Bayelsa To Inject Funds Into Niger Delta Varsity

Bayelsa State Government has pledged its commitment to inject funds for the infrastructural and manpower development of the state-owned Niger Delta University, NDU, to attract reputable lecturers and students to the institution.

The state governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson made the pledge during the submission of the interim report on the NDU to him by the Chairman of the Committee, Professor Stephen Odiowei at Government House, Yenagoa 

He noted that, the NDU has the potential for self-sustainability, adding that, the challenge for the government is how to raise funds to close the gap on neglect the institution suffered in the past by investing to raise the capacity of the university.

While also pledging to support the committee to ensure that, it formulates a development plan for the Niger Delta University, Governor Dickson promised to study the interim report, with a view to taking the most appropriate decisions that will impact positively on the institution.

Restating the government’s stand on the issue of subvention for the running of tertiary institutions, owned by the state, Hon. Dickson noted that, subvention was a sustainable means to reduce cost of running and encourage infrastructural development.

”Government’s position on the issue of subvention is well known and we will encourage it because it is  sustainable during this period of economic recession, as well as fast tracks infrastructural development.

“Government does not consider it sustainable to be paying salaries of lecturers and other staff, as the NDU has potentials for self-sustainability, through internally generated revenue to meet their demands”.

 Presenting the committee’s interim report, the Chairman, Professor Stephen Odiowei, disclosed that, the NDU has twelve faculties, sixty three departments and ninety-one programmes, adding that, eighteen departments have interim accreditation, twenty seven unaccredited programmes and nine denied accreditations.

Summarizing their findings and observations, Professor Odiowei added that, inadequate funding and power supply, poor service delivery, delay in salary payment, among others, were some of the factors militating against the development of the institution

The committee recommended the provision of 1000kva generating set to serve both the new and old campuses, financial support to the school’s agricultural farm, prompt and regular payment of salaries as well as the engagement professors and senior lecturers as factors that could enhance the smooth running of the university.

Bayelsa Ends Sponsorship Of Pilgrimage

The Bayelsa State, has said it would no longer sponsor pilgrims, who want to fulfill the religious obligation of

Gov. Seriake Dickson

visiting their respective Holy lands.

The state governor, Seriake Dickson who made this position clear, while inaugurating a 10-member Pilgrims Welfare Board at the Conference Hall of Government House in Yenagoa, explained that, the decision was necessitated by the current economic realities, facing the country and the state, in particular.

He therefore, urged the Board to reach out to other stakeholders, such as corporate citizens, churches, the government officials and wealthy individuals for sponsorship, as well as sensitise intending pilgrims on the need for them to take responsibility of their spiritual assignment.

Governor Dickson, however, said the administration would continue to maintain the prevailing enabling environment for adherents of Christianity, Islam and other religions to practice their faiths without any hindrance.

While congratulating the Chairman and members on their appointments, the Governor pointed out that, the Board's duties are to coordinate and organise the activities of pilgrims and enlighten the public, that it is not just the government's responsibility to continue to sponsor people on pilgrimage.'

His words, "We are a praying and Christian state. But, we also have muslims here. And, all people of faith are at liberty to live in our state and practice their faith without let and hindrance. We give support and encouragement to all.

"We need this Board in place, so that you can as a body, coordinate the activities of all pilgrims, whether they are Christian pilgrims, which majority of our people are, or even the activities of muslims, who are to be supported to perform their obligation of visiting the Holy Land.

"But let me make it clear that the circumstances of our national economy and the realities of our state economy do not support the practice of the state sponsorship anymore. But, we are going to encourage pilgrims from all faiths to be alive to their responsibilities, who may want to visit the Holy Land to do so."

In his response, the Chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board, ArchBishop Israel Ige described Pilgrimage as a tool for moral transformation and spiritual rebirth, that helps to strengthen the faith of Christians by enabling them to physically confirm the scriptures they read and hear.

Arch Bishop Ige, who is the immediate past Chairman of the Bayelsa Chapter of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), expressed gratitude to the Governor for their appointment, and pledged to carry out the Board's mandate diligently.

Catechist Aputu John Dan is the Vice Chairman of the Board, while Bishop Ebi Belepeigha is the Secretary with Mrs Pere-ere Koroye, Dame (Mrs) Atonye Barigha and Rev John Lewis to serve as members.

The board, which is expected to commence its assignment with immediate effect, also has Mr MacDonald Osarebie, Alhaji Yakubu Boleigha, Alhaji Kassim Oru, Pastor Dimaro Ayaebi as members.

Actress, Iyabo Ojo, Daughter Thrill Fans With Perfect Choreography

Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo and her daughter, Priscilla, recently thrilled fans to a choreography of Korede

Iyabo Ojo and daughter dance

Bello's 'Do like that' song.

A video was posted on the actress' Instagram account on Friday, November 25, 2016.

Iyabo Ojo and her daughter, Priscilla gave a good dance performance of Korede Bello's 'Do like that' song.

The pair may have been confused for professional dancers due to their well-practiced synchronized

movement.

Mother and daughter rocked red themed matching outfits as they displayed their outstanding dancing moves.

According to Ojo in her Instagram post, her daughter, Priscilla was the dance instructor.

She wrote, "Ok! So we decided to join d fun #dolikethat @koredebello #twiningwithmydaughter #buildingmemomories @ its.priscy @fedel_x we miss u  dance instructor @its.priscy @tiannahsplacempire inspired us to do this, hope u love it girl?" 

Korede Bello's 'Do like that' song, released on September 13, 2016, has inspired a lot of dance choreography from both his African and Latino fans.

It is the latest effort by the Mavin Records singer. The track was produced by in-house music genius, Altims.

Timaya Not Ready For Marriage

Despite having two children with his baby mama, Timaya has revealed that he is still not ready to get hooked

Timaya

to any woman as a husband.

Though, unwilling to get married, the singer has promised that he would not have kids with different women like his male colleagues are known to do.

He affirmed this to his baby mama according to an interview published on November 26, 2016, by The Punch Saturday Beats.

Said he: “I am not getting married soon. My life is a journey. My career is my journey.

"I didn’t lie to my baby mama when she was pregnant; I told her I wasn’t ready to get married.

"I never said I wasn’t going to get married. But at the moment, I am not ready. When she told me she was pregnant, I accepted the pregnancy.

"She told me she hoped I wasn’t going to be like other musicians who had kids from different women.

"I told her no. My two kids are from same woman. I know what I am doing."

According to Timaya, he had no idea that he could love a person as much as he loves his two daughters, describing the first as his best friend.

He remarked: “I never knew I could love anyone the way I love my daughters. My first daughter is my best friend. I didn’t know what I wanted when I had her."

The singer who began a solo career in 2005 is known for such songs as 'Ukwu', 'Plantain boy', 'I concur' and many others.

Ondo Polls: Dickson Warns INEC, Security Agencies

Sequel to Ondo State governorship  polls billed for Saturday, Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, on Friday called on stakeholders and critical actors in the process to ensure that, nothing is done to undermine peace, security and stability.

He also called on INEC and security agencies, particularly to act, in a non-partisan manner according to their constitutional mandate, to provide a level playing field for the conduct of peaceful polls.

The governor also warned against "any temptation to engage in acts capable of undermining the security and stability of Ondo State in a desperate attempt to deliver any pre-determined outcomes."

Dickson added that such untoward action could have far reaching negative consequences, beyond Ondo state.

He emphasised that “we should be guided by history”.