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Strive For Better Nigeria, Cleric Tasks Politicians
The Senior Pastor, Summit Bible Church Abuja, Andy Osakwe, has tasked politicians in the country to aspire to build a better nation rather than pursuing their parochial interests.
Osakwe said in an interview with newsmen, yesterday, in Abuja, that political leaders must act responsibility and work for the future of the country.
The cleric, who spoke after the opening of the church’s 2022 conference, said efforts must be geared towards providing better directions to the next generation of Nigerians.
“I will advise Nigerian politicians to take responsibility for the future of the nation and move into leadership which has concern for the next generation,” he added.
Osakwe also cautioned against religious and ethnic profiling of Nigerians, adding that there should be freedom of worship and association.
“There should be no profiling based on religion, Nigeria is a free state where there is freedom of worship with no interference or intimidation,” he added.
The pastor also advised Nigerians to shun violence and work towards building a prosperous nation.
He said the 2022 conference of the church was toenable people to advance into the place of fullness in their lives.
“When Christians are in their fullness, it will be beneficial to the country as a whole.
“We believe it’s time for Christians and Nigerians to rise up and take responsibility and that is why we are emphasising fullness because it speaks about our potentials too.”
He further said that the conference would encourage all Nigerians to step up their full potentials, take full responsibility and do something positive for the country.
“It is time for a new Nigeria and we are the ones God is counting on for this new Nigeria”, he added.
Osakwe, therefore, enjoined Nigerians to remain steadfast as God would do great things for the nation.
“I encourage Nigerians not to give up, but hope for the best.
“We have been praying and God will answer us and I believe God has answered, with time we will see the manifestations.
“This is not the time to quit or give up but intensify prayers for a new Nigeria as it will come to pass,” he said.
Earlier, member of the Conference Publicity Committee,Pastor Kingsley Bangwell, said the event was meant to “challenge us as a people and body of Christ to contribute to the building of the new nation of our dream.
“The conference aims to challenge, empower and influence people to go beyond the church walls to achieve notable and striking feats for God’s kingdom.
“The attendees will be fed with truths that will cause them to experience significant advancements in every area of their lives, which is crucial in building our great nation, Nigeria.
“When minds are transformed, people are transformed and, thus, the nation is reformed.
“Fervent prayers will also be offered for Nigeria to achieve fullness of peace and enter her destiny as one of the leading nations of the world.”
Also, Apostle Michael Orokpo, who ministered on the conference’s theme, “FULLNESS”, urged all believers to allow God take predominance in their affairs to ensure all-round blessings and achievements in life.
According to him fullness means acknowledging and surrendering all to God.
“When you allow God dominate you, you attain greatness,” Orokpo said.
According to him, life, light and one’s constant presence before God are the three dominant things that ensure a man walks and works in the fullness of God.
The eight-day conference would run from October 30 to November 6, 2022.
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has announced a N100 billion annual education support programme aimed at keeping financially vulnerable Nigerian students in school.
Speaking at the launch of the national scholarship scheme in Lagos, yesterday, Dangote said too many brilliant young people were being forced out of classrooms because of poverty.
He described education as the “strongest engine of social mobility” and a critical foundation for national development.
The initiative, funded by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, will run for ten years beginning in 2026, costing over N1 trillion in total.
Dangote said the scheme would support 45,000 scholars each year at inception, expanding to 155,000 beneficiaries annually by its fourth year, and maintaining that level for the rest of the decade.
By 2036, he said, the programme is expected to have reached at least 1,325,000 students.
“We cannot allow financial hardship to silence the dreams of our young people, not when the future of our nation depends on their skills, resilience and leadership,” he added.
A major component of the fund is the Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars programme, which will provide annual scholarships for 30,000 undergraduate students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics in public universities and polytechnics.
Each beneficiary will receive tuition support aligned with the fees of their institution and course of study. Dangote said the goal is to expand access to higher education, empower innovation, and give young Nigerians the tools to compete globally.
“STEM drives development. If Nigeria must compete globally, our young minds must have the tools to learn, imagine and innovate,” he said.
