Niger Delta
A’Ibom Confirms Receipt Of N2bn, 3,000 Bags Of FG Rice
The Akwa Ibom State Government has confirmed receipt of N2 billion and 3, 000 bags of rice palliatives promised by the Federal Government.
Governor Umo Eno announced this in Uyo yesterday, when he received the Palliatives Committee Report set up by the State Government.
The palliatives were part of the Federal Government’s assistance to citizens through various state governments to help cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
Eno said as part of the palliatives, the State Government would ensure that a project was executed per Local Government Area to create employment, reinvigorate the economy and increase cash flow within the rural communities.
He said the projects would be awarded to indigenous contractors from the respective local government areas who in turn, would recruit the locals to work and enhance their productivity as well as boost their purchasing powers.
He, therefore, tasked the local government chairmen to liaise with the State Executive Council to identify peculiar areas of need to be favoured by the initiative.
The Governor also urged the council areas to donate lands for the planned agricultural revolution by the State Government.
“What we have received so far from the Federal Government is N2 billion and 3,000 (units) 50kg bags of rice.
“We believe that the other ones will come. If the Federal Government is donating N5 billion, the committee has recommended another N5 billion, so what we have here is N10 billion as the estimates for the palliatives”, he said.
Eno tasked the committee to ensure that the palliatives were given to the poorest of the poor across party lines and to residents of the state, especially those residing in the rural communities.
“I listened to you in terms of distribution of the palliatives and I love the modalities you have adopted. Please this must be across party lines.
“It is for the people of the state and residents; the people living here, whether indigenes or non-indigenes.
“I am happy that you have clearly mentioned that as part of your report. Please, this is not a PDP or an APC thing.
“It is an Akwa Ibom thing and we should ensure that we drive this down as we go to the villages to distribute the palliatives”, he further said.
Earlier, Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the Palliatives Committee, Mr Enobong Uwah, thanked the Governor for setting up the committee.
Uwah said the committee’s recommendations would ensure even distribution of the palliatives to all residents, especially the poor and the needy in the state.
He said the committee had been painstaking in its duties and came up with measures that would ameliorate the effects of the fuel subsidy removal on all classes of people.
According to him, the committee recommendations include, a-three month financial support to civil servants, approval of four working days to civil servants, reduction in cost of daily tickets to transport operators.
“Other recommendations included reduction in price of daily tickets for market women, payment of bursary to students, provision of free drugs for pregnant women, children and the aged, provision of buses to convey workers to and from work, among others.
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.