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Easter: Show Love To All, Jonathan, Wike Urge Nigerians

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Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike and former Senate President, David Mark have urged Christians in Nigeria to show untainted love, spirit of forgiveness and sacrifice, as they celebrate this year’s Easter.
In their separate Easter messages, Jonathan, Wike and Mark also called on Nigerians to use the period to pray for the peace of the country and the stability of her democracy.
Jonathan said: “On this Easter Sunday, I urge all Nigerians to show love and tolerance for each other, especially for those God has seen fit to put in positions of influence.
“Leaders should imbibe the qualities of our Lord and Saviour, whose resurrection we celebrate.
“Even though He was heavily reviled and criticized, He never retaliated and even prayed for those who reviled Him. Nigerians are not animals.
“Together, we are perhaps some of the most decent, Godly and accommodating people on God’s earth.
“We must never forget that. He is risen and Nigeria will also rise. Happy Easter Sunday!”
On his part, Wike felicitated with Christians on the celebration of Easter, urging them to emulate Jesus Christ by making sacrifices that will advance the course of development.
The governor noted that Easter exemplifies the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ to save mankind, noting that as individuals, Christians must take into consideration the welfare of others.
He called on the people of Rivers State to re-dedicate themselves to the service of the state as they reflect on the ideals of the Easter celebration.
Wike assured the good people of Rivers State that he will continue to make sacrifices for the state, defend her interests and ensure that the people always enjoy good governance.
He said, “Easter is a period of fresh beginning, forgiveness, love and friendship,” and urged the privileged to reach out to the less privileged as everyone works to deepen the culture of true Christianity.
While wishing the people of the state a Happy Easter celebration, Wike assured them of their security before, during and after the celebrations.
Also, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo described Easter as the foundation of Christianity.
The deputy governor stated this in a good will message from the Government House in Port Harcourt to commemorate the 2018 Easter celebration.
According to Banigo, “Man lost his exalted position in the Garden of Eden as a result of sin but the Almighty God gave us another opportunity to reconcile us to Him by allowing His Son to die in order to bring us back to a state of perfection for us to make heaven, if only we can repent and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour”.
She said the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was real and not a fable, noting that Easter celebration was a reminder of God’s love for mankind.
In the same vein, the Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah urged Christians to use the Easter celebration to pray for the continued success of the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike.
Obuah, in his special Easter message to Christians, said such prayers would go a long way to engender good governance and uplift the well-being of the people.
He stressed that the price for Christ’s death for humanity was immeasurable as the Christian faith is anchored on His death and resurrection.
“It would have been unimaginable what would have befallen Christians if Jesus had not resurrected after telling the world that he would die and rise on the third day”, Obuah stated.
The PDP chairman stated that the Christian faith is driven by the Holy Spirit, and urged Christians to call on Him for divine power if we must live above the natural.
He charged Christians and people of the state to make sacrifices and complement government’s effort by meeting one another’s needs, adding that this period calls for a renewed spirit to support one another, pray and fast.
Obuah noted that the Nyesom Wike-led government needs their prayers for God’s favour and mercies to meet the socio-economic needs of the people.
“Our governor needs our support and we have to do the needful like carrying out our obligations as good citizens. We should not sabotage his efforts by engaging in acts inimical to his administration,” said the PDP chairman.
Similarly, the immediate past President of the Senate, David Mark has again harped on the need for citizens to live in peace and harmony with each other in order to create an enabling environment for development.
In a goodwill message to Nigerians to commemorate this year’s Easter celebration, signed by the Media Assistant to Senator David Mark, Paul Mumeh, the senator craved for a harmonious relationship between and among adherents of various religions saying, “We have more to gain staying together as a people with a common destiny”.
Mark expressed worries that the unabating upheavals and violent crimes across the country portend a threat to the future of the country.
The senator, in apparent reference to cases of kidnapping, abductions and killings by criminal elements in parts of the country, said the issues raise serious concern to every right-thinking member of the society.
To this end, Mark canvassed that the Federal Government takes a critical look at the clarion calls by Nigerians for the review of security apparatus as well as the restructuring of the polity.
Such a review or restructuring, he submitted, should however be anchored on fairness, equity, justice and in a manner that will give every section of the nation a sense of belonging.
“For me, we can no longer shy away from the agitation by the citizens for restructuring of the nation, if that would give everyone a sense of belonging as equal stakeholders in the Project-Nigeria”, he stressed.
He stated, “It will be catastrophic to allow citizens to lose confidence in a system. That would be a sure way to anarchy. The deteriorating situation could spell doom for the nation. Both the government and the governed must rise up to the challenge and make our country a safe haven”.
Mark specifically urged Christian faithful to use the period of Easter celebration to take the destiny of Nigeria and her people to God in prayer.
The essence of Easter which is prayer, sacrifice, forgiveness and peace, he advised, should not be lost on celebration or merriment.

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Group Doles out N13m To Market Women In Isiama 

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The peaceful Town of Isiama in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State was at the weekend agog with activities following the donation of over N13million to market women by Engr. Justus Ngerebara in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiatives, a non-governmental organization, as part of its first phase empowerment programme.
According to Justus Ngerebara, who is also the Executive Director of the organization, the women, numbering 108, will receive various sums based on their business proposal.
He stated that the organization will carry out an annual review of the performances of the beneficiaries, with a view to rewarding those who put the money into good use.
According to him, the initiative was a collaborative effort between himself and his wife, Dr. Unyime Ngerebara, in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiative (FDI), an organization committed to youth capacity building and community development.
He said the family believe deeply in the transformative power of women’s empowerment as a catalyst for economic growth, especially in rural communities.
“As the saying goes, when you empower a woman, you empower a community. This truth resonate strongly with us, knowing that empowered women uplift households and inspire generational change”, he stated.
Ngerebara described the programme as the beginning of more things to come and urged the beneficiaries to view the gesture “as a reflection of our deep love for the community and our commitment to easing the burdens of economic hardship.
“We encourage you to invest wisely, channel these resources into your business not frivolities.
“We will continue to follow up with each participant to monitor progress and Offer guidance.
“It is our goal to see thriving business, creative solutions to households hunger and a ripple effect of prosperity through Isiama.
“We also call on the men to stand beside their spouses, offering support and encouragement to ensure these resources are maximized for growth”, he said.
In an interview, Ngerebara said the second phase of the empowerment programme will start very soon, stressing that since inception the organization has done so much for the community.
He listed some of the programmes carried out by the group in the community to include the installation of solar powered lights, and solar powered water.
While declaring the event open, a former coymmissioner for Works in Rivers State, Engr. Sampson Ngerebara, described the event as the first of its kind in the community.
Engr. Ngerebara said the programme will go a long way to improve the conditions of not only the beneficiaries, but also the entire Isiama Community.
He also charged them against wasting the resources on frivolities, adding that their success will attract more of such empowerment programme to Isiama community
Giving a brief talk on women empowerment, a lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr. Awajimogobo Felix MacLean, warned the beneficiaries to justify the effort of the donor by avoiding wastages.
Dr. MacLean also urged them to be consistent in their line of business as well as avoid unnecessary competition.
She also stressed the need for them to network among themselves, while working out ways of helping the community to develop.
Guest of Honour at the occasion, Professor Uriah Oboada Alafonye, said Engr Justus Ngerebara, the initiator of the programme, has set a standard for present and future generations of leaders both in the community and the rest of Andoni to follow.
Prof Alafonye who is of the department of Arts Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, also appealed to the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity provided by the programme to reduce poverty in the community.
Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Hebron Mercy Fyneface, a crayfish seller and an interior designer, said it was the first time she was receiving such gesture from any organization or government.
She thanked Engr Justus Ngerebara for remembering the women of Isiama and urged others to emulate him.
By: John Bibor
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Fubara’s Return Excites NCSU … As Hope Rises For Civil Servants 

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The umbrella body of civil servants in Rivers State, the Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the lifting of emergency rule in the State and the return to office of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly, saying, the development portends good omen for workers, the people and the State.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the return of the Governor to office portends good omen and better days for civil servants in particular, stressing that the union heartily welcomes the Governor back to office, to resume his good works in the State, after six months of the emergency rule, as well as his deputy and members of the House of Assembly.
He noted that civil servants in the State are not only elated over the development but are also full of hope that the Governor would start from where he stopped in attending to their welfare needs.
He contended that the political crisis that recently engulfed the State and the six-month emergency rule had for over one year pulled the State backwards, but expressed delight that a permanent solution has been found to stem further political upheavals in the State, and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making this possible; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and leader of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike; Governor Fubara; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule; members of the House; and other stakeholders for agreeing to amicably resolve all contending issues.
The labour leader said this is the right time for all political gladiators in the State to bury the hatchet, work together and embrace peace and genuine reconciliation in the overall interest of the State.
He described as too hasty the resolution of the House, mandating the Governor to present a supplementary budget to it, and pleaded with members of the House to be calm, to tread with caution, and harmoniously work with the Governor.
He said the return of democratic governance in the State would fast-track progress and development in the State, and enjoined the people of the State, particularly civil servants to continue to give their support and cooperation to the Fubara administration.
Osumah expressed optimism that Governor Fubara would give prompt attention to challenges facing civil servants in the State, being a former civil servant himself, stressing that the workers truly have hope, now that the Governor has returned to office, and knowing the kind of Governor he is.
According to him, he is going to look into the controversial and contentious contributory pension scheme; rehabilitation of the State Secretariat Complex; recruitment into the state civil service; extension of service and retirement years for civil servants; provision of vehicles to industrial unions; as well as provision of befitting staff quarters for civil servants; among others.
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NDDC Organizes ADR Capacity Building for Staff

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has organized a one-day sensitization program for its personnel on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approaches to promote workplace compliance on transparency and due process.
The workshop, themed “Promoting Transparency and Due Process in the Workplace using ADR Approaches in Building a Culture of Accountability and Integrity,” aimed to equip staff with the skills to resolve disputes effectively.
Declaring the event open on thursday in port Harcourt,The NDDC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the importance of using ADR mechanisms to resolve conflicts in the workplace.
Dr. Ogbuku  represented by his chief of staff,Rev Omeya Oworibo,noted that ADR approaches can encourage a culture of honesty, fairness, transparency, trust, and reduce conflicts among staff, ultimately promoting efficiency and productivity.
He averred that those disputes and quarrels if not proper resolved can derail the vision and objectives of the commission to the people, noting that the commission must as a team and unity as service provider in order to render a profitable service delivery to the people.
 “ADR approach will encourage culture of honesty,fairness, transparency ,trust  and reduce back bitting and the workforce, noting that such tendency would in turns promote efficiency and increase results in workplace.
 when integrity and honesty becomes the operandi of an organisation and employees begins to trust that their matters will be handled with fairness it will breed team work and increase in productivity.”he stated
He commended the department of DCR for organising the workshop and urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity and imbibe the culture of tolerance, integrity and teamwork in workplace.
Also speaking,the NDDC acting director of DCR ,Mr Godwin Ayewumi Ogedegbe noted that the theme of the captures the core of what the commission seeks to achieve a workplace where every action is expected to be guided by openness, fairness, and a steadfastness commitment to due process, where conflicts are not merely resolved, but prevented through structured,principled processes , and where accountability and integrity are not aspirational ideals but every day practice.
In his  keynote presentation on the theme “workplace Ethics and alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation,
Prof. Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, delivered a keynote presentation on “Workplace Ethics and Alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation.” He stressed the importance of due process, transparency, integrity, and accountability in the workplace, noting that these values are essential for productivity and organizational goals.
The workshop aimed to promote a culture of accountability and integrity in the NDDC workplace. By equipping staff with ADR skills and promoting transparency and due process, the commission can build a more efficient and productive work environment.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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