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Steer Clear Of Politics, Awuse Advises Pastors …Upholds Emohua Traditional Structures

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Incensed by recent outburst of some Christian leaders over political developments in the country, the Paramount Ruler and Nne-Nwe Eli Emohua XIII, Eze Sergeant Awuse, last Tuesday, in Port Harcourt, advised pastors to stop meddling into politics and confine themselves to evangelism to win more souls for Christ.
Awuse, who spoke when he received the management of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The Tide newspaper led by the General Manager, Chief Ernest Chinwo, wondered why pastors would dabble into politics and the nation’s electoral system in particular, peddling false prophesies about political leaders, ostensibly for pecuniary reasons.
Quoting copiously from the Bible, the Olo IV recalled that Jesus Christ, in his days, never preached prosperity but salvation of mankind before He died at 33.
“Christianity and politics are two different things, don’t combine them. Light and darkness are not friends, light has come to show you the way. Christ is the light of the world.
“There are many of them who prophesy that this person will win or this person will fail.At last, all is fallacy. If God did not give you that gift, stop talking, shut up, and face your members, if you have a way to exploit them.
“Stop deceiving your followers with fake prophecies. These fake pastors, especially the Pentecostal ones, have caused more tension in the country than politicians. They instigate their members against certain politicians they don’t like, predicting things they don’t have any inkling about.
“Our Christian religion has not done us any good by wading into the murky political terrain in this country.That is why darkness is now closing the light. How can a blind man lead a blind flock?”Awuse asked.
He blasted some self-acclaimed prophets, who have repeatedly made false prophecies about Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike’s political life, warning them to steer clear of anything concerning the governor, as they could not predict his future.
The monarch, who was a governorship aspirant in the 1990s and a governorship candidate in 2003 in the state, said that only God, who created Wike and gave him life, could determine his future, and what he would become tomorrow.
He reminded the numerous fake prophets that Jesus Christ, and indeed, God’s prophecies never failed, as all prophecies in the Bible have either come to pass or would definitely manifest in human history.
The traditional ruler also took a swipe at critics of the culture and tradition of the people, saying that most of them who despised the traditional entity, misconstrued libation to ancestral fathers as fetish.
Awuse stated that in Israel, they still pay homage to their ancestral fathers like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
He said that Jesus Christ, in His time, did not dabble into politics or the tradition of the Roman Empire, as he repeatedly told his followers to give to Caesar what was Caesar’s, and to God whatwas God’s.
The monarch described the traditional institution as an important arm of the society that works in synergy with the government for the harmony, peace and sustainable development of the communities.
Awuse noted that with his recognition as the Nne-Nwe Eli XIII of Emohua Kingdomand Olo IV, the governor has restored justice, equity, peace and development to Emohua Kingdom as a man who believes in justice, equity and fair play.
The paramount ruler stated that since his installation and presentation of staff of office, peace and even development have known no bounds in Emohua Kingdom, and assured of the total support and cooperation of the people at the grassroots in all the communities in the kingdom to the policies and programmes of the state government.
He said that in Emohua Kingdom, which affairs he oversees as the paramount ruler, there were four distinct traditional organs operating together to ensure effective representation of the people and uphold equity and justice.
The structures include Ohna Emohua-in-Council (the supreme traditional body of Emuoha clan), the Eleru-Urie (Compound Chiefs), Emuoha Council of Chiefs, and the youth councils, explaining that these bodies have jointly contributed to the peaceful co-existence and development in Emohua.
“This has not happened before. In the past, whoever was the head of the community ruled as he wanted. But I rule as the people want, whatever they want, I do. That is why there is peace and even development in Emohua. Every strata and layer in Emohua Kingdom is being carried along, and every one can bear testimony to that. My style of leadership is inclusive and participatory.
“Emuoha is a religious community handed over to God, and we abide by His rules,”Awuse explained.

By: Victor Tew & Jacob Obinna

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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