Niger Delta
Anambra CP Lauds Group On Crime Control
The Anambra Police Commissioner, Mr Murktar Ibrahim, has applauded the efforts of members of the Anambra Vigilante Services (AVS) for ensuring that peace reigned in the state.
Ibrahim made the commendation Wednesday at the opening of a training programme for Local Government Vigilante Crack Squad in Awka.
The Commissioner, represented by Mr Austin Evbakhavbokun , a Deputy Commissioner of Police, said collaboration with the vigilance groups was the secret behind the calm witnessed in Anambra.
He, however, cautioned members of the security outfit to see the opportunity of providing security outside the police force as a rare privilege, stressing that “no one of questionable character is supposed to be part of it.
“It is a rare privilege for you to perform police function, even outside the Police Force, so you must make good use of this opportunity.
“If you excel, you will be rewarded accordingly, but where you fail in your duties, you will be punished. You must therefore not engage yourself in politics, Ezeship (kingship) tussle, land and debt recovery matters.
“Your job is to complement the police to ensure peace in this state at all times,” the commissioner remarked.
Chief Kenneth Okonkwo, the Coordinator and Consultant to the Police on Vigilante Matters, said that the outfit had been repositioned for effective security networking in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
Okonkwo assured adequate training and equipment to meet the demands of security challenges in the 21 local council areas of the state.
He added that the outfit had devised strategies for effective security monitoring.
According to him, about 30 vigilante men are expected to be stationed in all the local government secretariats, noting: “this idea will not be over emphasised because the issue of security in this state requires everybody’s commitment.
“This strategy will no doubt give a strong boost to the networking arrangement and will usher greater values towards a credible end result in making Anambra a crime-free state“.
Okonkwo said that the outfit would take advantage of the community policing organisations to prepare for the security challenges ahead.
“In fact the police force has been expecting strong commitment in the vigilante police partnership and putting it down alone in the hands of the communities can mar the objectives and hence for the local governments to show strong commitment”.
Chief Dazza Udeozor, the Chairman of Njikoka Local Government, who chaired the occasion, said the space occupied by the vigilante was vital.
Udeozor commended Okonkwo for the discipline and courage he had instilled in the men, noting that it had brought relative peace in Anambra.
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.