Show Example In Leadership, Cleric Urges Nigerian Leaders

Published

10 months ago

March 25, 2024

The Tide

A clergyman, His Grace, Most Rev. David Okechukwu Onuoha, has called on leaders in Nigeria to show the right path for Nigerians to follow in order to build the country into a better nation.
Onuoha, who made the call, Thursday, in an interview shortly after presiding over the “2024 1st Standing Committee Meeting” of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) in Port Harcourt, said Nigeria as a country and its citizenry have what is required to make the country great.
“I think we have all it takes to be comfortable and happy in this nation. God has blessed us, but greed and corruption have not allowed us to appropriate those blessings”, he said.
The Most Rev. Onuoha, who is the President of CCN, continued that God has blessed each one of us with a gift, with grace to perform. Whatever little God has given to you, surrender it to Him, and He will transform it and use it to do exploits in your life and in the society. God has not left anyone without any gift”.
He assured the people that though things are difficult in Nigeria presently, better days are ahead.
“Things are very difficult in Nigeria as at today, people are passing through hardship, untold hardship. But we must continue to remain Christians, believe in our God, and have faith in Him, that this thing is just for a time, and for a season.
“Good days will surely come back from the presence of the Lord, and Nigeria and Nigerians will again rejoice in the Lord”, he stated.
Harping on the theme of the meeting, “What is in your hand”, he emphasized that Nigerians are blessed with honourable people to change the tide for the better for the country.
“God has blessed us abundantly”, he said, “Look at Nigerians, for instance, men and women of excellence. Wherever they are, they are excelling, strongly built to pursue whatever they lay their hands upon successfully.
“It’s true that there are a few people doing things that do not honour God, but essentially, Nigerians are men and women of excellence.
“God has given us hardship, God has given us vision, industry. It’s just for us to place those gifts before the Lord, and then use them effectively for the good of the society, and it shall be well with us’.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Chairman of CCN, host of the meeting, the Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu, buttressed the CCN President’s stance, saying the theme (What is in your hand) of the meeting is a clarion call for government and Nigerians to look inwards in order to salvage the country.
“The lesson we learnt there is that God can use any person or instrument, any endowment He has given to us to use to achieve anything positive for ourselves, our communities, or our nation.
“So, from this meeting today, Nigerians, the Christian community, God’s people were being challenged, we are still being challenged, to use whatever grace we enjoy from God, whatever privileges, position, opportunities, material wealth, etc. to serve God and humanity at a critical time like this in our nation.

Soibi Max-Alalibo

Fubara Approves N50m For Widows Of Fallen Service Personnel

Published

3 days ago

January 17, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced a N50 million donation to widows of service personnel, who lost their lives defending the country.

He announced the donation while addressing legionnaires and service personnel during the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Fubara said the donation was a gesture of gratitude for the sacrifices made by the deceased personnel and their families.

“The N50 million is dedicated solely to the welfare of the widows of our fallen heroes.

“The fund will help them address pressing needs, such as school fees, house rents, and support for their businesses, among other sundry matters”, he said.

The Governor described the Armed Forces Remembrance Day as an occasion to honour the bravery of the veterans, whose dedication helped secure the country and safeguard its sovereignty.

He recalled the evolution of Nigeria’s armed forces, citing their involvement in the First and Second World Wars, international and regional peacekeeping missions, the civil war, and current internal security operations.

“Throughout these challenges, our armed forces have remained resolute, defending our nation, maintaining peace, upholding our integrity, and ensuring the survival of our beloved country.

“Even today, our servicemen and women are on the frontlines, courageously combating insurgencies and other security threats.

“These sacrifices have come at a great cost, with thousands of soldiers paying the supreme price and many returning with life-altering injuries”, he said.

Fubara expressed his “heartfelt gratitude” to serving armed forces personnel, paramilitary officers, legionnaires, and the families of the fallen heroes for the contributions to the nation’s security.

He attributed the relative peace in the state to the collaborative efforts between the government and security agencies.

He urged Nigerians to honour the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives for the country, saying that such recognition would inspire the serving personnel to serve with dedication.

“We assure the people that we will continue to provide the necessary support to security formations in the state to ensure effective discharge of their duties”, the Governor said.

Rivers

Kelga Boss Tasks Residents On Peace … As Elele Community Holds Thanksgiving

Published

3 days ago

January 17, 2025

The Tide

Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA), Mr. Isreal Obosi, has urged the people to embrace peace and not allow political crisis in the state to discourage them from supporting the Governor Siminalayi Fubara-led administration in the state and Ikwerre LGA at large.

Speaking at the end of year annual service Thanksgiving, with the theme: “Celebrating God’s faithfulness”, in Elele Town, Ikwerre LGA, Obosi said the political problems ravaging the LGA and state is discouraging.

He said, “as a people we will continue to present those problems before God. So, be courageous. Again, we must not allow any problem to distract us from supporting the Governor Fubara-led administration in the state.

“When a people fail to realize the importance of God in their lives, they are doomed And such people and community are likely to face challenges”.

The Chairman stated that Elele Okiniali is the land that fears God and has many pastors and apostles. He called on them to continue to seek the face God in all the challenges in the LGA and the state.

He also urged the political class, traditional rulers, and religious leaders in the 14 Wards of the LGA to see themselves as part of this administration, stressing on the need for stakeholders to make constructive criticism when necessary, while assuring that he will give all the communities in the LGA equal opportunities.

Also speaking, the Paramount Ruler/Nye Nwe Ali of Elele, Okiniali/Elele Alimini, HRM Eze Marcus Ordumah Woyike, said since he is a peacemaker he has been working around the clock to foster peaceful co-existence at Elele Okiniali/Elele Alimini.

He said part of his peace-keeping mandate is to complement Governor Fubara’s peace initiative and effort.

“Those who know me very well know that I am a peacemaker. In fact, on the important subject of peace, I have heeded to the advice of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Indeed, my effort towards peace is to complement that of the Governor in the state”, he said.

Eze Woyike explained that as a monarch, who commences the meeting of his council of chiefs and elders with prayer, he would continue with this approach in 2025, assuring that the peace that prevailed in 2024 will continue in 2025 throughout his domain.

“My prayer is that the peace we experienced in 2024 at Elele Okiniali/Elele Alimini will continue in 2025, because when peace reigns there will be growth and development as well as progress in life.

“2025 will be another year of peace and prosperity for the people of Elele Okiniali/Elele Alimini, Ikwerre LGA and Rivers State at large”, he said.

On his part, the chairman of the 2024 Elele Okiniali thanksgiving service planning committee, Engr. Collins Amadi, said the 2024 thanksgiving service was the 3rd edition.

He explained that the purpose of the annual thanksgiving service was to hand over Elele Town to God through prayers and praises and bring the people together.

He lauded the chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Mr. Obosi, for his support and presence at the thanksgiving service, urging all Elele politicians who failed to attend the 2024 thanksgiving service to repent and attend the next edition.

Akujobi Amadi

Rivers

Suspected Cultists Kill Vigilante In Rivers

Published

3 days ago

January 17, 2025

The Tide

Suspected cultists have reportedly killed one Precious Nnamdi, a vigilante providing security in Ahoada Town, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers.

An eyewitness, who identified himself as Princewill, told The Tide’s source in Port Harcourt on Wednesday that the assailants trailed the victim before killing him.

“The cultists shot Nnamdi while he was patrolling along Hospital Road in Ahoada Town. They fired multiple shots, but the bullets reportedly did not penetrate him”, he said.

Princewill said after the gunfire failed, the gang resorted to using iron bars and sticks found nearby to attack the vigilante.

“The hoodlums struck Nnamdi repeatedly until he succumbed to the injuries and thereafter, they fled the scene”, he recounted.

The reports that the two dominant cult gangs in the area, Iceland and Greenland, have yet to claim responsibility for the killing.

SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the Police Command in Rivers, confirmed the incident.

“Precious was pronounced dead by doctors after being taken to a nearby hospital.

“The deceased has been deposited in the mortuary, and investigation into this heinous crime are ongoing”, she said.

Iringe-Koko further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has directed the Police Area Commander and Tactical units in Ahoada to ensure the swift arrest of the fleeing suspects.