It’s unheard-of Ijaw brides in Ijaw communities walking out of wedding ceremony without sticking out their necks for money. According to sources, it’s a tradition handed over to them by their grand moms from generations of time immemorial. The sources said the main reason behind this shadow behavior is to get it right if the suitor is capable of taking care of her when they formerly start to live life together. Spectators, they say, regarded this segment of the marriage ceremony as the main highlight of the social gathering as hilarious and splendid. As one can see nowadays, the bride wouldn’t smile until the suitor’s family, friends and invited guests stop spraying money at her satisfactorily before she can smile on acceptance. It’s said that some suitors for this singular reason, go further to dash their bride’s hero plane, cars, expensive household utensils and landed property for love. Meanwhile, eligible suitors are sourpuss about this tradition of old, saying that it’s driving girls and boys away from marriage on time. A little bird confidant hinted creeknewsweekly.com.ng believed that this is perhaps one of reasons behind the increasing rate of bachelorhood in Ijaw land and urged community leaders to act quickly before it’s too late while others said confidently that there’s nothing to worry about.

By Papa Austino In spite of the great pain in their heart over the recent death of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Ewhrujakpo Lawrence just before the Xmas, fun seekers in Yenagoa thronged hospitality joints on Xmas day. As early as 12.pm, they were seen in their groups around the Peace Park, Tombia round-about, Oxbow Lake and Aridolf Hotels axis of the state. Apparently, they were in the mood to catch fun right in their jam comfy clothes to match or in what they called nowadays ‘Yahoo’ dress. At these joints, hospitality biz owners make most of live musicians on stage to attract fans patronize their business. Inside, one notices fun seekers dance, hug, yell and exchange pleasantries with well-known celebrities over the time. At Tombia round-about, several Xmas fun lovers were seen wining and drinking in bars to rekindle their unforgettable memories while music entertains. While all this happen, food vendors also add color by yelling for customers to patronize snacks, meat, fish and drinks in a joyous and happiness state. John and Mary, classmates in High School, Lagos, quipped ‘’it’s good to catch up again with Mary right here in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital on Xmas day, pretty good’’, he said. The city also saw other entertainment groups such as Ewele dance troop from Sokolokobangosei, they sing and dance around town asking traditional Xmas dash if you’re generous giver. You can’t help to dance with them if you’re social butterfly. On that day, NTA Yenagoa also roll in socio-cultural show for children. There, they listened to folk tale stories by artistes with great dance funfair. Our showbiz man hinted that those who didn’t head out for live music entertainment opted out for close knit party at home instead chilling out. And of course, sales men in the high spirits of the holiday have decided to head out for short take of roadside shows to promote their new Xmas products. In fact, Xmas in Yen City was quite sizzling, and entertaining indeed. See ya next time.

I just need to vent and let it all out with you as another time of living the good life is around the corner per se. If you’re in funk, believe you me, let your frustration go, this Christmas type of holiday period is for you to be happy. It is hung ho, amazing, anywhere you go. You see people of different shapes and sizes exchanging greetings, pleasantries’, dancing, dinning and visiting must see sites scattered around the world. It’s a time of no enemies but is for friendship, joy and happiness celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. Christians and none Christians alike celebrate together either at worship places of God. Others are at close knit holiday in and around their houses or chilling at hospitality joints to merry. If I’m the ruler of this World now, I would have made a clarion call to everyone alive to live this utopian way of lifetime at their best¬¬ - no stress, hunger, pain, war and worries. At some other climes, like the Chinese people, it is the ‘Xmas time parents give out their boys and girls, men and women for marriage. They get them married at the same venue, time and date. It’s wonderful indeed! I will ensure that adequate and pragmatic policy and programs are embarked upon for the people to work at farm settlements to earn a living but remember, there will be no food for dull man, for everybody must be made to work and enjoy the spirit of ‘Xmas. A season almost everybody gives without grouse. Furthermore, I shall provide good health system both at the rural communities and urban centers around the globe for medical treatment should the need arise following man-made incidents. Surely, this type of good life isn’t easy to come by. All hands must be on deck so that the people are trained mentally, physically and spiritually strong to live such continued blissful life forever. They must be self-reliant and live above board in any their chosen profession they belong. Life is a choice thing. One man’s trash is another man treasure. There may be arguments against this form of status quo as humans, some may feel superior and snob others. A kind of hedonistic feelings you may say. I know some gullible politicians are likely to kick or oppose this type of compassionate lifestyle as they would like to rule society and dominate it with wealth. But who does not like to be happy? Everybody wants happiness, no doubtless! The holy scriptures say righteousness exalt a nation, but sin a reproach to anyone so anything that is good shall be done to maintain happiness. A people coming together to share love for one another is a joy to God Almighty for Christ came for this reason. It’s a pleasant thing at the sight of God b because he wants everyone to love one another in peace. Life is in comparable at ‘Xmas holiday whether you have money or don’t have, certainly one enjoys Christmas holiday always. There’s no life time like it. The best season in life, I think. However, some religion chauvinists would say their sect is better than Christians but I’m yet to see any religious holiday as popular as Christianity worldwide, prove me wrong. I stand to be corrected anyway. The bottom line of my position is that throw your frustrations at God. Jesus came; for he’s reason of our happiness and joy on this good period of life worldwide though some don’t celebrate it. Good luck to everyone.

Nationwide — Former First Lady Michelle Obama revealed why she chose not to wear braids during her years in the White House and how embracing her natural hair today represents freedom, confidence, and self-expression. Nearly ten years after leaving Washington, Obama is reflecting on her personal growth in her new book, The Look, coming out on November 4. The coffee table book highlights her evolving relationship with fashion, beauty, and identity through photos and stories from different stages of her life. Now 61, Obama says she finally feels free to make choices solely for herself. “This is the first time in my life when every decision I make is for me,” she told People. One of those choices includes returning to her favorite childhood hairstyle — braids. “It’s freedom,” she said. Braids let her swim, play tennis, and enjoy life without worrying about her hair. Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, she saw protective styles like braids as both practical and empowering. In The Look, she revisits those early experiences through personal photos and memories. But during her time as First Lady, Obama admits she avoided wearing braids in public. “I wasn’t sure whether the country was ready for it,” she explained. The CROWN Act, which protects against hair-based discrimination, hadn’t been passed yet, and she didn’t want her hairstyle to overshadow her role. That mindset shifted in 2022 when she wore braids to the official unveiling of her and Barack Obama’s portraits. “I wanted to send a message,” she said. “This too is an appropriate and beautiful way to wear your hair.” Her hairstylists, Yene Damtew and Njeri Radway, share that sentiment. Damtew said Obama’s choice to embrace her natural look celebrates identity and self-love. Radway, who has braided her hair for years, called it a shared moment of pride. For Obama, that expression is deeply personal. “This is what we understand about our hair, as women of color, that the way our hair naturally grows out of our head, is beautiful,” she said. “And if I want to wear it straight, if I want bangs, if I want braids, if I want them up, if I want to add a little color to it, let that be my business. Nothing is inappropriate.” <

Some recent political trends have raised eyebrows for Nigerians. Both the politicians and their supporters are coming out of the blue about it. While some are of the thought that politician’s defect to other parties is crazy thing to do, but others think it is genius idea. They, say, it is all aimed at grabbing power in 2027. No doubt, the political atmosphere spice up something like that. Although state governors of Delta, Akwa Ibom, Enugu and Nasarawa and their cabinet have defected to the ruling APC, but Bayelsa state governor SDD’ is different. He never made it public the party he’s defecting. This is making the people of the state flabbergasted somehow and seems crazy. Since the creation of the state in 1996, no governor has resigned to another party. Under rain or shine, they remain in the PDP though defection is allowed by the country’s 1999 constitution. It’s crazy because they don’t know where he’s defecting after they supported him so far, he came to power. They love and embraced him particularly for his developmental strides so for him to defect is a blow to them. They are thinking whether he could still fulfil his lofty political promises now that he has resigned and maybe later defects to another party. However, some think differently. His resignation from PDP is welcome and smart idea. According to this school of thought, Bayelsa state being one of top oil producing states in the country is only partially benefiting from its revenue resources from the Federal Government – the center government- as others who don’t produce the golden egg, the mainstay of the nation’s wealth. They believe that stepping aside the PDP would give Bayelsa opportunity to attract more rapid development at both rural and urban environments. This group view that belonging to center is better than staying outside the party that rules the nation. But the multi-dollar question being asked if the PDP never control power in the center? President OBJ, Yar’dua and Jona were there. Did anything spectacular change in Bayelsa than Lagos or Abuja? The bottom line still hinges on the gist that the drama of grabbing power in 2027 general elections. All of them -defecting or not- wants to make their relevance base on political appointments or representation to belong. One would not cow the electorates to believe them. They run to them always when it is for election, they are not consulted when crucial decision is taken. Fact is that politicians are not be trusted. Bayelsa state seems to be at the cross-road, no governor, cabinet, lawmakers in the House of Assembly are in disarray including local government council elected officers in EKELGA and KOLGA.

Fire has razed down an elderly woman’s shade, name not immediately known, in the Bayelsa state government-owned Ultra-modern Market, Swali, Yenagoa. Reports say property worth thousands of Nigerian naira was destroyed by the fire outbreak. However, no life was lost. Our correspondent said the fire started when a drum of “Kpo fire” collided with a wheelbarrow of roasted beef “suya” occurred as traders in the area ran helter-skelter to put off the fire. According to reports, the fire has burnt down the elderly woman’s shade before it came under control. Sympathetic passersby, however, appealed to the state government to provide a state-of-the-art fire station to avert future fire outbreaks in the market. The woman cried aloud over the loss of her property and appealed to government and philanthropic bodies for help Meanwhile, reports have it that the state government-owned market has turned to rot following the absence of renovation decades ago. By Joetex Warisuo

A care-taker committee has been inaugurated for the Swali Ultra-Modern Market, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state Those inaugurated are Elder British Amgbari as chairman, Mrs. Fortune Samuel Gwegwe member, Mrs. Slender Lucky member, Mrs. Dora Igolikumo member. Others include Mrs. Ngozi Oneyemara and Mr. George Uyaini as members respectively. Mr. F Borise, who stands in for the state Commissioner of Trade and Investment, Mr. Federal Otokito, said the committee became necessary following rancor among rank and file of the traders union committee tenure expired. The care-taker committee is expected to stay in office for 3-month and handover to a new elected executive committee. The out-going PRO, Comrade Okorie Felix John, however, commended the integrity of the out gone leadership to attain set goals.

Undoubtedly one of Africa’s biggest musical icons, Tiwa Savage is set for her second Ugandan concert on the 29th of July at the Lugogo Cricket Oval. Tiwa, who has often been dubbed the “Beyonce of Africa” announced the event in a video drop, urging all Ugandans to buy tickets asap. As an artist who has managed to permanently top charts for over a decade, Tiwa Savage’s discography is one to reckon with. The diva has taken African airwaves by storm establishing herself as the Queen of Afrobeats over the last 10 years. The Nigerian musician, songwriter, and actress has music that cuts across different generations with chart-topping hits like No Wahala, Koroba, Somebody s Son, Lova Lova, Romantic, Keys to the City, Kele Kele Love, Ma Lo, Eminado, Dis Love, Girlie O, Woju, Diet, All over, Without My Heart and more. Tiwa Savage is currently on her #WAG World Tour, where she has sold out major arenas in USA , Europe and Canada. Some of Uganda’s top divas will join Tiwa in an all female lineup of entertainers themed “Girls Run The World”. The concert will feature Cindy Sanyu, Winnie Nwagi, Vinka, Karole Kasita, Lamu, Sandra Nansambu, DJ Alisha, DJ Zato, Sheila Salta, Miss Deedan and a lot more.

The glamorous lawmaker hails from Odi community, representing Odi constituency 1 in the Bayelsa state House of Assembly. He is a 3rd term running lawmaker in the house. As a Speaker of the house then, he went through tough political engineering, a strategy plotted by PDP political leaders towards the 2019 governorship election of the state as at that time of the serious political hemisphere. The Speaker was said to have reached an agreement with Dickson and other PDP leaders to vacate his office in the event that Senator Douye Diri, who hails from his Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area, emerged the candidate of the PDP for the election. The superlative performance of his governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state and the need to give him a pat on the back in future elections has equally informed his decision to resign. He was eventually removed to give way for the 2019 governorship election. Be that as it may, the exquisite law maker is a fashion freak as his dress for work, trips, and social gatherings in and around the country like ex-governor Timipre Sylva does, now a Federal Minister of state of Petroleum. Hon. Tonye Isenah the lawmaker is admired and merry by all and his peers, very flamboyant to the core. He is a sizzling dresser in both foreign suits and other Nigerian fabric designer clothes. He is also a lover of soccer game as he organizes competitions for youths in his constituency regularly. He speaks English well, well cultured good material for Bayelsa to be emulated anytime, anywhere.