Niger Delta
Imoke Condoles Journalists Over Death Of Colleague
Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has condoled with journalists in the state and the management of The Nation Newspapers over the death of Mr Kunle Johnson.
Johnson was until his death the Cross River State Correspondent and Bureau Chief of The Nation Newspapers.
In a statement signed by the governor’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr Omini Oden, Imoke said Johnson was an experienced and conscientious journalist who practised with a sense of excellence.
He said Johnson’s dedication to the profession was underscored by his meticulous attention to details, bias for investigative backgrounders and urbane writing style.
Imoke also recalled Johnson’s insightful and punchy questions during media briefings and most of all his sense of humour.
Imoke said the deceased was one of a few versatile journalists whose career cut across the two major genres of the electronic and print media.
“It is heart-warming to know that Mr Kunle Johnson lived up to the existing promise of a career he started at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in 1978.’’
The governor, who extended his condolence to The Nation and the family of the deceased, added that they should be consoled by Johnson’s professionalism and acts of noble service to journalism and humanity.
Similarly, the Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Cross River, Mrs Imah Adegoke, described the death of Johnson as shocking.
Adegoke stated this when she paid a condolence visit to the State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in Calabar.
She said that the death of the veteran journalist left a vacuum in the union and urged journalists in Cross River to bear the irreparable loss.
The LP candidate said that her visit was to further demonstrate her partnership and cooperation with journalists.
In his response, the Chairman of NUJ Cross River Council, Mr Eniang Ndem thanked Adegoke for the visit, describing her as a mother.
“Your visit has really proved that you are a mother and not a politician who is only interested in power.’’
Eniang pledged the cooperation of the council in the coverage of her activities during the campaign for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.
“As has been our practice, we will continue to give all candidates equal coverage irrespective of the political party they belong.’’
Johnson, 61, died on Oct. 1 at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital after a brief illness.
Johnson, popularly called KJ by friends and colleagues, hailed from Ilesha, Osun, and was a one-time Vice Chairman of the NUJ in Cross River.
He started his journalism career at FRCN, Ibadan in 1978, served as FRCN correspondent in Cross River before working for the Third Eye, Monitor and Comet newspapers at different times.
The burial arrangements announced by the family indicated that the body would leave the Anatomy Department of the UCTH for a brief lying-in-state at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, Calabar, on Oct. 14 before departure to Ibadan.
According to the statement endorsed by his sister, Mrs Yeyekemi Oshoro, on behalf of the family, internment will take place in Ibadan on Oct. 21.
Johnson is survived by an aged mother, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunties, professional colleagues and other relations.
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.