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Niger Delta

Diri Wants East/West Road Completed, Renamed

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1 year ago

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Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, has urged the Federal Government to consider renaming the East-West Road in the South-South region to reflect its real location and status.
He also called on the Federal Government to ensure more inclusiveness in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to give the Niger Delta people a sense of belonging.
He stated these when he received the Minister of Niger Delta, Mr. Abubakar Momoh, and his entourage, which included the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Sam Ogbuku, in Government House, Yenagoa.
The Governor noted that the East-West Road had been in a deplorable condition for years.
Arguing that the nomenclature of the road, which criss-crosses all the South-South states, was a misnomer, Diri said, “I believe that is a wrong nomenclature. That nomenclature should actually be the South-South Road because it links all the six states in the South-South region.
“That nomenclature might have come in those days when Bayelsa was part of Rivers and they were part of the Eastern region, and when Delta and Edo states were part of the Mid-West region.
“Today, the story is different and I appeal that the Federal Government should change the nomenclature from East-West to South-South Road. That road is central to all the six states as it traverses all of them.
“Unfortunately, at the moment, the road is nothing to write home about. That is one of the reasons people of this region feel that we are being shortchanged even with all that we produce.
“With all that we bring to the federal kitty, what actually comes to us is more like peanuts. And often, when the peanuts come, there are some out there opposing it.
“We actually believe that in a federal system of government, regions and states should be allowed to exploit what is in their region and states and pay taxes to the federal government as that is the standard across the world”.
Diri, however, commended President Bola Tinubu for the appointment of Momoh and Ogbuku as the substantive NDDC MD, saying both of them are illustrious sons of the Niger Delta.
On the impact of the Niger Delta Ministry on the region, Diri asserted that there was need for more inclusiveness by the ministry.
He said its budget preparation and policy implementation should be made to address the challenges confronting the Niger Delta people.
“I like to bring to your knowledge that the Ministry of Niger Delta is too far from people of the region. Far, not in terms of location, but the people of the Niger Delta want to feel and own that ministry as their own.
“The current situation is that the people are alienated from that ministry in terms of budget preparation, in terms of policies and their implementation. The people are asking for inclusiveness.
“We believe that your coming will bridge this gap between the people of the region and the ministry”, Diri said.
In his remarks, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Momoh, said he was in Bayelsa to seek collaboration with the State Government on issues of development of the region, which included the completion of the East-West Road.
The Minister, who lamented the poor state of the road, described it as significant to the region, which is host to some of the nation’s strategic assets.
He solicited the partnership of governors in the Niger Delta region to tackle the region’s developmental challenges.
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Niger Delta

Bipi Celebrates Gen Asabuja On Birthday

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6 days ago

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February 19, 2025

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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.

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Niger Delta

Joint Provincial Council, East Of The Niger Salutes Diocese Of Evo

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6 days ago

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February 19, 2025

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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.

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Niger Delta

Okpebholo’s Aides Lead Cancer Awareness Walk In Benin … Offers Free Screening

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6 days ago

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February 19, 2025

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In a bid to promote cancer awareness and encourage early detection, officials of Edo State Government, last Thursday held a cancer awareness walk in Benin City.
The walk, led by Sally Suleiman, Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was organised in commemoration of World Cancer Day.
The event also brought other health professionals, civil society groups, and residents to emphasise the importance of regular screenings, healthy lifestyles, and early diagnosis in reducing cancer-related deaths.
The notable stakeholders, include the Coordinator of the First Lady’s Office, Mrs. Edesili Anani; the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole; and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Marie Bisi Idaomi.
Speaking at the event, Suleiman reaffirmed the commitment of the Edo State Government to strengthening healthcare systems and to ensure that cancer awareness reached all corners of the state.
“Cancer remains a major public health challenge, but early detection can save lives.
“This walk is part of our efforts to educate residents on preventive measures and available healthcare services”, she said.
As part of the initiative, she said her office would be offering free mammograms and prostate screenings to encourage early detection.
“We are not just raising awareness; we are taking action. Early detection saves lives, and we want to ensure that more people get screened before it’s too late”, she added.
Suleiman expressed gratitude to all partners and urged continued collaboration in the fight against cancer.
“This is not just a one-day event. We must keep the conversation going and ensure that people have access to the healthcare they need”, she said.
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