Niger Delta
Okowa Urges Delta Warring Communities To Sheathe Swords
Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has called on warring communities across the state to sheathe their swords to pave way for sustainable development.
While acknowledging that there were many boundary disputes in parts of the state, he emphasised that there was a lot that would be collectively achieved under an atmosphere of peace.
The Governor, who stated this on Tuesday in Asaba, while receiving the report of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the Boundary Dispute between Ozoro and Oleh communities in Isoko North and Isoko South Local Government Areas, advised citizens and communities to eschew hostilities, especially ones associated with land ownership, saying no amount of land was worth the blood of any Deltan.
According to him, there is no amount of land that should actually lead to the death of any person whether the person is from Oleh, Ozoro or any other part of the state.
He assured that the commission’s report would be processed with a view to raising a White Paper that would permanently resolve the boundary dispute between both feuding communities.
“We will process both the findings and recommendations through the normal processes that it has to go through and we will be able to come out with a white paper as quickly as possible.
“We want to assure you of that, because the only way we can truly say `thank you’ is to ensure that the work you have brought forth and spent your time to be able to present the report today, translates to peace among our people of Ozoro and Oleh communities,” he said.
He commended the chairman and members of the judicial commission for turning in their report on time, and expressed hope that the findings and recommendations of the commission would help significantly in engendering peaceful co-existence in the two communities.
Okowa also expressed appreciation to the communities for presenting themselves before the commission and reassured them that his administration would take decisions that would positively be impactful on both communities.
“We do this by ensuring that we follow through with the processing integrity to ensure that we are able to resolve as many boundary disputes as possible.
“I must truly thank Deltans generally for supporting us as a government in partnership to achieve this. Only recently, we looked into the Okpe-Urhobo Forest Reserve crisis and today we are getting the report of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the boundary dispute between Ozoro and Oleh.
By: Albert Ograka, Asaba
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.
-
News4 days agoFubara Expresses Grief, Commiserates With Family Over Death Of Pa Edwin Clark
-
Business4 days ago
NCDMB, Starzs Gas Upbeat On Industrialisation …Unveil CNG Project In Delta
-
Niger Delta4 days agoUNICAL VC Institutes Scholarship To Reward Academic Excellence
-
Sports4 days ago
Aruna Eyes Title Defence, W’Cup At African Cup
-
Politics4 days ago
Alleged Free 2027 Presidential Ticket To Obi Misleading – ZLP
-
Featured4 days agoTinubu, Buhari, Others Mourn As Edwin Clark Dies At 97
-
Business4 days ago
Diri Laments Revenue Deprivation …As Mutfwang, Abbas Unveil Projects In Bayelsa
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
Okpebholo’s Aides Lead Cancer Awareness Walk In Benin … Offers Free Screening