Niger Delta
Minister Urges Synergy On Environmental Protection
The Minister of Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed, in Calabar on Thursday called for synergy among maritime nations to protect the maritime environment.
Mohammed made the call at the closing ceremony of a joint sea exercise “code-named “OBAGAME EXPRESS 2012”.
The event is a multinational maritime interdiction exercise, designed to update countries in the Gulf of Guinea on the fundamentals of conducting policing operations at sea.
Mohammed, who was represented by the Minister of State, Defence, Mrs Olusola Obada, said that Nigeria like any other maritime nation, relied on the sea for economic, commercial and socio-cultural activities.
“It is quite true that no nation can effectively confront these challenges all alone because of their transnational nature.”
Mohammed said the situation called for synergy of efforts among maritime nations to protect their common heritage, the maritime environment.
He said it was in recognition of the fact that the idea must be commended.
According, to him, the exercise will further help to boost ongoing efforts to promote collaboration, cooperation between Economic Community of Central States (ECCAS) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“Nigeria will, therefore, continue to support any project that would help to combat the security challenges that are prevalent in our contemporary maritime environment.’’
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ola Ibrahim, said it was common knowledge that the maritime environment was increasingly threatened by security challenges, such as piracy, poaching, smuggling, illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and other transnational crimes.
Ibrahim explained that the exercise was aimed at assisting West and Central African countries to build capacity to combat the challenges.
“To this end, from participating in the exercise, Nigeria stands to benefit, particularly in the area of combating challenges in our maritime domain, thus paving the way for economic and social–cultural activities to strive.
“I believe the same benefits are applicable to all participating countries.”
Mr Joseph Stafford, the U.S,. Consular-General to Nigeria, said the exercise was very important as it brought together countries of the Gulf of Guinea and the U.S.
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.