Niger Delta
Presidency Approves Safety Allowance For Ex-militants
The Presidency has approved the payment of housing allowance to all registered ex-militants who were rehabilitated in the Federal Government’s Amnesty training programme at Obubra, Cross River.
This was disclosed by Mr Lawrence Pepple, the Personal Assistant on Technical Matters to the Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan Mr Kingsley Kuku, in an interview with newsmen.
Pepple, who spoke at Obubra after the passing-out ceremony of Batch 15 of the Amnesty Training Scheme, said that the approved allowance was for “Transitional Safety”.
He said the allowance would end the protracted agitation by the ex-militants for the payment of housing allowance since the commencement of the training programme.
The personal assistant disclosed that the 26,358 ex-militants listed for the Obubra training programme would be paid the allowance, adding that more than 18,000 repentant militants had graduated from the programme, which started in 2010.
Pepple, however, could not disclose the amount each beneficiary would be paid, saying; “I am not competent to make such disclosure. At the appropriate time, it will be made public.”
“But I know it is different from the monthly stipend of N65,000. This one is called Transitional Safety Allowance (TSA) but some persons have been referring to it as housing allowance.”
He said that the president’s adviser on Niger Delta was already outside the country to collate the number of persons who had passed through the scheme so that they could be listed for the payment.
“Mr President magnanimously approved that the package should be paid to everybody who has passed through this process.”
“As you know, to whom much is given, much is expected. The President, therefore, directed that the money be paid directly to the beneficiary’s account and to only those who qualified in character and in learning.”
Pepple said that the President had also directed the amnesty officials to go to all areas where the ex-militants were being trained and announce the approval of the allowance to them and to collect their personal data for payment.
“As I am here (Obubra), the Special Adviser, Kuku, is in the offshore training centres to get the names of the ex-militants and their account numbers so that their monies will be paid directly to them.”
“So, once we finish this process, it will be made public in the media”, he added.
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.