Niger Delta
MOSIEND Urges N’Delta Stakeholders, Youths To Support Akpabio
The Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has appealed to stakeholders and youths in the region to support the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to enable him move the region forward.
MOSIEND said the call for support of the Senate President became imperative in view of the marginalisation the Niger Delta region has suffered in terms of socio-economic development.
The National President of the movement, Comrade Kennedy Tonjo West, made the call while speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of a town hall meeting held with Niger Delta youths and stakeholders in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Saturday night.
He said, “Irrespective of political affiliation, it is time for the people to rally round Senator Godswill Akpabio and play politics that will bring about regional development and community empowerment.
“No doubt, as people from the Niger Delta, they will not be shy to let him (Akpabio) know that the region did not get the best from his usual uncommon disposition as a minister; compared with his administration as Governor of Akwa-Ibom State whose achievements still speak volume of him”.
West, however, expressed optimism that Akpabio would do well in his new office as Senate President and use his position to facilitate socio-economic prosperity and development in the region.
“Being the number three citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria comes with a lot of goodwill which can only be achieved if the people are mature and wise enough to work together with Akpabio and attract meaningful development to the region during the tenure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, he said.
According to him, “Senator Akpabio possesses the credentials and charisma to man that office, and we are expecting high level of cooperation amongst our National Assembly members irrespective of political divide in order to maximize the opportunities that this government will bring to the table in terms of policies and reforms that are germane to our growth.
“We should not play party politics, but politics that will bring about regional development.
“We are expecting our senators in the red chamber to continually watch the back of the Senate President, advise and galvanize support from senators from other regions to throw their weight behind the Senate President.
“We are confident that he will use his office to attract development to the region.
“We will benefit more from working with him because he has friends across the divides; the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large will benefit because Akpabio is someone who likes unity, someone who doesn’t bear grudges.
“All ethnic nationalities should rally round him because there are good things to come. For us as MOSIEND, we have already accepted him as the political leader of the Niger Delta region.
“We also admonish him to open his doors for concerns from the people of the region.
“Every ethnic nationality in the region should be treated equally, and with him, President Tinubu government is going to get more of our support.
“As a region, we should try and tolerate one another, forgive one another, and the issue of pull-him-down syndrome which the people of the region are known for should be done away with.
“It shouldn’t come up in this equation because the man, Tinubu, is a serious minded person, and we believe that if we join hands with the Senate President, we will get the best from his government”.
MOSIEND promised to come up with programmes that would further deepen unity in the Niger Delta.
“In the days ahead, we are going to fashion out programmes that will further deepen the unity of the people of the region so that we can work together and benefit from the current administration.
“The governors of the region, senators, House of Reps members and all federal political appointees should give Akpabio the support he needs instead of running him down,” West added.
By: Chinedu Wosu
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.