Gov Amaechi Makes Case For Less-Privileged
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has called on well-meaning individuals and groups in the state to support the less-privileged and physically-challenged persons in the society to give them a sense of belonging.
Governor Amaechi made the call at the 55th Annual Charity Feast 2009 organised by the Truevine Women International Outreach in Port Harcourt.
Represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, Governor Amaechi noted that by identifying with the welfare of the less-privileged and trying to raise their living standard, the founder of the Truevine Women International Outreach, Pastor Ene Secondus, was not just sowing material seed but was adding more life into the people.
Describing her vision and activities as a worthy cause, the state chief executive observed that no one would go through the outreach and remain the same.
"The seed she sows is not just material seed but she sows life into the people and her programme is a worthy cause as no one goes through it and remains the same", he declared, adding, "at a time when all are praying to make friend with the high and mighty, Ene Secoundus is trying to make friend with the widow, the less privileged and the physically challenged."
According to him, this singular gesture would in turn attract a special blessing from God and enjoined the beneficiaries of the Truevine programme to take the advantage and embrace Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Sekonte Davies, represented by Mr. Osaki Dick-Abbey, commended the Truevine Women International outreach for organising the programme which according to him, would go a long way to uplift the spiritual lives of the less privileged and their living standards and enjoined it to continue with its good work.
Chief Ephraim Etete-Owo, father of the day, represented by barrister Ransome West described the outreach as the heartbeat of God, saying that, the primary responsibility of the church was to promote the welfare of mankind.
Earlier in her welcome address, president of the Truevine Women International Outreach, Pastor Ene Secondus, explained that the Charity Feast was one of the numerous programmes packaged by the outreach to bring the physically challenged and others together to dine and wine with their fellow citizens.
The programme, she added, is also to make them understand that God loves them at all times and allows them attain any height in life.
High point of the event was the presentation of special awards to the wife of the State Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi, deputy governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru and his wife, Mina amongst others.
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Rivers NAWOJ Kicks Off 2022 Activities, Visits PH Children's Home
In a bid to reach out to the needy in the society, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State chapter, on Monday, paid a charitable visit to the Port Harcourt Children's Home in Borokiri, Port Harcourt.
The visit which was led by the chairperson of the association, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana and secretary, Dr. Ngozi Anosike, is part of her action plans for the year, 2022.
The women branch of the Nigeria Union of Journalists expressed concern towards the children, as they appealed to the government, corporate organsiations, religious bodies and well meaning Nigerians for support of the children in any way possible.
NAWOJ, while presenting gift items to the officials of the children's home, commended them for their effort in feeding and taking care of the children.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the presentation, the NAWOJ chairperson explained that the essence of the visit was to show love, kindness and encouragement to the children.
"We came to identify with the children, as the year has just began we felt it is important we start it with the children by putting smiles on their faces, believing that in their happiness, we too will be happy.
"When you look at the little prayers these children offer, it goes a long way and we support and believe that.
"All through last year, we have been going to other places but we have not been able to identify with them and they are part of our action plan for the year. Since last year we couldn't make it, that's why we said we must start this year with the children and that is why we are here today."
While giving an insight on what she meant by action plan, the NAWOJ boss said, action plan is the program of activities for the year"
She continued, "We are working in partnership with the ministry of social welfare, which is why we feel our coming here is not out of place. We started the work with the social welfare last year but this year we felt we should identify first with the children."
Serekara-Nwikhana further advised that, other associations visit this home from time to time as children need their attention just to put smiles on their faces.
"Although due to the COVID-19 we could not snap with them, and get more closer to them we would have loved to go inside, play with them, carry them but they said, due to COVID-19 we can't do all that," She added.
Some of the items presented to the children's home by the organisation include; Cartons of Indomie, Pampers, rolls of tissue paper among others.
On her part, the officer in charge of the Port Harcourt Children's Home, who gave her name as Esther Ogbe, appreciated the leadership and members of NAWOJ for the kind gesture, she prayed that God to bless and uphold them.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
NSCDC Alleges Plot To Burn Its Jetty In Ogbogoro
The Rivers State command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has alleged plots by some hoodlums to burnt its jetty at Ogbogoro .
State commandant of the command Aliyu Bature said this Tuesday in Port Harcourt while conducting journalists round the jetty.
The state commandant who was represented by the command public relations officer, Mike Oguntuase, said the command has beefed up security round the jetty.
Oguantuase also debunked rumour that the jetty was being used in the storage of illegal oil bunkering products.
He said all the exhibits at the jetty including eight large boats and others were handover to the command by the Nigerian Navy.
According to him, all of the exhibits which also include drums of petroleum products canoes and others handed over by the Nigerian Navy are all intact and well secured.
He said some of those involved in the criminal acts are in prison custody facing trial while some have been jailed.
Oguntuase said there is no iota of truth in the allegation and urged the public to discountenance it.
He said a committee has also been constituted by the command to investigate the activities of the Anti vandal unit.
He urged the public to cooperate with the NSCDC in the state to check illegal oil bunkering.
By: John Bibor
ONELGA Chairman Advocates Sustainable Framework For Fallen Heroes' Families
The chairman of Ogba/Egbemaindoni Local Government Area, Hon Vincent job, has called on governments at all level to institutionalise and operationalise a trust-fund that should cater for the families of fallen soldiers who lost their lives in the cause of protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria through various internal and external peace-keeping operations.
Hon job made the call at this year's armed forces Remembrance Day Celebration at the council's cenotaph, Omoku and headquarters of the local government.
He decried the burden shouldered widows of deceased soldiers who ordinarily should be caterred for if the country has a working system, the pointed out that their sufferings as a result of the departure of their husbands cannot be over-emphasised.
"The devastating effect of the death of these soldiers, their families. Communities and the country cannot be over-emphasised"
The ONELGA chairman suggested prayers, show of kindness, love and compassion to the deceased soldier's as ways to celebrate armed forces remembrance day
Hon Job while praying for the repose of the souls of the departed heroes enjoined Nigerians) go beyond r es and show commitment in 'ash and in kind to sustain the widows and their families
Earlier, the Acting Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Chapter, Captain Lagos Felix Osiagor informed of the sufferings of the Legionnaires, the widows of fallen heroes and their families and appealed for assistance in the following ways; soft loan to veterans' wives, scholarships to qualified children of the fallen heroes and employment of ONELGA legionnaires to beef up security team of the council, among others.
The programme featured slow and quick match-past by members of Nigeria legion. ONELGA Chapter, laying of wreath by ONELGA chairman, Hon Vincent Job and other military and paramilitary representatives.
Traditional rulers, chiefs, opinions leaders the clergy, men and women were in attendance.
In another development, the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndonin Local Government Area, Hon Vincent job has urged communities in the area to make peace their watch-words to attract sustainable development.
Hon. Job stated this while addressing delegation from Egita Community in Egi Clan of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area who came to resolve their community development committee CCDC) leadership crisis in the
He said there cannot be any meaningful progress if the communities are not in peace and assured the people of his administration 's resolve to bring infrastructural development to areas where peace a d justice reign.
According to him since respect is reciprocal, it behooves elders to respect popular opinions where majority of the people are going towards a particular direction.
Earlier paramount ruler, Egita Community, HRH, Godspower Jokiel, has presented the community's matter, which involved nomination of the Chairman And Secretary Community Development Committee CCDC) for which several opinions, arguments and agitations were tabled on the floor of the chambers.
He prayed the chairman to use his good office to ensure that any family that has its turn to produce any executive position be allowed to produce same.
The paramount ruler sued for peace among various families and sub-families that make up the community and assured of his support at all times.
Eldest man of Egita Community Elder Roman Ugboji said he will be most grateful if everyone should allow peace to reign, as the ancestors and founding fathers of Egita Community did that on a threshold of peace and tranquility.
Present at the meeting were representatives Of Umuoso Family, Umuoteni Family, Umu-Ojenike Family, and local government council executive.