Niger Delta

Church Set To Hold Maiden ‘Prayer Crusade’ In Bayelsa

Published

3 years ago

February 6, 2023

Leadership of the South-South zone(1) of Christ Embassy Church has said all is now set for the hosting of its special crusade, tagged: ‘Bayelsa Prayer Crusade’.
The Tide learnt that the event is the maiden prayer crusade in christendom in the State.
Briefing newsmen at the Church’s State Headquarters, Yenagoa, midweek, its zonal Head of Operations, Pastor Tokunbo Umeasiegbu, leading a team of clergy, stated that the essence of the crusade was for intensive spiritual reawakening, fortification of citizens and residents of the state, and the state in its entirety.
She noted that though the church has been holding regular intercessory prayers and crusades geared towards enabling the state and its citizens to achieve and reach their destined heights and purposes in life, the forthcoming event promises to further lead to greater miracles and testimonies of the mighty works of God in the life of the people of the state on one hand, and the state in general.
She disclosed that the Zonal Pastor and Chief Host of the crusade, Pastor Obi Umeasiegbu, and other clergy of the church have been holding intercessory prayers for the state, noting that the level of infrastructural development in the state in terms of existing and ongoing government projects were not just being executed without the church and others praying for the peace and development of the state.
“As a church, we’ve been praying for this state everyday. That you now see an airport, the three Senatorial roads ongoing parallel, the peace we enjoy in the state, and other very significant programmes and processes geared towards development of the state wasn’t by chance. It’s God that is directing the leadership of the state, through intercessory prayers of the church.
“Yes, elections are coming next month, and so we need to pray for God to direct Bayelsans and Nigerians to elect God-fearing leaders who have the interest of the state and nation at heart.
“This crusade is very special in many ways: one, this is the first time in the history of Christianity in this state that either Christ Embassy as a Ministry or any other one, would be having this type of special crusade tagged, ‘Bayelsa Prayer Crusade’’, the Clergy said.
Pastor Umeasiegbu adviced participants of the maiden prayer crusade to come with an expectant heart, saying God’s glory would not cease manifesting in the lives of the people of the state in their various pursuits.
The Tide reports that Christ Embassy, also known as “Believers Love World”, was founded by Nigeria’s popular televangelist, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, over three decades ago
The venue of the maiden ‘prayer crusade’ is the car-park arena, Bayelsa State Medical University, Imgbi road, Amarata, Yenagoa, the state capital.

By:Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.