News

Diri Raises Alarm Over Alleged Threat To Peace In Bayelsa

Published

5 months ago

March 27, 2025

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has raised the alarm about a plot to breach the peace of the state.

Diri, who warned that the state government would not condone any act that would disrupt the peace of the state, advised security commanders, youths, elders and traditional rulers to be on the alert.

He spoke on the issue on Thursday at separate meetings with the Bayelsa Elders Council and at the 37th session of the state security council.

The governor warned that a planned mega rally and inauguration of a group loyal to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, was capable of igniting avoidable crisis in the state.

Diri in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, noted that a suspended member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), George Turnah, had been enlisted to create factions in the party in the state.

The governor also stated that holding such event at a time the political crisis in Rivers State had heightened ethnic tensions could degenerate into conflict in the state.

Diri further stated that the alarm was imperative given that the FCT Minister had threatened to cause crisis in PDP-governed states in the country.

He said: “Any attempt to import the Rivers State political crisis into Bayelsa will be resisted.

“I urge security commanders in the state to be on the alert. Parents and traditional rulers should discourage their wards and children from being used by unscrupulous elements to cause trouble in the state.”

Diri, who insisted that the peaceful disposition of the Ijaws should not be misconstrued for cowardice, said the state would not allow a faceless group to foment trouble in Bayelsa, which is the homeland of all Ijaw people.

“As you are aware, we have threats from our sister state. The political crisis there is threatening us and we will not allow what is happening there to come into Bayelsa State.

“We had in our party a renegade, who has decided to form a parallel PDP in Bayelsa State, working with an ex-governor.

“The party in our state suspended him for gross misconduct and for now he is not a member of our party in Bayelsa State.

“He was a part of the kangaroo PDP South South zonal congress that was rejected by the National Working Committee of our party and he is threatening the peace of this state.

“This is not Rivers State. Bayelsa is the cradle of every Ijaw man. I have always said that being peaceful is not cowardice. We are very courageous and we can stand up for the truth at all times.

“Every public facility owned by the Bayelsa State government cannot be used except with the express approval of the state government.”

The governor enjoined the people to continue to maintain the prevailing peace in the state in order to sustain its development.

At the meeting with the elders council, the governor assured the elders of judicious use of the state’s resources.

Responding to the electricity situation in the state, Diri explained that the current blackout resulted from vandalised towers in Rivers and assured that he would work with relevant bodies to restore power.

He added that with the procurement of a gas turbine, the state would soon experience a steady power supply.

He also revealed that the state was set to employ about 1000 Bayelsans in the civil service.

“Again, we are going to employ another 1000 Bayelsans. That process is already on. From the information I got from the Civil Service Commission, they have received about 36,000 applications. It is like what we are doing is a drop of water in the ocean, but it is a good way to start,” he said.

Diri further stated that the teachers recruitment exercise was cancelled because of irregularities and that he had to set up a committee headed by his Deputy Chief of Staff to oversee a new exercise.

News

Malnutrition: Bauchi Govt Doles Out N300m To Fight Menace

Published

54 minutes ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi state government released the sum of N300 million as contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) in order to combat malnutrition in under 5 children in the state.

Dr Nuzhat Rafique, the Chief of Field Office, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bauchi Field Office, stated this during an interaction with Journalists on Wednesday in Bauchi.

According to her, the money was a contribution of Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state and the 20 Local Government Chairmen in the state.

She explained that the money released to the CNF is part of the deliberate efforts to eradicate severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children U-5 in Bauchi state.

“UNICEF would also provide a matching sum of N300 million, bringing the total intervention fund to N600m for the procurement of the foods and other items required for the fight against malnutrition.”

The UNICEF boss said, the release of the fund sequel to the familiarisation visit of the new UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, to the Bauchi State Governor.

“We are grateful to the Governor of Bauchi State for releasing the promised N200m to UNICEF.

“We also appreciate the Association of Local Governments Of Nigeria (ALGON), Bauchi state chapter for the N100 million it released for the programme, making a total of N300m.

“This is a great milestone in our advocacy efforts. UNICEF will match the same amount, which will significantly help in tackling malnutrition in the state,” she stressed.

Rafique further said that the Governor had promised to increase the State’s contribution to N1bn next year, which UNICEF also pledged to match.

She however, emphasised the need for long-term strategies, including behavioural change and local solutions to prevent malnutrition, adding that it is easier and better to prevent than to fight it.

She noted that UNICEF’s focus was not only on treatment but also on promoting proper child feeding practices and maternal care from conception through the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

She also called on Journalists in the state not to relent in the partnership with UNICEF in the bid to create a healthy environment for children and women.

News

FG Declares Public Holiday For Eid-ul-Mawlid

Published

60 minutes ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has declared Friday, September 5, 2025, as a public holiday to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Mawlid, the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

The statement was issued on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

The government congratulated Muslims across the country and in the diaspora on the occasion, urging them to emulate the Prophet’s virtues of peace, love, humility, tolerance, and compassion.

The statement also encouraged Nigerians of all faiths to use the celebration to pray for peace, security, and stability in the country, while supporting government’s efforts to strengthen national unity and foster development.

“The Minister of Interior wishes Muslims a joyous and peaceful Eid-ul-Mawlid celebration.

“The celebration of Eid-ul-Mawlid offers us yet another opportunity to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, promote peaceful coexistence, and imbibe the Prophet’s teachings of mutual respect and selfless service to humanity,” the statement added.

The government appealed to citizens to remain law-abiding and security conscious while supporting its policies aimed at promoting national unity and sustainable development.

Eid-ul-Mawlid, observed in the third month of the Islamic calendar (Rabi’ al-Awwal), commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad. It is marked with prayers, lectures, processions, and acts of charity.

In Nigeria, the day is recognised as a national public holiday, reflecting the country’s large Muslim population and long-standing tradition of observing major Islamic festivals.

The holiday is often used by religious leaders and government officials to call for peace and unity, particularly at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with security and economic challenges.

News

20-year-old TikToker Peller Buys N350m Lekki Mansion, Promises To Reveal Secret Benefactors

Published

1 hour ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

TikTok influencer Habeeb Hazmat, popularly known as Peller, has announced the purchase of a luxurious N350 million mansion located on Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos.

The 20-year-old influencer revealed the news during a live session with fellow creator Sandra Benede, expressing excitement about his new home.

He also shared the update on Instagram with the caption, “Look at me. God has been so good to me, and I’m so grateful to God and my fans all around the world. Congratulations to me. Finally got a place where I can be loud without landlord wahala.”

Peller disclosed that he intends to move into the mansion by October 2025. While acknowledging his TikTok earnings, he clarified that the property wasn’t funded solely by his content creation income.

According to him, several wealthy individuals frequently send him large sums of money while insisting on anonymity.

“I don’t want people to say it’s TikTok money alone. Some big people dey enter my DM to say, ‘Peller send account.’ They’ll send me money and tell me not to mention their names. But once my house is fully ready, I’ll mention names,” he said.