Okpebholo Missing as South-South Governors Convene in Bayelsa for Crucial Meeting

South-South governors gathered in Bayelsa for a key regional meeting, but Okpebholo was notably absent. Discover the implications of his absence and the outcomes of the discussions.

On Tuesday, the governors from the South-South geopolitical zone convened in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, to discuss economic and security challenges affecting the region.

Present at the meeting were Governors Bassey Otu of Cross River, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, and the host governor Duoye Diri from Bayelsa.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was notably missing from the meeting. Furthermore, he did not delegate his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, to attend on his behalf at this gathering aimed at promoting regional development and cooperation.

The meeting, led by Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, occurred in the Governor’s Conference Room at Government House in Yenagoa.

In his opening speech, Governor Diri highlighted the strategic significance of the gathering and stressed the necessity for enhanced collaboration among the six South-South states.

He emphasized essential areas for collaboration, such as security, agriculture, education, energy management, environmental protection, tourism development, and empowering youth through sports initiatives alongside information technology and entrepreneurship.

“The rapidly evolving landscape of our country and the global community emphasizes a clear and pressing need for improved regional cooperation and development,” the governor remarked.

“Our collective advancement and success are closely linked to our ability to collaborate towards a shared goal.”

Governor Diri directly addressed the significant challenges facing the region.

He expressed concern about the negative impact of oil exploration and the insufficient benefits received by the region, despite its role as Nigeria’s economic backbone.

He observed that it seems the so-called curse of oil wealth has trapped us everywhere we look.

Governor Diri called for decisive action by urging his fellow governors to make use of the BRACED Commission, a think tank created in 1999 to promote collective development in the South-South region.

He emphasized the importance of progressing beyond just issuing communiqués and memoranda.

“It’s time to convert our words into deeds and turn our collective dreams into concrete outcomes,” he declared.

He stressed the importance of boosting regional investment and development by targeting key sectors that hold significant potential for job creation and socio-economic advancement.

The governor was particularly interested in proposals for a regional flight connection and the establishment of a regional railway line to improve transportation.

He also urged for the rapid completion of the East-West Road, a vital route linking all South-South states.

Focusing on regional security issues, Governor Diri pointed to recent events in Okuoma, Okoloba, and Igbomotoru as examples emphasizing the necessity for tailored security strategies. He remarked that “by combining our shared knowledge, experiences, and resources,” we can develop plans to avert and lessen future security risks. This highlights the critical role of governors acting as chief security officers.

The governor additionally highlighted the significance of collaborating with the federal government and other regions. He urged agencies like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to engage more closely with state governments, ensuring their initiatives align with local priorities.

To conclude, Governor Diri thanked the attending governors and stakeholders for their commitment to developing the region.

He expressed hope that this meeting would mark a turning point in our shared journey toward reaching our true potential. “Let’s rise above our challenges together, seize the opportunities before us, and create a brighter future for our region,” he stated.