Niger Delta
Four Unemployed Graduates Get N2.8m Loan
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Cross River State says it has disbursed N2.8 million to four unemployed graduates under the Enterprise Creation Fund of Small Scale Enterprise (SSE) of the directorate.
The State Coordinator of the Directorate, Mr Edem Duke, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Calabar on Saturday.
He said that the beneficiaries would be given N700, 000 each to enable them start and run their own business successfully.
“Yesterday, we disbursed N2.8 million to four beneficiaries under the Enterprises Creation Fund of Small Scale Enterprises of the NDE in Cross River.
“It is expected that the graduate youths will use the money to set up their business and repay back the money on time.”
The coordinator stated that the beneficiaries had been given a six month moratorium and were expected to pay back the money in two years time.
Duke said the graduates were trained under the Start Your Own Business (SYOB) programme of the Directorate.
“They wrote feasibility studies. We looked at the feasibility studies and organised an orientation programme for them at NDE office in Ibadan in November last year.’’
In a related development, Duke said that 100 unemployed youths were undergoing training on School on Wheels Scheme of the Directorate at Sankwala in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River.
He said that Schools on Wheels Scheme was aimed to train unemployed youths in the rural areas in different trades.
“At the moment we have flagged off the three months training at Sankwala, the capital of Obanliku.’’
He said the 100 youths were undergoing training in Hair Dressing, Fashion Designing, Carpentry, Electrical installation, Welding and Metal Fabrication.
“All the 100 youths are from Obanliku Local Government Area who requested for the training,’’ Duke said.
He said the Community or Local Government would have to request for training before the Directorate would carry the caravan to the area.
“The Community or Local Government Area will have to request for us to carry the caravan to those areas that requested for training programme.’’
Edem appealed to other Local Government Areas to take advantage of the programme to improve the quality of life of the youths in the areas.
He said that Abi and Ikom Local Government Areas had written to the Directorate seeking for training.
“The communities in Abi and Ikom local government areas have written to us. We are still in the process of finalising arrangement for the training using schools on wheels in these areas.”
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.