Niger Delta
Delta Trains 100 Food Vendors On Hygiene
The Delta Ministry of Health says it has trained more than 100 food vendors in the state on the common principles of hygiene.
Dr Minnie Oseji, Director, Primary Healthcare and Disease Control in the ministry, told newsmen in Asaba, that the training was to ensure safety of the people.
Oseji said about 40 of them were trained in Asaba with 50 in Warri.
“You know that as Nigeria is advancing towards westernised culture, we have people who, because of their challenging schedule, have to eat out.
“And, in as much as we eat this food for nourishment, there is also the need to be careful because food and water can be sources of infection if not properly handled.
“And so, our senior environmental health officers mobilised participants and got experts to do a training in Asaba and Warri, and this is just a start.’’
Oseji said if the government could continue with the enlightenment annually, with time, every cook and food vendor in the state would learn the basic principles of food hygiene.
Meanwhile more than N650 million was realised at the foundation stone laying and fund raiser for the permanent palace of the Asagba of Asaba.
Newsmen reports that the chief launcher, Chief Uche Okpunor, pledged N585 million for the project.
The event was part of the week-long activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the coronation of the Asagba, Prof. Chike Edozien.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, who laid the foundation stone, pledged N2 million for the project.
He urged indigenes of Asaba to ensure that the palace was completed within the specified period.
Uduaghan, who was represented by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Victor Ochei, noted that the palace was a great challenge to the people of Asaba.
He urged them to allow the dream of building the palace to be realised, while also congratulating the monarch on the throne.
Earlier, the Asagba said the project was important to him, adding that when he ascended the throne in 1991, he realised that there was no permanent palace for the Asagba.
“This prompted me in deciding to build a permanent palace for the next Asagba who will take over from me when I pass on to meet my ancestors and this project will be for three years.’’
He called on the indigenes to rise to their responsibility in ensuring that the project was completed.
Edozien commended the state government for initiating developmental projects in the state capital, especially the ongoing Asaba International Airport.
According to him, when the airport and the dredging of River Niger projects are completed, Asaba will become a commercial city.
The Oba of Benin and the Oba of Lagos, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra and top federal and state government functionaries attended the ceremony.
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.