Niger Delta
35 Countries For 2019 Calabar Carnival
The Carnival Calabar Commission says delegates from 35 countries and 20 Nigerian States will be participating in this year’s Calabar carnival.
The commission’s Chairman, Mr Gabe Onah, told newsmen that participants were expected from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Italy, Brazil, Malawi, Kenya and many others.
Onah said that delegates from other countries would actively participate in the carnival scheduled to take place between December 1 and 30, through various performances and other activities.
He said: “We will have over 20 states within the country showcasing their culture in various ways in a street procession by December 26.
“More of Nigeria’s cultural and tourism content will be showcased to these international delegates at the carnival, because we want to encourage in-bound tourism.
“In order to create more excitement during the carnival, the governor has established 10 performance centres to engage a good number of people; this has always been his wish.”
Onah assured local and International tourists of safety of lives and property during the carnival, adding that adequate security system was already put in place.
He said that during the carnival in December every year, crime was usually low in the state as people were usually in celebration moods.
“It is a platform for the youths to engage themselves. So, they are often too busy to engage in frivolous ventures.
“In providing security, we work closely with the navy, army, police and other para-military bodies , even the state security services, he said.”
The commission chairman said that it was Governor Ben Ayade that personally gave the theme of this year’s carnival as “Humanity”.
Onah said that the theme was meant to reflect on and address the problem of man’s inhumanity to his fellow men in the society.
Niger Delta
Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday
The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.
Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.
Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.
According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.
The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.
“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.
He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.
On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.
“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.
