….. Infrastructure Gets N298bn, Education N75bn, Pipe-borne Water N10bn

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Thursday, presented the state’s 2026 appropriation bill of N998,371,313,943.04 to the House of Assembly.

Governor Diri said the proposal tagged “Budget of Assured Prosperity II” would be funded through various projected revenue sources, including statutory allocation N42.2bn, Value Added Tax N84bn, 13% derivation N212.6bn and other FAAC allocations N488bn.

According to a press release on Thursday, November 13, 2025, signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, other projected receipts are internally generated revenue of N85.9bn, internal and external grants amounting to N24.9bn while domestic loans would be N50bn.

Capital expenditure is expected to gulp N645.2, which is 64.6% of the total budget, while recurrent expenditure is projected at N353.1bn (35.4%)

As in previous years, the Works and Infrastructure Ministry got the lion’s share of N298.6bn, which underscored the administration’s commitment to completing and expanding of the road network in the state as well as other projects like the nine-storey civil servants secretariat.

The Education Ministry was allotted N75.1bn while Sports got N46.5bn and Health N39.7bn.

Significantly, the government allocated the sum of N10.8bn for the provision of pipe-borne water, following Governor Diri’s earlier pledge to address the water challenge in the state in 2026.

Some other areas listed by the governor included power generation and supply N16.5bn, security N21.5bn and agriculture N15.6bn among other sectors.

Governor Diri commended the legislature for its cooperation with the executive, noting that they were elected to better the lives of people of the state.

“Mr Speaker, Bayelsans elected us to take bold actions to improve their quality of life. That is what we are doing and will continue to do. I trust that when history reviews our actions and this budget, our choices will be seen as the right ones.

“In the 2026 fiscal year, we will continue with all ongoing projects like the three senatorial roads, Glory Drive Phase 3 that will link Imgbi Road with a bridge crossing the Epie Creek, the Ogu-Akaba-Okodi Road, Sabagreia–Polaku Road, Toru–Orua– Bolu–Orua–Kabeama–Ebeni Road, internal roads, the ultra-modern state secretariat, among others,” the governor stated.

The Bayelsa helmsman appealed to the Speaker and members of the assembly to give the appropriation bill careful consideration and expeditious passage.

In his opening remarks, the Speaker, Rt Hon. Abraham Ingobere, lauded the governor’s commitment to developing road infrastructure, education, sports, healthcare, the power sector and other key areas, which he noted had tremendously transformed the state.
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He said, “From my assessment, the total overhaul of the education sector, infrastructure development, recruitment, training and retraining of teachers, and establishment of technical and vocational schools in all the local government areas are yielding huge dividends and demonstrate the government’s dedication to middle-level manpower development.”

Ingobere assured that the assembly would prioritise the appropriation bill and ensure that it is passed in good time.

Momentum is building for the fifth edition of the Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 5.0), as the annual innovation forum confirms five major sponsors committed to shaping Africa’s digital independence journey.

Leading the lineup are the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), consumer tech brand itel, global data infrastructure leader Digital Realty, connectivity solutions provider SKOT Communications, and the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN).

Set to be held on November 13th, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, under the theme “AI and Sovereign Tech: Building Africa’s Digital Independence”, AfriTECH 5.0 will spotlight the power of homegrown solutions and global partnerships in driving Africa’s technological growth.

The diversity of sponsors reflects the ecosystem AfriTECH champions: regulators led by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); consumer enablers (itel), infrastructure giants (Digital Realty Nigeria); communications providers (SKOT Communications); and critical backbone operators – the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN).

Together, their support underscores the vital role of collaboration among regulation, innovation, and infrastructure in Africa’s future.

“Each partner represents a piece of the puzzle in Africa’s digital transformation,” said Mr Chike Onwuegbuchi, co-convener of the Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH). “From regulation to infrastructure, from consumer access to data exchange, AfriTECH 5.0 is where these synergies come alive.”

This year’s forum promises high-level debates, solution-driven panels, and networking that connects decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and innovators committed to accelerating Africa’s digital independence.

In addition to the conference sessions and exhibitions, this year’s edition will feature the Africa Tech Alliance Excellence Award (ATAEx 2025). This prestigious award ceremony celebrates outstanding innovation, leadership, and contributions to Africa’s digital economy.

More details at: https://africatechallianceforum.africa

….. Dispels Security Threat In Bayelsa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said he will not compel his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to join him in the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he formally joined on November 3.

According to a press release on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 15, citing obvious reasons for his decision, but his deputy did not join him in the new party.

Speaking during the weekly state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday, with Ewhrudjakpo also present, the Bayelsa governor said as a matter of principle, he believes in engagement rather than confrontation and that he will continue to discuss with his deputy.

While admitting that it is difficult for both of them to be in different political parties, Diri expressed optimism that ongoing engagements with his deputy would yield positive results.

He disclosed that the case filed by Ewhrudjakpo at a Federal High Court in Abuja to halt a purported impeachment plan had been discontinued after they discussed it.

He urged people of the state to love one another and see politics as a means to bring development and not to pull others down.

His words: “I express our gratitude to the people of our state for the successful and well-attended Thanksgiving Day service. The spirit of oneness and love is what we should keep exhibiting.

“I also like to thank the people for the mammoth crowd at the sports complex during our defection. I appreciate the leader of our party, President Bola Tinubu, and Vice President Kashim Shettima. I pledge our loyalty to continue to work for a better Nigeria, for the upliftment of the standard of living of our people.

“Let me address an issue that has been a subject of speculation in the media. I do not intend to force people to join the APC but rather to appeal to them to see reason with me. I might have the power today, but not tomorrow.

“It is actually difficult for the governor to be on one side and the deputy on another. But we will continue to talk, and we might end up at the same party tomorrow.

“We must not heat the polity. We are done with violence in Bayelsa State. We are brothers and we are one. Politics should be for the development of the state and not to fight one another.”

On the rumour of the arrival in the state of armed men from a part of the country, Governor Diri dispelled it as fake news.

He, however, assured that security agencies have been put on notice to check any threat in any part of the state.

He reaffirmed Bayelsa as one of the most secure states in the country and urged the people to go about their businesses and report security issues to the relevant agencies rather than rushing to post falsehoods on social media.

At the meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, presented to the governor the recognition of Bayelsa as the “Best State in Health Insurance Service Delivery” by the Nigeria Governors Forum while his counterpart in the Ministry of Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali, also presented a “Distinguished Governor Award for Outstanding Support to SWAN and Contribution to Sports Development In Nigeria” from the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria.

…Says America should be Swift in their Action

…Describes Tinubu as a Kakistocratic kleptomaniac.

“….Eze recalled that prior to the 2023 elections, he had raised several alarms over the ineptitude and lack of capacity in Bola Tinubu, to address even the least concerns that bothers Nigeria and her suffering citizens. Even Tinubu knew he had no capacity for anything, reason being why he forced himself into power. And the result is the mess the country is falling deeper into, on a daily basis….

As the waters continue to slosh after the stormy disturbance from the intervention of President Donald Trump, on the ongoing massacre of Nigerians by Islamic Terrorists in an effort to systematically exterminate the Christian population in the country, Nigerians have continued to express their views on the matter.

While some have expressed deep regret, condemning the genocide, others seem to merely display unhealthy sentiment, calling the bluff to the warnings of the American President.

The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a circle of Islamic fanatics waging a war against the obvious truth as presented by the US President are on a fruitless voyage to distort the truth and blur the facts to suit their narrative and cover their complicity is this horrendous jihadist project.

One of the vocal voices who have made a factual presentation of the matter is Adamu Garba, former Presidential aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress. Mr. Garba, who has defied the sensational rhetoric and illogical narrative adopted by the Tinubu regime to quench the stench from the martyrdom of Christians whose only offence is their allegiance to Christ and whose faith Nigeria does not recognize in practicality, is one Northern leader who stands out in the face of the disgraceful denial by the government.

Commending Adamu Garba for siding truth, unlike other northern/Islamic elites, Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, says the sincerity of Mr. Garba, should be a model for those in authority to tackle the menace of insecurity ravaging Nigeria.

“Adamu Garba, at a time when Tinubu and the Muslim fanatics choose to downplay the seriousness of the massacre and general insecurity in the country, resolved to stand out and speak the truth for the interest of justice. His courage is commendable.”

Recall that the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, recently redesignated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern for the second time, triggering a floodgate of reactions – criticisms and commendations from international and local observers, citizens and diplomats alike.

With assurances of the US Military invading encampments and hideouts of terrorist organizations in Nigeria, the US President warned the Nigerian government to quickly ensure a quick end to the trend of bloodbath and massacre going on in the country’s north region, else it would be left with no option but to mobilize into Nigeria to save the drowning Christian population who are being killed by deadly Islamic extremists to advance the jihadist agenda.

Eze recalled that prior to the 2023 elections, he had raised several alarms over the ineptitude and lack of capacity in Bola Tinubu, to address even the least concerns that bothers Nigeria and her suffering citizens. Even Tinubu knew he had no capacity for anything, reason being why he forced himself into power. And the result is the mess the country is falling deeper into, on a daily basis.

Nigeria has lost touch with reality. The once giant of Africa has totally become a shadow of its former self. The least country in Africa is way better in virtually everything. And the world is laughing with scorn, yet the kakistocratic kleptomaniac, President Tinubu, whose chief concern is illicit accumulation of wealth for his unborn generations feels less concerned.

Eze called on the US to be swift in their response to the docility of the Nigerian government is tackling insecurity in Nigeria, to save the fast dwindling defenseless Christian population in the country.