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Cleric Seeks Unity, Peace Ahead 2023 Polls …Hails Wike Over Fubara’s Guber Project

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A cleric in Rivers State, and Minister in charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Opobo, Pastor Ebenezer Pepple, has urged Nigerians to place the unity, peace and development of the country above all other interest throughout the new year and beyond.
Speaking with journalists recently in Port Harcourt on the 2023 elections, and fate of Nigeria, Pepple said it was only through concerted efforts by Nigerians, all tiers of government, public and private institutions, including non- governmental organizations could Nigerians build a peaceful and prosperous nation.
He noted that for Nigeria to move forward as desired in 2023 and beyond, Nigerians across all parts of the country must “purge themselves of self-centeredness, ethnicity, religious bigotry, political differences and avaricious lifestyles”.
He lamented that such negative tendencies in Nigeria are the major reasons at the state and federal levels, the country encounter several challenges that have marred its growth since independence in 1960.
“I urge all to place the unity, peace and development of the country above all other interest throughout the New Year and beyond.
“It can only be via concerted efforts by Nigerians, all tiers of government, public and private institutions, including NGOs that we can build a peaceful and prosperous country.
“I candidly believe that for our state and nation to move forward as required in 2023 and beyond, we must purge ourselves of religious bigotry, self-centredness, ethnicity, political differences and avaricious characters.
“Obviously, these negative tendencies are the major reasons why at the state and federal levels, we encounter several challenges that have marred our concomitant growth since after independence in 1960.
“As we have entered a new year, there are fresh hopes by all Nigerians for a peaceful and prosperous society. All the good things we yearn for will not happen on their own as it is left in our hands to make the nation to become what we want it to be”, Pepple said.
On 2023 general elections, he called on political leaders, candidates of various political parties and their supporters to pursue their aspirations in a friendly manner devoid of conflict, shedding of innocent blood and manipulations.
“The 2023 elections is an event that will come and go. So let politicians and their supporters not see the polls as a do-or-die affair.
“Power belongs to God and he will surely enthrone those who will be good to move the states and country forward”, he declared.
Meanwhile, Pastor Pepple commended Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, over the choice of the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Siminialayi Fubara, ahead of the 2023 general polls in the state, as his successor.
He described his action as “divine will of God to salvage the state and humanity”, urging Rivers people to rally round Sim Fubara by voting for him and other PDP candidates massively in the polls.

By: Bethel Toby

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Rivers

Monarch Tasks Newly Government Recognized Traditional Rulers On Peace, Integrity

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The Eze Oha Evo III, His Majesty, King Leslie Nyebuchi Eke, Eze Gbakagbaka, has called on the newly recognised Traditional Rulers by the Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike-led administration to ensure that they use their offices to support the peace initiative in the state as created by the Governor.
Eze Eke made the appeal while addressing newsmen in his palace in Woji in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area during the week.
He said as paramount rulers, their major stake was to maintain peace and integrity and not a double standard life.
According to him, Governor Nyesom Wike’s plans to have a peaceful state should be complemented at various levels including the traditional institutions.
The Evo King noted that if all communities in the state are peaceful, the state at large will live harmoniously.
He expressed hope that the upgrade/classification of additional traditional stools across the state was a pointer to the fact that Governor Wike has every sector at heart.
“I hail and thank His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Mr. Quality Projects, Life Bencher, for the classification/upgrade of traditional stools across the state. Indeed, the Governor is doing well”, he said.
He also called on his new colleagues to see the opportunity as a call to duty wherein, the people’s challenges will supercede their personal interest.
He sued for uprightness among the traditional rulers and their immediate communities, saying that “a house divided against itself cannot stand”.
He prayed that God Almighty would continue to bless and keep them in good health and sound mind as they have attained another height of greatness in life.
The Tide learnt that the Governor’s action was from the strength of Section 13, Subsection 1 of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Law No. 4 of 2015.

By: King Onunwor

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Rivers

Stakeholders Task Govt On Special Fund For Host Communities

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Some stakeholders in the Niger Delta are calling on governments in the region to set aside special percentages from the 13percent derivation fund for the development of oil producing communities.
This was part of a resolution at a town hall meeting organised by Connect Development (CODE), a non- governmental organisation in Port Harcourt.
The stakeholders who were drawn from Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Cross River States, particularly lamented general backwardness of host communities in the region.
They urged the government to set aside certain percentages for the host communities.
Speaking with newsmen, the Akwa Ibom State lead coordinator, Ubong Ekpe, said oil producing communities should not be denied of their fair share of development.
Ekpe said the implementation of the 13 percent derivation which has brought in trillions of Naira has not had any positive impact on the host communities.
He said the town hall meeting was to dialogue with major stakeholders, including host communities, with a view to ensuring that host communities benefit from natural resources from their Land.
Ekpe noted host communities, particularly in Akwa Ibom State, are yet to feel the impact of their resources.
Also speaking, the Cross River State Coordinator, Connecting Development (CODE), Effang Etim, said the meeting will share ideas between the organisation and community leaders , civil societies and government officials to create an action plan.
He said investigation revealed that most host communities in the region are not benefitting from resources being exploited from their areas.
“We had a survey across the State on host communities in which we made some findings that we’ll share to government personnel to enable them see what people in the communities are going through”, he said.
According to him, most host communities lack the basic necessities of life such as health centres, schools water and others.
A cross section of other participants who spoke were unanimous that host communities deserve better living conditions.

By: John Bibor

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Rivers

Community Laments Neglect Despite Hosting 48 Oil Wells

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Resident of Joinkrama community in Ahoada West Council of Rivers State have expressed worries over the level of environmental degradation, poverty, and neglect in the area, despite having 48 oil wells, operated by multinational companies.
The community plays host to Adibawa Oilfield, operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited. The community is ravaged by poverty, environmental degradation and neglect, with inaccessible roads, cut off by flood and erosion.
Some residents, who spoke with The Tide source during Community Diagnostic Dialogue on the issues of oil pollution, organised by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), lamented that Orashi River, which serves as their major source of water, is highly polluted with crude.
A member of the community, Azaga Ovie-Oniso Kelvin, said: “Our rivers are highly polluted and the river crosses from one community to another. The roofing sheets are all brownish. What we want is the oil company operating here to mitigate the effects of their operations in the community.
“We have written letters to Shell, Agip and others, including their local contractors but unfortunately, they do not listen. They only listen to violence and because we are peaceful people, they keep taking us for granted,” he said.
Another resident, Mrs. Avigien Ubileoniso Goodwill, said poverty is clearly written on the faces of Joinkrama residents.
“The 2022 flood really dealt with us, our crops were all destroyed and we all were rendered homeless. The oil companies are not helping matters, even the access road is completely broken.
“The oil company should repair our only access road because the road is very important. Our graduates have been reduced to peasant farmers because there is no employment. There are no benefits at all from the oil company, we are still drinking from Orashi River.”
Environmentalist and Director of HOMEF, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, described Joinkrama as a geographical laboratory for the study of environmental problems, ranging from flood, gas flaring and oil spills.

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