Niger Delta
Group Recommits To Peaceful Coexistence, Unity
A socio-cultural group, the Ogbia Brotherhood (Worldwide) has said it was recommitted to the continued peace and unity of the Ogbia ethnic group.
Speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of an emergency meeting held recently in Ogbia town, headquarters of the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and traditional capital of the Ogbia Kingdom.
Secretary General of the Ogbia Brotherhood Caretaker Committee, Dr. Godswill Iboroma Ikuli, said the meeting was convened to once again reenact the unity and peaceful coexistence noted in and amongst members and communities of the kingdom.
He stressed that as against the allegedly pummeled misinformation in some quarters that the socio-cultural group was in comatose situation, the successful hosting of the meeting which witnessed massive attendance was a pointer that the leadership of the group was more than ever before willing to cooperate with all well-meaning individuals from the ancient kingdom to ensure an enduring peace and unity.
The Tide learnt that the Ogbia Brotherhood (Worldwide) is the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Ogbia ethnic group and that Ogbia Kingdom is predominantly in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The Kingdom, The Tide further gathered, has some communities in the Nembe Local Government Area of the state as well as some in the Abua-Odual and Ahoada-West Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
“The presence of the traditional rulers, political stakeholders, CDC leadership, the leadership of the Ogbia Brotherhood youth council, women groups, the Abuja and other branches of the Ogbia Brotherhood at the meeting is a testament to the fact that the Brotherhood is alive and not dead as some quarters have alleged.
“As Caretaker committee of the Ogbia Brotherhood, we want to reassure our people that we’re committed towards an enduring peace and unity of this kingdom pending when elections would be conducted to usher in a substantive leadership of the Brotherhood.
“We’ve a mandate as Caretaker Committee of the Brotherhood and we again want to assure our people that we’re still on track. We’re working and will continue to consult all strata of the kingdom to bring on board an elected executive of the Brotherhood at the appropriate time, God willing soon”, the Ogbia Brotherhood scribe said.
Ikuli, who also commended sons and daughters of the Kingdom over their en mass attendance at the meeting, called on all aggrieved persons in the kingdom to sheathe their swords, saying the Caretaker Committee of the Brotherhood means well for the kingdom.
“I want to call on all aggrieved Ogbia people to continue maintaining the peace noted for the Ogbia kingdom. The Caretaker leadership of the Brotherhood is working round the clock to ensure a smooth transition process in line with the mandate given to us by the Obanobhan in-council and leadership of the Kingdom”, Ikuli added.
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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