Niger Delta
PAP: Ndiomu Activates Loan Scheme For Ex-Niger Delta Agitators
The Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd.) has activated the PAP’s Cooperative Loan Scheme (PACOSOL) in line with his promise to transform ex-agitators to entrepreneurs.
The Tide learnt that the PACOSOL, weekend, began disbursement of loans to first batch of ex-agitators after sensitizing them on the conditions for the facility.
The Management Consultant, Presidential Amnesty Programme Beneficiaries Cooperative Scheme Limited, Zigha Ayibakuro, confirmed that the disbursement started in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and Benin, Edo State.
Ayibakuro in a statement in Port Harcourt on Monday said 573 beneficiaries completed their documentation in Yenagoa, Warri and Benin and would soon be credited with the loans.
The statement quoted the Chairman, Advisory Board Presidential Amnesty Cooperative Scheme Limited, Justice Francis Tabai, as saying that the initiative would help to create jobs in the region.
”We have been receiving this N65,000 for almost 15 years. What have we done with it? Now we want to organise the people into cooperatives so that they can do the business on their own and become employers of labour”, he said.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Ayibakuro said the scheme had put together a support system to guide the ex-agitators in their chosen ventures.
”To show commitment that we want you all to grow. If all of us decide to do what we ought to do, we will make progress.
“The loan is not designed to solve all your problems. It is meant to assist you to grow your business. We need you to work with us. There are other great opportunities that we can create for you if you succeed with the little we have given you.
“Growth takes time and you must realize that. It takes consistency, being focused and perseverance. We have put together a support service system to guide you to avoid common mistakes young entrepreneurs make”, Ayibakuro said.
Some of the beneficiaries thanked Ndiomu for fulfilling his promise saying the scheme would help them generate incomes and increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of their various states.
They described Ndiomu as God sent, insisting that his purposeful leadership has helped to transform their lives and assured him of their unalloyed support, while also calling on people of the region to stand with him to make the PAP work.
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.