Niger Delta
Ex-Edo Commissioner Cautions NLC On Planned Strike
A former Edo Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Joe Atohegbe, has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to shelve its planned nationwide strike and protest against fuel subsidy removal.
Atohegbe made the appeal while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Benin.
He urged the Federal Government to live up to its responsibility by ensuring that the proceeds from the fuel subsidy were judiciously used for people-oriented projects. The former commissioner said that the subsidy removal would lead to massive investment in the construction of refineries across the country and for the repairs of the existing ones.
According to him, petroleum products will also be made available throughout the country, while at the same time providing massive employment to the teeming youths in the country.
“If each of the refineries, when constructed and maintained, employs about 2,000 persons, it will help in cushioning the negative effects of the subsidy.” While calling on government to hands off fixing pump prices of the product, he said that the prices should be left to be determined by market forces. The former commissioner called on the government to urgently privatise the existing refineries in the country. He urged the president to embark on massive reconstruction and construction of federal roads across the country and to improve power supply. Atehogbe also said that the availability of power in the country within the next six months would boost the economy and improve the living condition of the people.
Also speaking, a legal practitioner and investment banker, Mr Chris Eromosele, urged the Federal Government to channel proceeds from the subsidy to establish more refineries.
According to him, the prices of petroleum products will continue to go up unless more refineries are built across the country.
He appealed to Nigerians, especially the organised labour, to give the president and his government time.
Eromosele said that the president should be given six months to achieve positive impact on the subsidy removal. “If I were a member of the union, that is what I will advise, that is why I said Nigerians should exercise patience,” he said.
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.