Niger Delta
Sylva Raises Hope For Brighter Nigeria
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has urged Nigerians to look forward to a brighter country, this new year ,rather than being despondent.
Governor Sylva who stated this, in his New Year message while acknowledging some challenges in the past year both in the state and in some parts of the country, urged citizens to “look forward to a brighter country, where peace, prosperity and security would reign. “Let us hope for an end to the senseless fratricidal and sectarian conflicts that can only degrade our humanity and push us further down the abyss of poverty and underdevelopment, when we ought to be marching ahead with the rest of the world,” he advised.
On the successes recorded by his administration in the immediate past year, the governor affirmed that “we have done a lot in the areas of health, education, agriculture, power, commerce and industry.
“What remains is for us to tie up all these into a co-ordinative whole that would usher in the modern state of our dream. So that the work of the administration in the past four years will be manifest. This work of coordination and consolidation will be our focus in the New Year.”
On the political situation in the state, Sylva who pour inventives on his distractors explained that since the past year was the eve of elections, “it is only natural, there were disagreements in the process of agreeing on who should lead us.”
He however, lamented that “some players took the political bickering too far, often jettisoning decency and the rule of law. In so doing, they created tension and anxiety in the polity. “For me, the crisis we are dealing with is normal in our kind of society. What is important is not the disagreements, but how as a people we view our state and the direction we want it to go in the future,” the governor further stated.
He assured that the forth coming election will mark a major turning point in the state as it will usher in a leadership that will consolidate the gains of the past four years. “There are strong reasons to believe that 2012 presents us a new zeal to build on the foundation which this administration has laid,” he stated
Sylva thanked the people of the state for being steadfast and patriotic despite provocations “from our brothers and sisters who do not even live in the state, stressing “ the people of Bayelsa State need to realise that they alone can choose their own leaders”.
On the activities of terrorists in certain parts of the country, and the growing temptation among the citizens to descend into tit-for-tat hostilities, the governor cautioned against any reprisal action.
“As a people well enlightened by faith, tradition, and education, I appeal to every resident of Bayelsa State to remain calm, more so in the spirit of the New Year, and trust the effort of the Federal Government to resolve the issues,” Sylva pleaded.
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.