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Irakpo Hails Gov Diri As Bayelsa Partners Silec Initiatives on Capacity building, Youth Development

Published

1 year ago

October 16, 2024

Eric

The Founder/President, Silec Initiatives Amb. Sunny Irakpo, who doubles as an Anti-drug Advocate, U.S. Government Exchange alumnus of the International Visitor’s Leadership Exchange Program (IVLP) in Combating Drug Addiction and opioid crisis, Certified by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on drug prevention, treatment and care sensitization, has lauded the Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Sen. Douye Diri, for putting the youth in the forefront in his Prosperity Agenda, and extending a hand of partnership to SILEC in order to help develop the youth of the state for national and global competitiveness.

He further appreciated the confidence the governor has ‘in our noble endeavour’.

Irakpo’s appreciation is contained in a statement he signed himself, and made available to this medium.

The statement reads:

Putting the youth in the scheme of things is the thrust of the Bayelsa State Government. The People’s Governor His Excellency Sen. Douye Diri, Executive Governor of Bayelsa State has redoubled his efforts and commitment to transform the lives of the youth by engaging in meaningful socio-economic activities so as to disarm social vices that could serve as hindrance to development in the state in line with his Prosperity Agenda.

The giant strides of the governor have been seen in various aspects, including infrastructural development. In fulfilling his promises to the people of Bayelsa State, particularly the youth, His Excellency has once again taking a brillant step by extending collaboration to Silec Initiatives, a pragmatic and foremost non-profit making organization of international repute to help address critical issues as its affects the youth.

An official letter of approval addressed to the founder, Silec initiatives Amb. Sunny Irakpo as conveyed through the office of the Special Adviser on Trade and Investment to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mrs Owanari Rowland Harry, a dedicated and passionate public servant, states “I am glad to inform you that, the office of the Special Adviser on Trade and Investment to the Governor of Bayelsa State His Excellency Sen. Douye Diri , a lover of youth and the MAN of the people has graciously approved the partnership proposal of your noble organization Silec Initiatives whose programs and activities across the globe are commendable and impactful, to implement value based and life transforming programs that will promote the state in line with the Prosperity Agenda (Seven Pillars) A.S.S.U.R.ED of His Excellency for purposeful youth engagement, infrastructural and social development,and economic growth” which our office rides to attract potential investors for rapid development to the state.

Response to the partnership, Founder/President Silec Initiatives Amb. Sunny Irakpo, Anti-drug Advocate, U.S. Government Exchange alumnus of the International Visitor’s Leadership Exchange Program (IVLP) in Combating Drug Addiction and opioid crisis, Certified by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on drug prevention, treatment and care sensitization thanked His Excellency Sen. Douye Diri for putting the youth in the forefront in his Prosperity Agenda, exemplified by extending a hand of partnership to SILEC in order to help develop the youth of the state for national and global competitiveness. This sheer confidence in our noble endeavour is highly appreciated.

Your Excellency, let me use this medium to appreciate you for appointing a dynamic, disciplined, result- oriented young professional in the person of Owanari Rowland Harry, whose work will continue to resonate in the state and beyond. It is my conviction that the appointment of
Mrs Owanari Rowland Harry as the Special Adviser on Trade and Investment to the Executive Governor of the state will be of immense value as she will use her wealth of experience to empower the youth of the state to be economically engaged and prevent them from involving in social vices such as drugs and substance abuse ,criminality and prostitution that can put the state in bad light. This exceptional and youth concern leadership is commendable. Together, we shall do more.

It will be recalled, in 2022 Silec Initiatives, took the anti-drug campaign to Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan community in Otuoke, Bayelsa state and partnered with Church of Nigeria Diocese of Ogbia (Anglican Communion) under His Lordship Rt. Revd. James Oruwori. As a result of the huge success recorded, there was clamour for more SILEC presence in the state to help rescue the youth from social vices bedeviling the youth.

Founder/president Silec Initiatives, Amb. Sunny Irakpo, however, appealed to the youth to shun social vices and join this life transforming movement that will attract development in line with His Excellency Prosperity Agenda.

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Tinubu Nominates Oyedele As Minister of State for Finance, Moves Anite-Uzoka to Budget Ministry

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, has announced that “President Bola Tinubu has nominated Taiwo Oyedele as the minister of state for finance, replacing Doris Anite-Uzoka.

“Mrs Anite-Uzoka will now move to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, as the Minister of State, her third portfolio in the administration.

“President Tinubu has today conveyed the nomination of Mr Oyedele to the Senate for confirmation in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

“Until President Tinubu nominated him as a minister, Mr Oyedele from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State, was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system.

“Mr Oyedele, 50, is an economist, accountant and public policy expert.

“He attended Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in accountancy and finance. He attended Oxford Brookes University and earned a BSc in applied accounting.

“He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

“Mr Oyedele spent 22 years of his working career at PwC, joining in 2001 and rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader.

“Mr Oyedele is also a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School.”

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Defection: Atiku’s Son, Adamu, Resigns As Adamawa Commissioner

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

Adamu Abubakar, the first son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has resigned as Adamawa State’s commissioner for works and energy development, days after Governor Ahmadu Fintiri defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

Abubakar’s resignation letter, dated 2 March 2026, was addressed to the governor through the Secretary to the State Government. He gave no reason for his departure.

The timing is pointed. Fintiri announced his defection to the APC in a statewide broadcast last Friday, saying his cabinet and the PDP’s state structure had moved with him. Within 24 hours, 22 commissioners and special advisers publicly announced they were following suit. Abubakar, whose father remains one of the PDP’s most prominent national figures, was not among them.

In a statement issued Monday night, Abubakar’s media aide Abdulaziz Jauro said the former commissioner thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve and pledged continued loyalty to the administration’s developmental agenda. He also expressed gratitude to his father “for granting him the moral support and blessing to serve the people of Adamawa State” — a line that, read in context, suggests Atiku was consulted on the decision.

Abubakar said his resignation was not a withdrawal from public life. “This does not mark the end of his commitment to public service,” the statement read, “but rather the beginning of new avenues for developmental collaboration.”

The resignation leaves unresolved the question of whether it reflects a political break with the governor over his defection or a personal decision unconnected to the broader party realignment now reshaping Adamawa’s political landscape.

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DSS Nabs Man over Assassination Attempt on Peter Obi

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has detained a man in connection with the recent attack and alleged assassination threats targeting Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

According to AIT, the shooting incident took place on February 24, 2026, in Benin City, Edo State, during a political gathering attended by Obi and several figures from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The meeting was hosted by former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun. Gunmen reportedly opened fire at the venue, causing panic and forcing attendees to disperse for safety.

According to security sources, shortly after the attack, an individual identified as Udeme Monday Stephen allegedly took to social media claiming responsibility and issuing additional threats against Obi, warning of further violence.

Intelligence officials reportedly initiated swift investigations, employing digital tracing and forensic tools that led to the arrest of the 26-year-old suspect in Rivers State. He is said to be a teacher at a private secondary school in the Eliozu area of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

The suspect remains in DSS custody and is expected to face prosecution. The agency reiterated its commitment to responding to credible threats and safeguarding lives and national interests without bias.