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Banigo Praises Ebirien As Great Apostle Of Christ
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has described Rt. Rev. Ralph Cornelius Ebirien as a great missionary and lover of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Banigo stated this during the Retirement/70th Birthday Thanksgiving Service in honour of Rt. Rev. Ralph Cornelius Ebirien, the 6th Bishop, Niger Delta Diocese at St Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The deputy governor, who said the bishop lives a very modest and humble lifestyle, stressed that he was a great apostle of Jesus Christ.
Banigo expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for the 12th day of May, 2022, which she disclosed, was the 12th year of Rt. Rev. Ralph Cornelius Ebirien’s enthronement as a bishop and the 70th birthday of his life.
“I just want to thank the Almighty God for the things He has used him to do, when he was Dean of the Diocese, he was chairman of the Sunday School Board, and I worked with him closely.That was when I started to know him for his sheer humility, his love for the work of God and how he has been able to disciple the children of God, how he has been able to send the word of God along the length and breadth of this Diocese and beyond. When he ascended to be a bishop, I knew that God has chosen a man after His heart to the diocese, and he never stopped working for the improvementof the ministry and the word of God”.
The state deputy governor said that members of the diocese would remember and miss him, adding that the retired bishop accomplished many things during his ministerial work in the diocese.
“We love you in this diocese, and we are going to miss you. You are a great apostle of the Lord and your life is all about miracle. We pray the good Lord to continue to be with you as you continue to be in His Holy reverence to His glory, amen”, she stated.
Banigo assured the retired bishop that she would relate to her principal about the accommodation he mentioned, adding that she was optimistic that the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike would attend to the request.
In his remarks, Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province, Blessing Enyindah, said the Primate of All Nigeria Anglican Communion, Henry Ndukuba has approved the appointment of Rt. Rev. Wisdom Ihunwo as Overseer of the Niger Delta Diocese pending when a new bishop would be enthroned.
In his sermon, the Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North, Rt. Rev. Wisdom Ihunwo said “one of the best things that could happen to a man is to retire when you are still alive”, stressing that “when you have worked and God keeps you alive until your retirement date, it calls for thanksgiving”.
He said Ebirien was known for his humility and patience, adding that he has learnt a lot from the lifestyle of the bishop, who was ever ready to learn, does not take anything for granted, and expressed gratitude to Almighty God that Ebirien was alive and retiring alive.
The clergy, who took his Bible reading from the books of Luke 17 and Psalms 103, advised Christians to always reciprocate God’s blessings and goodness in their lives and stop remembering only the things God didn’t do for them.
He explained that the retired bishop had cheated death, stressing that God’s grace and divine favour found him alive.
Earlier, the out-going Bishop of the Niger Delta Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ralph Cornelius Ebirien, had expressed gratitude to Almighty God for His blessings; mercy and love for making him attain the age of 70 years and to retire after 40 years of serving Lord’s vineyard out of which he served as a bishop for 12 years.
“I am happy that I am alive to retire from service, today, and also clocking 70 years, all is the grace of”, he stated.
Ebirien advised young ministry workers and pastors to be patient and have faith in the work of God, and appealing to them not to place materialism above spiritual things, even as he commended members of the diocese for their support to his family throughout his 12 years of leadership in the diocese.
The Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Prof Owunari Georgewill read the first lesson, while Sir Simipiri Paul read the second lesson.
By: Akujobi Amadi
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.