Nation
Ayokunle Bows Out, As Okoh Takes Over As CAN President
The General Assembly of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has formally validated the election of Archbishop Daniel Okoh as the new president of the religious body.
His recommendation by an Electoral College set up to screen and suggest candidates for the office of the President and Vice President, respectively, as presented by the blocs that have rights of nomination was in line with the provisions of the 2021 CAN constitution as amended.
Okoh, the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church International, emerged the new leader on Thursday, after getting a 100percent vote of all 259 delegates who participated in the 12th General Assembly of CAN.
He is expected to serve a single five-year term.
In his acceptance speech, Okoh charged the President Muhammadu Buhari to quell the rising insecurity in the country.
He said, “While thanking the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts to combat terrorism and banditry, I would like to appeal to His Excellency to end the bloodletting, kidnapping and general insecurity in all the geo-political zones of the country.
“I believe that government can do more to secure the lives and property given all the modern technology within its reach.”
Okoh also noted the need for CAN to respond appropriately to national issues, and assured that the apex Christian body would continue to participate actively and effectively in nation building
According to him, “We are coming in at the time that all of us in the Christian faith, believe that some section of political leaders are not sensitive to the diverse nature of our population when certain decisions are being made.
“Many Christians feel and have the genuine fear that there is a deliberate plan to remove the Christian faith from the scheme of things and make us second-class citizens in our own country – genuine fear borne out of the recent happenings in our polity i.e. the same-faith ticket in one of the major political parties in Nigeria despite the caution raised by CAN since two years ago.
“Whatever happens, no matter how many times our sensibilities are insulted, we must resolve to make a positive impact on the political, economic and social systems of our dear nation.’
Nevertheless, Okoh stated that for Christians to remain relevant in the scheme of things, the first step was to increase CAN’s efforts to work towards Christian unity and mutual understanding among the denominations of the church in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the outgoing CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, urged his successor to love the people irrespective of their weaknesses.
“The people will annoy him, make him angry, and may not even appreciate him, but he must continue to seek the good of the people,” he advised.
Nation
HYPREP Reaffirms Support For Ogoni Youths …Organises Workshop For Undergraduates

In pursuit of its strategic human capacity development initiatives, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has restated its commitment to supporting Ogoni youths to maximally benefit from its projects and programmes that align with their visions and aspirations.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication during the second edition of the international career enhancement and employability workshop organised by the Project for undergraduates and fresh graduates of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Port Harcourt, assured the participants of its commitment to continually initiate programmes that support their visions and aspirations.
He noted that the workshop reaffirms the Project’s commitment to inclusiveness and continuous skills development, as strategic pillars in its efforts to restore and improve livelihoods in Ogoniland.
He said the workshop was aimed at equipping the Ogoni youths with relevant career skills and empower them with employability tools, to ensure that HYPREP’s gains extend beyond remediation into long-term transformations, stressing that the Project is committed to supporting their dreams.
”HYPREP is committed to supporting your dreams through targeted initiatives, such as this workshop and we will explore ways to empower you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
I want to emphasise that this workshop is not just about enhancing your career prospects; it is also about building a community of young people and equipping you to make a positive impact in your communities. As you benefit from HYPREP’s interventions (and the experiences of the facilitator), I challenge you to take the message of peace and constructive engagement to your communities and live accordingly,” he said.
Zabbey further assured that HYPREP would continue to stand with Ogoni youths by supporting their aspirations through targeted workshops and broader livelihood initiatives that prioritise their development, noting that the Project believes in them and remains committed to creating platforms where their potential can be nurtured and realised.
The Project Coordinator enjoined them to continue to contribute to the success of HYPREP.
The second edition of the career enhancement and employability workshop had Dr Akanimo Odon and Dr Chioma Okonkwo as facilitators, while the participants were drawn from the four Ogoni local government areas.
Among other modules, participants at the two-day workshop were provided with tips on ways to explore opportunities in seemingly challenging situations, discover themselves, convert hobbies and interests into passion and profits through three career e-routes and understand the power of networks and partnerships.
Participants were also given useful nuggets, career resources of time and skills, and career resources of funding, especially how to access foreign scholarships and funding.
At the closing, HYPREP’s Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, urged the participants to earnestly pursue their passions and commit to their dreams.
Meanwhile, the participants expressed gratitude to HYPREP for organising the workshop, which they described as impactful and transformative.
HYPREP has continued to be intentional in its efforts to prioritise human capacity development in Ogoni through such workshops and trainings. This year, the Project will be rolling out trainings in high demand skill areas like mechatronics, underwater welding, commercial diving, full-stack development and GIS, targeting the youths as major beneficiaries and giving them a fair head start and comparative advantage in a highly competitive environment.
Nation
NIPR Practitioners Urge To Go Beyond Traditional Media Relations To Strategic Leadership Functions
The Public Relations practitioners across Nigeria have been charged to go beyond the perceived roles of media relations and protocol services to strategic leadership functions that is crucial to shaping and transforming the nation.
In his message at this year’s (2025) World Public Relations Day, with the Theme: ” Building Bridges, Navigating Polarisation” In Port Harcourt, The National President of the Nigeria Institution of Public Relations Dr. Ike Neliaku expressed delight to address members and guests on this special day, pointing out that the day offers a an opportunity to reflect on the journey over six decades since Public Relations formally birthed in Nigeria.
He maintained that this year’s world Public Relations day gives opportunity to members to reflect on the actions and inactions towards the development of the profession and to boldly develop new frontiers for a greater institution.
The NIPR president explained that the values of Public Relations particularly in areas of fostering relationship, strengthening leadership and advancing good governance remain a key -through effective and goal- oriented communication.
Earlier, The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, (RSU) Prof. Isaac zep-Obipi being represented by the Deputy VC admin Prof. Victor Akujuru throw challenge to NIPR members to rebranding and portray the state in good light, standing that RSU remains a state owned institution that have not witness any strike in the passed fifteen years.
Also in his speech, the state chairman NIPR Rivers Chapter Rev. Francis Asuk described world Public Relations day as a day set aside to pay attention to the works of public relations globally indeed that relationship is important that the world is crying about in rebuilding relationship due to the collapsed of the value systems at family, society and world level of human existence.
” At the highest level of human existence relationship has become imperative for all practitioners to come together and build bridges to navigates those Polarisation” he said.
In a related development,the keynote speaker Rev (Fr.) Prof. Walter C.Ihejirika, said the media has a lot to do especially on its role of enlightenment to the public about the role and function as a key element in the development of a better society.
Prof. Ihejirika who is the Dean faculty of Communication and Media Studies , University of Port Harcourt, stressed that when media practitioners navigate on the area of strategic communications with a goal, then the public will be better informed and know that they have a responsibility for the large society, “because if the large society is not good, the organization cannot function effectively.”
Nation
Alumni, Others Launch Campus Care Initiative In Port Harcourt
The Madonna University Alumni Association Rivers State Chapter in partnership with Rotary Club of Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt Downtown and Nigerian Immigration Service have launched Campus Care Initiative at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic Rumuola Port Harcourt.
Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in the inaugural edition of the Campus Care Initiative, at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic the Chairman of Madonna University Alumni Association Rivers State Chapter (MUAARIV) Dr Iheanyichukwu Wopara said that the program is aim to empowered the youth of Nigerians and also to give them the right direction in life.
He said that Campus Care Initiative is a testament to the association commitment to giving back to the society and empowering the next generation of leaders.
According to him the program is designed it demands across all sectors, physical health, mental health, sexual health and even the environment adding that the fucos of the Association is to give back to the society the best way they can.
” We have been carrying out different humanitarian activities and outreach which includes medical outreach and the girl child campaign.
” We gave academic support to three students and also three international passports, free medical outreach, pad to girl child/ condoms for the boy child and there is also introduction to ICTC training that will commence soon in the campus.
” What inform us to empowered the youth we understand that when you get the youth you have getting the society.
“We came together and says let empowered the youth in our little way knowing that government can not do anything.
” Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic was a divine choice for the program because we have a lot of University including the Madonna University to carry out the program” Dr Wopara said.
He thank the Rector of the institution Dr Moses S. Neebee, management and students of the school saying that the were expecting like 200 students but over 600 students were in attendance.
” So for us we have achieved our aim for the program and we are happy.
” First the institution management and of course our sponsor Hon Goodluck Ndala that gave us some good support for the program ” he said.
Meanwhile the Rector of institution Dr Moses S. Neebee expressed joy for the program thanking Madonna University Alumni Association and partners for bringing the program to their institution.
Dr Neebee who was represented by the Duputy Rector Academic Dr Alapuye G. Eleki said that one thing about Alumni Association is to encourage the young ones, coming behind to impact positive value in them.
” So if we have a lot of Alumni like the Madonna University I think it is good because is going to help the society and beyond.
” The program is quite encouraging taking of health, education scholarship and all that involve we are happy for it” Dr Moses said.
Also speaking the Student Union Government President Comd Henry Chijioke expressed happiness for the program saying that the lecture in course of the program as impacted a lot on the students.
“The scholarship and the international passport is a very big boost to the students.
” I appreciate Madonna Alumni and partners for dimming it fit to organize the program in our institution” Comd Chijioke said.
Earlier one of the scholarships beneficiary Taabere James of Science Laboratory Technology ND 11 said he feel very honored for the scholarship adding that he was thinking how to clear some of his fees in the school but with the support of Madonna University Alumni Association and partners he is going to clear his outstanding fees.
Key highlights of the initiative include
Scholarship award, free international Passports, medical outreach, girl child support – sanitary pad were distributed to female students while male students received condoms.
Kiadum Edookor
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