Niger Delta
Diri’s Aide Reassures Media Of Partnership
The Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Daniel Alabrah, has re-assured media practitioners in the state of a more fruitful and robust relationship in the discharge his duties.
Alabrah gave the assurance, Monday, at the Ernest Sesei Ikoli Press Centre, NUJ Secretariat in Yenagoa, the State capital, during his visit to the leadership and members of the union shortly after conclusion of the Workers’ Day celebration.
He commended media stakeholders in the state for their various roles in informing, enlightening and educating the public on the programmes and activities of the Governor Douye Diri-led prosperity government, saying, journalists in the state have been constructive critiques of the government unlike what obtains in other clime states.
While promising that the parley would be periodic, the Bayelsa Governor’s spokesman hinted that his visit to the NUJ Secretariat would be monthly, noting also that through the planned periodic visits, issues affecting the union and members within his reach would be looked into, adding that his doors were open for media practitioners for fruitful and productive partnership in the line of duty.
“My visit today isn’t political, but just to say thank you for the partnership that has ensued between my office as CPS and the Media in the state. This is not my first time of visiting the State Council.
“As a Journalist appointed into Government as CPS, I think it’s only traditional that I pay periodic visits to my family, the NUJ, so that our relationship can be better understood. I want to promise that this visit would now be monthly, and so we could have more time to discuss issues affecting us as journalists together”, Alabrah said.
Speaking earlier, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, Comrade Samuel Numonengi, thanked the Governor’s image maker for his visit.
Numonengi restated the commitment of the NUJ leadership and members of the union in the state to partnering the Governor’s CPS and indeed the entire machinery of Government in the state for progress, calling on the CPS to remind his boss, and Governor of the state, Senator Douye Diri, of the need to periodically meet with journalists in the state for a more robust relationship.
“CPS, I want to thank you for this visit to the NUJ Secretariat today. This is your home and so it’s more of a home coming. We know you’ve been coming and also been partnering the State Council in the discharge of your functions as CPS and ours as practising journalists.
“But please, CPS, Sir, help us tell the Governor to meet with journalists in the state periodically. I think the last time he met with us was about three years ago. It’s been long. Meeting with us periodically would foster better and robust relationship”, the NUJ Chairman said.
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.