…Jonathan, Diri, Dickson, IGP Pay Tribute To Late DIG

Former Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Deputy Inspector General of Police Moses Jitoboh, was on Saturday interred in his hometown, Trofani, in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Dr. Jonathan, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, his predecessor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, as well as the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, were among prominent individuals at the funeral.

In his tribute, Jonathan recalled how he met the late Jitoboh during his time as Deputy Governor of Bayelsa and hailed him for his diligent service to him and Nigeria.

He described his death as very painful but urged his family to take solace in the worthy life he lived.

This was containined in a statement by Daniel Alabrah, Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa state Governor,  adding that President Jonathan recounted how he created the office of Chief Security Officer in the presidency because of the late senior police officer when he became president and needed a soldier as ADC.

He stated that Jitoboh’s legacy of service will be remembered for a long time and prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

His words: “I saw in him someone with a bright future, who needed to be encouraged. That is why I took him to Abuja as my ADC when I was Vice President.

“I created the office of CSO in the Villa because of Moses. He died at a very young age but we thank God for giving him to us.”

Also speaking, Governor Douye Diri described the late Jitoboh as humble, peaceful and result-oriented, saying he will be missed not just by his family but by the entire ijaw nation.

Governor Diri stated that when Jitobo visited him, he urged him to drop his case against the Nigeria Police but he explained that he did not do it for himself but for the sake of justice, stressing that the late DIG always wanted what was right and just to be done.

The Bayelsa helmsman described his death as a huge loss not only to the people of Trofani and the ijaw nation but also to Nigeria and prayed for his soul to rest in peace.

He said: “Moses was humble, peaceful, sound and result-oriented. He was a man that was always friendly and was concerned about the development and growth of the ijaw nation.

“He always wanted justice and equity. He is indeed a great loss to Nigeria.”

Also, Seriake Dickson said Trofani lost an illustrious son that was loyal, committed and dedicated to service of fatherland. and extended his condolences to his family and all those affected by his death.

He said: “Trofani community has a tradition of selfless service to Nigeria through the police force as it has produced so many police officers.”

Senator Dickson, who went down memory lane to recall how he struck a relationship with the late Jitoboh at the Police Academy in Kano, stressed the need for leaders of the ijaw nation to build men, citing the examples of the late Chief Diepreue Alamieyeseigha and Dr. Jonathan, who played prominent roles in the life of the late top police officer.

In his remarks, the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, who was represented by Deputy Inspector General Basil Idegwu, described the late Jitoboh as a courageous, forthright and disciplined professional.

Egbetokun acknowledged that his death will be painful for his family but urged them to take solace in the fact that he lived a successful life and left enduring legacies.

Bishop Peter Leghemo, in a sermon titled; “The Greatest Achievement,” said death was inevitable regardless of how good or bad a person was but stressed the need for humans to have their names in the book of life.

Igali Charge Coaches to Put Newly Acquired Knowledge into Practice

…Participants Appreciate Gov Diri, Organizers for Investing them

Grassroot coaches in Bayelsa State have been charged to replicate what they have learned from the four-day Prosperity Cup coaching clinic in their various clubs.

The commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali gave the charge at the closing ceremony of the 3rd prosperity cup coaching clinic held at the NUJ Press Centre, Yenagoa, the state capital.

Dr. Daniel Igali, represented by the Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi said he is pleased with the rising profile of the tournament, particularly the introduction of women and the para soccer versions, describing the director general of the tournament as an innovator.

He charged the various participating coaches to translate what they have learned from the programme into practice when the tournament commences at the various local government areas, pointing out that beyond winning trophies and prize money, the tournament has positively impacted the youths in the state.

While emphasizing that, every great player in the world is a product of a great coach, Dr. Igali expressed confidence in the ability of the coaches to bring the knowledge they have acquired from the exercise to bear during the tournament.

He lauded the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Augustine Eguavoen and his team of technocrats for giving the coaches a new direction that is capable of transforming them and their players.

In his remarks, one-time member of CAF medical committee and proprietor Crusaders FC of Peretorugbene, Dr. Peter Singabele described coaches as key players in the development of the game and urged them not to see the exercise as a jamboree, but an opportunity to improve themselves.

With hostilities for the tournament taking centre stage this weekend, Dr Singabele believes that the just-concluded programme would bring the best out of the grassroots coaches, stating that the exercise was indicative of their willingness to embrace modern coaching techniques.

Also speaking, Director General of the tournament’s Central Organizing Committee, Mr Ono Akpe asserted that the coaching clinic is one of the greatest things they have done for grassroots coaches in the state, pointing out that the programme is in line with the philosophy of the governor to make the youths self-reliant.

He commended the governor, Senator Douye Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and the commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali for ensuring that youths in the state realized their dreams through sports.

Earlier, Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Augustine Eguavoen said grassroots coaches in the state have been greatly impacted with new knowledge.

According to him, the exercise is a pointer to the Bayelsa State governor’s commitment to sports development, assuring that great coaches would spring up from among the participants.

He appreciated the governor, Senator Douye and the Director General of the tournament, Mr Ono Akpe for investing in grassroots coaches, describing it as a life changing programme.

In separate interviews, some of the participants expressed appreciation with the governor and the tournament organizers for putting the exercise together.

The programme climaxed with an anti-drug abuse session by officials of Bayelsa State Drug Abuse Addiction Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee (BADAPARC) with a clarion call on the coaches to advise their players to shun performance enhancing drugs and other-related tendencies in their careers.

The highpoint of the exercise was the presentation of certificates to the various coaches that participated in the programme.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csMGq4HCa50

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, has disclosed the reason behind Federal Government’s support for women with complications in pregnancy which includes free cesarean sections.

According to the Minister who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, the health and wellbeing of Nigerians are fundamental to President Bola Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria.

He said that with this in mind, the President has made it a priority to reduce the number of deaths associated with obstetric complications by ensuring that no woman dies because she cannot afford cesarean section or other such treatments.

“(The Federal Government has approved) free treatment of emergency obstetric complications for women in the empanel facilities and that includes cesarean sections,” the minister said on the programme.

“So, it’s not only cesarean sections, excessive bleeding, obstruction, other complications of pregnancy. If a woman gets to a facility that is certified, the facility will be reimbursed for the care.

“The reason for that, I cannot emphasise this enough, the president is very clear in his mind that the health and wellbeing of Nigerians is core through his own agenda and vision for the country.”

Pate noted that in the contest of this reforms in the health sector that the president is undertaking, the Federal Government mobilised resources working with the Health Insurance Authority to ensure that empanel facilities can reimburse, so that cost would not be a burden for women who go there for treatment.

‘FG paying for VVF surgeries’
In addition to free cesarean section, the Minister also disclosed that the Federal Government is also offering free treatment for women with vesicovaginal fistula (VVF).

He said, “vesicovaginal fistula is a complication of pregnancy and delivery, and at least 10,00 women annually get those complications.

“For a very long time, many women suffered from that without the opportunity to have those repairs. We took it upon ourselves to ensure whoever has VVF will have a surgical repair and that will be paid for by the government.”

The Minister added that about 2,000 women have already been repaired and it’s very touching seeing them expressing gratitude for the life-changing opportunity that they have.

Free facilities for obstetric complications and VVF surgeries
Also on the programme, the Health Minister disclosed that the Federal Government has enlisted 154 health facilities across Nigeria for free treatment of women who have obstetric complications.

He also announced 18 centres across the nation for free treatment of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF).

According to Pate, the facilities have quality manpower, rich standard and equipment.

Youths of the Host Communities Producing Oil, Gas and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council Of Nigeria (HOSTCON) have described as ” commendable” the appointment of the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State, Sen. Ned Nwoko as theChairman, Senate Ad- Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft.

According to HOSTCON, the appointment of Sen. Ned Nwoko by the 10th Senate under the leadership of Sen God’swill Akpabio as a game-changer for the entire oil and gas value chain in the nation’s oil industry.

The Host Communities Producing Oil Gas and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council Of Nigeria under the leadership of the National President, Comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Pathfinder, stated in a statement issued via electronic mail, that the Senator Ned Nwoko-led Committee will salvage the nation’s oil and gas sector and the economic woes of the country.

According to HOSTCON, ” it would never be business as usual for the saboteurs, both locally and internationally because he has already hit the ground running, and Nigerians would see what has never happened in the fight against oil and gas thieves no matter who they are.”

“As a round peg in a round hole, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Other Related Matters, his underground strategies would take these thieves by storm and surprise, and this would usher in lasting solutions in curbing the menace of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal bunkering activities in the creeks of Niger Delta region and the hinterlands.”

“The Senator Ned Nwoko we know, is a man of courage and master strategist, who has all it takes to rid the oil and gas sector of this ugly menace of sabotage by some devilish persons who have over the years stolen our common patrimony for their self aggrandizement.”

“We must say that Senator Ned Nwoko, a son of the Niger Delta understands the region so deeply and has broad knowledge about the nefarious activities of these plunders of our national wealth, and knows how to marshal out his strategies to change the ugly narrative in the oil and gas sector.”

” His appointment is highly welcomed by all and sundry and due to his pedigree and sagacity as a patriotic, detribalized, and true Nigerian leader who has distinguished himself in serving the nation with national conscience.”

“We also want to assure Nigerians that Senator Ned Nwoko’s 100 days in this saddle will end oil theft and would be resounding and reverberating because we have seen the handwriting already, and that it would bring about a stupendous growth and development of the oil and gas sector in no distant time as he had already commenced the job by leading a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, seeking a partnership with the military to curb the menace, and also has set up and inaugurated a surveillance team for overt and covert oversight on oil facilities and institutions.”

“Interestingly, the committee has called for strengthening of intelligence-sharing mechanisms, surveillance operations and fostering of seamless inter-agency collaboration to dismantle the complex networks behind crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region and across the international borders.”

“Recently, he affirmed the The committee’s unwavering commitment and sense of patriotism in its resolve to implement watertight policies, deploy cutting-edge security technology, and ensure that those who undermine the national wealth are held accountable.”

“He also said that the task at hand transcends revenue protection; it is about securing the future, bolstering economic resilience, and creating an environment conducive for national progress.”

“We want Nigerians to be confident about Senator Ned Nwoko because his track record based on his background as an international criminal lawyer. He has the expertise to ensure these thieves are brought to justice, and also his solid performance on the floor of the Senate and impact on his senatorial district is amazing as he has moved numerous life changing motions and bills been sponsored by distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko on the floor of the Red Chambers within the one and half years under the President Bola Tinubu ‘Renewed Hope’ mantra has drastically transformed the lives of his people.”

“Therefore at this juncture, the leadership of the HOSTCON YOUTH COUNCIL OF NIGERIA, under comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Pathfinder, National Exco, elders and Board of Trustees, throw our full weight behind Sen Ned Nwoko-led Ad hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Other Related Matters.”

“We at HOSTCON, being the most critical umbrella body that is the ears, eyes, strength, energy and heart beat of the nation’s oil and gas producing communities in the creeks as well the strength and the life-wire of the nation’s economy will partner with the 10th Senate under the leadership of Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON CON, through the Chairman of the Senate Add-Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, Sen Ned Nwoko, the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in Delta State to join hands together for us to foster a collective responsibility to salvage the economy of our dear country by all means from the hands of this sophisticated oil thieves in collaboration with their foreign counterparts in this illicit business bent to cripple out economy.”