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Niger Delta

Bayelsa Community Hails Oil Firm Over Projects

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Oshie, a host Communitiy to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in the Ahoada West Council area of Rivers State has commended the multinational company over the provision of internal access roads, and an ongoing electrification projects in the community.
Speaking to newsmen on a tour of ongoing infrastructural projects in selected communities of the area, Paramount Ruler of Oshie, HRH Bright, Friday Dede, said but for the multinational firm operating in the community which occasionally considers the community in the award of infrastructural projects, they have not felt the impact of successive administrations both at the local, state and federal governments levels.
He enumerated some of the projects carried out by Agip in the community as, the construction of internal roads,building of a health centre which he alleged was destroyed during an inter communal crisis with a neighbouring Communitiy and an ongoing reelectrificationproject,amongst others, noting that these infrastructure projects have a direct impact on the community and its neighbouring towns.
The monarch challenged the government and the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC), to renovate the dilapidated health centre in the community and put it to good use as well as construct a bridge to link the community with its sister Engenni speaking communities, saying, that alone could compensate them for the huge deposit of oil in their communitiy from which government has earned so much revenue for the development of other parts of the state and country in general.
“In this communitiy we have over eight (8) oil wells. Infact, Agip’s major flow station is located very close to us here and because the first Agip oil well in this area was discovered here,the flow station was named after this Communitiy, Oshie.
“For Agip, they have really tried. They’ve constructed internal paved roads for us, they also built a health centre which the Government later took from them and furnished it with equipment and manpower,but when an inter-communal crises broke out between us and some of our neighbouringEkpeye communities in 2012, the health centre became a target and was touched and so since then we have not had a new health centre.
“Another major problem of this communitiy is the absence of a bridge constructed to link this communitiy with our neighbouring, AkinimaCommunitiy which is the headquarters of the Ahoada West LGA.
“So many people have died trying to ferry across this river. Government and NDDC should please come to our aid in order to forestall these ugly incidences of untimely and avoidable deaths”, the monarch said.
Also speaking,the trio of the community’s General Secretary, Pastor, Eshimuvie Isaiah Dodo, the CDC chairman,MrAwainGonimasele and the Youth President, Comrade, Mark ObuenemOnyinwo lamented the level of underdevelopment in the community, saying it was due to deliberate marginalization.
They called on the Government and the Niger Delta Development Commission to look into their yearnings,saying the community gives too much to the government to deserve any form of maltreatment in terms of Infrastructural projects.
“As you can see,even in the electrification projects the Ahoada West LGA has done in some Communities of this LGA too we’ve been marginalized. It’s only Agip that is now trying to connect us to power and even that project has not been completed”, the trio said.

By: AriweraIbibo-Howells, Yenagoa

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Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

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A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.
The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.
Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.
In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.
The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.
Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.
By: Enoch Epelle
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Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

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The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management  of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State
The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.
MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator,  Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.
LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama,  Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.
He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is  at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”
By: Chinedu Wosu
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Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

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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.

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