Niger Delta
Uduaghan threatens teachers, health workers over illegal fees
Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has threatened to deal decisively with teachers and health workers who collect illegal fees from students and patients in the state.
Dr Uduaghan, who gave the warning during a meeting with traders and market women in Asaba, explained that his administration has abolished the payment of NECO and WASC fees, and provided free maternal and child health care in the state.
He noted that a monitoring teams has been put in place in the Health and Education sectors to fish out any worker responsible for such illegal act, saying that he has received reports that some principals still collect WASC and NECO fees from students.
“The government is doing a lot to alleviate the suffering of our people through the different Health and Education programmes put in place, yet some of us choose to sabotage government efforts. Monitoring team has been set up and anyone caught in this illegal act will be dealt with” he said.
Governor Uduaghan enumerated the many achievements of his administration to include the micro-credit scheme, which has been used to empower Deltans, especially women, adding that the budget for micro-credit has been increased this year to help empower more Deltans.
He charged them to vote for PDP candidates in the 2011 elections to ensure continuity in the dividends of democracy enjoyed by the people.
“Vote for PDP all the way. With this we can empower you the more. Please use your positions as traders to tell the truth and not spread rumour.
In a welcome address, the Director- General of PDP campaign Organization in the state, Chief Paulinus Akpeki solicited the support of the women to vote for PDP candidates in the 2011 election to ensure continuity.
The Chairperson of the National Traders and Market leaders Council of Nigeria, Delta state chapter, Chief Margaret Amechi explained that the association has been in partnership with the state for so long and promised that they would give their support to all PDP candidates in the next election.
Also speaking, the state PDP women leader, Mrs. Georgina Eva highlighted the achievements of Dr. Uduaghan’s administration and called on the women to vote for continuity in Delta State.
Chief Nkem Okwuofu noted that Dr Uduaghan’s administration was women friendly having given 45% representation to women in his administration by appointing them to serve in different capacities.
“Dr Uduaghan’s government is women friendly, we (women) have worked in his administration, he has done a lot for women, especially through its different health programmes- free maternal care. It is better to vote for who we know that have worked for us than to vote for who we don’t know”.
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.