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Apostle Numbere Dies In Lagos
The founder and International Director of Greater Evangelism World Crusade Apostle Godfrey D. Numbere reputed as one of the pioneers of grassroots evangelism in Old Rivers State is dead.
Apostle Numbere is said to have died Wednesday afternoon in Lagos, where he was flown to, enroute Germany for check-up occasioned by suspected complications arising from a recent cancer surgery he had in India.
The news of the demise of the former Zonal Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-South zone filtered into Port Harcourt yesterday evening and spread like wild-fire across the branches of the Greater Evangelism Churches in the Rivers State capital and beyond, sending shock waves to the teeming faithful of the Church.
At about 8.00 pm Wednesday, when The Tide visited the Borikiri branch of the Church at No. 9, Rex Lawson Street, the members were seen discussing the sad news in hushed voices, with folded arms.
An elder of the Church who spoke on the condition of anonymity lamented, “Our Daddy (Apostle Numbere) is dead, he died this afternoon. He was diagnosed of cancer and had a successful surgery sometime ago and was recuperating before we got the sad news, suddenly,. Infact, we the women of the Church were billed to converge this Sunday to pray for his speedy recovery”.
One of the pastors of the Church at the Borikiri branch, who does not want his name in print confirmed the development to The Tide yesterday morning when our correspondent met him few metres from the Church gate.
Also yesterday, when our correspondent visited the centre of the Church’s periodic combined services at 35, Elechi Beach, Mile 1 Diobu, the members wore somber look as they discussed the development.
The host pastor, Pastor Dr. J.A.C. Iyagba was said to be unavailable and his mobile line could not go through when The Tide Correspondent called him at 2.30 pm but one of his Pastors who does not want his name in print confirmed the death of the Church’s founder/international director.
“The International Director is dead! He died yesterday. All Kalabari brethren of the Church were billed to converge here (35, Elechi Beach) for an Intercessory prayer session for him at 3pm today. Text messages were sent to that effect.
Following his sudden death, we received another text message cancelling the prayer meeting. Sunday is the Church’s Healing Service at our world Headquarters at Rukpokwu, it is there that announcement will be made on the death of the Director”, he said.
The Church Administrative Headquarters at Isiokpo Street, D’Line, Port Harcourt that is usually a beehive of activities was a shadow of itself when The Tide visited at about 3.45pm. from the look on the faces of the workers, it was clear an Iroko has fallen, as one of them told The Tide, “The Lord had called our Director home …”
The last known major public outing of the renowned clergyman, Christian leader, Church planter, miracle worker and unrepentant preacher of salvation, holiness and heaven was the commemoration of his 45th Spiritual birthday on September.14 in Port Harcourt.
Justus Unye-Awaji
Late Apostle Numbere
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
