…as state govt pledges land for proposed Anglican University
Yenagoa—Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Rt. Hon. Friday Konbowei Benson has appealed for support for the execution of the developmental projects of the Governor Douye Diri administration in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Benson who made the plea when he hosted stakeholders from the four wards in Southern Ijaw including traditional rulers to a dinner at his residence in Yenagoa also asked for unity among the people.
He stated that the Diri administration is ready to bring development to them citing the ongoing Yenagoa-Oporoma road as veritable proof.
Benson expressed dissatisfaction with news of some people in Agobiri stalling the Yenagoa-Oporoma road project and pleaded with them to allow the Governor to finish the projects he has started which he said would In turn profit them.
According to him, “anywhere there is no peace, there is no development. If there is violence everyone will be running here and there. So I want to say that please Southern Ijaw people allow the government to work.
“Ikebiri people have done their part and we are now in between Angiama where Agobiri people are disturbing. I will call on the Agobiri people to please talk to their children, their women.
“If the road network is what we need, why would anyone come out to ask for compensation, compensation what? Nobody needs to stop the road from getting to other places.
“The governor is always embarrassed each time he is called that Southern Ijaw people who have been crying and yearning for the road network, are coming to block an ongoing road project. Let us allow the government to work.”
Benson also criticized the Federal Government for lack of development in Southern Ijaw despite the oil resources endowed in the area that contribute to the nation’s economy.
He noted that the federal government should provide basic amenities, schools and other infrastructures to end unrest, poverty and militancy in the Niger Delta.
In another development, the Bayelsa State Government has Sunday promised to provide land for the establishment of a proposed Anglican University in the state.
Governor Douye Diri made the promise in response to a request by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, during a courtesy visit with other bishops of the Diocese of Niger Delta West to Government House, Yenagoa.
Diri described Anglican schools as strong institutions that played a major role in producing responsible members of society.
He added that hosting an Anglican university would positively impact the state and the Niger Delta region.
According to the governor, the state was keen to have its first private university and that his administration would support such projects as it would afford the people more access to knowledge and education
Diri, a former senator, urged the clergymen to speak truth to power in the country, stating that Nigeria is in serious need of voices of reason and dissent due to the ills in our society.
While attributing the successes recorded under his administration to God and appreciating the Anglican Primate for the visit, Diri thanked the Bishop of the Diocese of the Niger Delta West for his dedication in spreading the gospel.
“Your request for land for the proposed Anglican university is good. The government will provide the land. We will acquire it for you.
“I am doing this with the conscience that Bayelsa is a state that does not have one private university. So, we are very happy and prepared to host the Anglican university.
“The Anglican Church has over the years produced leaders of worth. It is a good thing that we have an Anglican institution domiciled in Bayelsa and believe that it is going to impact on the state and add value to the Niger Delta region.
“Some of us are where we are today because of the upbringing we received in the Anglican schools we attended.
“Our country is going through difficult times. The Anglican Church in Nigeria needs a voice like South Africa’s late Desmond Tutu, who stood against injustice, against inequity in his country and the world.
“We have Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Church. The Anglican Church can equally stand up against inequity and inequality,” Diri stated.
Earlier in his comments, the Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba said that he was in the state to dedicate a Bishop’s Court Chapel and Diocesan Secretariat of the Diocese of Niger Delta West.
The clergyman noted that the Anglican Church in Nigeria was a self-governing and self-sustaining institution, and would continue to play its part in the betterment of the society.
Dr. Ndukuba appreciated the governor for creating an enabling environment for the propagation of the Gospel of Christ in the state.
He also thanked Governor Diri for the judicious use of the state’s resources to develop the state.
