Niger Delta
Bassambiri Crisis: NASS Caucus Pays Solidarity Visit To Diri
The Bayelsa State Caucus in the National Assembly has said it will support the State and Federal Government in resolving the crisis in Bassambiri community in Nembe Local Government Area of the State.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Caucus, Hon. Fred Agbedi, stated this yesterday when he led a delegation of the members on a solidarity visit to Governor Douye Diri in Government House, Yenagoa.
Agbedi, who represents Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, said the visit was to lend their voice to ongoing efforts to restore peace to the community and ensure that the pepertrators were brought to justice.
According to Agbedi, “we want to thank His Excellency immensely for taking up the responsibility of ensuring that peace returned to Bassambiri. As your representatives, we feel that we must be in solidarity with you and not only to address a press conference in Abuja.
“We are your ambassadors at the national level and whatever happens in our constituencies and senatorial districts affect us. So when we heard of the crisis in Bassambiri we very disturbed”.
“We decided to pay you a solidarity visit as governor and father of the state, who has made tremendous effort to sustain peace in the state. Everybody can attest to the fact that you have brought total peace to Bayelsa State.”
Agbedi further stated that the purpose of the visit was also to thank the governor for setting up a commission of inquiry on the crisis.
He said they had taken steps to discuss the issue with the leadership of the parliament in order to attract federal government attention towards addressing the problem.
Responding, Governor Douye Diri commended the caucus for its intervention.
Senator Diri stressed the need for stakeholders at the state and the national level to work closely to ensure that Bayelsa remained peaceful and stable ahead of the November 11 governorship election.
“We want to thank you for the steps taken so far. There is some semblance of peace in the community but it is not yet uhuru. My charge to you is to seek ways of resolving the disputes in the area. If anybody is arrested for possession of fire arms, they should be charged to court rather than holding them in perpetuity.”
Speaking with Government House correspondents, member representing Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency, Marie Ebikake, allayed fears that the people of the community would be disenfranchised in the November 11 poll as peace would be restored.
Also, Senator Konbowei Benson representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District urged the Inspector General of Police to withdraw the Strategic Weapons and Tactical (SWAT) team from the community, noting that the heavy presence of various security agencies could escalate the crisis.
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.
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