Niger Delta
MOSIEND Seeks N’Delta Rebranding, Marketing For Development
The Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has appealed to youths of the region to embrace dialogue, instead of confrontation to rebrand and market the region for sustainable development.
President of MOSIEND, Comrade Kennedy West, made the appeal in his remarks at a Leadership Retreat for Executive Members of the Movement, organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Uyo recently.
West called on youths of the region to stop oil bunkering, sea piracy and other forms of criminalities and work towards improving on the lives of the people.
The MOSIEND boss said there was the need for the youths of the area to device other peaceful avenues to agitate for the growth and development of the area.
He said the time has come for rebranding of the Niger Delta region to make it attractive for investment and charged youths of the area to work to acquire knowledge and skills that would help them contribute to the prosperity of the region.
He stressed the need for leaders and other organisations operating in the region to invest in human capital development.
“Everyday, the economy is dropping because of illegal bunkering and multinational firms are living the region in droves and they don’t want to come back.
“We need to change this narrative in the Niger Delta. We need to market and rebrand the Niger Delta. Only trained Managers and Leaders can bring this to fruition. That’s why we appreciate this retreat and we don’t take it for granted.
“We appeal to our brothers in the creeks doing oil theft to stop because it is old fashion. Yes, we want our demands to be met, we want the Federal Government to listen to us, but the approach is mundane, out of fashion and outdated.
“To jaw jaw is better than to war-war. We condemn illegal bunkering and appeal to youths of the Niger Delta to eschew thuggery and violence,” West said.
West commended the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board for the role it has played in building local content for the oil and gas sector in the country.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Simbi Wabote, said the Board, through its programmes, had taken steps to reposition people of the region to take active participation in the oil and gas sector.
Wabote, who was represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordinations of the Board, Dr Ginah Ginah, assured that the board would continue to be in the forefront of encouraging young people of the Niger Delta.
He said that the board would ensure an equitable distribution of benefits to the Niger Delta people as per what accrues to Nigerians in the oil and gas industry.
He stated that the training was organised to equip the MOSIEND executives of what the board was doing to enhance development in the region, stressing that development would only come when there is peace in the region.
“We have already achieved a lot. The incidences of blockage of Oil Company gates, and disruptions of operations have reduced very drastically. In those days, it was a daily occurrence, but today it has reduced drastically, partly because of the work that the NCDMB has done.
“We have a department dedicated to receiving petitions from communities. We have organised youths sensitisation workshop across the Niger Delta. We just did one in Warri, Delta state, before then we had done in Port Harcourt and Bayelsa. After here, we are going to Benin, then Ondo and Akwa Ibom,” Wabote said.
Wabote urged the executives to inform their kinsmen on what the federal government, through the board, is doing in the region to improve on the lives of citizens.
The Tide’s source reports that the retreat for MOSIEND executives is part of the activities of NCDMB to inform youths of the Niger Delta region on what Government is doing to enhance development in the region.
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.