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Kattey: Abductors Yet To Contact Family …Pray For His Release, Amaechi Enjoins Christians
After days after dare-devil gunmen abducted the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North, Most Rev Ignatius Kattey, at the Eleme axis of the East-West Road, the kidnappers are yet to establish contact with the family of the second highest officer of the Anglican Church in Nigeria or made ransom demand.
The Tide gathered that all efforts by the family, the entire church and the Eleme community to reach out to the kidnappers have proved abortive, even as the Rivers State Government and the state Police Command have reassured that the revered Archbishop would soon be released.
While the state government had assured that it would do everything within its powers to ensure the release of Bishop Kattey unhurt, the police command has also expressed commitment to secure the unconditional release of the cleric as soon as possible.
The assurances are, however, coming against the backdrop of calls by the Lay Readers of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, and the people of Eleme, the bishop’s community, for the immediate and unconditional release of their kidnapped Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.
Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi assured yesterday that the state government would do everything to ensure the unconditional release of the bishop.
Secretary to Rivers State Government, George Feyii, who represented the governor during a visit to the bishop’s family, yesterday, assured that the government was working round the clock to secure the release of Bishop Kattey, unhurt.
In the same token, Police Public Relations Officer, Angela Agabe, told The Tide in an interview yesterday that police operatives were gradually closing in on the abductors.
Agabe said that fresh information on Monday night indicated that the kidnapped priest would soon breathe the air of freedom, noting that the police were combing all the nooks and crannies of the state in search of the bishop.
Meanwhile, lay readers in the Diocese of the Niger Delta North, have called for the immediate and unconditional release of Archbishop Kattey.
Rising from a prayer meeting at the Cathedral of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt, yesterday, the lay readers said that the criminality in the kidnap of the man of God was the height of national disgrace and embarrassment.
In a release signed by the Chairman, Diocesan Lay Readers Association, Sir Kelvin Obi and Secretary, Chris Okocha, described the dastardly act as a fight against God.
The association, which condemned the rising spate of criminality in the state, appealed to all Christian faithfuls to remain committed in prayers towards the safety of the Archbishop, and demanded for his unconditional release from the den of the dare-devil gunmen.
While expressing confidence in the efficacy of divine intervention in these trying times, the lay readers also called on security agencies to intensify their efforts towards the release of the man of God.
The lay readers, who numbered more than 150 at the prayer session, also prayed against darkness in the land.
Similarly, the people of Eleme have threatened to destroy roads, bridges, and other facilities in the area, if their illustrious kinsman is not released unhurt within 24 hours.
They issued the warning last Monday during a peaceful protest organised to press home their demand for the unconditional release of Archbishop Ignatius Kattey.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has enjoined Christian religious leaders to intensify prayers for the unconditional release of the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger Delta, Most Reverend Ignatius Kattey.
Amaechi spoke yesterday when he paid a sympathy visit to the family of Archbishop Ignatius Kattey at his residence in Eleme Local Government Area of the state.
He said his administration was doing everything humanly possible to ensure the unconditional release of Archbishop Kattey.
“This administration wants to assure you that, it identifies with this family because the kidnap of the Archbishop is a very serious matter and it has compelled us to identify with the family, and right now, everything is on track to ensure that Kattey returns to continue his assignment with God.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr George Feyii, Amaechi urged the family of Bishop Kattey to remain strong in their prayer life and trust in the Lord for His intervention and release of the kidnapped Anglican Archbishop by unknown gunmen.
Governor Amaechi further appealed to the kidnappers of Bishop Kattey to urgently effect his release to enable him continue his ecclesiastical call to the service of God and humanity, which he stressed, was for the benefit of all Nigerians and betterment of society.
Responding, wife of the Archbishop, Mrs Beatrice Ignatius Kattey while thanking Governor Amaechi for the visit prayed for God’s intervention and unconditional release of her husband by the kidnappers.
“My husband is a man of God that preaches peace, he believes in God and wherever he is, God is with him, we are sure he will be well, but he should be released”, Mrs Beatrice Kattey said.
Wife of the Anglican Bishop also expressed regrets over the security lapses in the state and called for serious concern and attention to avert future re-occurrences.
Also speaking, Chancellor of the Diocese of the North, Sir Emeka Ichioku in his vote of thanks expressed confidence that Archbishop Ignatius Kattey would return to his family hale and healthy.
Earlier, Chairman of Clergy Association of the Diocese of the Anglican Communion of Niger Delta North, Venerable Richard Okpara also offered prayers for the family of Archbishop Kattey and God’s intervention for his unconditional release.
Similarly, Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Godwin Gininwa has condemned the kidnap of Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger Delta and Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Ignatius Kattey, describing it as an evil against God and humanity.
King Gininwa in a statement signed in Port Harcourt last Monday wondered what the perpetrators of such menace would achieve by abducting God’s own servant in their quest for material wealth.
He called on his abductors to release him unconditionally because “Most Reverend Ignatius Kattey has spent all his life serving God and humanity”, saying that it was callous of such individuals to have kidnapped a servant of God of no mean repute, a second in-command of the Anglican Communion in Nigeria.
According to the Gbenemene Tai, it has become so sad, the present deteriorating security situation in the state, adding that only a few weeks ago, another illustrious son of Ogoniland, the Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Fred Igwe, escaped assassination.
King Gininwa, therefore, appealed to the police and other security agencies in the state to intensify their efforts for the release of Most Reverend Ignatius Kattey while maintaining adequate security in Rivers State, and called on all men of goodwill to also pray for divine intervention in the matter.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.
