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Diri To Cabinet Members: Prepare Your Handover Notes

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Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has directed members of his cabinet to begin to prepare their handover notes as his first term in office winds down.

He gave them the directive during the 126th state executive council meeting inside the Executive Council Chambers in Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday.

Diri will be sworn in for another term on February 14, 2024, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

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He was declared the winner of the November 11, 2023, off-cycle governorship election, polling a total of 175,196 votes to defeat his major opponent, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress, who scored 110,108 votes.

READ ALSO: [JUST IN] Bayelsa: INEC Presents Diri Certificate Of Return

The governor asked the political appointees to tidy up their handover reports to achieve a smooth transition to his second term, a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, said.

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He commended his cabinet members for adding value to the state through their performance and thanked them for the selfless service they rendered in the last four years, noting that the achievements recorded by his administration in its first term were collective and were not an exclusive preserve of himself or his deputy.

While urging them to continue to contribute their best till the end of the term, Diri said, “As you are aware, our administration is winding down its first tenure and I know you will not wait for me to tell you to start preparing your handover notes. I believe some of you have started from last year. At the end of the day, everybody will see what you have done.

“I want to commend you for the selfless service you have rendered in the last four years and as you prepare your notes, dot the i’s and cross the t’s. So, for future purposes, those who will take over or even if you are continuing, you will be guided.

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READ ALSO: Nembe-Bassambiri Chiefs, Youth Body Remain Suspended — Diri

“I commend you for the spirit of oneness, unity and love we all saw in this executive council. That is why we have achieved so much under this four years. That is why the people said this government must come back for the next four years.

“It was not an exclusive preserve of myself as governor or my deputy governor. Yes, we led the pack but all of you contributed very well to the successes we have recorded in infrastructure, education, health, sports, security and even in the judiciary. So on behalf of the deputy governor, I say a big thank you to this state executive council. We have not dissolved the cabinet yet and today is not the last day.”

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Earlier, the council held a valedictory session for the late former Commissioner for Finance, Steven Ogullah.

Diri said it was the policy of his administration to honour Exco members who served meritoriously, adding that he would propose an amendment to the policy to ensure that only those who served the state without blemish would be honoured.

READ ALSO: Bayelsa Poll: What I’d Have Don If Diri Had Lost – Jonathan

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He described the late Finance Commissioner as a dedicated man who gave his all to the service of the state and that he would be greatly missed.

The governor said even out of office, Ogullah remained committed to service to the state, as he was very supportive of his administration until his last days.

He also stated that Ogullah formed an organisation to galvanise support for his re-election and expressed gratitude to the departed commissioner for his abiding loyalty and support.

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Diri urged members of his family to be comforted by his footprints in the development of the state, which he said will remain indelible.

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NAF Neutralizes Bandits At Turba Hill, Kachalla Dogo Sule Camps

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The Nigerian Air Force, (NAF, under the auspices of the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Sector 2, has neutralized armed banditry through the execution of two high-impact precision Air Interdiction (AI) missions.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, said in a statement that the armed bandits met their Waterloo following credible, multi-source intelligence at Turba Hill and Kachalla Dogo Sule’s Camp, both in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The statement said the first strike targeted Turba Hill, a confirmed bandit hideout, adding that persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance revealed significant human activity and an operational zinc-roofed structure assessed to be central to the enclave’s activities.

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Post-strike battle damage assessment confirmed the complete destruction of the structure and the neutralization of several bandits.

“The second AI mission was conducted at Kachalla Dogo Sule’s Camp, a notorious bandit stronghold identified as a key IED manufacturing and operational hub. Intelligence had linked the camp to the planning and execution of recent IED attacks along the Dan Sadau–Magami axis,” the statement said.

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It added that the precision strike successfully engaged multiple active structures within the enclave, triggering intense fires that destroyed the facilities and neutralized several bandits, effectively crippling the group’s IED production and deployment capability.

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The operations, according to the statement, reaffirm the Nigerian Air Force’s unwavering commitment, working in close coordination with other components of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to deny criminal elements safe havens, degrade their combat effectiveness, and support ongoing joint efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the North-West and the nation at large.

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Doris Ogala: How Pastor Chris Knelt Before Church, Begged For Forgiveness [Video]

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Pastor Chris Okafor, founder of Grace Nation Bible Ministry, has reportedly apologized and asked for forgiveness following allegations made against him by Nollywood actress Doris Ogala.

In a video shared on Facebook by Ogala on Sunday, the cleric was seen kneeling before members of his church as he expressed remorse over what he described as mistakes made in the past.

Recall that the Nollywood actress had called Chris Okafor out after he dumped her for another woman despite promising her marriage.

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READ ALSO:Court Frees Armed Robbery Suspect Over Absence Of Prosecution Witness

While maintaining that many of the allegations against him were untrue, Pastor Chris said he was apologizing to anyone who felt offended by his actions.

“I am not joining issues,” he said, referring specifically to Doris Ogala. “Mistakes have been made in the past, and I tender my apology to everybody. But everything that was said is not true. There are so many lies in most of the things that were said.”

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Despite disputing the claims, Pastor Chris reiterated his willingness to make amends, stating that he was ready to offer restitution to any woman he may have offended.

READ ALSO:Tinubu Reportedly Drops Nominees Displaying ‘Sense Of Entitlement’

To Doris Ogala, I will apologize, and I also apologize to everyone. I am ready to make a restitution to anyone and anybody, any lady, anywhere I’ve offended,” he said.

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The pastor acknowledged his imperfections and appealed to the congregation and the public for forgiveness and prayers, noting that he had experienced a “new beginning” following the influence of senior Christian leaders he described as “fathers of faith.”

I’m kneeling down before everyone and before the church. Forgive me. You can judge me. Pray for me,” he added.

Watch the video here

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Actress Doris Ogala Rejects Alleged $10,000 Settlement From Pastor Chris Okafor [VIDEO]

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Popular Nollywood actress, Doris Ogala, has rejected the $10,000 settlement from the founder of Grace Nation Bible Ministry, pastor Chris Okafor.

The actress made this known in a video made on Tuesday December 23 2025, and shared on her Instagram page Saturday morning.

Speaking in the video, Ogala stated that the clergy man brought the money as settlement and also begged her to publicly debunk everything she had said about him.

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While revealing the outcome of their table talks, she alleged that pastor Chris urged her to lie that she was sent by some pastors to lie against him.

READ ALSO:Tinubu Reportedly Drops Nominees Displaying ‘Sense Of Entitlement’

Chris, you’ve seen me finish ooo, honestly, you have seen me finish. This is $10,000, he gave me this $5,000 last night after we talked and he was pleading and all that. Then he gave me this $5,000 this afternoon.

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“This man is just mad. You can imagine this man wanted me to come and say that all the pastors or a few pastors
were the ones who sent me to come and fight him. I should put it on the pastors’ head, then I will come out and debunk everything that I have said. Come on, you want me to take a fool? After all that I have said?

“Chris, you see this money that you gave me, it will never be a transaction of anything in my life or transaction of any part of my body. I cancelled every evil altar that you are coming from. He that is in me and protecting me is greater. I deliberately collected this money to tell you that everything i have said is the truth. I’m not lying and I will never lie. Chris, I’m not as cheap as you are, ten thousand dollars is nothing to me, and I’m not blackmailing you but I wanted the world to see that you actually gave me money. Chris, I will not lie on any pastor or put it on any pastor’s head. So, this is the money he gave to me with the Zenith bank envelope just now. Today is 23 December 2025, and I’m making this video by 5;39 pm”, she stated.

READ ALSO:FG Declares Public Holidays For Christmas, New Year Celebrations

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According DAILY POST, the development came a few days after Doris Ogala disclosed that table talks and resolution is ongoing between them.

Recall that Doris called Chris Okafor out after he dumped her for another woman despite promising her marriage.

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