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Easter: Bloodletting Getting Out Of Hand -Cleric …As Gunmen Kidnap Eight Women, One Other In Niger

Published

7 years ago

April 22, 2019

The Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rt Rev. Alexander Ibezim, has reminded government, both at the federal and state levels that they owe Nigerians the duty of protecting their lives and properties.
The bishop said this during his Easter sermon, in the Anambra State capital, yesterday.
Ibezim, who was making reference to news of countless killings, both by Boko Haram insurgents and armed bandits masquerading as Fulani herdsmen, said that the level of bloodletting in the country was getting out of hand.
He said urgent steps needed to be taken by both the state governors and President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the reckless killings in Nigeria, insisting that Nigeria leaders would account for every single drop of blood spilled, as God would seek vengeance.
Ibezim said, “Blood of human beings is sacred and was not created by God to be wasted like fowls as done daily in Nigeria”.
However, the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche, and the Archbishop of Lagos, Dr. Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi, in their Easter messages, passionately pleaded with Nigerians and the Christian community, to be extremely tolerant, loving and accommodating in order to alleviate the suffering and the challenges of others in a bid to making life peaceful and constructively better for the society.
Using Jesus Christ as an example, especially His death on the Cross, which they respectively pointed was an extreme sacrifice to mankind, the clerics charged the leaders in authority to be role models through their sacrificial service, rather than lining their pockets with the fruits of corruption, which has resulted in obsolete socio-economic infrastructure and the incessant insecurity that has enveloped the nation.
Also, the Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese in Nasarawa State, Most Rev. Matthew Audu, has called on Christians to strive to save lives and not join in destroying them.
The bishop made the call in an interview with newsmen, yesterday, in Lafia, after celebrating the Easter mass.
He said that the call was imperative given the rate at which some Nigerians were taking the lives of fellow human beings.
Audu said that nobody had the right to take the life of another.
According to him, people should make sacrifice for people who are in need just as Jesus Christ did for the salvation of mankind.
The cleric said that there was need for Christians to make sacrifices for people who were in need just as Christ died for the salvation of mankind.
The bishop noted that insecurity in the country called for serious prayers for God’s intervention.
He, therefore, admonished perpetrators of criminality in the country to desist or face the wrath of God.
Similarly, a missionary with the Kuje Zonal Headquarters of Foursquare Gospel Church, Pastor Isaac Tejabo, has said that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a manifestation of the prophecy of God.
Tejabo said this, yesterday in Kuje during a sermon titled “the Stone is Rolled Away” to mark the Easter celebration.
He said that the rolling of stone on the grave was to prevent the body of Christ from being taken away after being buried.
The cleric said the stone was an attempt by man to frustrate the purpose of God after an earlier prophecy that He would rise again after death.
According to him, the stone represents man’s inadequate understanding of the power of God and the fact that God has the final say in the affairs of men.
He, therefore, urged Christians to always seek for the face of God in times of trouble and learn not to rely on self wisdom.
“They rolled the stone on the grave to stop His resurrection, thinking they are wiser than God, but when the time came, it was rolled away and Jesus resurrected.
“The stone was not only rolled away, it was recorded that an angel sat on it, waiting for the manifestation of the prophecy of God.
“The hope of Christians today is that Jesus resurrected. We must learn to trust in God, allow Him to prevail in our situations and stop the use of human strength,” he said.
The cleric said the resurrection of Christ was a clear demonstration of the fact that nobody could stop God when it was time for him to act.
He, therefore, urged Christians to be patient, adding that no time was late for God, as His time is not the time of man.
Meanwhile, gunmen have kidnapped eight women and a man in their residence in Kuchi community in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.
A community leader, Alhaji Salisu Afakallah, told newsmen, in Minna, yesterday, that the abducted women were nursing mothers and wives of his younger brothers, while the man is a cousin.
According to him, the gunmen, who he said were many, had forced the gate of the family house open at about 11:30pm, and rounded up everyone in the house.
Afakallah said some of the family members had assembled for a wedding nearby, adding that the assailants took advantage of the ceremony to carry out the raid.
He said the gunmen had lined up the women during the attack, while also shooting two male relations who, according to him, were currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the LGA.
The assailants, he also explained, killed a villager they encountered on the way out of the community after the raid.
“They called on Friday to demand for N800million ransom as condition for releasing those abducted,” he told our source in a telephone interview.
Afakallah said the family has no means of raising the amount demanded by the abductors, noting that “all our efforts to beat down the amount have proved abortive”.
According to him, the concern of the family members and the entire community was the little children in captivity.
“Some of the children are barely two months old, we don’t know the situation which they are in, and we are very worried,” he lamented.
Afakallah said although the combined team of military and police personnel were deployed to the area, last Friday, no appreciable progress has been made in the rescue mission so far.
He appealed to the Niger State Government to intervene by ensuring the release of those in captivity as there was no way the family members can raise the ransom money demanded by the gunmen.
The Acting Chairman of the council, Mr Joshua Musa, confirmed the development but said security operatives were on top of the situation.
He said from the security reports available to him, all the abducted persons were women, while one person was shot during the attack.
The state Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Dan-Inna, said he was yet to be briefed of the development, while promising to reach out when he gets the details.
However, a yet to be ascertained number of persons travelling in five different vehicles are feared missing after they were reportedly abducted by gunmen along the Birnin Gwari – Kaduna Road at about 5:00pm, last Saturday.
The gunmen were said to have stopped the vehicles at different times between 4pm and 5pm, at a point near Ladi village, and led all the passengers and drivers into the bush.
A resident of Birnin Gwari, who gave his name as Salihu, said the five vehicles, two Golf cars, two Toyota Salon and a Sienna van, were parked by the road around Ladi village.
“We are not certain how many people were in the cars but since they are mainly commercial vehicles, we assume they must contain no less than four people each,” he said.
The Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo, when contacted, said the police were yet to receive the report but added that he “will find out if it is true.”
It would be recalled that the Birnin Gwari – Kaduna road has been terrorised by armed bandits for long but criminal activities on the route went down for some time only for it to resume in the last one week.

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Fubara Pledges Cleaner Gateway To PH City …Visits New Dumpsite At Igwuruta

Published

2 weeks ago

October 24, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has unveiled plans to permanently relocate the dumpsite along the busy Port Harcourt Airport–Obiri-Ikwerre Road, describing the current location as both a public health threat and a damaging first impression for visitors arriving in Port Harcourt, the State capital.

The Governor made this known on Tuesday during an inspection of a proposed replacement site, which is a disused burrow pit near Bambo Estate, off Eneka Road in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area.

The location is being assessed as a potential permanent dumpsite for the State.

Governor Fubara, who was conducted by the Board Chairman, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Dr Samuel Nwanosike, and its Managing Director, Dr Ibimina Wokoma, expressed concern about the environmental and health challenges posed by the existing site, which sits along a major entry point into the State.

“The kind of environmental hazards that we are facing there along the Airport–Obiri- Ikwerre Road; the smell on that road being the entrance into the State, we felt it’s not proper,” he said. “So, we are making alternative arrangements so we can have a permanent refuse dumpsite that meets acceptable standards.

“He added that the government would move swiftly to formalise ownership of the land and complete construction work on the access road to make the new site functional.“We have not concluded the issue of the burrow pit, but the access road, I think the government is doing something about it.

So, I will make sure that everything that needs to be done to ensure government owns this burrow pit is done,” he stated.

Governor Fubara also commended the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) for what he described as a more assertive and improved approach to managing refuse across the State.In addition to the dumpsite inspection, the Governor also visited the Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters located in Elimgbu Town, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, to assess the extent of ongoing construction work on the facility.

Featured

Fubara Tasks New SSG On Honour, Service, Protection Of Rivers Interest

Published

3 weeks ago

October 17, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Benibo Anabraba, to uphold the dignity of his office, protect the interest of the State, and discharge his duties with honour, respect, and responsibility.

Governor Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in ceremony of the new SSG, held on Monday at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.

Describing Anabraba’s appointment as an act of divine favour, the Governor said positions of leadership are not attained by our own human effort but by God’s grace in our lives.

“Let me first congratulate you. I’m using the word ‘congratulations’ because a few of us, not by our power but by the special favour of God, find ourselves in exalted positions. It’s not because we are the best, but only by His grace.”

Governor Fubara noted that the Office of the Secretary to the State Government is one of great honour, occupied by only a few since the creation of Rivers State, and urged the new appointee to serve with humility and dedication.

He, however, expressed confidence in Anabraba’s capacity to deliver, citing his past record as a principal officer of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“This position is a rare privilege. Guard that office with honour. Discharge your duties with respect. Protect the interest of Rivers State. When you leave office, let it be with honour, and that only comes through responsible service.

“I know you’re a dedicated person. This opportunity is not for show or display of power. It’s a call to duty,” he cautioned.

The Governor emphasised that the current administration is focused on restoring confidence of the people because peace has been achieved in the State.

He enjoined the new SSG to align with the vision of the administration and contribute meaningfully to the collective progress of Rivers people.

“We are emerging from a very difficult period and must reassure our people that we mean well for them, especially now that peace has returned to Rivers State. By the grace of God, do your work well. Help us succeed in this assignment that God has given to us,” the Governor added.

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Nigeria’s First Lady Flags Off Renewed Hope Health Initiative In Rivers …Targets Measles, Rubella, HPV Vaccination For Children, Women

Published

3 weeks ago

October 17, 2025

The Tide

The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reiterated her commitment to expanding vaccine coverage nationwide, declaring that the ongoing Measles and Rubella vaccination campaign in Rivers State will surpass all previous records in scope and success.

Speaking through the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, Senator Tinubu made this statement during the flag-off ceremony of the Measles, Rubella, and HPV Vaccine Sensitisation Campaign, organised under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.

The campaign, implemented by the RHI in collaboration with the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, C-WINS, and international partners including WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and Vaccine Alliance, aims to protect millions of children and women from preventable diseases.

“We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the measles vaccine coverage achieved through this campaign exceeds that of the past,” Senator Tinubu affirmed. “Through technical and financial support, this partnership will ensure that by February, 2026, well-trained staff are deployed across communities to vaccinate all eligible children.”

Rivers State is among the Fourth Stream of Phase One states participating in Africa’s largest-ever health initiative, targeting over 106 million Nigerian children for vaccination against Measles, Rubella, Polio, and HPV. The local rollout is expected to commence in February, 2026, reaching children aged 9 months to 14 years across all 23 local government areas.

Senator Tinubu highlighted the risks of the targeted diseases, describing Measles and Rubella as “highly contagious and potentially deadly,” noting that Rubella can cause severe complications for unborn babies, if contracted by pregnant women.

“The best way to prevent both diseases remains vaccination,” she emphasised.

Narrowing down to efforts by the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the State Task Force on Primary Healthcare, led by Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, she noted how instrumental it has been in ensuring comprehensive outreach through an inter-sectoral approach involving education, women affairs, information ministries, traditional and religious leaders, and the security sector.

Senator Tinubu urged parents and caregivers to cooperate fully with health workers.

“The Measles-Rubella vaccine is safe, effective, and free in all our health centres. Please, ensure your children are vaccinated at the right time to protect them from these deadly infections.

“Let us all play our part in spreading awareness. Together, we can safeguard the health and future of our children,” she said, before formally declaring the sensitisation programme open.

In her goodwill message, Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, commended the Renewed Hope Initiative for its sustained impact in Rivers State, noting that the Measles, Rubella, and HPV Sensitisation Programme marks “a significant step in promoting public health awareness, particularly among women and children.”

She highlighted the particular benefit to the girl-child through HPV vaccination, calling it “an investment in their future health and empowerment.”

The Rivers State Coordinator of WHO, Prof. Giwa Abdulganiyu, praised the collaboration between RHI and the State Government, describing the campaign as “a worthy step in the right direction,” and reaffirmed WHO’s continued partnership in achieving health for all.

Earlier, the RHI Rivers State Coordinator, Mrs. Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, welcomed guests, and reaffirmed the initiative’s goal of reducing the incidence of Measles and Rubella in the state.

“These diseases have the potential to cause emergencies and great distress in families. Today’s flag-off represents our collective determination to raise awareness and prevent such tragedies,” she added.