..Diri extols Sylva as he receives chieftaincy title
Returnees from Bakassi Peninsula in a Bayelsa State camp in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state have got a make-shift primary school, 14 years after it was set up in 2006.The Bakassi Returnees’ camp, occupied by over 300,000 indigent Bayelsa families, who were returned after the Federal Government ceded the oil-rich Peninsula to Cameroon in 2006.T
he camp has been without school and other basic amenities after series of promises by the state and local governments.But the Rotary Club International in partnership with the Love to Slum Initiative on Saturday handed over a complete makeshift school project for the returnees’ children.Representing the District Governor of District 9141, the Assistant Governor, Zone 14, Rotary International, Owebi Godspower, said the donation was part of the seven areas of focus in the Rotary International peace advocacy initiative.He said: “The Rotary International believes that with basic education and literacy, the people will embrace peace and development.”May I thank the president of the club, Izibeloko Jack-Ide, for her leadership role and in ensuring that this project get to fruition.”He used the opportunity to reiterate the role Rotary plays all over the world in serving humanity selflessly and encouraging the headmaster and teachers of the school to use the facility for its intended purpose.In the same vein, the club distributed dictionaries to pupils in higher classes to aid learning amid ecomiums and heartfelt gratitudeThe head teacher of the School, Eniekebi Ebilakaemi, noted that the make-shift school known as the God’s Favour Academy, was a school built with planks few years ago to bridge the wide gap in the educational development of children in the camp.He, however, commended the vision of the Rotary International in partnership with Love to Slum initiative to upgrade the school building with blocks and donation of dictionaries to the children.Also Speaking, the Chairman of the Bakassi Returnees camp, Godbess Ojoto, commended the groups, calling on the state and local government areas to come to the aid of the community in the area of modern school structures and basic ammenities needed by the people of the camp. Meanwhile, a former governor of Bayelsa and now Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has been extolled for his immense contributions to the development of Bayelsa.Governor Douye Diri stated this on Saturday night during a grand reception in honour of the minister at Okpoama Kingdom in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa.Diri, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Benson Agadaga, who led the state’s delegation to the event, also commended the Amanyanbo of Okpoama Kingdom, King Ebitimi Banigo, and other key stakeholders in the council for recognising Sylva’s modest effort.He said: “Honour is given to whom it is due. Today, we’re enjoying your contributions to the state as a former governor and now minister of state.“We want to sincerely thank you for those things that you want to do for the state that will definitely elevate our IGR.“We also want to felicitate with you for the new face of Bayelsa, the face of love, and collaboration.“Sylva as a former governor and now a minister for state, has done well and brought about peace for the loving people of his kingdom and the entire Bayelsa State.”