Niger Delta
Gov Supervises FG Palliatives Distribution In A’Ibom
Akwa Ibom State Government on Wednesday commenced the distribution of palliatives to the people as part of measures to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
The State Governor, Umo Eno, who supervised the distribution of the palliatives at the Government warehouse at Ikot Ekpene, Udoh, in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, commended the Federal Government for the donation of the palliatives.
Eno said his administration added N5 billion to the N2 billion and 100, 000 bags of rice earlier provided by the Federal Government as palliatives.
He, therefore, tasked the Local Government chairmen to ensure even distribution of the palliatives to ensure they got to those they were meant for.
“Please ensure that the palliatives get to the people in the villages. The State Government has added N5 billion to the N2 billion donated by the Federal Government”, Eno said.
He said as part of the cushioning the effect of the fuel subsidy removal, there would be reduction in price of daily tickets for market women, payment of bursary to students and provision of buses to convey workers to and from work.
The Governor tasked the committee to ensure that the palliatives were given to the poorest of the poor across party lines and to residents of the state, especially those residing in the rural communities.
He appealed to the Federal Government and the agency in charge to release the remaining tranche of money to the state as promised.
The Governor commended the people of the State for their understanding and patience with government since the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
Earlier, Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the Palliatives Committee, Mr Enobong Uwah, said 40 bags of rice would be shared to 2, 272 gazetted villages in the state.
He said security would be provided throughout the distribution areas to ensure smooth distribution of the palliatives to all residents of the state.
He listed Nsit Ubium, Nsit Ibom and Etinan as the first batch of benefiting Local Government Areas, while others would receive theirs thereafter at the designated places in various local government areas.
He assured that the sharing of the palliatives would be peaceful to all the poorest of the poor indigenes and residents of the state, and commended the Palliatives Distribution Committee for a job well done.
Uwa thanked the Governor for timely release of the palliatives and the over N5 billion state government’s support to the programme, describing him as a passionate governor, who had prioritised the citizens welfare in his programme.
In his remarks, the Chairperson of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the State, Mr Sunny James, warned against diversion of the palliatives, noting that it was meant for the poor in the society.
James commended the State Governor for the three months palliatives given to Akwa Ibom workers and solicited for more palliatives for the workers in the state.
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.