Niger Delta
A’Ibom Moves To Check Witchcraft Accusations
The commission of inquiry set up by Akwa Ibom government on witchcraft accusations, on Monday summoned the Village Head of Ibam Obot community to appear before it on Thursday.
It summoned the Village Head Chief Udofia Ekpo, Ediomo Akpan, Michael Jeremiah and some other members of Ibam Obot community to appear to testify on that day.
The summons followed testimonies by a 12- year-old child (names withheld), who was forced out of school on allegations that she was a witch.
The victim, told the commission that the village head stigmatised her when the matter was referred to him.
The commission ordered that the child should be kept in the custody of the Special Children’s Centre in Uyo.
The Justice Godwin Abraham-led commission was sworn in by Gov. Godswill Akpabio on on November 22.
In a testimony to the Commission, Mr Usen Theodre, the Proprietor of Fidel International Nursery and Primary School, where the child was a pupil, said that his private school had to shut down as parents withdrew their children from the school.
He said some parents took the action following allegations that one of the pupils was a witch.
He told the commission that he needed protection as members of the community had threatened to attack him because of their erroneous belief that he himself was a wizard.
Mr Leo Igwe of the International Humanist Movement, also addressed the commission and submitted further documentary evidence to support his earlier memorandum.
Igwe, in his oral presentation, said that he was committed to assisting the state government to end the child-witch syndrome.
“I have come here with the intention of helping to stamp out this menace and from my experience it is an issue that happens elsewhere and is not peculiar to Akwa Ibom alone,” he said.
The commission is at present receiving oral presentations from interested members of the public, who had earlier submitted written memoranda to it.
The panel comprises medical experts, lawyers, clergy and educationists.
The panel had the responsibility of recommending appropriate actions to be taken to protect children from being branded as witches and wizards in order to stamp out the menace.
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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