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2023: Avoid Past Mistakes, Dep Gov Warns Christians

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2 years ago

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The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has cautioned christians to avoid mistakes they made in 2015 and 2019 general elections in order to save the nation from total collapse.
He made the call at Saint Barnabas Anglican Church, Sagbama, during the second session of the fifth synod of the Western Izon Diocese of the Anglican Communion.
Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement issued at the weekend by his media aide, Mr Doubara Atasi, warned that failure to vote wisely in the upcoming general elections would spell greater doom in every sphere of Nigerians national life.
The Deputy Governor said instead of wasting time engaging in unnecessary debates, churches should sensitize their members to vote for the party that will promote the growth and development of Christianity as well as the unity, security and economic wellbeing of the country.
He insisted that repeating the mistakes of the past was tantamount to madness caused by the proverbial dog biting the same person a second time.
The Deputy Governor cautioned christians against what he called “sleeping on duty”, and charged the body of Christ in the country to wake up from its slumber and begin to interrogate issues in such a way that will promote the common good.
Making a reference to the fate that befell the Church in Turkey, he said Christians in Nigeria could not afford to remain docile in the face of current realities but rather, take action in doing the right things it is called out for in society.
“I am not here to campaign, but the truth is that the mistakes we did in 2015 and 2019, if we make those mistakes again, then we are going to behave like a man whom a dog bit twice.
“When a dog bites you once, that dog must be mad; but if the same dog bites you a second time, then probably it is you that is mad because you should have taken caution.
“I believe that caution is the senior brother to carefulness. We must be careful as we vote again in 2023, if not, we will throw this country into greater doom and suffering. I’m saying this because ‘a stitch in time, saves nine’”, he said.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo also re-echoed his concern that the undiluted gospel of Christ was being pushed aside with “contemporary teachings” that lay less emphasis on holiness, righteousness and discipleship.
The Deputy Governor, who congratulated the Anglican Diocese of Western Izon for a successful synod,, encouraged the Church in Nigeria to learn from her mistakes and correct them before it was too late.
“The essence of a synod is for us to reflect on and know where we were yesterday, where we are today, and where we are going to be tomorrow. It is not a ritual, but it is an obligation.
“The bishop’s charge is very clear. He has told us what it is going to look like. Within the charge, there are issues that are political; religious, moral, and also issues that are social.
“The gospel is almost pushed aside with contemporary teachings, but let’s stick to the traditional message of the church.
“We must learn from our mistakes as a church. Turkey today is an Islamic country, but all of us know that Turkey was not an Islamic country before. What brought about this? They made mistakes.
“Are we sure we are not making the same mistakes? Are we not sleeping on our duty as Christians? Let the church interrogate itself. The church is too docile and distracted”, he added.
In his Charge, the Bishop of Diocese of Western Izon, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Right Reverend Victor Ebipade Okporu, underscored the need for both the church and the nation to seek divine help from the Almighty God for a positive turnaround in the country.
Drawing from Psalm 121, Rev. Okporu noted that the church and humanity need spiritual help to overcome sin and the power of the enemy, as well as grace for healing, good governance and success in every aspect of life.
The Bishop decried the worrisome state of the nation, citing the issues of insecurity, failing economy, rising public debts, and decadence in the education sector, saying that it was time the church came together in unity to seek God’s face for the country.
The Synod of the Western Izon Diocese, with the theme: “Help From God”, had in attendance several men of God, including the Archbishop of Bendel Province, The Most Reverend Cyril Odutemu, and the Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Izon, Right Rev. Funkuro Amgbare.

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Niger Delta

Bayelsa, Rivers To Establish Joint Anti-Vandalism Taskforce On National Grid, Others

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3 days ago

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December 13, 2024

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The Governments of Bayelsa and Rivers States have resolved to jointly work towards strengthening security architecture to protect power and other critical national assets in their border communities.
This decision, The Tide learnt, followed the outcome of a meeting between the Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Odu, at the Brick House, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, Senator Ewhrudjakpo underscored the importance of effective collaboration between the two states to tackle power outage and its attendant socio-economic losses occasioned by criminal activities of vandals.
Lamenting that it cost Bayelsa so much political and financial capital to have power restored after a four-month period of blackout, the Acting Governor stressed the need for urgent and drastic measures to forestall the recurrence of such harrowing experience.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo seized the opportunity to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and his Deputy, Prof  Odu, for showing concern over the Bayelsa plight and indicating readiness for collaboration to curb the menace.
“For the past four months, the transmission lines between Bayelsa and Ahoada in Rivers State have been vandalized almost three times. And to fix it, TCN was telling us one story after another.
“So, we decided to take it upon ourselves to make sure we fix the line. But having fixed it, what we need to do is to have a team that provides surveillance for that facility so that it will not be easily vandalized again.
“We believe if we have this kind of joint collaboration, it will be easier for our communities to protect the facilities. So we need to have a joint committee that will monitor the line between Rivers and Bayelsa”, the Bayelsa Ag. Governor said.
Earlier, the Rivers State Deputy Governor had assured the Bayelsa delegation of her state’s preparedness to contribute meaningfully towards the fight against transmission lines vandalism.
“We must do something about it because you don’t leave your problems or sweep them under the carpet. If you sweep them under the carpet, they remain there. You have to bring them out and find the strategy that works best to solve them”, Prof. Odu said.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Mrs.  Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, and  her  Rivers State Local Government Affairs counterpart, Prince Charles Beke, disclosed that both states had resolved to establish anti-vandalization taskforce committees that will work jointly to check the activities of power vandals.
Mrs. Koku-Obiyai, who emphasized the need for active community engagement in the security arrangements, informed that Bayelsa had already constituted and inaugurated a 10-member anti-vandalism taskforce, which has since commenced operations in the state.
Government officials who accompanied Senator Ewhrudjakpo to the meeting which was at the instance of the Governors of Bayelsa and Rivers State were, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Peter Akpe, and the Commissioner for Power, Engr Kumoko Kharin.
Others included the Commissioner for Community Development, Hon, Watson Belemote; the Mayor of Yenagoa City, Mr. Bulodisiye Ndiware; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, CP Agberebi Akpoebi (Rtd); and the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Anti-Vandalization Taskforce, CP Mary George (Rtd).
The Chairman of Ahoada West, Mr. Iyekor Ikporo, and that of Ahoada East, Mr. Chibudum Ezu, were part of the Rivers team, while the Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was represented by Engr Juliet Ndidi at the meeting.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

C’River Magistrates Threaten Indefinite Industrial Action

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3 days ago

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December 13, 2024

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Magistrates in Cross River State have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike last Monday over alleged poor welfare and other conditions of service.
This is contained in a release jointly signed by the State Chairman of Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Godwin Onah, and his Secretary, Solomon Abuo.
The Tide’s source reports that the Magistrates noted that the strike will not cease until their demands are met by the government.
They had earlier embarked on a 3-day warning strike to press home their demands and also warned that they will commence an indefinite industrial action should the government fail to meet their demands.
They said the government has failed to implement their promotions and see to their overall welfare and working environment.
According to the statement dated December 8, following the expiration of the warning strike, the magistrates have decided to embark on indefinite strike from Monday, December 9.
“Furthermore, sequel to our letter to the Governor of Cross River State dated 11th November, 2024, where  the notice of strike, was extended to Friday 22nd November, 2024 to enable the State Government to attend to our demands, and having failed to do so till date, we hereby issue this bulletin.
“In line therefore, with our congress resolution to proceed on a three days warning strike is hereby declared by the state chapter of the Magistrates.
“This action in the first instance, will be  effective from 6am of Wednesday, 27th November 2024 to Friday , 29th November, 2024.
“If the State Government fails to meet our demands, an indefinite strike shall be embarked upon until all our demands are fully met”.
Before the warning strike, the magistrates had earlier in November issued a seven days ultimatum to the state government to effect promotion for its members that have remained stagnant since 2015.
The magistrates also decried the payment of N15,000 as monthly  impress to magistrates in the state when compared to magistrates in neighbouring states that receive between N200,000 and N250,000 monthly.
While also demanding for the rehabilitation of magistrate courts across the state, the association further condemned the government for none provision of official vehicles to it members.
It further demanded immediate implementation of promotion and regularisation of magistrates in the  state with necessary financial benefits across all cadres as well as the implementation of all accrued arrears.
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Niger Delta

NSCDC Holds Walk Against National Assets Vandalism In Edo

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3 days ago

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December 13, 2024

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Edo State has staged  a walk to educate the public on the importance of protecting national assets and infrastructure from being vandalised.
State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Gbenga Agun, who led the sensitisation walk, said it was meant to intimate the public of its role in ensuring the protection of the assets at all levels.
“It is to sensitise the people on the importance of guiding our properties, that is, critical national assets and infrastructure from being vandalised”, he said.
Agun noted that protecting national assets was a collective responsibility because it encompassed everyone.
According to him, vandalism can be natural or man-made, and that the economic situation in the country can push some people to engage in destructive activities.
The NSCDC boss, however, encouraged the public to report cases of vandalism at any of the divisional offices in all local governments or the outpost stations.
Also speaking, the Head of Department, Critical National Assets and Infrastructure of the command, Mr Sule Muhammed, called for intelligence sharing on vandalism of any national assets for prompt action.
The Tide’s source reports that the walk, which featured the distribution of leaflets to motorists, shop owners, and passersby, began from the command headquarters at the Blessed Avenue in Benin and covered several major roads in the city.
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