Niger Delta
Cleric Urges Don To Forgive Persecutors
A clergyman and lecturer with the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) Rev. Fr. Francis Adeyemi, has charged a recalled Professor of Law with the University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, not to seek vengeance against those he perceived as being responsible for the travail he went through when the management of the university threw him out of job for two and half years without salary following allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against him by a year two female law student.
Adeyemi dropped the charge while officiating at the thanksgiving/marking of 23years marriage anniversary of Prof. and Dr. Cyril Ndifon, Dean of Faculty of Law University of Calabar which took place at the Anglican Communion Church IBB Way Calabar yesterday.
The Catholic priest urged the lecturer to pray for those that persecuted him in spite of his innocence and made him wallow in hunger, abject poverty, shame and penury for a period of time instead of seeking for vengeance saying, vengeance should be allowed to God.
The officiating priest said, “Seek not for vengeance, put your trust first in God for vengeance belongs to God who is in heaven”.
“God has done so much in your life. For many who would have similar experience would want to seek for debia for solution. No matter the problem that we, will let Jesus, the son of God take over”.
Ndifon was suspended by authorities of the University of Calabar following allegations of sex scandal by a year two female law student, an allegation which forced the management of the university to place Prof. Ndifon on suspension for about three years without salary.
Ndifon who was Dean of Law Faculty at the time was subsequently investigated by the police authority and university management both in Calabar Cross River State and Abuja and was not found culpable of all the allegations levelled against him by authorities concerned.
Ndifon was subsequently reinstated last year about 2months ago following his exoneration from the claims put against him by the two hundred level female law student in the faculty which Ndifon heads.
The clergy who officiated with inferences from the Holy Bible according to the Book of Isaiah 25:24 and Jeremiah 29:12 asked Christians to call upon God whenever they are in trouble and in any ordeal just as the uncial professor of law passed through instead of looking elsewhere to find help.
He said in that battle that Professor Ndifon fought there was no victor and no vanquish. “Let us acknowledge the fact that we are all sinners”
“Today, we re-dedicate the life of Prof. Ndifon back to the fold of God ” and charged men to stay off sin, repent and above all forgive those who had stepped on their toes so as not to incur the wrath of God.
While eulogizing the law professor for the initiative to do thanks giving, The Catholic priest said,” the family of Prof Ndifon, as you thanked God this day, you are like the sugar cane. The rain that fell on the bitter leaf to become bitter is the same rain which fell on sugar cane to become sweet because the sugar cane gave thanks”
Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.