Niger Delta
HIV/AIDS: Delta May Lose Donor Agencies’ Support
Delta State may lose support from donor agencies in its fight against HIV/AIDS if it fails to change its committee on the disease to an agency at the end of this month.
The donor agencies had asked state governments, which had “committee’’ as body in charge of HIV/AIDS matters to change them to “ Agency’’ as a condition for sustenance of their relationship.
The agencies, including those owned by the UN, reasoned that “committee’’ was ad hoc while “Agency’’ was legal and permanent and gave the states till December 31, 2011 as deadline to comply.
The international bodies gave the ultimatum in the first quarter of 2011 and the change as required by them entailed legislation by Houses of Assembly of the states, to establish “Agency’’ for AIDS administration.
But the deadline, it was learnt, was extended to March 2012, for Delta, after it approached the agencies with a plea that it needed a few weeks to fully comply with the directive.
Our investigation, however, revealed that the issue of a law for the establishment of an “agency’’ for AIDS control in the state, the main condition given by the donor organisations, appeared to have been put at the “back’’ burner by the state government.
It was learnt that the executive arm of the government sent a bill to the House of Assembly on the matter in the last legislative year but the bill was returned for “ proper drafting’’.
“But from the time that it was returned and this moment, the bill has yet to be re-presented to the Assembly’’, a source at the Assembly said.
A senior official in the office of the Clerk of the Assembly, who pleaded anonymity, said “since the first bill on the matter was returned, last legislative year, no other one has been brought’’.
This position was further confirmed by the Project Manager, Delta State Action Committee on AIDS, Dr John Osuyali, who told newsmen that the returned bill was yet to be re-presented to the Assembly.
“We at DELSACA have done everything required by the donor agencies except the law to establish an agency for AIDS control, to replace the present committee in the state.
“And to facilitate the preparation of the bill for the required law, we made all necessary input into the draft early last year.
“Even, it was because we satisfied other conditions, leaving only the enactment of the law, that we got the three months extension of deadline, till the end of March.’’
Contacted, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Otumara, admitted that the state would lose donations from the international organisations if it failed to meet their conditions at the expiration of the extended deadline.
He declined to comment on the bill, only saying that his ministry would liaise with the House of Assembly Committee on Health on the issue.
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.