POLITICS
Pastor Adeboye Visits Bayelsa for ‘Holy Ghost Rally’
FROM TAYESE MIKE,YENAGOA.
General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has said Bayelsa State will continue to make good progress as God has something special for the state. He made the prophetic declaration on Tuesday when he was received at the Government House, Yenagoa, by Governor Douye Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, top government officials and some Christian leaders in the state.
The globally acclaimed cleric, popularly known as Daddy G.
O, is in the state for a two-day “Light Up Bayelsa Holy Ghost Rally,” holding in selected cities across the country to commemorate his 80th birthday in March this year.Pastor Adeboye said his visit was in fulfilment of the promise he made earlier to hold a crusade in Yenagoa, stating that he was happy to see it come through this year, which he described as a year of “double blessings.”
He noted that year 2022 was peculiar as the last time the world had similar figures was over a thousand years ago.
While pronouncing blessings for the year, he said it gladdened his heart to note that God had something special for Bayelsa.
The RCCG General Overseer proclaimed that the state would witness a great and positive turnaround in its development.
He prayed God to double the blessings, testimonies and joy upon the land, people and government of the state.
He said: “I am happy because I made a promise the last time I was here that I will be here at least to hold a Holy Ghost Rally. When I was making that promise, I did not know the extent that the demand of my time had grown.
“By the special grace of the Most High God, I am here to fulfill that promise. I am particularly happy that God has made it possible for me to come because this is a very special year.
“This year is very peculiar because the last time we had its kind was in 1011. That was more than a thousand years ago. The next time would be in 3033. That is 911 years from now. A year like this comes once in anybody’s lifetime.
“It is a year of doubles; a year when God is going to double your blessings, testimonies and joy.”So when God opened the door for me to come, particularly in the month of January, I was delighted. It gladdens my heart that God has something very special in store for Bayelsa. I am not a prophet but I am a pastor who hears from God occasionally. “You can mark my words. As a result of this visit, Bayelsa will never remain the same again.”
Responding, Governor Douye Diri said when fathers and prophets speak, they do so lightly but the spoken words come with power from God, which was the reason God ordered Adeboye’s footsteps to Bayelsa.
The governor said it was a privilege to have the RCCG General Overseer in the state, particularly at the beginning of the year.
He expressed the belief that Adeboye’s prophetic pronouncements would manifest greatly on the people and land of Bayelsa. He said there is so much to gain listening to and believing the words of the cleric.
He said: “On behalf of the Deputy Governor, members of the State Executive Council, our government that we have tagged Prosperity Government and the people of Bayelsa, I wholeheartedly welcome you to your state. We receive you as our father to this state.
“It is indeed a privilege for this state and in particular for the Prosperity Government to see you at the beginning of the year in the month of January here in Yenagoa. That you stepped on this land, who knows that the conclusion of your statement will certainly impact on the people and the land of Bayelsa.
“For this two days that you will be in Bayelsa, I like to call on all Bayelsans to be part of this visit, which is not ordinary. The opportunity to host a man of God of national and international repute comes once in a lifetime.
“There is so much we can gain from listening to him and believing the words that come out from him. I believe it will impact our lives as a people, as a state and as a country.”
He recounted how the title “Miracle Governor” came about, saying it was the result of his encounter with Adeboye in Lagos when all hopes seemed lost before his miraculous emergence as governor. He stated that his government was a product of the pastor’s divine intervention alongside other anointed clerics.
POLITICS
Court Nullifies Ebonyi PDP Congresses
By Godwin Okeh, Abakaliki
A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, on Monday nullified the Ali Odefa faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ward, local government and state congresses in the state.
The faction had few weeks ago, conducted ward, local government and state congresses to elect new leaders of the party.
In a suit no.
FHC/ AI/CS/183/2024 between Nnenna Lynda Udeh 12 others, the applicant prayed the court to set aside the congresses for being unconstitutional.Delivering judgment on the suit, the presiding Judge, Justice Hilary Oshomah ruled that purported congresses were void, unconstitutional and of no effect.
The court further restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) which was the 2nd defendant in the suit from recognising any of the officers purportedly elected from the voided and nullified congresses.
When contacted for reaction, the national vice chairman of the party, Ali Odefa said he will respond to the ruling of the court at the appropriate time.
POLITICS
I Will Leave Lasting Legacies in Infrastructure Dev. – Diri
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said he is determined to leave lasting legacies in infrastructure development as he considers it a rare privilege to govern the state.Senator Diri stated this on Saturday during a gala night organised by the state government in honour of members of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.
The event rounded off the three-day 20th All-Nigerian Editors Conference(ANEC) held in the state capital. Governor Diri said he treats issues of development of the state seriously as he is aware that constitutionally he is allowed only two terms in office.He assured that with his deputy, they will keep doing their best in the remaining three years for Bayelsans to feel the impact of their service to the state and to the country.He said: “For us, it is a rare privilege to serve our people. Opportunity like this does not come often. By the constitution of Nigeria, I am barred from contesting again as governor of Bayelsa State.“So, the only thing that will speak for me, my deputy and most of us in this administration, is the legacy that we leave in terms of both human and material infrastructure. “Developing the state is now in our hands and we will keep doing our best in the remaining three years so that when we leave, the state will continue to feel our impact having travelled this eight-year journey in service to people of Bayelsa State and Nigeria.”While responding to remarks of the NGE president, Governor Diri approved the request to institute an annual lecture to honour and immortalise a foremost nationalist and pioneer editor of Daily Times, late Mr. Ernest Sesei Ikoli, an indigene of Bayelsa State, beginning from 2025.He also granted an appeal by the Guild’s president for two interns at the state-owned Niger Delta Television (NDTV), who missed out when the governor directed the employment of 13 of their colleagues when he visited the station last year.In his address, the NGE President, Mr. Eze Anaba, expressed gratitude to Governor Diri for being a perfect host and for recognising the essential roles editors play in shaping the society.Mr. Anaba also stated that the support of the governor during the conference was an indication of the importance he attached to a free and responsible press.While highlighting the various project sites visited, he expressed appreciation to the governor particularly for constructing an iconic media complex named after Ernest Ikoli.In a welcome remark, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiowou Koku-Obiyai, commended the Guild for promoting excellence in journalism and for successfully organising the 20th ANEC.Highpoint of the night of glitz and glamour was the presentation of an award to Governor Diri by the Guild and the induction of 12 new members.Two initiators of the ANEC, Halilu Baba Dantiye,m and Angela Agoawike were also honoured by the Guild.Present at the event were the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Fred Agbedi, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Nimibofa Ayaowei, and Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo.Others were the publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Dr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, presidential media aide, Mr. Tunde Rahman, Senior Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene as well as other top editors, leaders and veterans of the media industry.POLITICS
Obaseki Dissolves Cabinet Ahead of Nov. 12
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has dissolved his cabinet ahead of the Nov.12 swearing-in of Sen. Monday Okpebholo, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the new governor of the state.
Report says that Obaseki who came into office on November 12, 2016 is expected to end his eight years tenure on November 12, 2024.
Obaseki dissolved the cabinet shortly after a valedictory session held at the Government House on Friday in Benin.
The motion for the dissolution of the State Executive Council for 2020-2024 was moved by his deputy, Godwins Omobayo, and was seconded by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Osilama Okuofu.
At the valedictory session, the governor commended members of the council for helping him in driving the government’s vision of making Edo great again.
Obaseki also commended citizens of the state for supporting, praying and collaborating with his administration throughout his tenure.
Members of the cabinet took turns to eulogise the governor and acknowledged his many achievements in various sectors.
They also commended the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve the people of the state in their various capacities.
The outgoing commissioners and Heads of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) also took turns to present awards and gifts to honour the governor.
The valedictory session for the outgoing state executive council climaxed with a dinner in honour of the state governor. (NAN)