col. Yekorogha noted that they will collaborate with all relevant agencies related to disaster management in the state to tap ideas to bear in the discharge their assignment.
Other members of the agency are Mr. Monday Gamage, Mr, Blackson Osomkivie, Chief Godbless Fetongha, Mr. Ukie Ugo, Mr. Robert Enaikator, Mr. Michael Ibiene, Doulouebimo Kime and Hon. Angus Dide is to serve as secretary.
Dignitaries present during the inauguration include, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Edmond Allison-Oguru, Chief of Staff Government House, Didi Walson-Jack, Commissioners of Environment, Dr Silvanus Abila, Health Dr Anapurere l Awoli, Information and Orientation, Deacon Markson Fefegha , Agriculture and Natural Resources Dr. Thomas Commander, Principal Executive Secretary, Mr. Douye Diri, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Deputy Governor’s office, Navy Capt Suona Obiate Offor(rtd), Chairman Post- Flood Committee, Chief Francis Doukpola and Special Adviser on Relief Matters Mrs Faith Opene.

Ebi Evinson
Senior Special Assistant on Media
to the Deputy Governor
29th August, 2013

BAYELSA ACTING GOVERNOR VISITS BAYELSA PALM LIMITED; PROMISES IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION

The Acting Governor of Bayelsa State Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah Rtd; in the early hours of today visited the Bayelsa Palm Limited. In his entourage are several top government functionaries including the SSG to the State Government Professor Edmund Allison-Oguru; and Commissioner for Agriculture Dr. Thomas Commander. The Acting Governor was conducted round the oil un-installed mill and the palm estate. He was told that if the plant operated at fully installed capacity, the company was capable of creating 2000 jobs.

The Acting Governor promised government’s immediate intervention and tasked the Board and management of the Company to submit a comprehensive memo to his office. The memo according to the Acting Governor, should outline the steps needed to be taken, the status report, the challenges and what needs to be done to revitalize the company as part of intervention measures to inject vitality to the company

It will be recalled that one of the promises made by the Restoration Administration is to create jobs for youths through the revitalization and restructuring of state-owned companies. Plans have reached an advanced stage on the acquisition of a new palm estate to improve the prospects of job creation and poverty reduction. Early this year, the Company received 75,000 improved seedlings from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture as part of efforts to capitalize on the comparative advantage of palm production because of its capacity to create jobs in the State.
Among the menu of demands by the company include:
Importation and Installation of a modern 40 tons per hour mill from Malaysia to boost harvesting 3,000 Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs) per day
Provision of 6 No. Tractors to convey Fresh Fruit Bunches from the Farm to the processing plant.
Hilux Vehicles for mobility of personnel
Acquisition and development of the new estate with a view to incorporating small holders in the State
Investment in the development of the proposed new farm where land has been acquired. The site for the farm needs to be cleared among others.

BAYELSA GOVT DONATE BUSES TO JOURNALISTS, PLEDGE TO MAINTAIN EXISTING RELATIONSHIP WITH PRESS

13 August 2013.
The Bayelsa State Government has demonstrated its commitment to strengthening the existing relationship with the media by the presenting of two 18-seater buses to the Bayelsa State Federated Correspondents’ Chapel and the Bayelsa State Federated Newspaper Publishers Association at a ceremony in Government House, Yenagoa.

Governor Seriake Dickson, who handed over the keys of the vehicles to the Chairmen of the two bodies, said the gesture was in fulfillment of an earlier promise he made to them.

Represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, Governor Dickson described the gesture as a mark of friendship between the Restoration Government and the media in the state to enhance its statutory role as watchdog of the society.

Commending members of the journalism profession for their selfless dedication to duty, the Governor remarked that government would strive to maintain the cordial working relationship with the media in promoting good governance, which he said is the hallmark of his administration.

“Our desire is that the buses would add impetus to the work of the media. It will help to make your work a lot easier,” he stated.

Responding, the chairmen of the two associations, Mr. Union Oyadongha of the Bayelsa Federated Newspaper Publishers’ Association and Mr. Samuel Ese of the Federated Corespondents Chapel of the NUJ expressed gratitude for the governor’s magnanimity in fulfilling his pledge.

They described the ceremony as a unique one as it was the first time in the state, government would donate a bus to the Bayelsa Federated Newspapers Publishers Association.