Bayelsa Govt And Journalists’ Plights: A Lesson From Ovieteme George’s Benevolence
*Why Diri Should Restore Payment Of Monthly Stipend To Indigenous Newspaper Publishers
By Ebi Ozegbe
Unfortunately, we recently lost Mr. Isaac Ombe, a journalist per excellence, to the cold hands of death in a ghastly motor accident on January 30th while on his way to Ofoni community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to pay his last respect to the late Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Untill his untimely, painful demise, Isaac Ombe was the Media Aide to the Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Authority, Port Harcourt. Before then, Ombe had worked, as a senior Bayelsa State Correspondent, with several notable media outfits such as The Nation Newspaper, Verbatim Magazine and others.
His body was laid to test on Friday, February 20th, 2026 at his home town, Tuomo in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State amidst tears. Bayelsa, Delta and other states of the Niger Delta will greatly miss Isaac Ombe for his many years of critical and developmental reportage of the oil rich region.
Before his final burial, we were made to know that the Bayelsa state government graciously doled out some millions of Naira to the Ombe family to aid the burial arrangements of the departed prolific writer.
Ordinarily, the state government’s gesture is quite commendable as the funds released went a long way in easing the financial burden that comes with burial rites in this part of the world.
While we continue to mourn the untimely and painful passing of our dear colleague, Isaac Money Enugu Ombe, we use this opportunity to, once again, remind the Bayelsa state government and well meaning corporate entities and individuals that it is better to invest in the lives of the living than in their burials.
Although Ombe’s demise was accidental, there are many journalists, especially indigenous newspaper publishers in Bayelsa state who have died as a result of various curable ailments but could not get financial help from anywhere, not even the state government.
Their situations became worsened when the government of the then governor Seriake Dickson stopped the monthly stipend of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) which was approved for them by the first civilian governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of blessed memory and sustained by the administrations of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Timipre Sylva respectively.
It could be recalled that the former governor, Dickson, suspended the monthly stipend due to the global economic recession in 2016 which made it difficult for many states across the country, including Bayelsa, to pay workers’ salaries with a promise to restore the payment when the situation improves but he didn’t.
When governor Douye Diri came on board, the publishers heaved a sigh of relief, given that Senator Diri being a man who preaches prosperity and a private sector driven economy would restore the payment of their financial support but that has not been the case.
With the payment of the monthly largesse during the days of Alamieyeseigha up to the administration of Chief Timipre Sylva, the publishers were able to take care of some of their critical economic needs. Life wasn’t as bitter as it is for them at the moment.
Despite their thankless service, promoting government policies and programmes through their respective newspaper publications, the publishers have been left to their fate.
The likes of Chief Ebidouwei Egbide, publisher of The Dialogue newspaper, Chief Simon Ambakederemo, publisher of Crystal Express, Chief Evans Tubonah, the Golden Pen, Presidor Ghomoroi, Ijaw News, Mr. Abel Iyekorogha, publisher of The Goose newspaper, Major Dei Debekeme (rtd), publisher of Hard News, Ebiakpo Baale, A.M Times, Kingsley Ladein, publisher of Independent Recorder and John Ogbobio died due to paucity of funds to take care of their ill healths.
The legendary Elder Union Oyadongha, publisher of Banner News also recently joined the list of helpless dead newspaper publishers in Bayelsa state after a protracted illness that begged for financial assistance from the state government which, unfortunately, didn’t come his way.
As l write this piece with pains in my heart, Mr. Austin Bodo, publisher of Creek News is bedridden. He has remained in this precarious situation for years. What does it take a state government, which has been the greatest beneficiary of Austin Bodo’s critical, analytical and developmental publications, to fly the severely sick veteran journalist abroad for treatment if that could bring him back on his fit?
Papa Austino, as he is fondly called by his acquaintances and numerous readers, deserves to live, not just living but living the life that has meaning, devoid of excruciating ill health.
Indigenous newspaper publishers in Bayelsa state are indeed crestfallen with the manner the state government treats them with so much disdain. We are tired of reading well scripted glowing tributes in honour of our late colleagues who could not get help when they needed it most but neglected to death.
Here comes the Ovieteme George’s magic wand. If one man in partnership with a corporate organisation, the Tantita Security Services Limited, could bring succour to veteran journalists in Bayelsa state, it is no rocket science for a state government to pay necessary attention to the indigenous newspaper publishers.
This the government can do by constantly patronizing the indigenous newspaper publishers through placement of advertorials.
Again, I reiterate my call on the state government under the able leadership of governor Douye Diri to reintroduce the payment of the monthly stipend to the indigenous newspaper publishers to reduce their sufferings as they continue to professionally push for a better Bayelsa.
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