Niger Delta
Floods: Community Lauds Diri’s Concern
The Otuokpoti Community of the Ogbia council area of Bayelsa State has expressed their appreciation to the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, over his show of magnanimity during this year’s worst floods.
Speaking to The Tide during an assessment tour of the impact of the floods in select surbuban communities of Yenagoa, the state capital, the Acting Paramount Ruler of the community, HRH Rescue Orisa Abe, said that Governor Diri did not only physically empathize with the community, by donating money, but also provided them with succour in the form of distribution of relief materials and medical outreach through the State’s Flood Mitigation Committee.
He noted that aside personally visiting the community, all other flood impacted communities and wards across the Anyama-clan in which the Otuokpoti community is located, felt the governor’s magnanimity and empathy.
“The floods have come and gone, but surprisingly this year’s floods were the worst in decades. Our community and others across the Anyama-clan of the Ogbia LGA were severely impacted.
“However, truth be told. We’re not left alone to deal with the ravages of the floods. Look at my house, the floods badly affected me too, but Glory be to God, the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, accompanied by almost every Ogbia Son and Daughter in his administration, came inspecting the impact of the floods.
“The Governor didn’t only empathise with us physically, he gave money to the Otuokpoti Community and also gave another set of money separately to the ward.
“Apart from the relief materials the Flood Mitigation Committee brought, our people were also examined medically and treated by a team of medical experts brought by the committee.
“But information reaching me also has it that the Governor in his magnanimity reached out in cash and kind to all other impacted Communities of the Anyama-clan too in which our community, Otuokpoti, is located”, the monarch said.
Meanwhile, the father has again pleaded with the government and good spirited individuals to come to the aide of the community, saying erosion has continued to pose serious threats to the community.
He said sections of the erosion embarkment done in the water fronts of the community have begun withering away.
He, therefore, called on the government to nip it in the bud in order to control the worsening erosion before it becomes another traumatizing and deadly experience for the community.
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.