Niger Delta
Elechi To Enhance Capacity Of Ebonyi Workforce
Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, has restated his administration’s commitment to enhancing the efficiency of the workforce through capacity building.
Elechi made the pledge recently in Abakaliki at the opening of a three-day retreat for top government functionaries in Ebonyi.
“As you may recall, I emphasised in my inaugural address in May, 2007 that capacity building and public service professionalism will constitute policy touchstones of this administration,” he said.
He noted that the desire to uphold the commitment had led the government to formulate programmes and to embark on projects that would enhance the capacity of workers.
“This initiative led us to inaugurate and equip the ultra-modern Staff Development Centre to serve the training needs of various levels of our workforce.
“It is the same conviction that informed the on-going development of an ultra-modern state secretariat complex to afford the workforce the requisite environment and facilities for improved service delivery to our people,” he said.
Elechi expressed delight that the theme of the retreat, ‘’Leadership for Service Delivery’’ was apporopriate, noting that ‘’it remains one of the most recurrent and controversial concepts in public sector governance”.
According to him, the retreat is timely because many people, including top brass of the workforce, attribute leadership exclusively to the governor, which makes all governmental issues to be refereed to the governor as if we are running a sole-administrator.
“This further accounts for the buck-passing and refusal of top functionaries to take decisions on various issues before them.“
He expressed hope that the outcome of the retreat would imbue the participants with appropriate skills and shape their attitudes on leadership and decision making.
Dr Myles Munroe, a Human Development Instructor, called on leaders to formulate ideas that would enhance the capabilities of their subjects for an equitable society.
Munroe said that “Ideas rule the world, as the various problems being encountered in the world today would be solved with ideas that enhance human development”.
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.