Niger Delta
Delta Returns 40 Schools To Missionaries
The Delta State government says it has returned 40 secondary schools to their former missionary owners with effect from September, 2011.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Patrick Muobaghare, said that 27 of the schools were returned to the Catholic mission, eight to the Anglican, four to the Baptist mission and one to the African Church group.
Muobaghare, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Asaba, listed the schools returned to the Catholic Mission as Mary Mount College, Boji-Boji Owa, St. Patrick’s College, Asaba; Our Lady’s High School, Effurun; St. Georges’ College, Obinomba;
Others, he said, were St. Martin De Pores, Onicha-Olona; St Roses Girls’ Secondary School, Ogwashi-Uku; St. Charles College, Abavo; St Vincent’s College, Okwagbe; Ebelogu Grammar School, Utagba-Uno; St. Brigid’s Girls’ Grammar School, Asaba.
The list also contained Okpalani Secondary Commercial College, Okpanam; St. Augustine’s College, Ibusa; Gbenoba Grammar School, Agbor; Notre Dame College, Ozoro; St. Mary Magdalene, Ashaka; Mater Dei Model School, Ashaka; St. Ita’s College, Sapale; St. Malachy’s College, Sapele.
St. Peter Clavers’ College, Aghalokpe; St. Kelvin’s College, Kokori; Ovu Grammar School, Ovu; St. Paul’s Grammar School, Ebu; St. Ambrose College, Usiefrun; St. Theresa’s Girls’ School, Ughelli; St. Brenda’s College, Bomadi; St. Joseph’s College, Ozoro and Agbarho Grammar School, Agbarho were also on the list.
Schools handed to the Anglican Communion, the commissioner said, were Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Asaba; Anglican Grammar School, Ubulu-Uku; Anglican Grammar School, Akwukwu-Igbo; Ika Grammar School, Agbor and James Welch College, Emevor.
Others were Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Ozoro; Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Ughelli and Owhere Grammar School, Okpara Waterside.
The Baptist mission, as indicated in the list, got back Baptist Girls’ Model School, Agbor; Baptist High School, Oghareki; Baptist High School, Orerokpe and Baptist High School, Eku while the only school to African Church mission was Ekakpamre Grammar School, Ekakpamre.
Muobaghare said NAN that all the processes of handing over the schools to the former owners had been completed and explained that that was the reason why his ministry did not admit students into class one of Basic Secondary School (formerly Junior Secondary School) for the 2011/2012 session.
“We have concluded the handing-over process. What is left is a formal and symbolic ceremony on it to be performed by the governor in any of the affected schools”, he added.
He admitted that some communities might not appreciate the rationale behind the return of the schools to the missionaries but sued for cooperation from such communities.
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.