Niger Delta
Bayelsa Monarch Bags Award, Recommits To Unity, Development
Paramount Ruler of Agbura Community, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, HRH E. N. Daufa (Ikile Viii) has been conferred with an award of meritorious service.
The award, tagged “Trans-generational icon award”, was conferred on the monarch by the Bayelsa Merit and Enterprise Award (BAMA) in conjunction with the Independent Newspapers Publishers Association of Nigeria (INPAN).
In a notification letter presented to the royal father by the two groups prior to the award, dated 12th August, 2024, and jointly signed by Chairman of the award groups, Comrade Andrew Okpongu, and the Organising Secretary, Bro. Elliot Zamide, the groups noted that the award was in recognition of the monarch’s selfless services to humanity, his contribution to the development of his community, the Tarakiri clan, and the Ijaw nation as a whole.
The groups’ letter read in part: “This award is meant to encourage you to increase your strides and not to relent. We wish to congratulate you on this deserving and meritorious achievement as BAMA recipient”.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after receiving the award, the monarch said the award is the 4th in series of meritorious awards he has received from organizations he had never had formal contacts with.
He noted that as paramount ruler, he was only doing the usual job expected of him in terms of ensuring peace and harmony in his community, but that unknown to him, people and organizations from far and near are keeping sight on his activities.
The monarch thanked BAMA for the award, saying he will continue to do his best for the development of Agbura Community and the Ijaw nation.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
Niger Delta
Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday
The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.
Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.
Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.
According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.
The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.
“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.
He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.
On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.
“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.
