Niger Delta
Diri Approves Land For FG’s Housing Project
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said affordable housing for people of the state will be accorded top priority in his second term.
He disclosed this recently when the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, and the management team paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.
The Governor, who expressed his administration’s commitment to collaborate with the Federal Government to attract more development in the housing sector, approved the provision of land for the FHA to actualise President Bola Tinubu’s housing vision for people of the state.
“In our first term, we focused more on infrastructure development to open up the state. We saw road construction as our number one priority.
“But, this time around, we are prioritising housing for our people. Our focal person in the sector will liaise with you to ensure that President Bola Tinubu’s dream of providing housing for Nigerians is realised.
“We will acquire land and make it available to the FHA free of charge. We will collaborate with you so that we can build a new Bayelsa”, he said.
While commending Ojo and his team for consulting with State Governments on the Federal Government housing project, the Governor urged other federal appointees to also take into consideration the peculiarities of states and regions in the country in fashioning national policies.
“I commend you for coming to consult with us. Most officers of government stay back in Abuja and take decisions, some of which are inimical to the states. This should be the standard of every official”, Diri added.
The state’s Chief Executive stressed the need to map out high and low density areas in the construction of federal housing estates just as he thanked President Tinubu for the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
He, however, advised the Federal Government to fast-track the project by also undertaking it from the Calabar end.
In his remarks, the FHA Managing Director, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, said the visit was to solicit partnership with the state government in delivering the President’s mandate for the housing sector.
Ojo, who noted that affordable and accessible housing was essential to the people, expressed the president’s desire to provide housing for all Nigerians, regardless of political party affiliation.
While soliciting for 100 hectares of land for the project, the FHA CEO applauded the Bayelsa Governor for his developmental strides, particularly in the construction of road projects across the state.
He said as one who is familiar with the state, its terrain and developmental challenges, he is able to appreciate what Governor Diri had done since he assumed office.
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.
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