Monday 11 November 2019

DOUYE DIRI: The Visionary Of A New Bayelsa Dream

By Perekeme Odon

A study of the history of opinion is a necessary preliminary to the liberation of the mind. That is why freedom is the liberation of the subjective rule of other men. The progressive historical role of entrepreneurship may be summed up in two brief propositions: an increase in the productive forces of social labour, and the socialization of that labour. But both these facts manifest themselves in different branches of the national economy.
Senator Douye Diri
Politicians are organizing, strategizing and campaigning for elections; and it is the legal right of every citizen above 18 years of age in Nigeria to exercise their civil right and duty without fear or prejudice because freedom is the cynosure in the heart of every human being which connotes liberty in all sphere of life. The gubernatorial election is around the corner and Bayelsa state which pride herself as ‘The Glory of All Land’ needs a vibrant and enthusiastic governor, and that person is Senator Douye Diri; an academically trained teacher, activist, and businessman.

Born on the 4 June 1969 to Chief A.J.M Diri of Kalama-Owei-Wari Compound of Sampou in Kolokuma / Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa state. Senator Diri started his primary education at Okoro Primary School, Sampou and earned his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1977 at Rev. Proctor Memorial Primary School, Kaiama (then State School Kaiama), and went to Government Secondary School, Odi, KOLGA, Bayelsa state where he was appointed Dining Hall Prefect and sat for his West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC) in 1981 respectively. 

Sen. Douye Diri

He got admitted into the then College of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers state where obtained his Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1985. Due to his passion for learning and education, Senator Douye Diri gained admission into the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers state where he obtained his Bachelor of Education degree in Political Science in 1990. After graduation, he chose to practice the teaching profession and taught in several government schools in the rural area in the Old Rivers state before the creation of Bayelsa state and later resigned his position as a teacher to pursue a stable determined career in politics.

As the Governorship candidate of the PDP, Senator Douye Diri is here to bell the cat and deliver the cargoes to the good people of Bayelsa state with an agreement between him and Bayelsans in order to advance common goals and to secure common interests of affinity and similarity. His theory of delivery is non-negotiable as he guarantees to produce a government of integrity for the good people of Bayelsa state and respect for divinity. He is the best man with the vision and capacity to govern Bayelsa state come 2020 if given the opportunity.

Senator Diri is like men that have seen all in terms of government and governance right from the creation of Bayelsa State. In the first civilian administration under Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, he was Executive Secretary of the Bayelsa Youth Development Centre (2000-2002).  In 2005, he was appointed Commissioner for Youth and Sports where he took Bayelsa state to the National Sports Festival at Abeokuta in 2006 under the leadership of former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan while as Governor of Bayelsa state.

Sen. Douye Diri

The former member of the Federal House of Representatives promised to shock those who misjudge him described himself as a principled person and that he is not going to be a stooge nor an underdog in the governorship race.  “It will be very clear to anyone in doubt about who I am, and what I stand for. I choose my friends and those I want to work with, and I desired to work with Governor Dickson and I am very satisfied working with him.” He also stated,

The son of a headmaster, who divinely defeated 20 other aspirants to emerge as the PDP's standard-bearer, is a man whose quest and urge for service is unrivaled. It all started at NDDC when many assumed him to be staff but a political ally and close aide to Chief Timi Alaibe with the vision to consecrate a government in Bayelsa that would be more receptive to the people

Sen. Douye Diri

A lot of people are finding it very difficult to break away from the norms of modern slavery of the unknown, but I say to you, break into the unknown and you will see the mystery of ‘Prosperity in Action’ because of Senator Douye Diri has enormously contributed towards the development of communities, sponsoring over 20 bills and moving a handful of motions to the benefit of his Federal Constituency while in the Nigerian House of Representatives.

Freedom is the goal of every human. It takes time and better readiness through adequate preparation to achieve by building structures and galvanizing constant ideologies that in turn liberates you from being a political prisoner.
Sen. Douye Diri & Mrs. Gloria Diri
Senator Diri also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be an open-minded umpire and that the security assistance should be professional during the election. "Our appeal is that the security agencies must be professional. INEC must remain an unbiased umpire. If there is that fair playing field, the opponents are neither here nor there to contest in this election. " He asserted.

Every living creature wants to be emancipated from the hands of the oligarchy. Your PVC is the weapon and power to liberate yourself from your distorted state of mind and the bondage and shackles of Bayelsa state political correctitude.

The public-spirited PDP Governorship candidate who loves to be at someone’s service pledged to engage and prioritize Bayelsans first before anything in various business activities that will define their identity. I promised to involve more Bayelsans in the economic activities of the state and pay greater attention to the issue of security. Our local economy is neither here nor there. The sitting governor has tried to bring in solutions in agriculture, trying to look at our comparative advantage and I intend to build on that. I want us to have a local economy where our people will be directly involved. Those are the things I will build on, but that is not to say we will neglect other sectors." He declared.

(L-R) Sen. Lawrence Owhrudjakpor, Mrs. Gloria Diri & Sen. Douye Diri

In fairness to serving and service, Senator Douye Diri was appointed the First National Organizing Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the foremost organization of the Ijaw Nation. He was council Board Member, University of Maiduguri from 2008-2012, Chairman, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Disciplinary Council, Bayelsa State (2012), Deputy Chief of Staff, Bayelsa State Government House (2012), Principal Executive Secretary from (2013-2014), Federal House of Representatives representing Kolokuma / Opokuma / Yenagoa Federal Constituency (2015-2019), Bayelsa State Central Senatorial district (2019--).

Don’t just sit and feel conquered. Join the struggle for the prosperity of the state today. Vote Peoples Democratic Party, become a member of prosperity train and deliver Bayelsans from unknown and greedy political imbeciles.
A Road Ride Sponsored By Omunate Odon For Senator Douye Diri
(L-R) Perekeme Kpokposei, Olazi Burutolu and Perekeme Odon At Peace Park

A Road Ride Sponsored By Omunate Odon for Senator Douye Diri

Saturday 2 November 2019

Lagos CDGN Elects New Executive Members

By Perekeme Odon

The Lagos State Chapter of the Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria (CDGN), which is the powerhouse of creativity in the Nigerian movie industry tagged ‘Nollywood’ comprising of production designers, makeup artists, costume designers and property managers on Thursday, October 31, 2019, elected and sworn in a new executive officers to run the affairs of the guild in Lagos state for the next two years.
Mrs. Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi
At the end of the election, the award-winning costume and production designer Chairman, Mrs. Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi and few other contestants were returned unopposed with a two-third vote cast on the contestants who are Ikechukwu Godwin (Vice-Chairman), Innocent Abah (Secretary), Blessing Awusi (Financial Secretary), Salome Oputa (Treasurer), Leo Omoseebi (PRO), Thelma Odozi-Fiberesima (Provost) and Uche Obiora (Welfare Officer).
A Group Photograph of Elected Officers 
The National Secretariat of the guild endorsed the election under the supervision of Mr. Stanley Orobosa (National Provost) and Miss Sandra Ejikeme (National Treasurer) of the guild who conducted the whole process.

The new chairman in her acceptance speech to the media thanked everyone present to witness and observed the election. She promised to do all the necessary things to uplift the guild in the state. “We will organize seminars, training, and workshops for our members. We have lots of members in Lagos state but what happened in the past really made members not to turn up for meetings or pay dues. However, we are going to let them know that things have changed in the guild because we are changing the narrative to bringing sanity in the state chapter of the guild.”
Chairman Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi Addressing Members and The Press
She went further to state that the guild stands for excellence and creativity in totality and corrected the impression of quacks in the industry. “We have professionally trained practitioners for every creative job. I want to see us working in synergy with producers, directors and professional practitioners as we did in the past with no divides or lines to achieve one goal. Most bad creative jobs you may see or watched are not from our members but quacks who believe they can try something since the industry is an all-comers affair for now until a proper regulatory body of membership is inaugurated by the government.”

She said the guild, which also believes in humanitarian service to mankind and humanity, had visited several motherless baby homes since inception in 2002 to contribute their own charitable assistance in one way or the other will go ahead and do more.
CDGN Lagos State Chairman, Mrs. Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi 
Mr. Tony Anih, former President of the Screenwriters a Guild of Nigeria (SWGN) who was present as an observer urged members of the guild to support the new administration and thanked the members for being calm and confidence reposed in him.


“I want to congratulate CDGN for been one of the calmest guilds in Nollywood with no faction of any sort. Your understanding and diligence have gone round the industry as a professional guild. All that I need from the newly elected officers is to reach out to every member, no matter the differences. The turn out is poor and CDGN been one of the pivots in the Nigerian creative industry is the creative hub of Nollywood with lots of departments in it. Even if we fight, we still have to come together again.” He stated.
Former Screenwriters President, Mr. Tony Anih Handing Over The Certificates of Return
Mr. Anih furthermore advised CDGN members to always ensure to support the executive in any positive ways they can in terms of attending meetings, paying their dues as at when due and whatever help they need to render. “The guild belongs to all of you and not just the executive. Some time ago, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) was factionalized, but today they have realized and come together”. He affirmed.

Present at the election includes Dennis Nkem Onyemeluonu, Perekeme Odon, Chibuko Ikechukwu, Stella Chikereuba Elumeze, Ezike Ebere Augusta, Nkiru Nwauzor and members of the press.
Prayer Session

Session Before Election

Mr. Tony Anih Swearing-in The Newly Elected Executives
(L-R) Provost Thelma Fiberesima & Fin. Sec. Blessing Awusi

(L-R) Charles Orobosa, Innocent Abah, & Dennis Onyemeluonu
(L-R) Charles Orobosa (National Provost) & Sandra Ejikem (National Treasurer)
Perekeme Odon & CDGN Lagos state Chairman, Mrs. Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi

Uche Obiora Presenting Her Manifesto
Mr. Tony Anih Advising The Newly Elected Officers
Former President, Screenwriters Guild of Nigeria (SWGN), Mr. Tony Anih
Charles Orobosa Counting The Votes
Leo Omoseebi (CDGN PRO)
Innicent Abah Presenting His Manifesto
Salome Oputa Conducting Her Accreditation
Uche Obiora Conducting Her Accresitation
Costume Designer, Nkiru Nwauzor

Vice-Chairman, Ikechukwu Godwin Presenting His Manifesto

Treaurer Salome Oputa Presenting Her Manifesto
Blessing Chikeruba Elumeze Addessing The House

Provost Thelma Odozi-Fiberesima Presenting Her Manifesto

Blessing Awusi Presenting Her Manifesto
Costume Designer Uche Obiora ( Welfare Officer, CDGN Lagos state)
Chairman Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi Addressing Members
Leo Omoseebi (CDGN PRO)

(L-R) Ezike Ebere Augusta & Salome Oputa
Award-Winning Production Designer & PRO Leo Omoseebi Presenting His Manifesto
Charles Orobosa addressing The House