Niger Delta
Bayelsa To Phase Out Okada Soon
The Bayelsa Government said it would soon phase out the operation of commercial motorcyclists within the state capital, Yenagoa.
The Commissioner for Environment, Dr Sylvanus Abila said in Yenagoa on Monday during a lecture at the 2012 Area B Conference of the Junior Chamber International (JCI), that the state government was reviewing its transport policy and considers the operation of commercial motorcyclists dangerous to human lives.
Abila, who delivered a lecture, entitled: “Securing Nigeria for the Future: The Role of the Youths’’, said that the youths had a responsibility to participate in governance in the task of building a better nation.
He said that the State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure had commenced the expansion of some of the existing roads as well as the construction of new ones to enhance internal transport system.
According to him, the administration of Gov. Seriake Dickson plans to procure commercial buses and taxis to operate designated routes when the roads are ready.
Abila said that the Nigerians youths must stand up and challenge governments at all levels to fight corruption and poor leadership for a better future.
The commissioner, who was a former Law lecturer at the State-owned Niger Delta University, advocated for free and compulsory education at all levels.
He said that the huge resource at the disposal of the Federal Government was sufficient to guarantee free education that would ensure quality education to all Nigerian youths.
Abila said that the governor’s vision was for a massive investment in the education sector to encourage the younger generation.
Speaking in the same vein, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Civil Society, Mr Tony Ileh said that youths in the state were being mobilised to be part of governance.
He challenged the JCI members to join in the vanguard to demand for accountability and development of key sectors of the nation’s economy.
Earlier, the National President of JCI Nigeria, Mr David Eka Jnr, said that the JCI had been involved in various capacity building training to build a future for youths in Nigeria.
He said that the movement had been working with government agencies and corporate bodies in organising entrepreneurship workshop for the youths.
In his welcome address, the President of JCI, Yenagoa, Mr Lawrence Berezi, called on interested youths in the state to come out and identify with the organisation.
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.