…Stakeholders Hail Blue Economy Draft Policy

As part of efforts to ramp up safety on waterways as well as harness its blue economy potential, Bayelsa State would establish a marine safety task force and create economic zones to be known as Fish Cities.

Governor Douye Diri disclosed this on Monday during an event tagged: “Expanded Stakeholders Validation for the Bayelsa State Marine and Blue Economy Draft Policy” organised by the state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The Bayelsa governor said security on waterways was key if the state would benefit from the wealth in its maritime domain.

He noted that the life of the Ijaw man had been centred around water and that establishing the Ministry of Blue Economy in the state reflected the nature and essence of Bayelsans and Ijaws at large.

He explained that his administration will set up fish cities to move the fishing occupation of the Ijaw man from subsistence to commercial level as it was a way for the state to reap the benefits from the resources in its blue economy.

The Bayelsa helmsman also stated that establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and that of the state demonstrated the seriousness of government in making the most of the opportunities in the blue economy sector.

Diri said his administration’s investment in infrastructure such as the three senatorial roads, which all lead to the Atlantic Ocean, would create opportunities for young people to make a living.

According to him, globally, the blue economy sector is valued at over $1.5 trillion annually and provides more than 30 million jobs, with a potential for growth.

His words: “The blue economy offers a vast array of opportunities in maritime shipping, fishing and aquaculture, coastal tourism, renewable energy, undersea cabling, seabed extraction, marine biotechnology, and even the emerging field of marine genetic resources.

“As part of our Assured Prosperity Agenda, we are committed to creating pathways where our young people can build successful careers in these areas. For us, this is more than just about creating jobs; it is about carving out sustainable futures that benefit both our economy and our environment.

“We are championing the creation of Fish Cities. Our waters are rich, and with strategic investment and sustainable practices, they will fuel an industry that benefits every Bayelsan from our rural communities to our urban centres.

“Further to these transformative projects, we are focusing on marine safety. To secure our waters and improve safety across our coastline, I am pleased to announce the establishment of a Task Force on Marine Safety. This task force will work in collaboration with federal agencies, local authorities, and industry stakeholders to ensure the security of our maritime domain.

“Moreover, we will be investing in a locally managed fleet to enhance the safety of our waterways while fostering capacity building in maritime services. These dual actions will increase our capacity and bolster the safety of our coastal communities.”

The governor called for collaboration between relevant federal agencies and the coastal states as the blue economy sector had the ability to make Nigeria depend less on oil and gas.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Faith Izibenua Zibs-Godwin, said the policy framework was borne out of a collective desire to transform Bayelsa into a model for sustainable marine management environment, resilience and inclusive economic growth.

She expressed appreciation to Governor Diri for giving her the opportunity to serve as the pioneer commissioner in the ministry, assuring that she will put in her best for the state to benefit from the vast resources in its blue economy.

In separate goodwill messages, representatives of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Nigeria Ports Authority, Nigeria Shippers Council, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency as well as a retired Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Transport, Amb. Boladei Igali, hailed the draft policy on marine and blue rconomy and pledged to collaborate with Bayelsa to make the sector profitable not just to the state but also the country.

The world Public Relations body, Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, has commiserated with Nigeria over the death of her Chief of Army Staff, late Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. 

President of Global Alliance, Prof. Justin Green, in his condolence message to the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, said the passing on of the Army Chief is a huge loss to the military in Africa and the Nigerian nation, in particular.

“We were together at a Security Summit at the Nigeria Army Resource Centre, Abuja when I visited Nigeria in June this year. Full of life and there was no sign of death. May his soul rest in peace. My heart really goes out to the family; we pray for God to grant them the fortitude to bear this great loss”.

He expressed his condolence to President Bola Tinubu, Acting Chief Of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, and the entire Nigerian military over the loss.

Recall that Prof. Green during his visit to Nigeria for the NIPR Diamond Anniversary was at the Nigeria Army Resource Centre Abuja where he had a fruitful engagement with the late Army Chief.

Stanley Ogadigo

Director, Public Relations

9-11-2024

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, partnership in the distribution of 45,000 U-Lesson Educational Tablets in primary and secondary schools across the Niger Delta region.

Speaking during the ceremony at the Banquet hall of the State House in Abuja, the wife of the President and founder of the RHI described the initiative as an innovation that provides students with comprehensive learning resources for engaging and Interactive educational experiences.

Oluremi Tinubu noted that the technology-driven learning method would enhance educational access and quality for students across the Niger Delta region, ensuring that school children were given the tools they needed to succeed.

She said the U-Lesson education software was tailored to align with the Nigerian educational system, ensuring relevance and effectiveness in the local context. She noted: “One of the standout features of this software is its offline video library, which allows learners to play, pause, and rewind educational content without needing an internet connection.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, remarked that the U-Lesson educational tablets strategy marked a significant step towards transforming education in Nigeria.

He said the collaborative effort with RHI would make a substantial impact, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

The Chairman said that the initiative underscored the unwavering commitment of the NDDC to the holistic development of the Niger Delta Region.

The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh applauded the collaboration between the NDDC and RHI, stating that it represented a game-changing partnership. He equally commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking a particular interest in the development of the Niger Delta region.

In his welcome address, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, observed that distributing the education tools was a practical demonstration of President Tinubu’s administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said that the U-Lesson tablets initiative was not merely about providing digital devices; “it is a significant leap forward in our commitment to integrating technology into the educational processes that shape our children’s future. By harnessing the power of these digital learning resources, we aim to enhance student engagement, streamline curriculum development and accessibility, and ultimately boost student performance and achievement.”

He said further: “The software includes parental controls and a long battery life of up to 18 hours, making it a reliable and safe tool for students and educators.

As we distribute this education software, services, and tablets, we are taking a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

“By equipping our schools with these digital tools, we supplement traditional face-to-face instruction and empower students to master their materials and perform better in their tests and examinations. We believe that every student in our region deserves access to quality education.”

Advising the students, Ogbuku said: “We hope that these tablets will inspire you to dream big, work hard, and achieve your goals. Education is the key to unlocking your potential and shaping your future.

He said that besides distributing the tablets, the NDDC had also employed a consultant to train teachers to use the U-Lesson tablets effectively across the nine mandate states.

The Managing Director of U-Lesson, Mr. Sim Shagaya, stated that giving the tablets to pupils and students in the Niger Delta region would put the children of everyday people on equal footing with those from wealthier backgrounds.

He noted that the U-Lesson educational tablets distributed by the NDDC were the largest investment in education technology by any government agency in Africa, stating that it was a huge intervention that both government and non-governmental agencies should emulate.

The World Health Organisation’s country Representative, Dr Walter Mulombo, said he was excited to witness what was unfolding in Nigeria in the area of education. He commended the U-lesson initiative and described it as the path to the future.