Niger Delta
Commandant Denies Allegations Of Wrongdoings
The Deputy Regimental Commander of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State, Lt. Joe Ogundepo has described the allegations of misappropriation of funds against the administration of the Rector of the Academy, Mr. Nseyen Ebong as baseless.
The allegation was made by Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER), Centre for Media Advocacy and Research Network (CTMARN) and The Green Peoples Environmental Network all based in Akwa Ibom State.
The Deputy Regimental Commander who made the remarks in an exclusive interview with The Tide in his Oron Office recently said the academy is a regimental institution with high level of discipline and wondered why people should continue to spread wrong information instead of engaging themselves in meaningful activities that would benefit the society.
According to him, “since he assumed duty in the academy, he had not heard any report of sexual abuse from any of the cadets or any case of death,” adding that it is a taboo for a cadet to visit the staff quarters.
He further explained that the management of the academy always conducted a head count at 10.0pm on daily basis.
“Going out without a pass attracts punishment. You may be sent packing from the institution by a panel in place,” he asserted.
The deputy commandant then challenged the groups to provide record of the students claimed to have died last year and queried whether they were killed by earth- quake.
In a separate interview, the Rector of the Academy, Mr. Nseyen Ebong, said he was not bothered about the petitions written against him to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, (EFCC) and the presidency because his track records would speak for him.Ebong, dismissed media reports by some human rights groups against him, concerning sexual abuse of students, gross abuse of office, corruption, maladministration, alleged death of 43 students in one year, and expenditure of N120 million on simulator building as unfounded, adding that the allegations cannot be substantiated.
He noted that his administration was focused to ensure infrastructural development in the Academy.
On his achievement in office, Ebong said the simulator building awaiting commissioning by the Minister of Transport cost about N80 million.
Other developmental projects included the completion of phase II of the library computerisation of all units and departments, procurement and installation of N150m worth of laboratory equipment for High National Diploma, (HND) and Maritime Engineering Programmes, the supply and installation of simulators of various kind for easy learning.
As the world is now a global village, the academy has initiated and completed the installation of a comprehensive V-SAT facility which supports internal connectivity, local area network, voice and fax communication interactive computer transactions, video conferencing data base enquiries electronic found transfer, operations and monitoring etc, he said.
Niger Delta
Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday
The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.
Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.
Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.
According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.
The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.
“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.
He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.
On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.
“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.
