BAYELSA GOVT SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH SPAIN ON INVESTMENT

29/09/2013

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

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

BAYELSA AT 17!! A Special Interview with the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor.

On Monday 30th of September, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba will chair a public lecture to mark the 17th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa state created by the late General Sani Abacha’s administration in 1996. The government of Bayelsa state says indigenes of the oil-rich state will be eternally grateful to the late head of state for the development. In this interview with Solomon Nda-Isaiah, Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa state governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson bares it all.

In a few days, Bayelsa state will mark 17 years of its creation. How do you assess the journey so far?

Bayelsa State came into being due the agitation of a people with indomitable spirit. Ours is a state that is an embodiment of the spirit of resilience and nationalism.  At the heart of the agitation for the creation of Bayelsa State was the consciousness, especially among the Ijaw elite that our people were being marginalized with regard to the spread of developmental projects in the old Rivers State. When our founding fathers started agitating for what is today known Bayelsa state, they had rightfully placed  hope that when the Ijaw nation has its own state, it would represent a lasting solution to the then perennial underdevelopment of the Ijaw speaking areas.

 You will be hosting the former Speaker, Alhaji  Ghali Umar Na’Abba and elder statesman Chief Ebenezer Babatope for a public lecture on Bayelsa’s 17th anniversary lecture. But does the ordinary man on the street share in this joy that is quite evident among the state’s ruling class?

 I am confident that if you meet with the average Ijaw man or woman, he or she will readily admit that it is a big deal to have a state of your dreams created in such a complicated federation like ours. For us, the creation of Bayelsa was instrumental to the reality of producing the first president from the minority in Nigeria. Astute students of politics will tell you that it would have been practically impossible for an Ijaw man to have emerged president of our great country without a homogenous Ijaw state. Leaving the political arena to the issue of development which was the kernel of the agitation for an Ijaw state, I would say the state has evolved under different leaderships, from the military era down to civilian administration with varying levels of development.As is expected of a new state, from the beginning till date, the critical question of infrastructural development remains on the front burner. Administration after administration has concentrated on the provision of critical infrastructure. This has seen government after government, building roads, bridges, housing projects, schools and hospitals. Just like the Dickson administration, earlier administrations were also concerned with creating jobs for the teeming youths in particular, establishing vital institutions and running the state bureaucracy as expected in a modern state yearning for growth and development.  Observers have often criticized the states created in the 90s for not meeting up with expectations developmentally speaking.

Judging by the level of development in Bayelsa, do you think your state should be spared this criticism? 

The unique ecology of Bayelsa state is common knowledge. And most people also know that the topography of in Bayelsa has made it more cumbersome and even more capital intensive to provide basic infrastructure. But I must say, especially with the Dickson administration that the environmental cum topographical challenges have led to innovative solutions. Government is about thinking-out and executing solutions to problems that make the people stagnated.  Government is basically about providing the people with basic infrastructure that will help them succeed. So if you are situating development in a strategic sense of government being the facilitator, it is safe to say that the level of development in the state in the last 17 years in commendable. Those who have been to Bayelsa state especially in the last two years can attest to the intensified efforts of government to deliver quality and durable infrastructure on record time.

 Still talking about the development of Bayelsa state, how do you rate the economic growth of the state?

Bayelsa state has an economy with a Gross State Product (GDP) of N2.4 trillion or $18.5bn. Our economy is large enough to attract the right kind of investors from any part of the world. Judging by the figures I have given you, you can cross-check to accept the fact that our economy is larger than the national and combined GDP of countries like Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Cape Verde and Liberia. Interestingly, among the 15 ECOWAS nations, only Ghana and Cote’d Voire have national GDPs larger than Bayelsa’s. 

Aside from having a GDP larger than that of a number of West African countries, do you rate the investment climate in your state conducive? 

These days, visitors to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, could easily find decent accommodation in the various hotels out there to settle in and do business, hold meetings or attend conferences as a city coming of age. Major indices of modern society are evident in our state. The social life is getting better and there is the general upbeat feeling among the people. But the story was different when Navy Capt. Philip Ayeni (rtd) resumed duties there as the first military administrator when the state was created in 1996. Ayeni had no office or a place to call home. He was sheltered in the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), one of the two political parties created then by the military administration to foster the return to democratic rule. As a matter of fact, where we now have the state’s Banquet Hall at the seat of power in Yenagoa was a river filled with crocodiles.One could stand at any point in the state capital for hours without recording more than 4 to 5 cars passing through. This is a huge contrast now with a legion of cars and variety of roads linking the various parts of the state with the capital. This means that investors can go beyond the state capital. Militancy is now a thing of the past, thanks to the amnesty policy, so investors are safe wherever they situate their companies. The current administration is also investing heavily in education. Our free and compulsory education policy is targeted at our state producing skilled manpower in the near future. The ultimate goal of the Dickson administration is to make Bayelsa state the destination where the investor walks in with his briefcase and he can get every other thing needed for his company by simply advertising for it.Ours is also a haven for investors because of our fiscal/economic policies which are investor friendly without mortgaging the future of the state. You know we have also started a post oil-economy for Bayelsa state through a well articulated and meticulously executed tourism master plan. The current administration has also done a lot with regard to revitalising the Agricultural sector because it is crucial to youth empowerment and poverty alleviation.  From what I have just said, you will agree that this young state has come a long way. And the current administration is walking the talk when it comes to making Bayelsa a safe and excellent place to invest in.   Governor Dickson has been on the saddle since 2011. 

Would you say the Dickson administration has the kind of policies that will bring the dreams of the state’s founding fathers to reality? 

The people of Bayelsa love to describe the current administration as one that has tangible results they see and benefit from directly.  For dispassionate observers,  it is unmistakable that in less than 2 years of assuming office, Governor Dickson has displayed commitment to making Bayelsa a model state, where government is indeed for the people. Lots of young Bayelsans have dubbed the governor a consummate visionary imbued with the requisite leadership attributes of a modern leader. He has so far left no one in doubt that he came into office with a good grasp of what good governance means. He has demonstrated the need for accountability and transparency.He has returned power to the people by building relevant institutions to run a focused and purposeful government that really cares for the broad interest of the people of Bayelsa state. Of course, he is pretty ambitious in this regard, fashioning out some progressive policies and programs and translating them into far-reaching goals, particularly in infrastructural development  as basic requirement for the rapid economic development of the state. The business element of building a sustainable economy is also significant in a well- articulated model for wealth creation, already looking beyond oil as the mainstay of the state economy.He is fired by idealism and his populism transcends the toga of being called a countryman governor in earnest appreciation of his affinity with the grassroots. Governor Dickson is transforming lives. No doubt, what is happening to governance in BayelsaState today is revolutionary and so innovative, matching sheer enterprise with grit and in the process giving birth to a new Bayelsa.

See more at: http://leadership.ng/news/260913/ijaws-grateful-abacha-creating-bayelsa-state-dickson-s-aide#sthash.zLdBIN70.dpuf

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

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
15/09/2013

DICKSON CHARGE CONTRACTORS ON COMPLETION OF ONGOING PROJECTS

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson on Friday embarked on an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing developmental projects in the State, urging the contractors to expedite action on their completion. Accompanied by top government functionaries, the Governor expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on most of the projects inspected, explaining that the inspection was to ensure that the jobs were executed according to the specifications.

The project sites visited include, the Governor and Deputy Governors’ Office complex, Government House Clinic, new Secretariat Annexes, modern police officers’ mess, and the site for the construction of the state Archives, Museum and Language Centre. Others were the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Pharmaceutical Storage and Distribution Complex, Ring Road Project from Bayelsa-Palm to AIT, Elebele and Flyover Bridge project at the NNPC mega station/Julius Berger Junction.

At the GloryLand Cultural Centre, where reconstruction work has reached an advance stage of completion, the Governor was impressed with the quality of new sculptural works put in place to enhance the aesthetics of the Events centre. Hon. Dickson, however, ordered the redesigning of the stage and some parts of the edifice to make it world-class and directed the Commissioner for State Capital Development, Mr. Zuwa Konugha to liaise with its Culture and Ijaw National Affairs counterpart to adorn the city with more sculptural pieces portraying Ijaw culture and values.

The State Chief Executive also directed the Commissioner for works and Infrastructure, Mr. Lawrence Ewrudjakpo to ensure the construction of a befitting road to link the archives, museum and language center, which is sited opposite the newly completed modern police officers’ mess. On the flyover project, the Governor noted that its timely completion would go a long way to ease the chaotic traffic situation in Yenagoa due to the influx of people into the state capital.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State
13/09/2013

GOV. DICKSON TASKS NGOs, OTHERS ON SPONSORSHIP OF PILGRIMS

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has hinted the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims’ Commission of Government’s plan to gradually withdraw from the sponsorship of intending pilgrims to the holy land in view of competing developmental needs.

Governor Dickson dropped the hint when members of the commission led by its Executive Secretary, Mr. John-Kennedy Opara paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.

Urging philanthropists, non-governmental organizations and other groups to assist in the sponsorship of pilgrims to reduce the burden on government, the Governor said his administration would do its best to assist them in this year’s pilgrimage within available resources.

Governor Dickson, who explained that last year government sponsored about four hundred pilgrims, reaffirmed his administration’s position on holy pilgrimage, noting that the spiritual exercise should be an individual obligation.

According to him, government will encourage churches that are willing to sponsor their members by offering slots to them to enable the less privileged Christians perform their spiritual obligation.

In his words: “Overtime, government will pull out from the sponsorship of holy pilgrimage. We expect the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission to begin to sensitize its members of our decision”

“Government will reach out to philanthropists, NGOs and other groups to undertake the sponsorship of pilgrims. We are going to offer slots to all churches that desire to sponsor pilgrims on their own without government’s assistance. We will also ask churches which should in a given year, sponsor a number of people on the basis of need.”

On the invitation to join President Goodluck Jonathan to perform this year’s holy pilgrimage, Governor Dickson described the gesture as an honour and would look forward to the trip to pray for peace and success of the present administration at the state and national levels.

Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr. John-Kennedy Opara, had said they were in the state to encourage Christians to participate in this year’s pilgrimage for moral and spiritual rejuvenation.

Commending Governor Dickson for his support to the church and his developmental strides, he noted that the commission has approved the allocation of one thousand and six pilgrims to Bayelsa state, adding that the commission has introduced an innovation known as ‘Family Pilgrimage’ to afford families the opportunity to embark on holy pilgrimage.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State
13/09/2013

BAYELSA- A GIFT TO NIGERIA

I AM certain that the title of this piece will 'unsettle' some people. They know themselves and I don't intend to get in their way! And by way of assuring them, this piece has nothing to do with 2015. Trust me.

I also do know for a fact that quite a huge number of our people will take keen interest in the title of this piece and many of them are people like us - the silent majority who by means of geography and ethnicity are regarded as Nigeria's minority tribes. Even in the comity of minority groupings in Nigeria, Bayelsa can be considered as the least of them all! Whereas we are the only homogenous Ijaw state - the home base of all Ijaw people and the epicenter of Ijaw civilization and culture, yet we are the least in terms of land mass and population! The entire state only measures up to 21,110 km2 (8,150 sq mi).That is the total area measurement, which includes land, vegetation, creeks, rivers and ocean.

The population, going by the last census, is put at 1,998,349. So give or take, with increase in population since the last census in 2005, our population as at today should beslightly above two million.Of course, it is important to note that the state was formed in 1996 out of the old Rivers State and is thus one of the newest states of the Nigerian federation.

Interestingly, this is the state where crude oil was first discovered in Nigeria in commercial quantity. In fact, it is on record that Bayelsa has one of the largest crude oil and natural gas deposits in the whole country. Aside from its natural endowments, Bayelsa also enjoys the rare privilege of producing the first President to emerge from a minority ethnic group - the very first minority President from the least of allthe minority ethnic groups. Can you beat that? God is sure awesome!It is indeed amazing!So amazing to the extent that the discovery of oil in Oloibiri in 1956, according to Wikipedia, ended almost 50 years of unsuccessful oil exploration in the country by various companies.

Indeed, the discovery launched Nigeria into global reckoning as a major oil-producing nation, considering the fact that over 5,000 barrels were pumped per day from the swampy oilfield of OML 29, measuring about 13.75 square kilometres.No doubt, the enormous wealth that came from the discovery of oil, ultimately accounted for the substantial investment in infrastructure by the then Federal Government in building cities like Lagos and Abuja. It is, however, sad to note that the developments were done at the expense of the land from whose womb the wealth was gotten or perhaps, ill-gotten. The oil wells in Oloibiri have since dried up.

The land and its inhabitants lie desolate. The community is a shadow of itself, stripped of all its virtues and today it has become a clear metaphor. What a shame!In shame we have forged on as a people, carrying with us the deep scars of injustice, neglect and deprivation even as we take solace in the divine intervention that miraculously brought about the emergence of a President from among us.

We also take solace in the contributions of our heroes to the Nigerian state, sons of the soil, whose giant strides have brought great honour and pride to our nation at different times and space.

Today we pay glowing tributes to men like Prof. Lawrence B. Ekpebu, born May 2, 1936 inOkoloba, a once picturesque village in present day Bayelsa, now ravaged by the harsh consequence of exploitation of oil in the Niger Delta.From a destitute background where there was hardly opportunity to graduate from primary school, he went on to become the first African to bag a Havard degree, graduating with Honours in Government with specialisation in International Law and Relations.

He won one of Havard's most coveted prizes for graduating seniors, the Francis H. Burr (1909) Prize Scholarship and broke an all- time record as the only Black person to ever achieve this feat in the history of Havard till date. Indeed, his achievement convinced America of the brilliance of Black People, prompting the institution to grant scholarships to not just Nigerians but across Africa and even the Caribbean.As a result, the scheme produced additional 200 professors from Nigeria alone and several others across the African continent. Among these are Prof. BolajiAkinyemi, Kalu Idika Kalu and His Excellency, President Quattara of Cote Ivoire. Prof. Ekpebu went on to bag Masters from Princeton University and later PhD from Havard.

There is also Ernest SisseiIkoli of blessed memory (1893-1960), a nationalist and pioneering journalist, who is a native of Sangana, Akassa, in Brass Local Government Area of present day Bayelsa State.Ernest Ikoliwas very prominent in pre-Independence Nigerian politics and remains the first man from present day Bayelsa State to have made as much significant foray into national politics. But, as a journalist, he was the first editor of the famous Daily Times newspaper in Lagos in its formative era in 1926 and as a politician, he was the President of the Nigerian Youth Movement. In 1942, Ikoli even represented Lagos in the Legislative Council. Another significant first by all standards in the history of Nigerian politics!

Many will remember Melford Obiene Okilo( November 30, 1933 - July 5, 2008), a proud Ijaw politician of Ogbia extraction from Emakalakala in Bayelsa State. He had a long and distinguished career as a politician from pre-Independence Nigeria, but his career as a politician gained tremendous prominence in post- independence times until his untimely demise in 2008.He was a member of parliament from 1956 to 1964 and a Minister in the Nigerian First Republic. He was Governor of old Rivers State between 1979 and 1983 during the Second Republic and a Senator representing Bayelsa East between 1999 and 2003.

Only recently, the nation had cause to mourn the painful demise of General Andrew OwoyeAzazi, who died in an ill-fated helicopter crash last year. He had a distinguished military career and was arguably one of the finest in the history of the Nigerian Military, who rose to the pinnacle of the force.
A Chief of Army Staff and later Chief of Defence Staff, Azazi, a native of Peretorugbene in Ekeremor LGA, Bayelsa State, had for some time had one of the fastest growing military careers in the history of present day democratic Nigeria, between May, 2006 and June, 2007.

The General had worn the ranks of Major General, Lieutenant General and General. General Azazi, who had retired on the 20th of August, 2008, was appointed National Security Adviser by President Goodluck Jonathan on October 4, 2010 and died on the 15th of December, 2012. 

DANIEL IWORISO-MARKSON