Niger Delta
Tinubu’s Wife Celebrates Akpabio On Birthday
The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday celebrated the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, on his 61st birthday.
The first lady, while speaking during a grand reception to mark Akpabio’s 61st birthday at the International Stadium, Uyo, described him as an extraordinary democrat.
She prayed for Akpabio and commended him for the quality impact he has made in the lives of the people of Akwa Ibom State as a Governor, and now as President of the Senate.
“This event is not just a birthday celebration, but an occasion to reflect on Akpabio’s contributions to the growth of democracy and his developmental strides while serving as the Governor of Akwa Ibom.
“Under his leadership, Akwa Ibom State witnessed improved infrastructure and human capital development. He has also displayed exemplary leadership as Senate President”, she said.
The first lady further described Akpabio as a man of integrity that is committed to good governance and accountability.
She also disclosed that she will soon start giving old women across the nation N100,000 each through her National Programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
She said 250 aged women in each state across the nation would benefit from the financial support through the RHI.
She also pleaded with the wife’s of governors, especially those who are not with the APC, to support her mission in spite of political differences in order for good governance to get to everyone.
Thanking the first lady for gracing the occasion, the Senate President pledged his loyalty to the present administration under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
The Project Coordinator, Edo State Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)- Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise in Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), Mr John Omoruyi, says the project had contributed 20 metric tones of rice to the state food basket.
Omoruyi said this in an interview with The Tide’s source on Friday in Benin City, on the sidelines of a media tour on LIFE-ND projects in some communities in the state.
He said the yield was recorded from 15 beneficiaries in six communities across two Local Government Areas of Etsako Central and Esan South East of the state.
The Coordinator said 2,250 youths and women have benefitted from the project since 2021
Omoruyi, who said 30 beneficiaries were initially targeted on rice production in the state, stated that farmland of 15 beneficiaries were submerged by flood in 2022.
According to him, communities that benefited in Etsako Central included Oghomere, Oshomegbe, Udabba, Ugbekpe-Ekperi and Anegbette while Esan South East community is Illushi.
He said the beneficiaries were supported in the areas of production and processing rice seed multiplication.
“Rice production, processing and rice seed multiplication beneficiaries has been supported by the project with working capital to procure inputs such as FARO 44 rice seed variety, agrochemicals and fertilizers
“They were also supported with productive assets such as motorised knapsack sprayers from 2021 till date.
“Furthermore, 30 hectares of land development was carried out through tractorisation for these beneficiaries.
“10 rice seed multiplication beneficiaries were trained in the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan in 2021 for two weeks.
“The project is fashioned around the Incubator (trainer) and incubatee (trainee) model where there are already established big farmers with full potential across 10 local government areas in each state which comprises 100 communities.
“The youths from these 100 communities are trained by incubators for certain weeks, graduated and then supported in cassava, fishery, rice and poultry across the four commodities value chains.
“The overall goal is to realise a transformed rural economy in which the rural population can derive prosperity for equal benefit.
“Its development objectives are to enhance income, food security and job creation for rural youth and women through agri enterprise development on a sustainable basis in the region.” he said”, he said.
Niger Delta
Bipi Celebrates Gen Asabuja On Birthday
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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.
Niger Delta
Joint Provincial Council, East Of The Niger Salutes Diocese Of Evo
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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.