News
Xtians Observe Good Friday, Easter
Today is Good Friday, a day in the Christian Calendar set aside annually to commemorate the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, sole inspiration of Christendom.
Here, in Nigeria, the day was declared a pubic holiday to enable Christains join their likes all over the world in celebration of the first of three days leading to Easter Sunday, the day believed to be the resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
For the same reason, Monday next week has also been declared public holiday.
The Tide reporters who visited various motor parks and the Port Harcourt International Airport, in Rivers State reported huge human traffic as residents scampered for transport to spend the season at their various countryside.
At the Port Harcourt International Airport, our reporter learnt that advance bookings to and from cities such as Abuja and Lagos started about two weeks ago to avoid any disappointments.
Mr Lyold Iringe said he made arrangement for himself and family to spend the short Easter holidays with his kith and kin at Amadi Ama, in Port Harcourt local government areas of Rivers State after more than eight years residing in Abuja.
The story was not too different at various motor parks as residents were pictured battling to catch the next available commercial vehicle for the Easter holiday.
At the plaza motor park new layout, Port Harcourt, our reporter reported a long queue of passengers travelling to Ogu/Bolo local government area, while the Marine Base jettey saw huge traffic of Okrikans marking for the Island, ahead of today.
At the Orabali Park (Leventis) motorists made brisk business as they repeated trips to and from areas such as Bori, Kono, Eleme and other cities outside the state capital.
Robinson Ekut, a driver plying Uyo and Port Harcourt, told our reporter that seasons like this ( Easter and Christmas) are our annual harvest when we make up for the losses of the year.
He, however, decried the multiple police checkpoints that tend to inhabit easy traffic.
Our reporters learnt that various christain denominations shall have special Good Friday Service that will relieve the passion and eventual crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Height of such services would be the recounting of the biblical seven words on the cross of Calvary, sing songs and prayers for the state and nation.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
-
News3 days agoRSIPA Outlines Plans To Boost Investors’ Confidence …China Applauds Fubara As Listening Gov
-
Maritime7 hours agoMARINE/BLUE ECONOMY MINISTRY LAUNCHES DIGITAL PLATFORM TO DRIVE TRANSPARENCY, EFFICIENCY
-
Maritime7 hours agoImo Category C Victory: NIMASA Staff Host Executive Management Party
-
News8 hours agoNAFDAC Allays Fears About Dangerous Indomie Noodles …Says Product Not In Nigerian Market
-
Politics6 hours ago
Alleged Tax Law Changes Risk Eroding Public Trust — CISLAC
-
News8 hours agoExpedite Action On MBA Forex Operator’s Prosecution, Rivers NUJ Tells EFCC
-
Maritime7 hours agoStakeholders Advocate Legal Framework For NSW Project
-
News8 hours agoFubara Commissions Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters, Today
