Niger Delta
NUJ Decries High Crime Rate, Kidnapping In C’River
The Cross River State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has raised the alarm over the spate of kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.
Our correspondent reports that in the last one week, no fewer than six persons had been kidnapped and later released after payments of ransoms.
The Tide reports that Dr David Ugwu, a lecturer at the University of Calabar, was seized from his residence, just as Mr Maurice Archibong, an account staff with the Nigerian Chronicle, was also picked up by gunmen and Chief Desmond Oko, an Igbo business man, was abducted and a trader, popularly known as Champion, was whisked from Garden Street.
Last week, a serving police sergeant, alleged to be behind many kidnappings in Calabar, was arrested alongside five other gang members by soldiers of Operations Skolombo, an incident that was confirmed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo.
Disturbed by the situation, the NUJ in a communiqué signed after its monthly congress last week by the state chairman, Victor Udu, and secretary, Ukar Ibor, expressed deep concern at the pervasive abductions and other criminal activities in Calabar metropolis.
Accordingly, the congress called on the state government “to step up efforts to ensure the protection of lives and property of citizens as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
“The congress also called on the security agencies in the state “to live up to their expectation as well as conduct a self-cleansing of their personnel to weed out those who compromise the security architecture of the state for selfish gains,” they contended.
NUJ further expressed dismay at the continued scarcity of potable water in the capital and the inability of the state water board to mitigate the problem, alleging that some staff were sabotaging the efforts of government to achieve regular water supply to the citizenry.
The union stated that Calabar would not attain the desired environmental cleanliness without regular potable water for people.
On roads, the council decried “the increasing number of potholes in the city roads and called on the state Ministry of Works and other agencies of government saddled with the responsibility of fixing the roads to swing into action to reduce the plight faced by the people.”
By: Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
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.
