Niger Delta
Church, Tool For Dev – Imoke
The Church has been described as one of the veritable tools that can contribute immensely to the development of the society.
Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State stated this during the Democracy Day cum Children’s Day Church service at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Usang
Iso Memorial Parish, Akim Qua Town, Calabar.
Imoke remarked that as the people celebrate, the adults in the congregation should reflect on their childhood when parents planned for their children’s future.
He maintained that children have prospects and better opportunities but their challenge is loss of values and this prompted the state to set up a department of Orientation and Public Affairs to set core values to enable them understand the
value in education and vice of being a cultist.
The governor said there was need to encourage them to imbibe set values and rebuild the society.
On Democracy, Imoke noted that a change will come because the era of cultism in politics is gone and it is no longer a credential for public office, adding that as there is need to celebrate the Cross River because it is a wonderful state of wonderful people.
He thanked the Minister in charge of the church, Rev Effiong Johnson on his sermon tagged “Arise and Build”, as the word for Democracy Day which means that change can be achieved for Cross River State to become one of the greatest societies in the world.
Senator Imoke disclosed that it is the determination of the state government to bring development to every facet of the society which is what democracy is all about.
The Governor, who read the first Bible lesson, Nehemiah 2:11-20, awarded a six year old girl, Aruku, who read the second Bible lesson on behalf of children, government scholarship from Nursery School to University , for exhibiting brilliance, intelligence and accuracy while reading the Bible.
The Minister in charge, Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Usang Iso Parish, Rev Effiong Johnson, in his sermon, “Arise and Build”, called on all to be players and not spectators in the quest of building a better Nigeria.
Johnson, who described, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke as the modern day Mary Slessor, commended her for creating destiny for children by bringing up abandoned children.
The cleric wandered why Calabar which was the first capital of Nigeria and also referred to as Canaan, the land of milk and honey, has lost its qualities and said the answer is a call for rebuilding.
On Democracy Day, he advised that God should be the centre of the celebration because democracy is a pledge between the government and the governed and that everyone should bring idea on how to build the society for the better.
Niger Delta
SSI Moves To Empower Residents Of N’Delta Communities
A faith-driven, non-profit humanitarian and development organisation based in Port Harcourt, the Solution Social Initiative(SSI) has taken a bold step to help and empower some disadvantaged persons residing in some communities of the Niger Delta region, by holding its first strategic meeting.
The Director of SSI, Prophet Efe Cyril Edah, who highlighted the importance of the organisation while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt on Saturday, said he was motivated to establish the body after recognising the fact that several persons were suffering in the Niger Delta and needed help without such help coming forth.
He noted that the organisation was established to reach out to such persons in critical sectors like education, health and youth empowerment.
According to him, the SSI, which is a social impact arm of his church, the Solution Prayer Power Divine Ministry was established to restore hope to the hopeless and neglected people of some communities in the Niger Delta, including widows and orphans.
He said the organisation is targeting Ogoni communities, Eleme and Ahoada in Rivers State; and other communities in Delta, Akwa Ibom and Edo States.
Prophet Edah, the General Overseer of Solution Prayer Power Divine Ministry gave more insight into the activities and goals of SSI in his welcome address during the body’s first strategic meeting in Port Harcourt.
According to him, the meeting marked a significant milestone in the body’s shared journey to bring hope, dignity and practical hope to those who need it most.
As the social impact arm of his church, he said the organisation was birthed from a vision to restore lives, uplift communities, and be a beacon of light to the disadvantaged, especially in the Niger Delta and other underserved regions of Nigeria.
He disclosed that the mission of SSI is rooted in action, by transforming lives in critical sectors of the society, including education, health, youth empowerment, emergency humanitarian relief, and most especially, the empowerment of women.
The SSI Director said, “We are committed to ensuring that women in underserved communities gain access to education, vocational training, entrepreneurial opportunities and the advocacy needed to secure their rights. In doing so,we align ourselves with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), particularly those that promote gender equality, social inclusion and economic independence.”
He further noted that the first strategic meeting of the organisation was more than an administrative gathering, as it is the birthplace of its strategic direction, strategically designed for the members and other participants to chart its course; strengthen its operational structures; and define clear priorities that would enable it to maximise impact and sustain growth.
He, therefore, urged the members to think boldly, plan wisely, and act decisively, saying, “Remember, the work before us is not for personal gain, but for the transformation of lives and the upliftment of communities, who without our intervention may remain unseen and unheard.”
On his part, the Programme Coordinator of SSI, Ambassador Fidelis Onakpoma, presented a comprehensive report, highlighting the organisation’s recent achievements, which included strategic partnerships with government agencies, embassies and international organisations; the launch of the GROW-Her Project, empowering women and girls in the Niger Delta; a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with CDF-GWDN; a scholarship award programme, benefiting underserved students; and targeted humanitarian interventions for Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs).
The meeting equally featured an online introduction session with S SI’s international partner, signalling the organisation’s expanding global collaboration network and readiness to align with international best practices in humanitarian response and development work.
It was also revealed that the day’s proceedings reaffirmed the body’s commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) through grassroots impact, strategic partnerships, and faith-driven compassion.
With this bold and audacious initiative, analysts and keen observers said it is clear that SSI has set a clear foundation for growth, accountability, and greater humanitarian reach across Nigeria and beyond.
During the meeting, key executives of the organisation were officially presented their appointment letters, including Mr Ogieriakhi Osayuwamen Pedro as Financial Director; Barrister Ekwebelem Chikwendu as Legal Director; and Evangelist Destiny Ese as Welfare and Logistics Officer, among others.
The Programme Director, Ambassador Fidelis Onakpoma said in an interview that he was amazed when the Director introduced the idea of establishing the social impact arm of the Solution Prayer Divine Ministry, saying, he tapped into the idea and resolved to assist SSI achieve its goals using his vast connections and expertise.
He said it is Biblical and also compulsory for churches to have their social impact arm like SSI, stressing that while healing is the spiritual dimension, feeding the flocks with physical food is the social dimension.
Ambassador Onakpoma stressed the need for perceived disadvantaged persons in the society not to be neglected and abandoned but to be encouraged that they still have hope.
According to him, the youths should avoid crime and embrace peace.
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