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Niger Delta

Flood Ravages Rivers Communities

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Rain flood has wrecked havoc in Egi land and its neighbouring Ahoada communities, following five days of heavy down pour which led to destruction of household property, livestocks, economic crops and buildings.
This has conpounded the devastating effects of cultists’ activities in the entire clans, as majority people who had left home on self-exile for safety of their lives would have more sad stories to tell
No zone is left out in the disaster, starting from Umu-Obor  communities of Oboburu, Ohali-Elu, Obigbo, and Obagi to Akabuka, Ogbogu, Obite and Ede in Etiti-Egi. The story is not different from Erema, Itu, Ibewa Obukegi in Ahiawhor zone with the cry of agony also coming from Obiyebe, Egita, Akabta and Obiosimini in Uso-Ozimini zone.
The Tide while going round the communities, witnessed serious cracks on the walls of mud houses, especially in Itu, Erema, Akabuka and Ogbogu, while those living in block houses were seen bailing water from their parlours and rooms.
A community leader and National Auditor two of Apex Egi socio-cultural organization, the Egi People’s Assembly (EPA), Chief Nathaniel Oriji, said the effect of the rain flood could be compared to that of natural flood of 2012.
“All we laboured to plant in our farms have all been destroyed. Our farms are like river, in few days time the food crops would all wither leading to another hungry season, which we have just survived”, and attributed the uncommon rain flood this year to blockage of natural water channels by oil companies.
The chairman of Itu-Ogba Community Development Committee,  Comrade Benard Obo, attributed the flooding of his community to a road constructed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which has no single drainage.
According to him, during the construction, the community had appealed to the contractors to include drainages but they told us we should approach NDDC because that was not included in their job specifications, but all our letters to the commission fell on deaf ears.
He,therefore, appealed to the new project director of NDDC to come to the aid of the community by constructing drains in the community’s section of the road.
The situation in Ahoada town, the headquarters of Ahoada East Local Government is as bad as that of Egi as most residents along Omoku road,Abuja Housing Estate, Odiemerenyi  and Ekpena roads have all evacuated while at Ula- Ehuda, the torrent from the community through the market was on high frequency.
Schools, hotels and churches were also not spared as people are now appealing to NEMA and the  state government to come to their rescue.
However, an environmental officer, and a town planner attached to Ahoada East Local Government council who pleaded anonymity said; “we are not authorized to speak to the press but the cause of the flooding is part of the climate change, we have been preaching”, the Town planner said “most developers ignored our advice against building along water routes, today they are reaping the reward of disobedience, especial those living in the Ahoada new sites.”

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Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

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A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.
The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.
Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.
In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.
The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.
Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.
By: Enoch Epelle
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Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

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The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management  of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State
The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.
MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator,  Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.
LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama,  Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.
He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is  at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”
By: Chinedu Wosu
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Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

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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.

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