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Drop Your Ministerial Portfolio, Bishop Tells Buhari …States Recipe For Herdsmen’s Killings
The Presiding Bishop, New Day College of Bishops Worldwide, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ochei, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to desist from acting as the Minister of Petroleum and President of Nigeria at the same time.
Ochei also asked Buhari to act like a true leader who is in charge by allocating offices to the ministerial-designates, without further delay, as Nigerians have had enough of his delay in appointing ministers.
He said that “dropping the Petroleum Ministerial position attached to his office has become very imperative as it sends a very wrong signal that no Nigerian, except him, is capable and competent to handle the position, just as it makes mockery of his position as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
Speaking during the consecration of Bishop Jude Obadile Ifechukwu, at Rock of God Healing Ministry, Ochei said there was no need for delay in appointing ministers months after the President was declared winner of the February 23, 2019 election.
“I have seen some presidents who released the list of their cabinet members within two weeks they took over as presidents. Unfortunately, what you and I see in Nigeria is totally a different thing all together.
“President Buhari’s delay in appointing his kitchen cabinet is not a good omen, and he must desist from acting as the Minister of Petroleum and President of Nigeria at the same time. It is a mockery, and belittling of his office as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria”, Ochei argued.
He also frowned at a situation where some Nigerian priests make mockery of themselves over illicit affairs with ladies and women, saying that the cases of alleged sexual harassment and rape, levelled against priests or pastors of churches were becoming embarrassing to the church of God.
“Many pastors have been accused of one sexual harassment or the other; some may be true while some are lies, but whether true or false, men of God must refrain from sexually harassing and raping members; such acts drag their name and that of the church to the mud.
“So many men of God have women issues, but what I want to tell them now is, if you think you have ‘ministry of women’ that you cannot do without sex, you can resign as a pastor, and then, go fully into ‘women ministry’.
“Women are everywhere, some of these men that cannot do without women should go for them, and they are available; and allow serious men of God into church services.”
Also speaking, Rt. Rev. Ossy Michael while preaching the sermon during the consecration service, called on Christians all over the world to have fear of God in them, pointing out that anybody who does not fear God was not a Christian.
He prayed for unity of Nigeria, Anambra and Delta State, his home state, respectively.
In his speech, the newly consecrated Bishop, Rt. Rev. Ifechukwu, who was visibly happy, said he was convinced that his call was from God, and thanked Him for making him a bishop, just as he thanked God for His numerous blessings.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene