The lovely faces of Deltans in the batch A set of the NCPC December 2022 Pilgrimage exercise in Israel and Jordan
Some of the Clergy amongst the Pilgrims of Delta State at the Baptismal site in River Jordan, at the NCPC ongoing Pilgrimage in Israel.
More faces of the Delta State Pilgrims
Delta North Overseer of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Godwin Osabuohien and his Delta South counterpart, Pastor Pius Idume, has said that the power of God was fully present at the ground of the Global Crusade with Kumuyi to save souls and perform needed miracles in the lives of the people of Delta State.
The Deeper Life Pastors made the remark while addressing church members who matched through the Nnebisi road in Asaba for a one million man match in preparation for the Global Crusade holding at the Cenotaph in Asaba between January 26 and 31, 2023.
The Pastors who spoke to the crowd amidst songs of God’s mercy and goodness, noted that many people in Asaba have heard of the crusade following the massive rallies, billboards in strategic places and personal invitations so far carried out, they called on the church members to put in more effort to ensure everybody in the state capital was aware of the Global Crusade with Kumuyi.
Pastor Osabuohien who appreciated the people for their time, insisted that more work still needed to be done as all residents of Asaba and environs should be invited and brought to the Global Crusade with Kumuyi on Thursday, January 26.
It was disclosed that the Asaba crusade with the theme ‘Unforgettable Encounter with the God of Wonders’ would be transmitted live to more than 150 countries across the world where miracles, healings and deliverances will undoubtedly occur.
The church members locked down the main Nnebisi Road on Sunday as youths, men and women trooped out of their homes for a mother of all rallies to intimate the people of the Global Crusade with Pastor Kumuyi.
The one million man match which was divided into two, Okpanam zone and Asaba, was joined in front of ShopRite where the excited crowd sang and danced to blaring music from the available loudspeakers.
It was a carnival of sort as both old and young joined the global crusade campaign with a massive lockdown of the main, a development which led to traffic gridlock on the road.
According to Clerics, “Last Saturday, January 14, 2023, youths with leaders and executives of youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) joined the youth one million man match which painted the town red for the glory of God”.
The youth match commenced at Abraka, through the main Nnebisi road and terminated at the Cenotaph, venue for the global crusade with Kumuyi.
Osabuohien said, the youth walk was for Impact, a special section dedicated to youths, students, corps members and young adults by the general superintendent to help in building their ability to cope with the dynamism of society.
He added that Pastor Kumuyi’s crusades which had held in several states across Nigeria had touched lives, restored hope to many wounded individuals and broken families, brought healing to various ailments and brought joy to many sorrowful hearts.
The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission NCPC, Rev. Dr Yakubu Pam has called on the members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to advocate for law and order in the society. The NCPC Chief Executive made this call while playing host to the members of the NBA, Gwagwalada Branch at the NCPC Corporate headquarters in Abuja on 23 January, 2023.
Rev. Pam explained that, “the NBA has a lot to do in the society to maintain and create awareness on law and order as a lot of people are being misled especially the youths who are always quick to fall victims to greedy individuals who make them behave and feel above the law.”
The NCPC Boss appealed to the NBA and relevant bodies in charge of law and order in the country to make it a routine to advocate for law and order in Nigeria.
The Number One Christian Pilgrim officer of the Federation intimated his guests that NCPC is the only Christian faith based Agency that has direct link with the Presidency and is saddled with the responsibility of coordinating, regulating and supervising airlifting of Christian Pilgrims to Holy sites around the world. He also informed them that NCPC already has a very active legal unit that interfaces and guides when it comes to abiding by the law and on issues that has to do with agreements and contracts
The Apostle of Peace further said that the NBA is welcome to collaborate with NCPC on matters that bother on advocating for peace and keeping the Law. In his words, “We live in a world of collaborations and an individual cannot work alone, we collaborate with doctors, nurses and even foreign affairs on bilateral relations, Collaborations are needed! He exclaimed.
Earlier the Chairman, Barr. Emmanuel Ogunjibe had said they were in the Commission celebrate the works and deeds of the Executive Secretary and join hands on promoting peace, law and order in the society. He said they were also interested in knowing what the Commission does and also discuss on areas where they can collaborate with the Commission.
Barr. Ogunjibe said, “in knowing the Commission we will also like to be among the praise singers who enlighten the society, we relate with them and meet different calibre of individuals on our work.”
He lauded the Executive Secretary for being a man of excellence and great dimension while also cashing on the opportunity to inform the NCPC Scribe of the different functions and duties they carry out at the NBA Gwagwalada Branch.
UpHighlights of the visit was presentation of Award of Excellence to the Executive Secretary together with a recently published Journal.
The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission NCPC, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam has urged Christians to work in unity and build the body of Christ. He made this known during fund raising for the Secretariat of the Assemblies of God Church, Gwol, Plateau State.
Rev Pam explained the need for Christians to put aside their differences and denominationamism to support the work of God. According to him, “Let us collaborate and work together as one to make the church of God grow”
The NCPC boss further explained that as Christians, our ultimate goal should be working together to make each other grow and to impact on the lives of others. In his words, “we need to help ourselves by holding each others Hands”
He intimated that unity and oneness is the key to Nation building. He urged Christians to collectively work to make Nigeria a better place, “we can make Nigeria the envy of other countries if we work together as one”.
The Executive Secretary called on the congregation to support the on going building of the Assemblies of God Church, Gwol Secretariat.
In another vein, the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam paid a condolence visit to the Former Minister of Sport, Hon. Damishi Sango on the demise of his wife Mrs Esther Sango who died on 13th January, 2023.
The NCPC scribe explained that the deceased was a virtuous woman and a mother to all. She touched lives, moulded characters and her life is worthy of emulation.
He urged Hon. Sango to take solace knowing that she is resting in the bossom of the Lord. In his words, “be comforted, it is the Lord who has given you this gift that has called her to himself”.
In his response, the former Minister of Sports, Hon. Damishi Sango thanked the NCPC boss and his team for their visit.
He further thanked the Executive Secretary for his testimonies about his wife. In his words, “the testimonies I have heard about my late wife since her death, gladdens my heart because they are true”. “I am comforted because I know she is resting in peace”.
Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, said general acceptance of the party across the country was an indication that Nigerians were truly tired of the inept All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, shortly after inspecting preparations at the facility, venue of the Presidential Rally in the state on Tuesday, Okowa said that PDP would provide Nigerians with all-inclusive and purposeful leadership that the country yearns for.
He said that the warm reception and support PDP had across the country showed that Nigerians had become optimistic about the need for positive change, adding that the party was determined to rescue the nation and deliver good governance to the people.
He said that the party’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, being an experienced politician knew the path to Nigeria’s recovery and would work with him and other citizens to recover, reset and rebuild the country.
According to him, Nigerians are already tired if the APC-led government and we are very much aware of what the situation is in this country.
“What we are seeing today is not the Nigeria that we dreamt about with the high level of insecurity and the disunity amongst the people and the fact that we cannot trust ourselves anymore because of the non-inlcusiveness in government, that obviously is not the Nigeria we thought about.
“The economy is in great shambles and we believe that it will take our administration because surely by the grace of God we will be there, its going to take us a lot of work, working also with Nigerians to get ourselves out of where we are at the moment.
“The economy is already definitely messed up but we believe that by God’s grace and with the programme that we have we can take Nigerians out of where we are to the new process of rebuilding our great nation,” he said.
The Vice-Presidential candidate said the party also believes that for the nation to function properly, the issue of restructuring and devolution of powers to states and local governments must be taken seriously.
“This is important because the more resources and the more powers and activities at the local and state levels, the more Nigerians can actually grow while competing with each other.
“We also believe in a private sector led economy and in so doing we must provide the enabling environment and that enabling environment is not what it is today.
“There are lots of things that would be done and I believe that Nigerians have already seen that the APC-led government has not performed and we have been so welcomed across 20 states that we have visited.
“The reception has been very very good and we still have a lot of work to be done to let Nigerians know exactly what the situation is and the pathway to recovery.
“We believe that Atiku Abubakar is a very experienced man in government and the private sector and we believe that with his level of experience and capacity working along with myself and other Nigerians including the Organised Private Sector, the youths and the women folk, we can turn things around for the country.
“If we all work truthfully together in a government that will be purposeful and all-inclusive we believe that we would be able to rescue and recover Nigeria from where it is today,” he stated.
On preparations for the rally Okowa expressed satisfaction with the arrangements at the venue stressing that the party would have a very successful rally on Tuesday, January 24.
Gets NCPC Approval, Institutionalizes Support for Pilgrimage
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, on Friday 20th January, 2023, met with the ten (10) Christian Police Officers who have been nominated for the 2023 pilgrimage in Jerusalem, Israel. The pilgrimage which is the first of its kind has been initiated and financed by the IGP in collaboration with some well-meaning Nigerians to encourage Police Officers to be steadfast and uphold the lofty tenets of their faith.
The IGP has also sought and gotten the approval of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) to ensure that this becomes a routine activity. He has equally institutionalized the system to ensure that subsequent administrations tow the same path.
The Inspector-General of Police urged the officers to be good ambassadors of the Nigeria Police Force and the country during the period of the pilgrimage. He equally tasked them to spend the period in sober reflection which would ultimately impact on their policing duty.
The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam has urged Religious Leaders to build unity in Nigeria. He made this call while receiving the newly elected executives of the FCT Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the NCPC Corporate Headquarters on 17th January 2022.
Rev. Pam showed optimism and high hopes that the FCT CAN was moving with great speed, he congratulated the newly elected leadership for their emergence as CAN Executives in FCT. In his words, “I believe you will do better”.
He admonished them to emulate the goodwill and steps of the past leaders of the association while also urging them to use their good offices to build a formidable Nigeria where citizens can proudly call their home.
The NCPC Chief Executive further stated; “it is a known fact that for you to have a good name you start from your own local environment, CAN has been building on the walls of our founding fathers. Religion can build or mar a Nation”.
The Apostle of peace also called on religious leaders to shun falsehood but instead be genuine in their works and deeds, he further charged them to use their platforms for positive things as many look up to them with high hopes.
Earlier the newly elected Chairman of the FCT CAN, Rev. Timothy Amakom, in his speech lauded the Executive Secretary for what he described as being a quintessential leader, a reconciliatory par excellence, a teacher and a consummate administrator who advocates for peace and a detribalized Nigeria.
Rev. Amakom encouraged the NCPC Boss to remain a strong pillar and motivator who brings positive changes. He commended his zeal in peace keeping all over the country.
He affirmed that the FCT CAN would not relent in giving its support to ideas that project good image of CAN by drawing men closer to God.
He equally cashed in the opportunity to inform the Executive Secretary of their forthcoming One Week Prayer for Unity which was scheduled to hold on Sunday January 22- Sunday, January 29, 2023. He appealed for support from the Commission for a better administration.
… Lambasts Party for Cluelessness
By LUCY EZELIORA
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State has recorded a big catch from the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the defection of a former Commissioner For Youths and Sport, Hon. Ebifa Ijomah, and the Local Government Party Chairman of the All People Progressive Congress of Ndokwa East, Barr. Austin Ogbolu, and others in the LGA
Hon. Ebifa Ijomah,who called it quits, along side, over two thousand members of APC in Aboh, Ndokwa East Local Governnent Area today January 20, 2023, lampooned,the party for decit, lack of structure and foundation in Delta State.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Delta State PDP Chairman. Barr. Kingsley Esiso disclosed that the event was put together to receive the former APC chieftains and their supporters to the PDP family.
While welcoming the defectors on behalf of the party, the State party Chairman, commended the decampees for their courage to quit the “clueless and inept” ruling party to join forces with the PDP in salvaging Nigeria from 7 and half years of neglect and bad governance.
Esiso assured them that their rights and privileges as members of the main opposition party will not be denied them for being new members.
He told them that there is no new entrant in PDP and that all bonafide members are equal stakeholders with no limits to what they can aspire to or get from the party.
He said APC is a disorganized Party and that PDP will ensure that APC is dead not just in Ndokwa East but in Delta State as a whole.
Also speaking the Deputy Governorship Candidate of PDP in Delta State, Sir. Monday Onyeme expressed joy over the huge number of decampees led by the APC Local Government Chairman. Barr. Austin Ogbolu, He said, PDP in Ndokwa East is five over five and Delta State belongs to the PDP.
He added that Senator Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has transformed every part of the State with the S.M.A.R.T Agenda.
He added that APC has nothing to offer to the people rather they have brought hunger and pains to the people.
Onyeme, who was greeted by an excited crowd at the venue, also welcomed the decampees to the PDP family, promising that he would work with them.
Speaking on behalf of the decampees in various electoral wards in Ndokwa East, the former Commissioner For Youths and Sport, Hon. Ebifa Ijomah affirmed their loyalty and commitment to the PDP in its quest to oust the APC and promise to bring in more APC members into PDP..
He described APC as a party of strange bed fellows, stressing that the time he spent with the party was wasted and he was happy to come back to his political family, PDP, where he truly belonged.
In his words, ” We are going to bring in Delta state youths and all well meaning deltan’s into the people’s democratic party ( PDP), as majority of deltan’s who have been with us for over a decade know what we sincerely represent as we have always worked selflessly for the interest of the people.
The former APC chieftain thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for giving purposeful leadership and direction to the Peoples Democratic Party in the state and urged those still hobnobbing with the APC in Delta State with the hope of being politically relevant to join him in PDP.
Ijomah commended PDP leaders from across Delta North for their unity, transparency, and steadfastness in piloting the affairs of the party.
The State Chairman of the People’s Democratic party, Barr. Esiso, who presented Hon. Ijomah and his supporters to the marmot crowd while thanking them for realizing their political mistakes and summoning the courage to return to the PDP family, “where the umbrella is large enough to accommodate them”.
Esiso assured the decampees that PDP would remain accommodating to both old and new members and urged them to support the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, to finish strong and better.
Other dignitaries and Party leaders who graced the occasion include Hon. Prince Ned Nwoko, Delta North Senatorial Candidate, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, House of Representatives Candidate for Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency. Hon. Charles Emetulu, House of Assembly Member and Candidate for Ndokwa West, LGA, Hon. Nkechi Chukwurah, Commissioner for Girl Child Entrepreneur Development,
Hon. Prince Emeka Asamuta, House of Assembly Candidate for Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Hon Azaka Ossai, DESOPADAC Commissioner, Executive Chairman of Ukwani Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Possible Ajede, Hon. Prince, Gevin Ugbome, PDP Chairman Ndokwa East LGA, Hon. Vincent Osilonya, Delta North PDP Chairman, Hon. Moses Iduh and State Party Secretary, Engr. Dan Ossai among others.
By Patrick Ochei
The Nigerian Red Cross Society, in collaboration with the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency (DSPHCDA), have paid a courtesy visit on the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the State, to solicit their partnership towards creating awareness on the Resurgence of Covid-19 pandemic and the need for vaccination.
The head of the team, Mr. Charles Arinomor of the Scale 3.0 Sensitization (Covid-19), affirmed that by statistics, Delta State is one of the least States that are not fully vaccinated, advising that all and sundry should take advantage of the new surge of the virus to get vaccinated.
Speaking on the role of the Nigerian Red Cross Society in ensuring the scale up of the uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine, Mr. Arinomor said, the Nigerian Red Cross Society was able to access funding to create awareness on Covid-19 vaccine, and therefore, decided to collaborate with the Delta State Primary Healthcare Development Agency for effective mobilization of the people to get vaccinated.
He maintained that the media remains a veritable instrument in the strategy to disseminate and properly manage the information regarding Covid-19 and global health policy on vaccination; adding that the people should be aware that Covid-19 has not left the world but in fact has surged up again.
Arinomor said, as a result of this concern by the Nigerian Red Cross Society to embark on this sensitization, the NUJ was made a focal point to visit in order to seek possible partnership in reaching out to the larger audience of Deltans in the interest of public health and safety.
According to him, “We have implicit confidence in the NUJ to help us drive this awareness campaign through publicity, and that is why we have come. Deltans need to vaccinate, they shouldn’t entertain the fears again that the vaccine is unsafe for humans. It is perfectly safe. We need to hurry up and vaccinate now that the surge is coming up again.
“NUJ is one of our targeted advocacy points in reaching our stakeholders. We are working towards one goal – to save the greater number of human population from getting infected and dying of the virus. Our job is working in the humanitarian space to achieve safety and security of health for humanity”, Arinomor said.
Speaking on behalf of the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mrs. Naomi Ogbakpah solicited the support of the NUJ to achieve the awareness needed to save humanity from the pessimism associated with Covid-19 through concerted effort to get vaccinated.
She narrated how her Agency had been engaging the students in Delta through sensitization on the dangers of Covid-19 and the need to take the vaccine, appealing to the NUJ to help give it the desired publicity for the work to become effectual.
Responding to their submissions, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu assured them that the partnership they seek was possible if they constantly get the NUJ involved in their activities and programmes.
Ikeogwu called on Deltans to make out time to vaccinate, commending the two groups for the visit and advising on hosting some of their programmes at the Press Centre, which he said would enhance the partnership they had proposed.
He said, “Covid-19 is not a fluke, I used to believe it to be so, but I have come to know now that it is real. I had the premonition it was political, but from all indices, it’s not.
“We will work together going forward; your visit is well cherished. Just ensure that you regularly get us involved in your activities and be rest assured that your desires as far as the media is concerned will be taken care of”, he affirmed.
The International Committee of the Red Cross came into existence in 1863 in Geneva, to help advance humanitarian supports to vulnerable people of the world and stand in the gap for succour in times of humanitarian crisis and wartime. It is founded on the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary services, unity and universality for the benefit of the entire human race.
Other members of the two bodies that visited included, Perpetua Igbobah, Oduah Joseph, Ashiedu Peter, Alidunkwu Ikechukwu Scott and Alimasunya Julius.
By Magnus Emuji
The 2nd Edition of the Zenith Bank Delta Headmasters’ Cup Football competition for Public and Private Primary Schools, earlier scheduled to commence in the State on Friday , January 20, 2023 has been postponed.
A statement from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Augustine Oghoro on behalf of the State Commissioner for Primary Education, Chief Sunday Onoriode and the officials of Zenith Bank Plc, a new date for the commencement of the competition would be announced in due course
According to the statement, the State Government and Zenith Bank Plc regretted the inconveniences the postponement of the date would cause members of the public, especially the participating schools .
