Niger Delta
Pastor Suspended For Hosting YPP’s Thanksgiving Service In A’Ibom
The Apostolic Church in Akwa Ibom State, has suspended one of its pastors for hosting the thanksgiving and dedication service of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Onna Local Government Area of the state . Onna is the home town of the state Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel.
The suspended cleric, Pastor E.E. Henshaw, broke the news of his suspension just as the service was going on at Ndon Eyo Township assembly in Onna.
The suspension shocked the congregation when the pastor announced that he just received a message of suspension for opening the doors of the church for YPP.
He also said the Field Superintendent, Dr U.S Ukpong, had ordered him to appear before the Disciplinary Council of the church the next day to explain why he should not be sacked for allowing YPP to dedicate its campaign and thank God in his assembly.
Pastor Henshaw said the previous night, the police had invaded his church, harassing him and threatening to detain him should he allow YPP to attend the church.
Two days earlier, while the YPP officials were trying to secure a church for the dedication of its national assembly campaigns due to start on October 3, 2022, the Apostolic Mount Olive Church in Awa Iman, the governor’s village, which was the initial venue, was sealed off by policemen from Ikot Akpan Abia, allegedly on the orders of the government.
Thugs were reported to have been deployed to block off the entrance of the church on Sunday morning,in anticipation that YPP will force its way there, after the preacher-in charge, Prophet David, had earlier been warned not to host the party.
Not bothered by the development, the governorship candidate of the YPP and frontline runner for the Hilltop mansion in the State, Obong Albert Bassey Akpan stressed that only God enthrones and unseats governments.
“God unseats governments and enthrones governments and that same God who made Obong Attah governor; who made Godswill Akpabio governor; and who made Udom Emmanuel governor will also make me governor,” the senator said.
”We are a people others rejected but God saw our sincerity of mind and is using us to achieve His purpose,” he added.
He predicted that YPP will shock other parties, through the mass support of the people so that “when we come in, we will not behave like them:”
He said like God told Samuel, God is going to do something in Akwa Ibom that ears will hear and marvel.
He lamented a situation where YPP has been blocked from all the public venues in the state, including Ibom Hall, Ikot Ekpene Stadium and even some churches in Onna.
YPP is the party with the strongest candidates, he said, adding: “You must not belong to occultic circles before they give you opportunity”.
Senator Akpan also questioned why the member of Mbo defected but his seat was not declared vacant in the state House of Assembly but when Usoro Akpanusoh and Asuquo Nanna were suspected to belong to YPP, their seats were declared vacant.
“Whether they like it or not, Akwa Ibom will be free”, he said, adding that “YPP is for service to the people and now is the time”.
Akparawa Ephraim Inyang , speaking on behalf of other candidates, made a covenant with God and pledged that when they become victorious, he will sponsor the refurbishment of the entire church.
As a secret for constant replenishing, Inyangeyen encouraged people to always sow into God’s hand and expect multiplication, later.
In his homily, Apostle Evans Adam said God was prepared to take Akwa Ibom out of misery. “For every generation, God prepares a man that will take the people to a destination.
“ He may not be our choice but God prepares him for the next champion. May you never miss the opportunity God has given to us by chosing and voting wrongly”, he said.
Drawing from Ezekiel 21: 27, Adam said: “God will overturn because he has heard the cries of his people, not to please a man.”
The pastor also said God will pick a man after his heart; a man with a track record and legacy to change the story of the people for the better.
“When God sends a Moses, he sends a man who has felt the pain before. He sends a man that has left a legacy…He sends a man that has the power and influence to help the people to do the right thing”, he added.
“If you follow a man that knows the way, you will not miss the way”, Adam said.
He then urged the people to vote for transformational leadership identified by its selfless contributions, when the time comes, to “push God’s agenda”.
While dedicating the National Assembly campaigns, Prophet David Udo Udo, reading from Lev 26:36, prayed God to use “the sound of a shaken leaf” to change the heart of many Akwa Ibom voters in favour of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.