Niger Delta
…Urges Support For Jonathan
The success of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidency is a collective responsibility particularly for us, the people of the Niger Delta the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has declared.
Addressing an enlarged meeting of the Executive of the Delta State Elders Council in Warri at the weekend, the governor said that the success or failure of Jonathan’s Presidency will not be attributed to the President alone.
According to him, as indigenes of the Niger Delta region, states of the South-South geo-political zone have a moral responsibility to support the administration of President Jonathan.
“It is our collective responsibility, not one person’s responsibility, but our collective responsibility as a people of the Niger Delta to give him (President) the maximum support”, he stated.
“And let me appeal that no person or group of persons should try to build a wall around the Presidency and from that wall, start dispatching stories that are not true as well as blackmailing people. If you push everybody away, it may not be to our benefit because the Presidency cannot succeed in isolation,” he added.
Governor Uduaghan affirmed that the state administration has enjoyed cordial relations with President Jonathan stressing that this dated back to when he was the Vice President of the country.
Besides, he stated that contrary to the impressions being created by some persons, the State through the active participation of himself and National Assembly members from the State, were involved in the emergence of the then vice President as acting President and President, adding that he remained unruffled by the actions of those painting negative pictures about how the President emerged.
Said he: “I have refused to be pushed away, Mr. President needs the Governor of Delta State and the Governor of Delta State needs Mr. President … I have easy access to Mr. President because Mr. President recognises that I am the Governor of a critical State in Nigeria”.
The Governor therefore cautioned Deltans against bringing the State and the Niger Delta region to disrepute in the eyes of other Nigerians, advising that all those who truly love Mr. President should collectively work for the success of Mr. President as well as the betterment of the region.
On the 2010 Governorship elections, Dr. Uduaghan commended those that have indicated interest saying that everyone has the right to aspire to contest for any office.
However, he warned that such right must be exercised within the ambit of the law in a manner that will not cause violence or breach of the peace in the State as the Government will not hesitate to deal with people that foment trouble in accordance with provisions of the law.
Earlier, the chairman of the Delta Elders Council, Chief Gabriel N. Sefia said that the Council was committed to ensuring that the Governor was re-elected for a second tenure come 2010.
Dignitaries and prominent politicians from the three senatorial districts of the State including formerDeputy Governor of the State, Evang. Simeon Ebonka; Senator Fred Brume ; Prof. Sam Oyonvbaire ; Dr Pius Sinebe ; Senator Francis Nwajei ; Prof B.I.C. Ijeoma; Prof Abednego Ekoko; Senator Stella Omu, attended the meeting.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.
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