Niger Delta
Senate Leader Floats Micro-Credit For Women, Youth
Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, has floated a micro-credit scheme for the empowerment of women and youths in his constituency.
Ndoma-Egba, who represents the Central Senatorial District of Cross River, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Calabar, last Sunday.
He said: “I have introduced a new micro-credit scheme which is just designed for women and youths to bring them together to form cooperatives and businesses of their choice.
“We have sponsored few groups and they have come to me to indicate the businesses they want to do and some of them are doing well.”
The senate leader added that he had earmarked some funds, specially for selected micro-finance ventures for women.
“A bank is already working with many women groups in the senatorial district and as I speak with you, money is already in CDS Micro-Finance Bank for that purpose. It is the bank that is managing the project.”
He noted that a lot of women and young people had also benefited from his scholarship scheme in the state, stressing that, “women and youths are the real resource of a nation.”
“It is not oil, not gold or diamond, it is humans that constitute the resource of a nation but how useful they become depends on the kind of education you give to them.”
“So, this young women and men are our resources, whether we will come out of the poverty cycle and consequent violence will depend on what we do with our young people and women.”
“There is a rental service by Etung women where they rent chairs and canopies for functions. That too is sponsored by me.”
He added: “Women are very important not just to me but to our political group. They were active in last year’s election.”
“We have designed a large economic empowerment programme for the women and I am sure the technical people are talking with women and assisting them on how to go about it.”
“Empower a man you feed a family but when you empower a woman you feed a nation. Anybody who ignores women does that at his or her own risk.”
The senate leader said that he was also constructing a water project in Akparabong and Ajidinkpong communities in Ikom local government area of the state.
He said that the project had been delayed because he wanted the NDDC to extend it to neighbouring Ajidinkpong community.
“I have been the one that have slowed down the project because I wanted the NDDC to extend the water project to Ajidinkpong.”
He added that the water project was 13 per cent completed, noting that only pipes were required for the extension of the project to the affected community.
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.