Niger Delta
PAP Wants NCS To Rescruit Ex-Agitators
The Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj-Gen Barry Tariye Ndiomu (rtd), has urged the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on the need to recruit graduate ex-agitators into its officers’ corp.
The Interim Administrator made the request during a courtesy visit to the Comptroller General of NCS, Col Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Ndiomu explained that some of the ex-agitators are very brilliant persons with either first or second class upper degrees in various fields of study.
He added that the young men and women are acutely disadvantaged because of the peculiar environmental challenges they are exposed to in the creeks.
He stated further that the lack of Internet facilities in the rural areas of the Niger Delta region is responsible for their inability to access information on recruitment exercises to the armed and civil agencies.
He noted that the ex-agitators are very disciplined and hardworking, hence they will be very productive as service men and women.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme helmsman further informed his host that the men and women he is recommending for recruitment into the Customs are patriotic and highly self-motivated, hence they shall not betray the confidence reposed on them.
In his response, Col Hameed Ali stated that the Customs will be fair to all irrespective of state of origin.
He, however, said the body is ready to partner with the PAP in future recruitment exercises, hopefully before the end of this administration.
“Though we may not grant the South-South any special concessions, efforts will be made to ensure the quotas allocated to each state is filled in addition to the mandatory four persons per Local Government model of recruitment already entrenched in the system,” he stated, promising also that the agency “will, as usual, be fair, just and equitable to all.
“We are always transparent in our activities so as to give equal opportunities to those who merit the chance to be engaged”, Col. Ali (rtd) said.
He also assured the Interim Administrator that the agency is willing and ready to assist with security services as its marine units are located in all the Niger Delta states.
“As my younger brother, colleague and friend, I wish you success in this new assignment because I know it is not easy working with people in civil space, some times you need to overlook certain imperatives for the benefit of the overall success of the programne. But bear in mind that your success is my success,” he said.
This is a call to serve your people and your country, so, serve with all diligence as we did in the military. Be a good ambassador of the military from where we all grew to the pinnacle of our profession”, he added.
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.