News
Fix Power, Health Sectors, Primate Tasks Buhari
Bishop of Abuja and Primate of all Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, has urged the Federal Government to tackle the supply of electricity and health facilities in the country.
He made the appeal in an interview with newsmen, at the Cathedral Church of Advent Lifecamp, last Monday in Abuja.
Okoh noted that tackling electricity and health in the nation would go a long way to make the masses happy with their daily activities.
He urged the government to have a task force to train and bring in facilities that would benefit the masses.
“Whatever the government can do to tackle the issue of electricity and medical is good news to the poor. In this Church alone, we have lost somebody to cancer.
“There is hardly any quarter that somebody does not die and that is after a huge amount of money has been spent in India.
“What lesson are we waiting for? We lost president Yar’adua; only God intervened in the case of President Muhammadu Buhari. Is this not enough lessons for us?
“Why can’t we have a kind of task force to train our manpower and bring the facilities here in Nigeria so that not only senior people can get cured or treatment but that ordinary people too will have access to it?
“Health and education facilities need attention. If we have them, it will be good news to the poor.
On the path of salaries, Okoh stated that increment should not be done in terms of money quantum so that the naira would maintain its value in the next one or two years.
According to him, “if we increase money from N18,000 to N56,000 as the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) is saying, it won’t take much time, most of the money will become paper.
“The exchange rate is artificial; let us bring down the value of the dollar so that if I have N50, it will also do the work of N150.
“Ghana did something like that, they denominated the value of their Cedis and they have a more quality money now.
“We cannot continue with this increment every now and then; the good news to the poor will mean that the value of their naira has been increased.”
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, noted that there was no government that would serve the nation in such a way that people would be happy in all aspects.
Onaiyekan called on rulers to take this seriously and put aside political rivalries and rhetoric, adding that the people who had to live were the most important in the society.
He stressed that it was only hope that would help sustain Nigerians so that things would get better in the country.
Onaiyekan, who focused on joy, hope and peace stressed, that Christmas should be a season to spread joy even when the nation was filled with distress, crisis and hunger.
He advised Nigerians to always have a cheerful face with smiles from the inner joy without ill-will against anybody even those who were enemies.
“Things are not perfect and no government will serve the nation in such a way that everybody is happy but there is a minimum of gestures.
“The land was filled up with distress and most of the stress is man made not caused by God, it is caused by our inability to help one another.
“Let Christmas be a time when we try to spread joy even in the midst of crisis and hunger, there are always possibility to have the inner joy which is beyond understanding.
“Another simple way of spreading this joy is to have a cheerful face. Smile at people but above all have no ill-will against anybody, even those who you think are your enemies,” Onaiyekan said.
In his remarks, Rev. William Okoye, General Overseer of the All Christian Fellowship Mission, said that sin was at the root of all the problems the country is faced with today.
Okoye, however, noted that Jesus Christ came to save Christians from their sins, adding that it should be dealt with individually.
According to him, we are told that one of the reasons why we have fuel scarcity is because some selfish people exploit the masses.
“They want the price of fuel to be increased so they want to force the hands of government and every other person to bow so that they can have their way.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol
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