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

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
News
Tinubu Appoints Four Nominees Into NCDMB Governing Council

President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of four new members to the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement yesterday, said the appointment is to fill existing vacancies and strengthen the board’s capacity.
The statement said the approved nominees are Mr. Olusegun Omosehin of the National Insurance Commission and Engr. Wole Ogunsanya of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria.
Tinubu also endorsed the nomination of Sam Onyechi, who represents the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum and Barrister Owei Oyanbo from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
The President encouraged the new members to leverage their expertise and dedication to enhance local content development within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
It added, “The nominations arose from the exit of previous institutional representatives from the Governing Council.
“The NCDMB Governing Council, established under Section 69 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010, comprises representatives from key institutions.
“These include the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum, and the National Insurance Commission.”
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NDDC To Construct Hostels, Roads In UNIPORT – Ogbuku

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced plans to construct additional hostels, rehabilitate roads, and enhance power supply in the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
NDDC’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this during a visit to the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, yesterday by a delegation from the UNIPORT’s Governing Council.
Ogbuku stated that the NDDC had committed to upgrading facilities at UNIPORT as part of efforts to foster partnership with educational institutions across the Niger Delta.
According to him, the implementation of additional projects at the university forms part of a broader strategy to improve education standards in the region.
“Aside from the construction of new hostel blocks and installation of a 300 KVA solar inverter system, the NDDC will also facilitate more projects in the university.
“The commission will also deploy its engineers to assess the condition of UNIPORT’s roads and hostels for potential rehabilitation,” he said.
Ogbuku noted that upon completion, the projects would add to various initiatives previously undertaken by the commission at the university.
“These and other projects reflect our commitment to actualising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the Niger Delta region,” he added.
He reaffirmed the NDDC’s dedication to fostering development and strengthening partnerships across the region.
Earlier, Sen. Mao Ohuanbunwa, Chairman of UNIPORT’s Governing Council, who led the delegation commended the current leadership of the NDDC for its achievements in accelerating development in the Niger Delta.
He highlighted the university’s infrastructural challenges, noting that it lacked adequate facilities to accommodate its growing student population, and appealed for the NDDC’s support in addressing the shortfall.
“Currently, UNIPORT has a total student population of about 50,000, while its hostel accommodation capacity can only cater for 5,000 students.
“We therefore urge the NDDC to assist in the construction of additional hostels, improve transportation facilities, and facilitate the acquisition of gas turbines to enhance power supply for our students,” Ohuanbunwa pleaded.
The Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, commended NDDC for its impactful projects across the Niger Delta and extended an invitation to the commission to participate in the institution’s forthcoming 50th anniversary celebrations.
News
Senate Rejects Motion To Rename INEC Headquarters After Humphrey Nwosu

The Senate has rejected a motion to rename the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters after the former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission, late Prof Humphrey Nwosu.
Nwosu presided over the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was truncated by the former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd).
The election which was won by the late business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola, was adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the electoral history of Nigeria.
The motion to rename INEC after Nwosu was re-sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe yesterday after lawmakers threw it out last Wednesday.
Abaribe called for posthumous national honours to be conferred on Nwosu in recognition of his role in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
However, the proposal sparked a heated debate once again, with lawmakers deeply divided over Nwosu’s legacy.
Senator Osita Ngwu acknowledged that Nwosu operated under a military regime, which restricted his ability to announce the results.
He argued that “there was no way he would have announced the results with a gun to his head. That doesn’t change the fact that some of us see him as a hero.”
Senator Austin Akobundu, however, described it as most uncharitable for lawmakers to dismiss Nwosu’s contributions, insisting that he deserved a place in Nigeria’s hall of honour.
On the other hand, several senators like Senator Jimoh Ibrahim dismissed the idea outright, questioning why the Senate should honour someone who failed to announce the results insisting that “nothing should be named after him”.
Senator Cyril Fasuyi argued that history does not reward efforts, but only results.
“As long as he did not announce the result, whether under duress or not, I am against naming INEC headquarters after him,” he submitted.
Also, Senator Sunday Karimi criticised Nwosu for lacking the courage to speak out, while Senator Afolabi Salisu warned that immortalising him would undermine the memory of MKO Abiola, the widely accepted winner of the June 12, 1993, annulled election.
“Any attempt to do anything beyond a one-minute silence is to rubbish Abiola’s legacy,” he tendered.
After intense deliberation, most senators rejected the motion through a voice vote.
They, however, agreed to honour him with a one-minute silence and extend condolences to his family, effectively dismissing the other prayers to immortalise Nwosu.
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