Opinion
BAYELSA STATE@28 :A GLANCE AT NIGER- DELTA’S BEST-KEPT SECRET
BAYELSA STATE@28
A GLANCE AT NIGER- DELTA’S BEST-KEPT SECRET
By Tobouke JEMINE
On this day, October 1,1996, the Glory of All Lands was carved out from Rivers State by the Sani Abacha-led military regime.I am still wondering how she shared the same birthday and Independence-month with Nigeria.
Bayelsa State is one of the newest states in Nigeria. Interestingly, the name “Bayelsa” is derived from the first few letters of the major local government areas that formed the state: Brass, Yenagoa, and Sagbama.
A billion thanks to the founding patriots: Bayelsa State is a creation of sweats, sacrifices and perseverance. And it is located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, acknowledged for its rich oil reserves and unique cultural heritage.
Today, my lenses are fixed on its natural elegance, environmental splendours, rich culture, treasured history, festivals, wildlife, and waterways that offer diverse opportunities for both domestic and international visitors and investors. It is a potential hotspot for tourism.
Bayelsa is home to a vast network of rivers, creeks, and lush forests, providing breathtaking natural landscapes for eco-tourists. Oxbow Lake situated in the capital city of Yenagoa, is a popular spot for relaxation and recreational activities like boating, fishing, and picnicking. The serene environment makes it ideal for nature lovers.
The River Nun of Gabriel Okara’s poetry is a vital waterway, offering scenic boat rides and opportunities to explore the flora and fauna of the region. The River Nun is historically significant as it was one of the key routes for the slave trade during the dark chapters of the White man in Africa.
Bayelsa’s extensive mangrove forests are not only ecologically important but also offer adventure opportunities such as canoeing, birdwatching, and nature photography. The forests serve as a home to rare and endangered species, making it an exciting destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
The Glory of All Lands has diverse wildlife, including primates, reptiles, and aquatic species. John Alla, the Honourable Commissioner for Tourism is working on developing these reserves and sanctuaries to attract visitors interested in the biodiversity of the Niger Delta.
The state is a home to a rich cultural heritage rooted in the traditions of the Ijaw people, one of the major and oldest ethnic groups in Nigeria. This cultural heritage provides an array of opportunities for cultural and historical tourism.
Bayelsa celebrates various traditional festivals, such as the Seigbein Fishing Festival , the Ogori Ba Festival, Masquerade Festivals, and others with pomp and grandeur. These festivals showcase traditional music, dance, cuisine, and the deep connection the Ijaw people have with the water, attracting tourists interested in experiencing indigenous cultures.
The Isaac Boro monument commemorates the life of Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, one of our most revered and prominent figures in the history of Niger Delta struggle. The memorial attracts visitors interested in learning about the historical and political development of the region.
In Bayelsa State, we have many historic towns like Brass, which was a hub for European traders and missionaries during the colonial period, there are remnants of colonial-era architecture and stories that could be part of historical tours. And there are glories for the eyes at Akassa Lighthouse and Peace Park?
With its extensive network of rivers, creeks, and the Atlantic coastline, the State offers ample opportunities for water-based tourism.The Agge, Orobiri, Amazor, Brass Beaches offer stunning views of the coastline. The Commissioner is putting in work to make sure the clean and inspiring beaches are developed to attract both leisure travelers and adventure seekers interested in activities like fishing and surfing.
Given its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Bayelsa State is ideal for deep-sea fishing, which could appeal to tourists looking for sport fishing. Boat cruises along the various rivers and creeks also present opportunities for leisure and exploration.
The Nembe waterways are another coastal area with beautiful creeks, perfect for boat rides. This part of Bayelsa provides access to traditional riverine settlements, where tourists can explore the local culture and way of life.
Bayelsa’s agricultural sector also holds potential for tourism, particularly with its cultivation of fish, cassava, plantain, and palm oil, these and its rich fishing culture, and fish farms would be developed by the Honourable Commissioner for Tourism into tourist attractions where visitors can learn about aquaculture, local fishing techniques, and the production of seafood delicacies.
The state hosts a wealth of palm oil and cassava plantations that would be opened up for guided tours where tourists experience how palm oil and cassava products are processed. This form of agro-tourism would also include culinary experiences involving local dishes made from cassava and plantain.
Bayelsa offers untapped opportunities for adventure tourism, especially given its natural terrain and riverine environment. The numerous rivers and creeks are perfect for activities like kayaking and canoeing, providing thrilling experiences for adventure tourists.
The Atlantic coast provides a unique environment for scuba diving and snorkeling. This aspect of tourism could be harnessed to attract water sports enthusiasts from across the world. Given the rich aquatic life, the state could host national or international fishing competitions, promoting the state as a hub for sport fishing.
Bayelsa has the potential to become a hub for leisure tourism, with the possibility of developing luxury resorts, hotels, and leisure centers.Developing eco-friendly resorts along the beaches or near the rivers could attract tourists looking for relaxation amidst nature. These resorts could offer activities such as fishing, bird watching, nature trails, and local cultural experiences.
The state can also develop film tourism by promoting the beautiful and diverse landscapes for film productions. This could attract filmmakers looking for natural settings, further boosting the local economy. Currently, one of our own Nollywood veteran actor, Elaweremi Pereke Elaweremi with his Ijaw Africa Movies movement is doing an enormous justice to the Ijaw entertainment industry.
Bayelsa state is truly blessed with remarkable talents and potentials in the entertainment arena. The wealth in this sector could be further explored and utilized by a partnership between the government and private institutions likes King Pereama Freetown, Chief Barrister Smooth, Alfred Izonebi, Asu Ekiye, Timaya, and upcoming brands like FC the Storyteller, Erema Yanga, Mc Kidikidi, and others — not forgetting the living legacies of late legends like the beloved King Robert Ebizimor as sources of cultural inspirations and creativity.
There is no doubting the fact that Bayelsa State’s tourism potential is immense but largely underdeveloped, and the Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, recognizing these realities and equipped with the required insights and competence, is putting resources in place to make an enduring magic out of the tourism potentials of the state.
Of equal importance is the fact that, to make a significant tourist destination out of Bayelsa State, there is the need for massive infrastructural development, investment in hospitality, and active promotion of its tourism resources and potentials both locally and internationally. And the private sector is needed in this drive to make a wonderland out of the Glory of All Lands.
May God Almighty continue to grant the Commissioner of Tourism, Hon. John Alla, the grace and wisdom to fulfill the blueprint of his ministry to the last letter, and may God bless Bayelsa State, the Jerusalem of Ijaw Nation, and the Nature’s Haven of Niger Delta.
Again, congratulations to the land of glory.
The president of Ijaw National Congress ( INC) Prof Benjamin Okaba has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his recent apology to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Wike had apologised following a walkout by women during an empowerment event in Port Harcourt, where the First Lady was represented by the wife of the Sole Administrator.
Prof Okaba described the minister’s apology as unnecessary and misplaced.He strongly defended the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, saying the governor had no role in the protest.
He said Wike was the one undermining ongoing peace efforts and was creating roadblocks to reconciliation in the state.
According to prof Okaba, Wike had shown clear signs of dissatisfaction with the peace process and was looking for ways to disrupt it.
He noted that Wike had previously stated that Fubara should have been removed completely, which he saw as evidence of Wike’s unwillingness to accept any compromise.
He also referred to a recent protest by nursing students in Delta State as an example of how people express dissatisfaction without political sponsorship.
Okaba said the Rivers women simply wanted to be addressed by the First Lady herself or the governor’s wife.
Their actions, he explained, were based on disappointment after being told to expect the First Lady, only for the wife of the Sole Administrator to appear.
Okaba stated that the protest was not meant to insult the President or the First Lady, he said the women were reacting to what they saw as a deception and that their actions were aimed at rejecting what they viewed as an illegitimate administration in the state.
He also insisted that the women’s message was clear and targeted only at the Sole Administrator, not the federal authorities.
According to him, the protest was justified and should not be linked to any wrongdoing by Governor Fubara.
“So, for me, it does all show that Wike is the one who is double-tonguing, looking for every excuse to truncate the restoration process.”
“The women only expressed their disgust at the evil perpetrated by one sole administrator. He is an illegality, and nobody is afraid of saying so.”
“So, if they can say that anywhere, then the wife of the sole administrator wants to come and address who? As what?”
“The same women who demonstrated against the sole administrator, will you expect them to go and listen to the ‘rubbish’ that will come from his wife? I support what the women did, and I don’t see any confrontation against the Federal Government,” he said.
Follow Us Ijaw Matters View Point
By Admin
Niger Delta, born human rights activist and development advocate, Chief Comrade Mulade Sheriff, has called on political job seekers to stop distracting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and state governors from focusing on good governance to Nigerians.
The renowned peace and environmental justice advocate made the appeal at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, recently to Nigerians, particularly highly influenced individuals whom he alleged were doing so for their selfish interests to protect their political positions.
He said, “I appeal to highly placed Nigerians to stop distracting the President and Governors over 2027 general elections that is still over two years away, because of their selfish interest to protect their positions and contracts, to the detriment of our development.’
Chief Mulade, who is the Ibe Serimowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South-West council area of Delta state, noted that President Tinubu has only done less than two years in office and is yet to deliver on his mandate, noting that such mischievous endorsements from political jobbers are not helping the President but only serving as source of distraction which he, Tinubu, does not need now.
“It is imperative to state that the President is barely about two years in office, and has not delivered on his electioneering promises, but he is being distracted by persons who are promoting their selfish interest rather than the good of the masses,” he added.
The peace ambassador, therefore, called on all well-meaning Nigerians to rise above personal gains and to beware of actions that are detrimental to the well-being of the masses and the country.
He urged President Tinubu to be wary of eye service supporters and praise singers, and to beam his focus on the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration to end insecurity, hunger, bad governance, oppression of the masses and bad economy in Nigeria. It is worthy of note that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR does not need these distractive and mischievous political endorsements to be re-elected if he delivers on his promises to Nigerians.
Opinion
OPINION: THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE IYC PRESIDENT JONATHAN LOKPOBIRI SNR STATEMENT AND THAT OF GOC GOVERNMENT TOMPOLO EKPEMUPOLO STATEMENT, EXPLAINED.
By Lordy Torus
I’ve listened to Tompolo speak to his people on his 54th birthday celebration, though, through a translator. This is what I had been expecting to hear long before today, given my privilege of understanding Ijaw and the interpreter’s translation into English. I give him kudos for first acknowledging the Ijawness in him, something many privileged individuals in authority have refused to do. He recognized that before politics, there is the Ijaw Nation, and so it shall remain. His mention of Bayelsa State as the homogeneous Ijaw headquarters was another pointer to his recognition of his Ijaw heritage.
He was very deliberate and moderate in addressing the imbroglio between Wike and Fubara, calling on both parties to sheathe their swords. He acknowledged the role Wike played in making Fubara the Governor of Rivers State and admonished Wike, reminding him that the Ijaw people also contributed to his success. He emphasized the need for both parties to bury their differences and bring Fubara back. He went further to say that while he might disagree with the Governor, the Ijaw Nation is sacrosanct.
Tompolo cautioned toying with the emotions of Izon people by Wike wanting to bring his trophy to Bayelsa and he told him in all terms that coming to Yenagoa will not be tolerated, not by way of advice but a straight talk. He then addressed Fubara and Wike to Wike’s advantage though and of course it’s several times acceptable to me.
Jonathan Lokpobiri would’ve been celebrated by the Ijaw people which he leads if only he had made it known that, he is first an Ijaw man, before anything. If he had applied wisdom, he would’ve bashed Wike and those encouraging him to toil with the Ijaw Nation, for bringing the Ijaw Nation into his political games. Rather, he lambasted Ijaws for calling for war, yet could not do anything when the state of emergency was pronounced by President Asiwaju Tinubu. Robbing salt on a very deep injury.
While Tompolo succinctly sent a message to Wike that he should respect the only homogeneous Ijaw State by not bringing his games to Bayelsa, which he as an Ijaw man won’t find appealing. He as well reminded the people that it was Wike who single handedly handpicked Fubara, to be Governor of Rivers State. Thereby giving a fair judgement on both parties. But the President either deliberate or unknownly aggravated the people’s anger, by making it seem like the Ijaw people whom he leads were the trouble makers, making Wike the saint in the whole issue, while the Ijaw people and the Fubara, as the troublemakers.
As Ijaws, your tribe must come first, before anything.
Just like Jonathan, Tompolo acknowledged the fact that the issue between Wike and Fubara is a political issue and can only be solved through Political means. However, Jonathan sinned when he refused to make it bold that Wike should not toil with the Ijaw Nation.
One thing I learnt from this is that, having all the degrees doesn’t make one a harbinger of knowledge. Perhaps, GOC had to wait for everybody to air their opinion, before dishing out his incontroversial statement, to calm down already failed nerves. I can agree with myself that those who were angered by Wike’s unguarded statement, has calmed down and partially forgiven him, pending when Tompolo does his calling for the return of Governor Fubara.
Credit: Benebragha Suoye