Niger Delta

Cultists Confess, Renounce Membership In A’Ibom

Published

1 year ago

December 15, 2023

Three members of two different cult groups, Black Axe and Iceland, Emmanuel Atangakak aged 32, Mfon Bassey aged 30, and Godwin Asukwo, aged 29, have renounced membership of their deadly cult groups.
The Tide’s source reports that the three repentant cultists took their decisions at the Mount Zion Mission Incorporated 2023 Annual Convention, held at Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
The 77th convention of the church is themed: “The Later Glory of this House shall be Greater than the Former”, taken from the Book of Hagai Chapter 2:9.
One of them, Atangakak, said he had lost valuables and his wife in the course of involving in cultism.
“Brethren I want to tell you what has happened in my life today. I want to let you know that this very gathering has done a great thing in my life.
“I joined cult group not knowing what I did to myself. Last month (November) makes it three good years that I have been a member of the deadly group.
“Instead of gaining anything, I rather lost valuables, including the wife I spent money to marry, which has caused me pains up till date”, he said.
He used the medium to appeal to those who were still members of the secret groups but pretending to serve God in the church, to shun the group, adding that there is no gain in it.
“Those of you seated here who are still members, please come out of it today. It’s satanic; there’s no gain in it.
“Please I am appealing that you also submit yourself to the spirit of God to change you as it has happened to me”, he advised.
Bassey, who was once a Choirmaster in the church, said he was not ashamed to stand before the church to testify the great thing that God had done for him at such a great convention.
“I don’t have much to say, I am here to appreciate God who has saved my soul.
“I was also singing in the choir as others but I was deceived and I never knew myself anymore since I joined the group.

“I have taken the decision to come out of it as I have been touched by the power of God at this convention ground.

“I am also appealing to those of you who are there to do same”, Bassey said.

According to him, he is a living testimony to what God has done in his life and has determined to do away with anything that has to do with cultism.

On his own, Asukwo, appreciated the Council of Apostles of the church for the great opportunity given to them to confess before the gathering of God’s people.

According to him, joining cult is satanic and it is vanity upon vanity.

“I cannot say how I found myself there. I have lost everything I had including my spiritual life. I thank God for saving me today because I am a changed person.

“As from today, I swear to myself that until I die, I will never have anything to do with it”, Asukwo stated.

Reacting, Bishop Efiong Amana, Deputy General Field Superintendent of the Church, thanked them for being bold enough to stand before the congregation for renunciation from the groups.

Amana appealed to the church members not to embarrass repentant cultists by posting their confession as they had already done so by themselves before the public.

Prayers were also offered to them by members of the church, even as the General Field Superintendent of the church, Archbishop Asukwo Okon prayed for God’s mercy and protection over their lives.
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Niger Delta

NACA Debunks Fake HIV Drug Pricing News

Published

20 hours ago

March 12, 2025

The Tide

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has debunked what it called “fake news” circulating online regarding the cost of HIV treatment in Nigeria.

The news was that antiretroviral drugs will now cost 250,000 per dose with patients required to pay 500,000 monthly.

Describing the news as “completely false and misleading”, in a statement signed by the Head, Public Relations and Protocol, NACA said “HIV treatment in Nigeria remains free of charge at Government owned health facilities.

“The Government in collaboration with donor partners remains steadfast in providing free and accessible HIV treatment to all who need it.

“For accurate and up to date information on HIV treatment and prevention in Nigeria, follow our verified social media platforms and visit the official NACA website’.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Niger Delta

RSG, MWAN Strengthen Partnership To Improve Healthcare

Published

21 hours ago

March 12, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government, through the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, has indicated its preparedness to partner the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) in ensuring that the healthcare needs of vulnerable people in the State are met.

The State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr. Ilamu Arugu, who made this known when the leadership of MWAN, Rivers State Branch, visited him in his office in Port Harcourt, reiterated the State government’s commitment to improving the healthcare and wellbeing of vulnerable populations in the state.

While commending MWAN for their efforts in promoting healthcare and advocating for the rights of women and children in the state, Arugu expressed his ministry’s willingness to collaborate with the association in addressing the healthcare challenges facing residents in the state government-owned healthcare facilities.

“I want to thank you for appreciating our efforts. It’s not easy for people to recognize the humanitarian work we do, as we don’t seek laurels or rewards. We simply do what we believe is right,” the Commissioner stated”.

Earlier in her remarks, the state’s MWAN President, Dr. Cecilia Leloonu Nwibubasa, commended the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for appointing Mr. Ilamu Arugu as Commissioner, praising his outstanding achievements in the ministry.

She highlighted his unwavering commitment to effective, accountable, and participatory governance, particularly his focus on citizens’ welfare through responsive and inclusive policies, which, she said, serves as an inspiration to all.

Dr, Nwibubasa, who is the 19th President of the association in the state, noted that the organization is dedicated to advancing women and children’s health, with a focus on mental health, nutrition, and holistic mentorship for young female doctors, among others.

She stated that the association has remained at the forefront of community health initiatives, offering health services, medical outreaches, such as cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings, cancer treatment, maternal health care, support and extensive health education through various media channels.

Nwibubasa further revealed that the Association, a non-profit organization affiliated to the Medical Women’s International Association and the Nigerian Medical Association, was established in 1976 and incorporated in 1984.

The association’s motto, “Matris Animo Curantis,” meaning “healing with the love of a mother”, she explained, reflects its deep commitment to delivering compassionate healthcare.

The MWAM President noted that their visit was “driven by a deep sense of appreciation” for the commissioner’s leadership, which has been particularly impactful in areas aligning closely with the association’s mission.

This, according to her, includes ensuring safe homes, quality healthcare, education, and economic empowerment for women.

She emphasized the organization’s eagerness to explore collaborative opportunities to strengthen their shared objectives.

The MWAN delegation also presented the commissioner with a proposal outlining areas of potential collaboration, including healthcare services, training, and advocacy programmes.

The courtesy visit, which was attended by the ministry’s management team, ended with a commitment from both parties to work together to improve the healthcare and wellbeing of women and children within the Disabilitiy community in Rivers State.

Niger Delta

HoSF Delighted Over New Secretariat Project In Bayelsa … As Diri Promises Timely Completion

Published

22 hours ago

March 12, 2025

The Tide

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, has expressed delight over the construction of a new nine-storey civil servants secretariat by the Bayelsa State government.

She said when completed, the iconic structure would go down in her memory as an exciting legacy of the Governor Douye Diri’s administration.

Mrs. Walson-Jack stated this when she performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the project in Yenagoa.

According to her, the event was a special, significant milestone to her as she had served in the Bayelsa public service and felt a sense of nostalgia to witness the historic foundation-laying ceremony.

“The civil service is the engine of government, providing the expertise, structure necessary for effective governance. A well-motivated and efficient civil service requires capable personnel, robust policies and an enabling work environment that clusters professionalism, collaboration and innovation”, she said.

The HoSF stressed that the project was a testament to the state government’s commitment to strengthening the institutional framework that underpins governance and service delivery.

“This new state secretariat is a commendable effort to provide public servants with a con ducive workplace environment. I applaud the Bayelsa State government for its dedication to infrastructure development.

“This project aligns with the broader vision of strengthening the Nigerian civil service at both the state and federal levels to deliver people-centred governance”, she noted.

In his remarks, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, said the workers’ complex would be an electronic secretariat, noting that the cost of the project was N46 billion.

He stated that government had already mobilised the contractors with 30% of the project sum and had directed the release of another 20% as soon as it commenced work on site.

Diri, who assured that funding of the project will not be a problem, said the timeline for delivery was 24 months and charged the state workers to reciprocate government’s support for their welfare and wellbeing.

“What propelled me to build a new secretariat was the civil servants’ request for office accommodation, which became a recurring decimal every Workers’ Day in the state”, Governor Diri said.

He expressed delight that with the construction of the new secretariat, labour unions would no longer complain of inadequate office space.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Moses Teibowei, also stated that the project was conceived and initiated by the Diri administration and that the structure will provide a conducive and befitting communal space for the workforce.

He listed some of the features in the proposed structure to include modern eco-friendly green solutions that would support key functional needs of the state and that it would have a footprint of 3,675.633 square metres within a proposed gross area of 26,762.99 square metres with parking space for 155 cars.

Speaking on behalf of the project contractor, the Operations Director of Megastar Technical and Construction Company Ltd, Mr. Carlos Zanone, said the edifice will be equipped with a solar power-backed system, conference halls, a six-bed sick bay, a crèche to support working families among other features.

He added that the facility will be built to morden standard and finished with high quality materials that will improve and beautify the surrounding area.

Mr. Zanone assured that the 24 months completion time-frame was achievable.

In her remarks, the State Head of Service, Mrs. Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema, expressed appreciation to Governor Diri, noting that the edifice will be a dream come true for all civil servants in the state.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa