Niger Delta
Govt Sets Up Reconciliation Committee On Odioma Communal Crisis
The Bayelsa State Government has constituted a 7-member Committee to look into issues causing hostility in Odioma Community in Brass Local Government Area of the state with a view to bringing lasting peace to the embattled coastal community.
The Committee is chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Alaowei Gideon Ekeuwei, while the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Biriyai Dambo (SAN), is to serve as Secretary.
The Tide reports that members of the Committee include the state’s Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Thompson Amule; Commissioner for Special Duties (East), Hon. Preye Broderick; and the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Conflict Resolution, Chief Boma Spero-Jack.
Other members are the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Mr Akpoebi Agberebi, and the Technical Adviser on Special Duties, Mr Richard Perekeme.
Constituting the Committee during a meeting with the leadership and some stakeholders of Odioma in Government House, Yenagoa, during the week, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, charged them to be diligent in carrying out their assignment.
He also mandated the Committee to separately meet with the two factions led by the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr Andrew Esau, as well as the Chairman, Odioma Council of Chiefs, Chief Munafa Marlin.
To leverage the Committee’s assignment, the Deputy Governor, specifically directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to work for the withdrawal of all cases directly linked to the current intra-community conflict in Odioma from the judiciary.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo also urged the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Romokere Ibani, who was represented at the meeting by his Deputy in charge of Administration, DCP Ofem Arikpo, to suspend the interrogation and prosecution of all those arrested recently until further notice.
Addressing the Odioma delegation, he called on the people to sink their differences and cooperate with Government in the interest of peace and development of their community.
The State Number Two Man, who advised the Odioma people to resist forthwith the temptation of arresting and counter-arresting themselves, however, warned that government would not hesitate to deal decisively with any individual or group that goes against the current peace move.
“Odioma Community is very dear to us as a government. You must forgive one another and cooperate with your Government to attract development to your community.
“If you continue to fight, who are we going to talk to and work with to execute the projects you came here to request for the other day? We are not going to recognize any faction and that is how development will elude you.
“We don’t want that. And that is why we are encouraging you people to complement each other instead of engaging in unhealthy competitions that only cause conflict.
“I’ve already told the Commissioner of Police that nobody should be charged to court based on the current arrests until we finish what we are doing. So, on your part too, there should be no more arrest.
‘Anybody who arrests again, the government will be left with no alternative than to declare you as a persona non grata and an enemy of the state”, he said.
In their separate remarks, the two factional leaders, Mr Andrew Esau and Chief Munafa Marlin, appreciated the State Government for the peace initiative and promised to cooperate with the Committee to resolve all the thorny issues affecting the peace and stability of Odioma Community.
Others who made contributions at the meeting included the Coordinator, Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps, Brigadier Gen. Eric Angaye (Retired), a former Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Chief Ambrose Akerite, High Chief Obed Waribugo and Mr Philemon Kelly Dickson.
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.