Niger Delta
Uduaghan Wants Police To Prosecute Erring Politicians
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has enjoined the Nigeria Police not to treat politicians with kid gloves but arrest and prosecute anyone found breaking the law no matter how highly placed.
The governor, who made the call when the outgoing Commissioner of Police in the state Mr. Yakubu Akali and the new Commissioner Mr. Ibrahim Tsafe paid him a courtesy call in Asaba, urged the Police not to see the political class as sacred cow so that there will be peace and sanity in the system.
Uduaghan charged the Police to be alert and do its job without fear, so that, the April election will be credible and acceptable to all Nigerians.
He promised not to interfere or protect any body found wanting, adding that criminals should not hide under the cloak of politics to disrupt peace and cause hardship for the people.
“Nobody is above the law and anybody who breaks the law should be prosecuted irrespective of the person’s position in the society. I am not going to protect anybody”, he said.
The Governor reminded the new Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Tsafe that he was bound to face challenges in the state, especially while enforcing the law.
He, therefore, urged him not to succumb to the ugly tactics of politicians but rather be brave and courageous to enable him succeed.
Uduaghan, who promised to continue to give logistic support to the state Police command, was optimistic that the new Commissioner will surpass his predecessor.
He described the outgoing Commissioner of police Mr. Yakubu Akali as a silent achiever who created unprecedented record in crime control.
According to him, Mr. Akali was in the habit of quietly carrying out surveillance alone in the state and the result of such exercise was astonishing.
“Mr. Akali has a unique way of monitoring his men and checking crime in the state and it was result oriented. He will just drive round the state alone in mufty and achieve result”, the Governor said.
In his remark, Mr. Akali said the three point agenda of the State Government spurred him to action.
He particularly praised the peace and security programme, even as he remarked that he faced a lot of challenges in Delta State but said humorously that challenges were for human beings.
Akali expressed appreciation over the governor for all the support and appealed to the Governor to extend the same gesture to his successor.
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.