Niger Delta
Ewhrudjakpo Assures Businesses Of Inclusion In Subsidy Palliative …As Dep Gov Receives APC Defectors
The Bayelsa State Government has assured that modalities are being worked out to include traders and other critical stakeholders of the business community in the State as beneficiaries of fuel subsidy palliatives.
Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the assurance when a group known as Bayelsa State Non-indigenes Market Leaders visited Government House, Yenagoa, to declare their support for the re-election bid of Governor Douye Diri.
The Tide learnt that the group is a coalition of leaders of various business unions, including the Unified Traders Union, Igbo Traders Association in Swali, Kpansia Traders Association, and Butchers Association.
Addressing the group, Senator Ewhrudjakpo said the state government was deeply concerned about the suffering of the people occasioned by the impetuous removal of fuel subsidy by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.
To this end, he informed that the government had already lined up various economic packages for people of the state, including workers and traders to alleviate their hardship.
Expressing excitement over the visit, the Deputy Governor thanked the various business unions for coming together to identify with the Prosperity Administration and acknowledging its achievements in the last three years.
Describing the group as very credible and formidable, Senator Ewhrudjakpo noted that their endorsement of the candidature of Governor Diri would contribute greatly to the overwhelming victory of the Peoples Democratic Party in the November 11 Governorship election.
He said government would continue to prioritize security of lives and property to sustain the prevailing congenial environment for businesses to thrive in line with the prosperity agenda of the present administration.
Responding to some concerns raised by the business unions, such as multiple taxes, high toll on trucks bringing goods into Bayelsa, and the unwholesome activities of touts who parade themselves as government officials to defraud traders, Senator Ewhrudjakpo promised that government would look into all the issues.
He also assured that government would support the Swali Market Traders Association to conduct a peaceful election in the shortest possible time.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Non-Indigene Business Community, Mr. Anthony Olikagu, lauded the Governor Douye Diri-led Administration for its achievements, describing their relationship with the current government as smooth and unparalleled.
Olikagu, who applauded the administration for the peace currently enjoyed in the state, thanked Governor Diri for the several appointments given to non-indigenes and assured him and the PDP of bloc votes in the forthcoming election.
In their separate remarks, Sir Pius Akabueze, Comrade Jude Osigwe and Mrs Nkechi Dikibo representing Unified Traders’ Union, the Igbo Traders Swali and Kpansia Traders Association, equally declared unwavering support for the Governor’s re-election.
They, however, called for their groups to be carried along in the campaigns and sharing of palliatives, representation of market women in government, and checking of multiple taxation which contributes to high prices of goods and services in the state.
In a related development, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, weekend, assured defectors from the opposition APC from Wards 3 and 4 in Ofoni Community, and Ward 6 all in Sagbama Local Government Area, of their full reintegration to the PDP.
In their remarks, the Leader of the defectors from Ofoni, Mr Majane David, and his Ward 6 counterparts, Hon Asei Oweipade of Ossiama, Mr Solomon Otuku representing Ogbonugbene, Mr Stanley Moses (Aweigbene), and Mr Desmond of Egbepulu-ama, all regretted joining the APC and pledged to work for the continuity of the Prosperity Government.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
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.