Niger Delta
Diri Takes Campaigns To Home LG …Promises Link Road To Igbedi Community
Governor of Bayelsa State and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the November 11, 2023 off-cycle governorship election in Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Friday stormed his native Local Government Area, Kolokuma/Opokuma for his re-electioneering campaigns.
Speaking at Igbedi Community, home town of his wife and First Lady of the State, Dr. Gloria Diri, the Governor promised to construct a linking road from Kaiama Town, the Headquarters of the Local Government Area, to the community.
He said though he had earlier constructed a link road from the Amassoma and Ogobiri axis of the Bayelsa State International Airport to the community, he would also construct another link road directly from Kaiama to properly link the community with sister communities within the Local Government Area, along the East-West Road axis of the state, amongst other infrastructural projects.
The Tide, which monitored the campaigns, reports that the Governor also took his campaigns to Okoloba, Opokuma and Sabagreia (Seibokoragha) communities, all in the Constituency two of the Kolokuma/Opokuma area of of the state.
Governor Diri also promised to fast-track the construction of the ongoing Polaku-Sabagreia link road and bridge, saying as a son of the Local Government Area, no other governorship candidate understands the problems and yearnings of his people better than him.
Commenting on the faith of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11 governorship election, Chief Timipre Sylva, the Bayelsa Chief Executive said the APC candidate remained disqualified based on the first amended list of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Those whose names have been delisted by amendment number one of INEC can no longer sleep. They will continue to have sleepless nights.
“In our second tenure, the other road that will be important to Bayelsa and even the people of Delta State and for the use of our airport will be to connect Igbedi to Kaiama. That will be the next project we will embark upon in our next tenure”, Governor Diri said.
He urged the Bayelsa electorate not to waste their votes on a party that is not on the ballot, noting further that he was not in the Local Government Area to campaign, nothing that the projects of his administration in the Communities of the area were evident of his efforts.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the PDP gubernatorial elections campaign council, and member representing Ogbia Federal Constituency of the state, Hon. Mitema Obordor, described Governor Diri as God sent to the state.
Obordor called on the people of the Local Government Area to work for and protect their own chances of retaining the Governor who he described as their son.
The campaign Director-General noted that the PDP and the Governor were not in the Local Government Area to campaign, but to inform them that it was their duty to protect their own as Governor come November 11th, 2023.
In same vein, wife of the Governor, who is from the Local Government Area, thanked the people of the area for the rousing welcome accorded her husband and the support given him over the years, urging them not to relent.
Earlier, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, Iselema Gbaranbiri, expressed appreciation to the Governor for the administration’s projects in the Local Government Area, assuring the State’s Chief Executive of total support of the communities of the area in the forthcoming November 11, 2023 election.
The Tide reports that highpoints of the campaign were the inauguration of some projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Diri, and the observation of a minute silence in honour of Mr. Peremobowei Tukuwei, the Director, Media and Publicity, of the APC Governorship Campaign Council who died in a tragic boat mishap recently while the party campaigned in Nembe Local Government Area of the state.
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.