Niger Delta
Diri Assures On Collaboration With Airforce …Receives New AOC Mobility Command
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has restated the readiness of his administration to collaborate with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to improve security in the state.
Speaking at Government House when he received the new Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command of the Nigerian Air force, Yenagoa, Air Vice Marshall Ebimobo Ebiowei, Governor Diri said security was top on the agenda of his administration and would be glad to work with the Air Force to make the state more secure.
The Governor lauded the Air force for its contributions to the peace of the state and urged the officers and men not to relent.
He acknowledged that crime cannot be totally eradicated in any society, but that working with the Air Force and other security agencies has helped to reduce crime and criminality in the state.
He recalled the support of the NAF during the 2022 floods, saying the government was appreciative of its effort to ameliorate the suffering of the people though they were also affected.
The state’s helmsman also lauded the security agency for its role in ensuring peaceful elections in the state and urged the personnel to remain apolitical while discharging their duties.
“On behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State, I formally welcome you to Government House and the state. Let me thank the Chief of Air Staff who appointed you as the AOC in Bayelsa. You are the second son of the soil to head the command.
“I appreciate the Air Force for its efforts during the 2022 floods. Though you were also victims, you assisted the state and other victims of the flood. You showed that beyond security, you are compassionate and we hope to maintain that good relationship with the Command.
“For us, our agenda here is prosperity, peace and justice. Wherever there is injustice, whatever peace that is prevailing is temporary. So we must work on ensuring that there is justice”, he said.
“As I always say, there is no state where you can totally eliminate crime and criminality. Our desire is to bring it down to the lowest ebb.
“Today, Bayelsa remains one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria. We have worked closely with the security agencies and that has helped to reduce crime.
“Thank you for your role during the elections too. In the history of this state, no life was lost for the first time during the elections and we thank you. That was because you were neutral”, he added.
Earlier, Air Vice Marshal Ebimobo Ebiowei said the visit was to formally introduce himself to the Governor following his appointment as the Air Officer Commanding the Mobility Command in the state, and to seek areas of partnership with the Government.
He pledged his readiness and that of his men to cooperate with the State Government to sustain the peace and security in the state.
He recalled that he was one of the pioneer officers when the Command was established in 2011 and that his posting back to the state as the 15th AOC was a home-coming for him.
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.