Niger Delta
Royalties Payment Excites Cocoa Landlord Communities In C’River
Cocoa landlord communities in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State were in a joyous mood as the State Government commenced payment of royalties to them.
The traditional rulers, stakeholders and indigenes of the communities were excited with the development during a stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting in Ikom.
The Tide source reports that the rents/royalties being paid to Etung cocoa landlord communities were for the parcels of land donated to the State Government by the communities to raise cocoa plantations.
Speaking at the meeting, Special Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade on Cocoa Development, Dr Oscar Ofuka, said the Governor was passionate about paying the rents/royalties owed the landlords as he had promised earlier.
He debunked the rumours in some quarters that government had refused to defray the debts owed the cocoa landlord communities.
According to him, the Ayade-led administration is ready to go the extra mile to ensure that the administration puts an end to the issue of debts owed the landlord communities.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Oliver Orok, appealed for calm, stressing that the strategy used to defray the debts remained the best.
Orok stated that the strategy provided an opportunity for the beneficiaries to decide whatever formula to be used in sharing their monies to them.
On his part, Chairman of Cocoa Landlord Communities in Etung Council Area, Mr Njar Ngor, confirmed receiving an alert of N12.5 million from the State Government.
Ngor, while calling for unity and peaceful co-existence among members of the landlord communities, said that they must learn to trust one another, especially those saddled with specific responsibilities.
“As a committee set up by our people, our mandate was to make recovery of rent/royalties owed the cocoa landlord communities by the State Government for the land they occupied.
“Many had accused us falsely of collecting money and embezzling it.
“I worked with the Federal Government for 35 years and retired meritoriously, without stealing. Is it from my community that I will now steal?” he queried.
Ngor noted that the money was trickling in into his account and more was still expected, saying that it would put to rest the allegations leveled against the committee by some members of the communities.
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.