Niger Delta
Bayelsa Council To Investigate Yenagoa Market Fire
Mayor of Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Hon. Nimizuoa Uroupaye, says the council has ordered investigation to unravel the cause of the inferno that wreaked havoc on the Biogbolo community furniture market in Yenagoa.
Uroupaye stated this while speaking with The Tide on the sideline of his meeting with victims of the fire incident and the State Council of Non-indigenes in Yenagoa.
He noted that he had since directed the appropriate security agencies within the council area to commence findings and report same to his office for appropriate action.
The mayor reiterated his commitment towards ensuring the security of lives and property within the local government area, reassuring that as the chief security officer of the council, he was on an oath to protect lives and property of not only indigenes of the area, but that of everybody living and doing business in the council area.
“I’ve directed the O/C DSS of the LGA and other security operatives to investigate the cause of the fire disaster and report same to me for necessary action”, he said.
“This is my first official meeting with the victims of the fire disaster after the incident. But we’ll meet again before the week rounds off and then I’ll issue out a communiqué.
“I took an oath to secure lives and property of everybody living or doing business in Yenagoa council area. Nobody in this council area should be afraid”, he added.
Also speaking, the chairman of the non-indigenes association and South-South zonal chairman of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Chinedu, Arthur Ugwa, said following the timely intervention by the council boss and the leadership of the non-indigenes as well as using his position as the Ohaneze Ndigbo South-South zone, peace had returned to the place formally blocked by some protesters whose goods were affected.
Ugwa commended the chairman for his intervention, saying peace is golden, just as he pleaded that those affected be put back to doing their legitimate business to enable them earn a living.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Biogbolo Furniture Dealers’ Association, Mr Obinna Agha has denied the rumours making the rounds that mistake of his colleagues caused the inferno, saying a few days to the disaster an undisclosed number of persons from Biogbolo came threatening to burn the market.
He alleged that after the threat on a particular Wednesday, came the fire on Sunday the following week, calling on government to carryout proper investigation by bringing the perpetrators to book.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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.
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