Niger Delta
Former LG Boss Joins Bayelsa Governorship Race
A former Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa, Mr Boloubo Orufa has declared his intention to contest the 2012 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Orufa, who made his intention known in the Kpnasia suburb of Yenagoa on Monday during a news conference at Bay Bridge Road, said his ‘Redemption Movement’ has a six-point action plan for the restoration and transformation of Bayelsa.
Orufa gave assurance that his vision as the governorship candidate for the 2012 elections in Bayelsa would usher in a people-oriented government that would transform the state’s political, social and economic landscape.
“Our aim is to bring about transformation through collective participation and contribution of Bayelsans who strive
for excellence,” he said.
He said his administration would embrace transparency and accountability as well as aggressively pursue budget
implementation and the implementation of the Yenagoa master plan.
Other programmes that would be cardinal to the administration, if elected, he said, would include rural integration and development, construction of roads in the three senatorial districts, improved infrastructure in education, health, public housing, stimulation of the economy and job creation through industrialisation.
The former council boss added that his core objectives would include the repositioning of the state to earn
the peoples’ hope, trust and confidence.
He also promised the populace that there would be mobilisation for good governance, social justice, peace, security.
He said he would embrace team work to engender sustainable political, social, economic and cultural growth, just as he pledged to use government money to develop all parts of the state.
Orufa listed his six-point agenda as peace and security; restoring excellence in education and capacity
development; sustainable health care delivery and social development; transforming the economy to wealth creation.
Others are building basic infrastructures; capital city master plan implementation and rural development.
The 44-year-old politician said he would ensure that government policies were based on the demands of the citizenry with a view to satisfying their yearnings.
While answering questions from newsmen, Orufa said that he would diversify the economy to embrace industrialisation and boosting of the state’s agricultural sub-sector.
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.