Niger Delta
JTF Invasion: 52 Ijaw Communities Get Respite
The Federal High Court in Asaba on Friday, granted leave to estate agents and valuers engaged by 52 Ijaw communities to assess property damaged by the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the area.
The 52 communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom had in July 2009 instituted a N100 billion suit against the Federal Government challenging the May 13, 2009 invasion of the areas by the JTF.
The suit filed on their behalf by Chief Femi Falana, leading Chief Felude Zimughan and Selekeowei Larry, sought for damages for lives and property “wantonly destroyed’’ by the military operations.
The communities also prayed the Justice Ibrahim Buba court to compel the Federal Government to rebuild the houses demolished during the bombardment.
At Friday’s hearing, Buba ordered that the communities be permitted to assess and carry out valuation of property or properties said to have been destroyed on or about May 13, 2009 by the JTF.
The communities, through counsel Zimughan, had told the court that armed military men of the JTF were still in occupation of the territory in which the applicants were located.
Zimughan said that the estate valuers commissioned by the 52 Ijaw communities required the protection of the court to have unrestricted access to the property without fear of molestation or intimidation.
He said that the claims and reliefs sought by the applicants were such that expert evidence was necessary to determine the actual losses suffered as a result of the military bombardment of their communities.
Buba, who granted the reliefs sought by the applicants, said: “The application is granted as prayed’’ and adjourned the matter to May 24 for further hearing.
He ordered that the experts commissioned by the affected communities should enter the areas to assess and carry out valuation of property said to have been destroyed on May 13 by the JTF.
The counsel to the Federal Government, Mr Emmanuel Okosun, had earlier told the court that his clients were not opposed to the application and would go into the substantive matter.
Niger Delta
Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday
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.
