Niger Delta
Mimiko Flags Off Rural Infrastructure Project
Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko on Monday in Akure flagged off the Rural Infrastructure Micro Project, funded by the European Union and the Federal Government, for nine states in the Niger Delta region.
More than 71.5 million Euros would be spent on the projects to be executed in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.
The programme financing agreement was signed in 2008 under an intervention scheme tagged: Micro-Project Programme (MPP9).
The EU is to provide 45.5 million Euros, while communities, local councils and the state governments to benefit from the projects would contribute 26 million Euros.
Mimiko said that the state government had put in place institutional framework for the sustainability of the programme.
The governor said the government had executed more than 300 community based projects worth N3 billion across the state.
“We have disbursed N73 million to communities while another N129 million would soon be disbursed to about 30 communities that met the criteria for the fund,’’ Mimiko said.
The Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr Shamsudeen Usman, said at the launch of the programme, that the projects were aimed at reducing poverty in rural and sub-urban communities in the region.
Usman said that the programmes would help to promote gender equality and participation in local governance and development.
He said the that the European Commission had since 2002 supported Micro-Project Programmes in the Niger Delta through the MPP3 and 6.
“The success recorded by the two levels, which have successfully provided some 2,000 communities with socially and economically relevant projects, informed the formulation of the MPP9,” he said.
The Head of EU Delegation in Nigeria, Amb David MacRae, said that 60 micro projects would be provided in Ondo under the programme.
According to him, the EU will provide N300 million, while local governments and the benefiting communities will inject the balance of N300 million under the programme which will cost N600 million
MacRae said 12 health posts, 12 school blocks, seven open and lock-up market stalls, 13 solar powered water supply schemes, four cassava and palm oil mills and 12 civic centres would be provided in various communities in the state
He expressed delight that the existing structure in the state, where communities were involved in the conception and execution of projects, was in line with the MPP9 concept.
MacRae said that the involvement of local governments and communities in the funding of the projects would also enhance long term sustainability of the infrastructure, and called on the participants to meet their obligations to the project.
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.
