Niger Delta
Udom, Diri Flag Off Maiden Dry Season Farming In Bayelsa
In the light of the ongoing second year in office anniversary celebrations of Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri’s administration, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel and Governor Diri at the weekend flagged off the maiden dry season farming at Otuasega community in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
In his flag-off remarks,Governor Emmanuel described his Bayelsacounterpart,as a selfless and pragmatic leader that has demonstrated leadership within two years in office,saying that he was happy to identify with Diri’s laudable projects and his effort to ensure food sufficiency.
“We cannot continue to rely on proceeds from oil and we need to lay a solid foundation to jumpstart our economy,” he said.
In his speech, Governor Diri stated that his administration has prioritised Agricultural development to diversify the economy of the state and ensure food security, noting that the government was focusing on rice,plantain,yam, cassava,maize, banana as well as fisheries production and exploring the processing and marketing the entire value chain.
He also hinted that the state government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Consortium of Companies under the African Atlantic Gulf of Guinea Fisheries Limited,saying that the deal when becomes operational would create 4000 jobs,train 2500 youths in fish farming and establish a boat building yard as well as a fish processing plant of over 20000 metric tonnes capacity, reiterating that the state-owned cassava processing factory at Ebedebiri Communitiy in Sagbama council area of the state would also become functional in about three months time.
The Bayelsa State chief executive said in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the state government has installed rice mills at the State-owned Niger Delta University(NDU), Amassoma and at the Federal University, Otuoke, just as he noted that the government has also provided seedlings to 2500 farmers in the right Local Governments of the state.
“ Agriculture is one of the pillars of my administration towards diversifying and removing our people’s focus from oil and gas and encouraging them to go into good production.”
“ I therefore call on our people, particularly civil servants and political appointees to return to farming and fishing on a commercial scale for local consumption and export in order to earn good money”, he said.
Also speaking shortly after conducting Governors Diri and Emmanuel round various Agricultural produce stands at the venue of an exhibition in Yenagoa,the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources,Chief David Alagoa described Bayelsa as having been endowed with several Agricultural potentials.
Alagoa noted that the Agricultural potentials of the state were capable of driving it’s economy when properly harnessed, noting that the state have has already commenced the production of fish feeds from rice ban, palm kernel cake as well as with other byproducts,this was even as the Commissioner called on the people of the state to venture into Agriculture as he noted that it is a major source of revenue in the entire world.
By: AriweraIbibo-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.