Niger Delta

CAN, CAC Disown Niger Delta Bishops Forum

Published

12 years ago

November 13, 2013

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has disassociated the umbrella Christian body from a group of clergymen that attempted to wade into the political crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its splinter group.

The group of clerics claimed that they were mediating and initiating dialogue among the federal government and the group of seven aggrieved PDP governors and the faction within the ruling party.

The clerics under the name, Niger Delta Bishops and Christian Forum and the South-South Christian Forum have so far met a former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, and the Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, under the guise that they would initiate peace process among the PDP, aggrieved seven governors and President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Niger Delta Bishops and Christian Forum is led by Prophet Jones Erue, with other Bishops: Julius Ediwe, Bob Manuel, Abhulemen Josiah, Konel Offiong, Innocent Chiedozie, Alex Okubo, Felix Ezebunwo, Charles Okoh , Peter Abingon and Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda in the various delegations to Atiku and Nyako.

But the CAN President, Oritsejafor, said in an interview that the two bodies-the Niger Delta Bishops and Christian Forum and the South South Christian Forum-are not known to CAN or recognised by the Christian body.

According to Oritsejafor, “We have heard about them and their exploits, meeting various politicians and promising to mediate and initiate dialogue between the PDP and their members.

“We are a Christian body; we don’t involve ourselves in the internal affairs of political parties, let alone mediating between PDP and its crisis.

CAN is apolitical. Honestly, we don’t know them. Their activities are worrisome and I as the President of the Christian umbrella body in Nigeria, CAN, wish to plead and admonish politicians to beware of the characters of some Nigerians who use the name of Christians in Nigeria to do all sorts of things.

“They should be careful with some groups that use the name of CAN to commit several atrocities and fraudulent activities. What type of mediation would the so called Niger Delta Bishops and Christian Forum provide? I am the President of CAN and I can inform you that we are not aware of them.”

Also, a search and inquiry at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) proved that the groups were not a registered entity. According to a statement on behalf of the Registrar-General by Aisha T. Tijani that the commission was unable to find evidence of registration of the groups.

CAC in a letter with reference number: RGO/9/Vol.XXXVI/0998 dated November 11, 2013, was reacting to the inquiry by the chamber of Oludotum Sowemimo and Associates that “pursuant to our enquiry, we were duly informed that there was no data or information on these associations on their (CAC) data base to confirm them being registered under part c’(incorporated trustees). “Furthermore, we have also written to them to confirm in writing the legal status or otherwise of the organisations.”

Wife of Cross River Governor, Mrs Obioma Imoke, speaking to youths during the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child in Calabar, recently. Photo: NAN

Niger Delta

INC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form

Published

15 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Human Rights Activist and founding father of the Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality of the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Elder Timi Kaiser Ogoriba, has said he would continue to advocate for the environmental and human rights of the people of the Niger Delta, especially his Ijaw kinsmen.

Ogoriba who doubles as the current Vice-Chairman of the Bayelsa State founding fathers forum made the pledge at the Ijaw House, headquarters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), in Yenagoa, capital of the State, while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after picking his interest form for the position of president in the 2026 polls of the national executive council of the body.

The Odi-born activist who described the foremost Pan-Ijaw umbrella parent body as the envy of many sister ethnic groups in the nation, noted that he played pivotal roles in the formative stages of both the INC and its youth body, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).

He expressed confidence in the activities of the body, saying he would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to reposition the Pan-Ijaw group for greater achievements when elected as President come February, 2026.

“I’m still ready to go to trenches because of Ijaw nation. For those who knew me before now, you’ll recall that I have gone to trenches several times because of my love for the Ijaw people.

“Today as an ethnic group, we’re the envy of every other tribe. And that’s because we’ve all it takes for others to envy us. Today the INC has become the pride of everyone, including many who don’t know how we started it. And I’m not detered by the propaganda against my candidacy. I’m determined to win and continue my service to the Ijaw nation.

“I was part of the struggle in 1991 when the INC was formed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I’ve all it takes to lead the INC as President. But the INC under my leadership will not be a ‘T. K. Ogoriba thing alone’. I’ll need all of you and every Son and daughter of Ijaw nation to lead us well when elected”, he said.

The Presidential hopeful, who also bared his mind on issues of Resource control and true-federalism, restated his commitment towards ensuring that the Niger Delta region was given fair treatment by Government.

He stressed the need for the INC to synergize with other ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta region for positive results, saying he would also ensure that there is mutual respect and understanding amongst and between stakeholders of the Ijaw nation and other sister ethnic groups to fast track the processes of growth and development of the region.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Edo Partners Stakeholders For Better Land, Housing Services

Published

17 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.

Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.

Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.

He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.

Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.

In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Niger Delta

Otu Reiterates Commitment To Support Military Veterans, Families

Published

17 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.

Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.

“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.

Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.

“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.

Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.

Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.

He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.

Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.

“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.

The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.