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Easter: Clerics Task Christians On Peace, Forgiveness
National President, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji NajeemYasin (left), and Executive Secretary, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Ado Mohammad, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a Pilot Emergency Transport Scheme in Abuja, recently.
As Christians all over the world mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ through the Easter Celebration, clerics have admonished Christians to use the celebration as a period of sober reflection and self re-examination to enhance their spiritual growth and promote peaceful co-existence in the society.
The General Overseer of Global Reconciliation Ministry in Port Harcourt Pastor Edward Enenta gave the charge yesterday, while conducting a special Easter service.
He said Easter celebration was significant as it rekindled the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to mankind.
Enenta, who described the resurrection of Jesus Christ as an assurance of salvation, urged Christians to use the period to strengthen their faith in Christ who is the saviour of the world.
Speaking on the topic; “Do this in remembrance of me”, he said the holy communion was a symbol of purity, and decried the abuse of the practice by some people.
Meanwhile, the General Overseer of Chapel of Victory International Church, Rev. Ayo Odunayo, has also called on Christians to use the period of Easter to strengthen their relationship with God by showing love to mankind.
Speaking during the Easter Service at the Church in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Rev. Odunayo described love as the greatest mark of commitment to the service of God, and stressed that, Christ’s love for mankind was demonstrated on the cross of Calvary, where He laid down His life to save the world from damnation.
Another Cleric, Rev. Akuoma Kalu, also called on Christians to use Easter celebration to activate the spirit of forgiveness human fellowship and reconciliation.
Rev. Kalu, who is the resident Pastor of Assemblies of God Church, Ogbatai 1, Woji in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State also called on Christians to embrace peace and promote Godliness in the society.
Similarly, Christians in Abuja joined other faithful around the world yesterday to observe Easter with prayers for peace in the country.
Clergy and faithful in churches within the FCT marked the day with special prayers for Nigerian leaders.
Clergymen in different church services also called on Nigerians, especially those in leadership positions to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, faith and reconciliation with God.
At the All Christian Pentecostal Mission, Maitama, former State House Chaplain and General Overseer of the church, Rev. William Okoye, urged faithful to be willing to make sacrifices to advance the cause of society.
He said Christians including those in exalted positions in society must insist on doing the right things at all times.
At St. Matthews Anglican Church, Gwarimpa, Canon Ephriam Akanya, said Easter had brought the message of hope to all Christians.
According to Akanya, the resurrection of Christ is the most remarkable thing that has ever happened in Christianity.
He said Christ’s death and resurrection were a demonstration of God’s love for mankind, noting that Christians must reciprocate God’s love through reconciliation and unwavering faith in him.
In the same vein, clergymen at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Catholic Pro-Cathedral, Garki and Church of Assumption Parish, Asokoro, admonished faithful on the need for total submission to God’s will.
Rev. Fr Mark Okoi of the Church of Assumption said accepting Christ’s resurrection from the dead was one of the main preconditions for salvation.
Okoi said Christians must take advantage of the Easter season to reflect on their relationship with God and reconcile with him.
Rev. Fr. Peter Omale of Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, urged Christians on repentance, submissiveness and faith in God.
He said the circumstances facing Nigerians were not strange to God which might be a fulfilment of His plans for Nigeria.
At the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Wuse Zone 3, the Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Joseph Oche, appealed to government to adequately fund and equip the security agencies to enable them to fight terrorism effectively.
Oche, who made the appeal in an interview with newsmen shortly after the Easter service, also appealed to the insurgents to embrace dialogue and stop the destruction of lives and property.
The bishop urged politicians to play by the rules and should not use politics to destroy their fellow citizens.
The Vicar of the All Souls Anglican Church Lugbe, Abuja, Rev. Ochei Louis had called on Christians to emulate Jesus Christ in preaching peace, love and humility during and after Easter.
In an interview with newsmen in Abuja yesterday Louis said Christian faithful should always demonstrate Christ’s love by supporting the poor and the needy.
The vicar urged Christians to shun activities that could breach peace and order, saying that such activities would amount to “crucifying Jesus Christ the second time.’’
He expressed concern over the loss of lives and property in the country and urged all citizens to remain calm, prayerful and put their trust in God.
He said the life of Jesus Christ entailed love and humility and urged all Christians to show love by caring for everyone around them, especially the children.
Taneh Beemene
The Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) has unveiled measures to enthrone ease of doing business and win back the confidence of the business community.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, unveiled the plans at the Breakout Session of RSIPA at the ongoing 18th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, at the Obi Wali International Cultural Centre, in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Peterside said the agency was poised to free the state from accumulation of wrong narratives that branded it over the years as unsafe for business.
He, however, admitted that many things had gone wrong in the past where regulators joined to make the business environment difficult for investors.
He announced that the agency was rather focused on actions, solutions, and results as adopted in the mission statement of the Board.
“Our task is no mean feat. We are dealing with the perception risk that over several years branded the state as unsafe. We are also faced with the challenges of dealing with the lack of cohesion amongst MDAs, policy inconsistencies, multiple taxation, incessant harassment by miscreants, red tape and delays in obtaining operating permits, high cost of operations and opaque public sector,” he said.
“It is about listening to the investors in the field and ensuring that MDAs are carried along, hence the imperative for the setting up of our One-Stop-Center”, he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, who represented the state governor, said the Fubara administration was ready to listen to the business community to see ways of reducing impediments to investments.
He listed the stages of actions being undertaken by the governor as outlined in his 37-page blue print to revive the economy of Rivers State.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who was presented at the event as a star investor and promoter of Rivers State reputation, said for the plans of the investment promotion agency to materialize, an enabling law should replace the Executive Order that established the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency.
He said this would insulate the agency from political instability and remove fear in the minds of investors about its sustainability.
According to him, protection precedes promotion and Local Direct Investment (LDIs) is what attracts and promotes Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs).
“It is the rat at home that reveals to the one in the bush that there is fish in the kitchen”, he added.
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?The Mayor of Housing who is also the CEO of the Alesa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City said that Port Harcourt is like a business empire under lock and key because it is not protecting its own and also not promoting its own enough for investors to come in.
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?In the area of land documentation and inventory, China urged Rivers State Government to borrow a leaf from Abuja and adopt the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in dealing with land and property registration and documentation for ease of doing business.
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?He said Lagos understood the power of business information, adding “this creates the impression that if you are not doing it in Lagos, you are not doing it in Africa.
“We need to shout louder than Lagos, because we need more investments than Lagos and the structural integrity of Abuja. When you marry both, Rivers State would be wonderful and become green with investments,” he said.
In her speech, the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, called on the state government to look into the menace of parked trucks now turning Trans-Amadi into a risk zone.
She outlined the activities of the PHCCIMA and invited investors and businesses to the Port Harcourt economic hub, saying peace has returned.
The Director, Investors Relations of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mrs Lovina Kayode, urged Rivers State to make haste and catch up on Ease of Doing Business, saying the Council has come to help businesses in the state.
Mrs Kayode, who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, commended the Mayor of Housing and his counterpart, Mr. Oliver Biedima of Rainbow Heritage Group, for their decision to invest in Rivers State, saying it is a proof that Rivers State is safe for investors and their investments.
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In his remarks, Oliver Biedemi of Rainbow Heritage Group urged government to give the private investors chance to develop the economy, saying ordinarily government does not have the funds to develop the economy.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
