Niger Delta
Police Chief Warns Against Unauthorised Assembly
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Comand, Mr Sanni J. Magayi, has warned politicians to always seek police approval before holding political meetings.
Magayi who assumed duties recently gave the warning, Wednesday at a two-day workshop in Uyo organised by community policing partners towards 2011 successful and credible elections.
Represented at the workshop whose audience comprised all the stakeholders including security agencies, religious groups, civil societies, politicians and human rights activists, the police chief reminded the participants that the public order act was still in force.
HE disagreed with the workshop organiser who described the order as draconian, saying it is enforced in interest of the public to forestall chaos and anarchy.
Describing the workshop as both timely and a welcome development, the new police boss noted that no meaningful development can take place in the atmosphere of chaos.
He however, advised the politicians to stop over-heating the polity by playing the game by the rules. He also reminded them that policing was the responsibility of everybody but, however discouraged an attempt to arrest an armed fellow with bare arms.
According to him, whenever the public is faced with such a situation, the best option is to seek police assistance through proper information.
But he maintained that the success of 2011 election was a responsibility of all with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) playing the pivotal role.
The new Police Commissioner (CP) assured that the police would do its best to re-enact the 1993 conduct adjudged best so far;
Presenting a paper on “securing the respect for voters, human rights during elections; INEC Perspective”, the resident electoral commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Maria Owi maintained that effective monitoring of the voting process was crucial if voters’human rights were to be secured.
Represented, Mr Owi however said that securing the respect for voters’ human rights during election was a collective effort of all the stakeholders.
The representative of Nigerian Immigration Service highlighted steps being taken to fish out immigrant hoodlums who found their ways into the country through illegal routes, such as establishing of offices at every local government headquarters for their personnel.
He advocated increased funding and provision of working tools to enable police personnel optimise their service. On his part, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) director who was represented, attributed failure of some of the government policies to lack of sensitisation.
According to him, if any election in Nigeria must succeed, INEC must stop aiding and abetting rigging.
The chairman of the occasion, Chief Anselem Eyo advised all the stakeholders to carry out their work honestly and not succumb to temptation of taking bribe.
Eyo who regretted that voters’ human right was not justifiable in law, advocated that chapter 2 of the constitution should be moved to chapter 4 to make voters’ human rights enforceable.
Earlier in his welcome address, the MD/CEO of community policing partners, Saviour Akpan described the organisation as a catalyst seeking to bridge the gap of antagonism between communities and civil societies.
He thanked National Endowment for Democracy, Washington DC for partnering with them over the years to actualise this. He hoped through robust and unhindered discussions at the end the workshop would have achieved the purpose it was meant.
Eyo Akaiso – Uyo
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.
-
Opinion5 days ago
My Thought On St Valentine’s Day
-
Politics5 days ago
Osun LG Crisis: IGP Moves To Restore Normalcy
-
Business5 days ago
Partnerships, Capacity Building, Panacea For Local Content Boost – Shell
-
Editorial5 days agoSolid Minerals, Cesspit Of Corruption
-
Politics5 days ago
Diri Renders Stewardship As Jonathan, Others Grace Anniversary Celebration
-
Business5 days ago
LCCI Urges FG To Reduce Inflation Through Improved Petrol Export
-
Features5 days ago
A Farewell To Arms In Ogoni
-
Politics5 days ago
2027: SDP Advocates Principles-Based Alliances For Good Governance