Niger Delta
Only Mainstream Civil Servants Will Be Perm Secs In Bayelsa – Dep Gov
Bayelsa State Government has clarified that henceforth only qualified Directors in the mainstream of its Civil Service will be appointed as Permanent Secretaries.
The government also restated its commitment to prioritizing education, saying the sector remains instrumental to human capacity development in the state.
The State’s Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stated this, Thursday, during a courtesy visit by the Amananaowei, Chief Ojo Magbisa and the National Executive Council of Sagbama Federated Community in Government House, Yenagoa.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, the Deputy Governor stressed that government would not appoint civil servants working in parastatals, agencies and extra-ministerial departments.
The new policy, according to Senator Ewhrudjakpo, is to promote professionalism, efficiency and productivity in the state civil service.
The Deputy Governor, who appreciated the people of Sagbama Local Government Area for their continued support to the Senator Douye Diri government, noted that the present administration was poised to building infrastructure in the education sector to improve teaching and learning.
Reacting to the issue raised by the people of Sagbama on the low population of students at the Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro College of Education (COE), Sagbama, the Deputy Governor attributed the problem to its earlier status of non-accreditation.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo said now that the school has secured accreditation, management of the College should come up with what he called, market penetration strategy to increase student enrollment.
On the dilapidated and inadequate infrastructure in the College, he explained that as a matter of policy, theTertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) supports two state-owned tertiary institutions on infrastructure development annually.
According to Senator Ewhrudjakpo, the Niger Delta University and Bayelsa Medical University were the two institutions that benefited from TETFUND last year.
He promised that government would do its best to support the COE within limits of available resources.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo also spoke on the need for communiy leaders to assist in steming criminal activities in their domains, particularly cultism in the communities.
He used the occasion to urge incommunity development committee chairmen and other key stakeholders of communities to set up vigilantes, noting that government would support them with the Bayelsa Volunteers and community safety corps to enhance security.
In his remarks, President of the National Executive Council, Sagbama Federated Community, Mr Ebi Evinson, lauded the present administration for its support, particularly in the appointment of Sagbama sons and daughters in various capacities, and distribution of relief materials during the flood.
Mr Evinson, who made a number of requests from the State Government, urged the Government to consider Sagbama civil servants on directorate level for appointment as Permanent Secretaries.
The Caucus Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Sagbama Local Government Area, Hon Fyneman Wilson, Senator Foster Ogola, the Director General, Centre for Youth Development, Chief Ombu Okobokakpo, a former Commissioner for Finance, Dr Stephen Ogola, and the Community Development Committee Chairman of Sagbama, Mr Dwinson Ezuwe, were part of the delegation on the courtesy visit.
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.