A former Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Government on Security Matters, Boma Spero-Jack, has emerged Chairman of the Bayelsa State Elders Council (BSEC).

Mr Spero-Jack was elected on Tuesday in Yenagoa alongside other members of the council’s executive committee through a consensus process.

Alison Oguru emerged as vice chairman, while Benedict Guembe, Ezonebi Opubo and Andrew Oputa became secretary-general, assistant secretary and treasurer, respectively.

Speaking after the inauguration, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, represented by his deputy, Peter Akpe, urged the new leadership to remain objective and politically neutral.

Mr Diri said that the council’s wealth of experience placed it in a unique position to advise the government on critical issues affecting the state.

He stressed that the council’s effectiveness would depend on its ability to provide honest, independent and objective counsel.

“By way of reminder, the council needs to separate itself from partisanship, not only in politics. The council must hold these tenets to achieve success.

“The council’s role is to majorly advise. If it is engineering, governance, security, tradition and other fields, we have such experience among you,” he said.

Mr Diri also expressed concern that Bayelsa State people were gradually abandoning farming, trading and fishing and leaving such economic activities increasingly to non-indigenes.

He warned that the trend could increase capital flight and negatively affect the state’s cultural and political space if left unchecked.

The governor urged the council to advise the state government on measures to encourage youths to return to productive activities and preserve societal values.

He noted that efforts were underway to institutionalise the council through legislation, noting that a proposed bill before the State House of Assembly could provide the framework.

Mr Diri congratulated the outgoing and incoming executive committees, assuring that issues raised in the handover report, including stipends, vehicles and land allocation, would receive the government’s attention.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Spero-Jack pledged to build on the predecessor’s achievements and to support the government with seminal inputs.

He said that the council would provide consensus-based advice to government and collaborate with stakeholders to address challenges confronting the state.

In his handover address, former deputy governor and immediate past chairman of the council, Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), urged the new executive to engage with the government and address outstanding council issues.

He said that the council played its constitutional role as a non-state organisation by advising on contemporary issues and addressing members’ welfare.

Mr John-Jonah said that the council’s intervention after the devastating 2022 floods led to the establishment of a committee to examine their causes and develop mitigation strategies.

“The council also established four standing committees in 2023 covering agriculture, education, national affairs and security.

“The committees submitted reports and recommendations to the state government for consideration,” he said.

The immediate past chairman called for stipends for council members, permanent office accommodation and an official vehicle to improve its operations.

He thanked Mr Diri, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Samuel Ogbuku, and other individuals and institutions for supporting the council during his tenure.

Other elected members are Ela Douglas, financial secretary; Mathias Otuogha, publicity secretary; and Henry Domo-Spiff, auditor.

John Jonah, Austin Lugbenwei, Ebi Owotua-Efebo and Douyi Naingba will serve as ex-officio members. 

(NAN)