Niger Delta
Red Cross Launches Intervention For Delta Flood Victims
The Nigerian Red Cross Society has launched its intervention for 1,350 households affected by 2022 flood in three Local government areas of Delta State.
Speaking at the ceremony in Ewoma Primary School, Ivrogbor-Irri, Isoko South LGA, the National President of the society, Elder Bolaji Anani, said the benefiting households were selected from Isoko South, Ndokwa East and Ughelli South LGAs.
He said the three LGAs were some of the worst hit by the recent flood in the state.
He disclosed that the organisation plans to distribute relief items and cash to about 180,000 flood victims in 23 most affected states totaling 29,700 households.
“The first phase of the relief distribution is simultaneously being flagged off today, while cash distribution will commence on December 19, in Cross River State.
“The items being distributed today include 24kg of rice, 25kg of gari, 30kg of beans, 5 litres of palm oil and 25 litres of empty Jerry cans for water storage,” he said.
Anani also said that the organisation carried out the registration using prescribed selection criteria developed with members of the communities, which was used to identify the most vulnerable persons, who should benefit from the intervention.
“This was used to identify the most vulnerable persons in these communities, who are benefiting from this exercise today.
“As we continue to receive support, we will extend our interventions to cover the areas of needs,” he added.
Anani commended International Community of the Red Cross (ICRS), International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), British Red Cross (BRC), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) among others for contributing to the success of the programme.
In his address, the Ivrogbor-Irri Community Chairman, Mr Christopher Ebegbare, thanked the organisation for choosing his community for the launch of the distribution in the state.
He prayed that all those who contributed to bring succour to persons in his community who were affected by the flood be blessed abundantly.
On his part, the Isoko South LGA Chairman, Mr Victor Asassa, represented by Mr. Issac Omoyero, thanked the organisation for identifying with flood victims in his local government area.
Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke with The Tide’s source, thanked the Nigerian Red Cross Society for the gesture, which they described as unprecedented.
Miss Saviour Akpuvie, a 12-year-old orphan, who expressed her joy after receiving the items, noted that the foodstuffs would go a long way in sustaining herself and her two siblings.
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.