Niger Delta
Body Unveils Elite Movement, Mulls Maiden Confab
Elites of Ogbia Kingdom in Bayelsa State have unveiled a new movement called the “Pan-Ogbia Movement” (POM).
The Tide gathered that Ogbia is a kingdom which spans across communities in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, with some communities in Nembe Local Government Area of the State and others some communities in Abua-Odual and Ahoada-West Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
Speaking with newsmen recently in his country home, Imiringi, one of the various communities that make up the Kingdom, former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and founder of the group, Chief Augustus Elliot Osomu, said the intent of founding the group was nothing far from the unity, peace and progress of the ethnic group.
He said the group has plans to hold its maiden physical sumit to brainstorm with a view to proffering solutions to problems allegedly inhibiting the unity and development of the kingdom.
The former lawmaker who currently serves as a Commissioner in the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC), noted that the Pan-Ogbia Movement comprises elites from the Ogbia extraction, all over the world.
Osomu said all willing and interested sons and daughters of the ethnic group both home and abroad are assiduously contributing to the development of the group upon their admissions as members.
The Tide reports that the Pan-Ogbia Movement is a social media based interactive and impactful discourse group consisting mostly elites of the Ogbia extraction.
“Very soon we’ll inaugurate a committee to work out modalities for our maiden physical submit where we’ll proffer solutions to some of our challenges as a people.
“Many of us have come to the notion that our fathers, our ancestors aren’t happy with us regarding the way and manner things have become with us as Ogbia people.
“So, the essence of this movement is to task us on rebuilding the almost lost unity, progress and development of the Ogbia ethnic nationality”, he said.
The Tide also learnt that the first Executive Governor of the Old Rivers State, the late Chief Melford Obiene Okilo, and former President Goodluck Jonathan as well as the present CEO/MD of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, amongst others hail from the Ogbia ethnic nationality.
Meanwhile, Chief Osomu has commended the aggrieved indigenes of the Kingdom who hitherto were in court challenging and defending the status quo of the acting executives of the parent Ogbia ethnic group’s body, the ‘Ogbia Brotherhood’ for willfully withdrawing the matter and resorting to out-of-court settlement.
He said he was convinced that the withdrawal was due to the mutual love the parties have for the ethnic group, saying it is the more merrier for the unity and progress of the Kingdom.
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.
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