Niger Delta
D’Gov Lauds Intervention Programmes Of CCN
Bayelsa State Government has commended the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) for propagating the teachings of Jesus Christ and its intervention programmes towards providing succour to people affected by natural disasters.
Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the commendation recently when the South-South zone of the CCN paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.
He expressed delight that the body had offered to support the state’s development initiatives which he described as laudable and also congratulated the new South-South Zone executive members of the foremost Christian organisation in the country on their election.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo implored the current executives to make a difference by consolidating on the gains of their predecessors and demonstrate exemplary leadership, stressing that true leaders respond to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
Commenting on the interaction between the church and society, the deputy Governor expressed displeasure over the church’s inability to adequately play the role of catering to the welfare of the less privileged.
According to him, the churches should not place unnecessary burden on their adherents but allow them to make freewill donations to support their programmes and projects.
He also frowned at the practice whereby the church now place more emphasis on materialism to the detriment of spiritual wellbeing as exemplified in the scriptures which enjoin humanity “to seek first the kingdom of God and all other things shall be added unto them.”
Senator Ewhrudjakpo further noted that one of the major concerns of the church should be about attracting people to the word of God for redemption and salvation as well as take care of the needy.
On the CCN’s request for land in the State, he expressed Government’s willingness to provide land for the purpose of establishing the National Research lnstitute for the South-South zone.
“First, I want to thank the CCN for what you have done that is quite remarkable and remains as an indelible achievement. That the church in Nigeria was able to teach the church elsewhere what we call morality by breaking out of the West.
“The Church in Nigeria stood its ground by saying we need to have our own Nigerian Communion because of the nonsense they were doing in the West where Bishops were going into gay marriages.
“I am happy that the Anglican Communion stood their ground and were able to resist that. And we commend them for that. You know that when civilization has gone so high, some people tend to forget that there is God.
“You said the church is for development of society and that formed the basis for the setting up of missionary schools, hospitals and so on. I agree with you.
“But I’m a little bit worried that the Church has degenerated from that role. The church today, including the Catholic and Anglican Church, seem to have decided to join the mix instead of standing out.
“The Church no longer cater for the needy as it used to be. Even when the needy don’t have, we try to impose on them that they must have and give”, he said.
In their presentations, the National General Secretary of CCN , Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, and the South-South Zonal Chairman, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Ihwighwu, said they were in the state to hold a zonal meeting as well as inaugurate the new executive of the CCN, South-South zone.
Rt. Rev. Onyemara explained that aside its evangelical mission, the CCN also provides humanitarian services and assist in developmental issues.
He added that in 2022, the General Assembly of the CCN resolved that the South-South zone should establish what it called, the Institute of Church and Society and appealed to the state government to provide land for the building of a national research institute in Bayelsa for the South-South zone.
The Bayelsa State Chairman of CCN, who is also the Bishop of the Northern Izon Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Funkuro Amgbari, that of Rivers State, Rev. Dr. Innocent Ordu, and their Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River and Edo States counterparts accompanied the Zonal Chairman on the visit.
Highpoint of the visit was the offering of prayers for Governor Douye Diri, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, and the entire government and people of Bayelsa.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.
Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.
Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.
He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”
“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.
In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.
“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.
Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.
The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.
The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.
Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.
He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.
“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.
“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.
“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.
The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.
Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.
The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.
Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.
The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.
The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.
Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.
The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.
Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.
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