Niger Delta
Diri Eulogises Alagoa At 90
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said foremost historian, and Emeritus Prof., Ebiegberi Alagoa, brought honour to the Ijaw nation and Nigeria through his literary works and examplary lifestyle.
Speaking in Yenagoa at the weekend during the 90th birthday celebration of the iconic historian, Governor Diri said his contributions to the development of the Ijaw nation, Bayelsa State, and Nigeria were remarkable, noting that his name has been written indelibly in the sands of time.
A statement by the Bayelsa State Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that at 90, Alagoa is an accomplished scholar not because of his literary works, but also because of the success in raising his children.
Governor Diri thanked God for not only keeping the nonagenarian celebrant, but for also granting him good health and prayed for more fruitful years ahead.
Describing his Nembe-Ijaw ancestry as a land blessed with intellectuals that have distinguished themselves in various fields, Diri expressed concern that Nembe had in recent times been in the news for the wrong reasons and urged the leaders to do more to restore peace to their area.
“We heard about Prof as children. Fortunately, I also passed through the University of Port Harcourt Faculty of Social Sciences while Prof was a lecturer in the Faculty of Humanities.
“So, this is a man who has projected the image of Bayelsa and Ijaw nation to the world and today, we are celebrating a giant. Not only are you 90 years, you are hale and healthy. You have equally brought up your children well.
“Sir, on behalf of the good people of Bayelsa State, we celebrate you on attaining this age. God has blessed you and we pray for more years in good health.
“Nembe, your ancestral home, should be one of the leading lights in Bayelsa State for producing great and exceptional intellectuals and academics. But, unfortunately, Nembe has been in the spotlight nationally for negative reasons in recent times. I therefore appeal to the leaders of Nembe to do more to restore peace in the area”, he said.
Earlier, former President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by King Amalate Turner, described Alagoa as an example of success and thanked God for keeping him in good health at 90.
Responding, Prof. Alagoa thanked the governments of Bayelsa and Rivers states for their support and all those who made the birthday celebration a success.
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.
-
News5 days ago
Rivers Begins Screening Of National Health Fellows
-
Business5 days ago
Total Energies Urges Right Policies, Environment To Attract Foreign Investors
-
Rivers5 days ago
Experts Urge Fubara On Youth Marine Safety Training
-
Opinion5 days ago
My Thought On St Valentine’s Day
-
Niger Delta5 days ago
Minister Lauds Diri On Health Sector Performance … Inaugurates Hemodialysis Centre In Bayelsa
-
Politics5 days ago
Osun LG Crisis: IGP Moves To Restore Normalcy
-
News5 days ago
Group Endorses Fubara For Second Term
-
Business5 days ago
Partnerships, Capacity Building, Panacea For Local Content Boost – Shell