Niger Delta
Bayelsa Condemns Attack On JTF
The Bayelsa State government has condemned the recent ambush and killing of members of a military security patrol team by unknown gunmen around Letugbene Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.
Recalls the armed men suspected to be militants had on August 28 ambushed a security boat operated by the Joint Military Task Force.
The attack left two crew members dead, a soldier and a civillian.
Spokesman of the Joint Task Force deployed to the Niger Delta, Major Ibrahim Abdullahi had last Friday confirmed the death of a soldier and civillian crew member in the attack.
The government in a statement, issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Jonathan Obuebite expressed regret over the unfortunate incident.
Obuebite described the incident as unwarranted, barbaric and totally unacceptable.
He said that information available to the government indicated that the attack on the JTF was not hinged on any provocation or contending issues.
He said that the incident was purely an act of criminality, adding that it was deliberately carried to rubbish the security and peace efforts of Governor Seriake Dickson led administration.
The information commissioner expressed the sympathy of the state government to the immediate families of the deceased and the Nigerian Army.
He, therefore, called for a thorough investigation of the incident so as to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unprovoked attack.
Obuebite said the probe of the incident would ensure that everybody found guilty of involvement in any form was brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.
“To us, this incident is politically motivated and sponsored by some persons in high places to heat up the state for their selfish interests.
“And as a government, we will not fold our arms and allow a few individuals to rubbish the peace and security we have been able to bring to our state.
“We will support the security agencies in whichever way possible in carrying out their investigations in this matter,” he said.
Obuebite said that the state government would resist every move by mischief makers to take the state back to its inglorious past.
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.
