Niger Delta
Protect Lives Of Nigerians, Oshiomhole Tells FG
Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomohole has asked the Federal Government to live up to its responsibility of protecting lives and property in the country.
Comrade Oshiomhole stated this when he granted audience to the executive of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Edo State branch in Government House.
The Governor, reacting to the plea by the doctors to help provide security and stop the kidnap of their members said “this issue of kidnapping should be blamed squarely at the doorsteps of the Federal Government. The Federal Government must take full responsibility for the growing feeling of insecurity because under the Nigerian constitution the Federal Government has full responsibility for all security agencies. They have bluntly refused the state the right to have a state police and state security in order to contribute to the maintenance of peace and security.
They insist on retaining a monopoly in the management of security agencies”.
Comrade Oshiomhole however expressed his determination to tackle the problem by motivating and equipping the police in the state inspite of the state’s meagre resources.
“However with our very meagre resources, Edo State government has provided more than one hundred vehicles. We have also gone out of our way to procure communication gadgets to enable Edo State police command reach their men and communicate” he said.
Apparently irked by the doctors resort to strike when their member was kidnapped, Oshiomhole said “I ask you in clear conscience whether in your own judgement when you withdraw services because a doctor is kidnapped, do you believe that the kidnappers have conscience and feel so pained because people are dying and release their victim? I think what you have done is to end up endangering lives”.
The governor appealed to the doctors to carry out their civil duty by paying their taxes regularly as this is the major source of revenue for development in the state, adding that it is not the intention of government to single out any sector in respect of taxation.
On the effort of government in bringing health care closer to the people the governor revealed “virtually across the eighteen local governments, we are building what I consider to be first class health centre in all of them”.
He also disclosed that government would award the contract of a new Central Hospital in Benin-City within a week adding that when it is completed, it would meet international world standard.
Oshiomhole assured the doctors that the health sector will get a high focal point in the state’s 2011 budget
On the salary issue for doctors, Governor Oshiomhole said government had started the process of negotiations and when this is completed, government would take the appropriate action.
Earlier, the chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Phillip Ugbodaga had commended the state government for the development strides in the state.
Dr Ugbodaga also pleaded with the government to adhere to the World Health Organisation directive of investing 15% of the budget in the health sector.
Ben-Ose Ogbemudia, Benin
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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