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Nigeria Is A Failed State, Says Methodist Synod …As Baptist Convention Expresses Sadness Over Unemployment
Following the findings in the 17th Annual Diocesan Synod, 2019 of the Methodist Church Nigeria, presented by Rt Rev. Biereonwu Livinus Onuagha to the members at Wesley Methodist Church, Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State, the church yesterday declared Nigeria a failed State.
According to Bishop Onuagha, “the cardinal duties of any government are to provide security of lives and properties which the Nigerian government has failed to do from East to West, North to South of Nigeria the security situation is nothing to write home about.
Kidnappings, Boko Haram insurgency and the activities of Fulani herdsmen are some of the indices that justify our position that Nigeria is a failed state.
The mayhem causaed by these developments in the nation cannot be over-emphasised. “The most recent and newest problem now is the banditry in Zamfara State. With all these criminal activities at hand, where is this nation heading to? Can our economy improve when we do not have security of lives and properties in place? Remain apolitical, focus on ideals of the founding fathers; group urges Ohaneze
“One of the most daring challenges in the nation is also the issue of selective judgement. In Nigeria it is glaring that cases are not treated on merit, government chose those to face the wrath of the law and those not to face the wrath of the law, government chose the law to obey and the ones not to obey.
“Certain political party has become a hiding place for certain corrupt politicians with the idea, that once you belong to that political party, your sins are forgiven, but whoever that does not belong to that political party will always have his life troubled.”
On the recently concluded general elections in Nigeria, the cleric said “the political class had shown they were not prepared for anything, the elections took almost the budget of all the States in the federation put together with nothing impressive coming out of the exercise.”
“The failure of the academics in the elections left so much to be desired, and if education failed in a State, the conclusion is that the State had become moribund. In the last election, almost all the University Professors were sell-out.
“For me, there is no need to conduct elections in Nigeria. Let the National Assembly as a matter of urgency legislates on the number of political parties to exist in Nigeria. In my own personal opinion, two party state will subsist.
“Let these parties work to produce the best candidates whenever there is need for change of government, and credible candidates may emerge. This will save a lot cost,”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) has said it is dismayed by the inability of government to tame the monster of unemployment across the states of the federation.
It said the consequence of the failure to get the youths engaged in productive activities with the country manifests is the root cause of the current insecurity in the country.
This position was contained in a communiqué issued yesterday at the end of the 106th Annual Session of the Christian denomination and bloc of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.
The communiqué which was signed by the Chairman of the Resolution and Communique Committee, Prof. S. AkinloluFagbemiPh.D, Esq, reads: “There is a need therefore for government to totally overhaul our school curricular with a view to focussing on entrepreneurial training of our youths.
“It should also create conducive environment such as soft loan to young graduates to start businesses of their own. The government must also focus on providing infrastructural facilities in order to overcome rising unemployment among the youths and their over reliance on white collar jobs.”
Decrying the current state of insecurity, the Convention called on both the Federal Government and the security agencies to rise up to the situation before it’s too late.
“It is an understatement to say that there are security challenges in Nigeria today. The situation has deteriorated to the extent that our law enforcement agencies appear helpless.
“Premised on the foregoing, we implore the Federal Government to uphold the sanctity of lives and protection of properties of Nigerians by leaving no stone unturned in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency and their sponsors at all levels; intensifying efforts to secure the release of Leah Sharibu and other people in the custody of Islamic Terrorist Groups; equipping and empowering our Law Enforcement Agencies to enable them tackle the security challenges in our nation,” the communiqué read.
On the state of governance, the Baptist Church condemned interference of political parties in the coming election of the next leadership of the National Assembly at the expense principle of separation of power among the three organs of government.
“We therefore call on both government, especially the executive and other Nigerians to stop putting undue pressure on members of the National Assembly and allow members to elect their leaders without external influences.
“We insist that in the election of the principal officers in the National Assembly, the principle of Federal Character and equal representation of major religions in the country should be followed,” it stated.
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RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans
Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.
Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.
He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”
The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.
Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.
He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.
“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.
“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.
The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.
He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.
The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“
“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.
She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,
expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.
“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”
He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.
The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.
The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.
According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.
APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.
The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.
Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.
Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.
Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.
Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.
The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.
Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.
National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.
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