The Bayelsa State government has reacted to reports purporting that Governor Douye Diri was involved in a sex escapade with a South African female legislator, Zanele Sifuba, which is contained in an alleged leaked video circulating in the social media and some online publications.
A statement issued by the Director, New Media to the Governor, Kola Oredipe, on Saturday, described the video content and the reports as fake news.
It stated that Diri did not know the lady lawmaker and had no contact or relationship with her, adding that the governor had not also travelled to South Africa in the past 10 years.
The statement titled, ‘Trending South African Sex Story: A Mere Distraction’, read, “Our attention has been drawn to a fake news circulating online about Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State over an alleged nude video leak of a South African female legislator, Zanele Sifuba.
“The post linking the governor to the allegation suddenly appeared on the Facebook page purportedly belonging to the woman after trending for more than a week.
“Our investigation, however, revealed that the said account is fake and was only created on Thursday, November 10, 2022.
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“For a scandal that initially appeared on the South African media space on October 31 and was first linked to a ‘Nigerian youth,’ it is obvious those behind the new twist opened the parody account with the deliberate intention to tarnish the image of the Bayelsa Governor.
“Sadly, even without any effort to confirm the ridiculous allegation against the governor of a state, a few Nigerian online platforms rushed to publish the fake news from the ‘Zanele Sifuba Facebook’ account without investigating its source.
“Let it be stated without any equivocation that Governor Diri does not know and has had no contact nor relationship with the said woman at the centre of the scandal. He has also not been to South Africa in the last 10 years.
“While we have read about a purported attempt to collect R300,000 from her, the ‘young blackmailer’ is certainly not Governor Diri.
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“Ask the question: why would a governor of an oil-rich state resort to blackmail for a mere R300,000 (about N8 million)? This is simply ridiculous.
“Clearly, political mischief-makers have gone on overdrive in their desperation to tarnish the reputation of a hard working, calm, peaceful and focused Governor of Bayelsa State.
“This story is just another failed attempt to distract the man that is single-minded on his developmental agenda for his state and who has in the last six weeks devoted his time and energy to managing the devastating flood that hit Bayelsa.
“The public is, therefore, advised to discountenance the news as it lacks merit and has no bearing whatsoever with the Bayelsa Governor.
“Let it also be stated that there are consequences for publishing falsehood. The anonymity of the social media should not serve as shield for calumny and character assassination, with grave legal implications. Unfortunately, those portals circulating this unverified post have fallen into the trap and its repercussions.”
Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has stated that churches should always ask for the source of the donations they get from people.
Speaking at the inaugural lecture in honour of the late senior pastor of Fountain Life Church Taiwo Odukoya on Saturday, June 15, Osinbajo also admonished the church to teach good values that Christians can hold on to when they find themselves in public service.
The former Vice President who gave a lecture titled ‘Strengthening the Christian voice in government or public office’, said: “How often do those who receive money from politicians and from other sources ask the source of the money?
“So the question is not how many Christians are in government, business, or professions? The question is, what are they equipped with?
“What are the relevant principles of the gospel that they know and apply in their daily and professional or public lives?”
In a notable shift, many residents in United States of America are moving away from larger cities and coastal states to smaller locations across the country. This is just as migrants are also trooping into these locations for the benefits they offer.
Between 2021 and 2022, California saw a net loss of nearly 350,000 residents, while rising living costs are driving some residents in New York out.
In response, several cities and towns are offering financial incentives to attract new residents.
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In this article are 7 cities in the United States, as rolled out by Business Insider, who pay people that move in:
Ryann Cooke, a social media professional in her late 20s, moved from Washington, D.C., to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in June 2022. Tulsa’s “Tulsa Remote” program, which offers $10,000 to remote workers willing to relocate, drew her attention. Cooke highlighted the significant cost savings and improved quality of life in Tulsa compared to D.C.
Tulsa Remote is one of the most well-known programs aimed at boosting local populations and economies by attracting talent and spending.
Columbus, Georgia: $5,000 for Remote Workers
Columbus, Georgia, offers remote workers $5,000 to move to the city. The program, managed by the local chamber of commerce in partnership with Make My Move, targets remote workers earning at least $75,000 annually. Besides the cash incentive, new residents receive six months of coworking space membership and various community perks.