Niger Delta
Imoke Restates Commitment To Service
The Cross River Governor-elect, Sen. Liyel Imoke, has assured the electorate of more dividends of democracy in his second term.
Imoke gave the assurance on Sunday in Calabar in an interactive session with journalists in his private residence after he was declared the winner of Saturday’s election as governor-elect by INEC.
“ln one sentence, we want every Cross Riverian to be far better than they were when we met them and when we came in, that is the intention,’’ he said.
He also commended the mass media for the effective and balanced coverage of the February 25 poll in the state.
“I thank you for all the support and the good reporting we have received. It has been very participatory and you have been balanced in your reporting.
“I want to thank the Almighty God for this day and everything, especially throughout this period that is truly historic,’’ the governor-elect said.
He said he had been involved in many elections in Cross River and could retire from politics and go into election consulting because he had done not just his own election but had been involved in elections since 1992 when he ran for the Senate.
“I ran elections in 1999, 2003 and then 2007, 2008 and now in 2012.
“It is very rare for you to have a situation where you run through all these elections and in all of them you come out a victor.
“And I think that for us it is extremely special, that is why we are particularly appreciative, and particularly grateful for the support of the people of Cross River for their affection, for trust and confidence and for the outpouring of affection,’’ he said.
“Its been tremendous and unprecedented and very rare that after so many years in politics, you go into an election and your margin of victory seems to get higher.
“Normally, no matter what you try to do when you are in the game and no matter how you try to serve the people, the normal thing is that in popularity rate you invariably come down when you go to public office.
“But in this particular instance, it appears that the reverse is the case. The margin of victory in this last election is probably the highest that we had in the state and in gubernatorial elections,’’ 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.