…. It’s Historic For Our State, Says Gov Diri

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, alongside National Assembly members from the state and other top government officials, on Monday, celebrated the historic conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on two legal practitioners, Fedude Zimughan and Preye Agedah.

According to a press release on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Daniel Alabrah, both legal luminaries were among the 57 new SANs who were administered the oath of office by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, at the Supreme Court in Abuja on Monday.

It was the first time since Bayelsa’s creation 29 years ago that two of its sons were at the same time elevated to the prestigious legal rank.

Governor Diri said at their reception ceremony that the conferment brought 11 the number of SANs from the state.

He expressed delight that the state was making good progress on all sides and that local government areas yet to produce any SAN would need to brace up.

He said, “This is another historic day in the life of our state. Since its creation, this is the first time we are producing two Senior Advocates at the same time. God perfects everything in His own time.

“We are very proud of the two gentlemen, Fedude Zimughan and Preye Agedah. One is from my mother’s local government area, while the other is from my father’s.

“From nothing after the creation of our state, Bayelsa has today produced 11 SANs. Zimughan’s local government, Ekeremor, had produced four. I had known him from way back, and though some thought he was long overdue, I believe this is the God-ordained time for him.

“For Agedah, we were secondary school classmates. He set the pace when he came into politics in the old Rivers State and became the first chairman of the old Yenagoa local government area. Today, he made history again as the first SAN from my local government, Kolokuma/Opokuma.

“I challenge my brothers and sisters from other local government areas. You discover that the smallest senatorial district has more SANs than we do, who are from our very large Central Senatorial District.

“In my senatorial district, there is no SAN from the whole of Yenagoa local government. Even in Southern Ijaw, which we are proud of as one of the largest local governments in Nigeria, there is none. Well, some would say (Michael) Numa is from there, but he tilts more towards Ekeremor. This means I’m challenging myself also, as this is my senatorial district.

“In the East, we have more from Nembe. In Ogbia, we had one, who is now late while Brass has one.

“So this is the challenge to us in the state. This year, we produced two. Next year, we can have three.

“It is not rocket science. We have people with the brains and the wherewithal to attain such heights. Let us as a people be seen to be helping one another to climb and not to oppress ourselves.”

The governor congratulated the new SANs on behalf of the state and urged them to continue to be good ambassadors of Bayelsa.

Present at the ceremony were the state Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, Senator Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central), and House of Representatives members – Dr. Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor federal constituency), Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma), Marie Ebikake (Nembe/Brass) and Engr. Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw)

Also present were Senator James Manager, who represented Delta South, a former Minister of Police Affairs and also Interior, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, and his wife, Justice Roseline Bozimo, as well as the Bayelsa State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo SAN, and the chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area, Tariyei Leilei, among others.

The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has reiterated the agency’s strong commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital economy through green technology and innovation.

Inuwa gave the assurance while addressing participants at the 3rd Technology Ecosystem Dialogue (TED 2025), organised by the Young Innovators of Nigeria (YIN) under the theme: “Green Tech and Energy Revolution: Transforming Business and Society.”

Commending YIN for what he described as a “timely and visionary dialogue,” the NITDA boss praised the organisation’s consistent role in promoting innovation, nurturing talent, and driving sustainable solutions critical for national development.

“TED 2025 once again proves that Nigeria’s youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the change-makers of today,” he said, noting that the theme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on economic diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing, and innovation.

Highlighting NITDA’s interventions to strengthen the tech ecosystem, Inuwa cited the establishment of Technology and Innovation Hubs nationwide, as well as initiatives such as iHatch, the National Innovation Challenge, IgniteHer, We Elevate, and the Renewed Hope Innovation Nest. He also referenced partnerships supporting research in frontier technologies like AI, IoT, blockchain, and clean energy.

“These initiatives are designed to ensure that innovation is inclusive—reaching youth, women, and MSMEs across Nigeria, while equipping them with digital tools to create scalable solutions,” he explained.

Inuwa emphasised that green technology adoption is a necessity, not an option, and called for stronger collaboration between government, industry, academia, and citizens to build a sustainable, inclusive future. He assured stakeholders that NITDA is committed to partnerships that will enable Nigeria to lead Africa in leveraging green technology for growth, jobs, and development.

Delivering the keynote address, sustainability expert Dr. Krakrafaa Bestman observed that while millions of Nigerians still lack reliable electricity, the country’s abundant solar, wind, hydro, and human capital resources provide vast opportunities for bridging the energy gap.

He highlighted Nigeria’s energy transition targets, including plans to generate 30 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and deploy 5GW of solar capacity. Ongoing projects such as the Nigerian Electrification Project and community-based mini-grids, he noted, are designed to expand access, especially in rural areas.

Dr. Bestman also stressed the need for circular economy practices, such as recycling and waste-to-energy, to reduce pollution and create economic opportunities. He outlined three priorities for the transition: reforms to attract investment, greater private sector commitment to clean energy, and locally adaptable innovations.

While warning against risks such as battery hazards and poorly installed solar systems, he called for strict safety standards and lifecycle management.

“Green technologies must not only drive businesses but also protect the future,” he said, urging Nigerians to embrace innovation and collaboration. “The world is waiting for Nigeria’s leadership in building a resilient and sustainable energy system.”

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has urged African countries to shift from being passive consumers of technology to becoming creators and exporters of digital solutions.

Inuwa, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships at NITDA, made the call in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the African Creators Conference 2025.

Speaking on the theme *“The Future of Africa in the Global Digital Economy,”* the NITDA chief highlighted the continent’s vast potential, driven by its youthful population, creativity, and digital fluency. He noted that with Africa’s population of over 1.4 billion, more than 60 percent of whom are under 25, the continent is at a critical juncture in the global digital space.

“Our innovators and creators should take their rightful place as global leaders and solution providers. Our young people, with their creativity, energy, and fluency in digital tools, are poised to shape Africa’s future in technology and innovation,” Inuwa said.

He pointed to Nigeria’s progress in the sector, citing over 126 million internet users, 205 million mobile subscriptions, and initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent programme, the Nigeria Startup Act, and NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0, all aimed at positioning Nigeria as a producer and exporter of digital solutions.

The NITDA boss also stressed the need for regional collaboration through frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), calling for harmonised policies and strategic infrastructure investments to unlock trillions of dollars in Africa’s digital economy.

“The choices we make today will determine whether Africa remains on the margins or takes its rightful place at the centre of global digital transformation,” he added.

The African Creators Conference 2025 brought together more than 3,000 creators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the continent to explore how artificial intelligence and digital creativity can drive economic growth and strengthen cross-border collaboration.

A civil society organisation, Save the Republic, has expressed concern over reports that more than 800 Nigerian engineers and workers were dismissed by the Dangote Refinery after attempts to join a trade union.

In a statement signed by its convener, Deji Adeyanju, Esq., the group said the matter raises serious questions about labour rights, fair employment practices, and Nigeria’s regulatory environment.

According to the group, the Nigerian Constitution and the Trade Unions Act recognise the right of workers to freely associate and join unions, and any attempt to restrict such rights would be inconsistent with the law.

“The right to organise is a constitutional guarantee under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended,” Adeyanju said. “It is important that Nigerian workers can exercise this right without fear of dismissal or intimidation.”

Save the Republic also drew attention to the broader implications of the refinery’s reported actions, noting that the Dangote Group has benefited from various government interventions and licences. Adeyanju stressed that, given the scale of public support received, transparency and fairness in employment practices were essential.

He added that Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws discourage practices that could entrench monopoly or undermine the rights of stakeholders, including employees.

The group called on relevant government agencies to look into the matter and provide clarity on the reported mass dismissals, as well as on allegations that some positions previously held by Nigerians were being filled by foreign workers.

“This is not only a matter of labour relations but also of public accountability,” Adeyanju noted. “When a project of this scale has received extraordinary state support, Nigerians have a right to demand fair treatment of workers and full transparency in employment practices.”

The group emphasised that its intervention was not aimed at targeting any individual or company but at upholding the principles of fairness, transparency, and respect for the rights of Nigerian workers.

The group appealed for calm and dialogue in resolving the ongoing dispute. It urged all parties to return to the negotiation table, stressing that the rights of workers must be respected while also ensuring that the refinery continues to thrive.

“The way forward is the dialogue table. Nobody wants to kill the Dangote Refinery. We all want Dangote to work, but we also want the rights of the Nigerian worker to be respected,” he said.

As part of a sustainable resolution, the group further recommended the reinstatement of the affected workers.

“Our position is not against the refinery or its management,” they added. “It is about ensuring fairness and protecting the dignity of Nigerian workers through constructive dialogue.”

The group commended the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Ministry of Labour and Employment for their efforts at resolving the situation.