By Magnus Chukwudi
The Eze elect of the Elu Ohazu autonomous community, Evangelist Chinonyerem Chibuzor Nwakwue, has been formally presented to the officials of the Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State.
The historic event, which brought together a huge crowd from the length and breadth of the local government, was unique because it marked the ascension to the throne of a servant of God who had been called by the divine.
Speaking in an interview, Evangelist Chinonyerem Chibuzor expressed gratitude to God for making his presentation to the entire local government area possible despite the challenges that trailed the selection process.
He commended the people for maintaining peace, unity and decorum throughout the period of contest and litigation, noting that their maturity had preserved the community’s harmony.
The Eze-elect assured that he would remain true to his nature as a good, forthright, generous, peace-loving and God-fearing man, stating that he would not disappoint the community that had reposed confidence in him.
He expressed optimism that his reign would usher in enduring peace, stability and sustainable development in Elu Ohazu and Aba South Local Government Area, urging the people to support and cooperate with him.
Evangelist Nwakwue expressed gratitude to God and the community for entrusting him with the mantle of leadership. He pledged to rule with the fear of God, fairness, humility and respect for all.
He said that his presentation marks a new chapter for Elu Ohazu, as he will not be a ruler but a servant of God committed to the welfare of every son and daughter of the community.
The Eze-elect, who emerged as the people’s choice, is well-educated, humble, generous and God-fearing. We are confident that he will pilot our community’s affairs to enviable heights.
The profile of Evangelist Chinonyerem Nwakwue reveals a successful entrepreneur who answered God’s call to serve in his vineyard and bring salvation to his people.
He was born into a Christian family, with his father being a priest in the Anglican Communion. Because of his Christian background, he has vowed to avoid involvement in any fetish things or pouring any libation to the gods because his throne is a mandate from God.
The Eze-Elect attended St. Cyprian’s Primary School, Ovim-Amaba, in 1965 and obtained his School Certificate from National High School, Aba, in 1975.
After his secondary education, he worked as a teacher at Nenu Primary School in the Obingwa Local Government Area, and later taught at Mgboko Umuanunu Community Secondary School between 1977 and 1979.
His professional career spanned several establishments. He worked for British Hotel Management Consultants, contracted to run Crystal Park Hotel, Aba, as an internal auditor and assistant accountant from 1980 to 1984, and later served Israel Nwaobilo & Co (FCA) Chartered Accountants, Aba.
A successful entrepreneur, Evangelist Nwakwue joined the cold room business and established outlets at Ohabiam, Ogwe, Ogbor Hill, and Ekeakpara between 2000 and 2010.
The Eze-Elect is a registered member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and also holds a Diploma in Marketing from the Manchester Institute of Business.
His work experience also included service as General Manager at His Stripes (Nig.) Ltd as General Manager, employment at CHEMIRON International (Pharmaceutical) Company in Lagos as East Area Accountant, and later with Info and Brothers Group of Companies (Nig.) Ltd from 2003 to 2009.
In 2009, he answered the call of God to the office of Deliverance Ministry as an Evangelist and Founder, Freedom in Christ Jesus (Evangelical and Deliverance) Ministry.

By David Owei

High Chief Nathan Egba-Dienegha has been confirmed as the Acting Amayanabo of Okpoama Kingdom in Brass Local Government Area.

The confirmation followed an emergency Ibekobirya (general assembly) of the kingdom held on Monday at Isele Polo, Okpoama.

Speaking shortly after the confirmation, High Chief Egba-Dienegha stated that his one-year tenure as Acting Amayanabo was in line with a mandate of the Bayelsa State High Court.

According to him, his position stems from his election as Chairman of the Okpoama Kingdom Chiefs Council, which was subsequently ratified by the Ibekobirya.

He noted that during his tenure he would prioritise youth employment and women’s development in the kingdom and called on the people of Okpoama Kingdom to support his administration in order to promote peace and development in the community.

In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, who is also an indigene of Okpoama Kingdom, warned individuals planning to cause unrest to reconsider their actions or face the full weight of the law., stressing that throughout his career as a police officer, he has remained committed to maintaining peace, law, and order.

Also speaking at Ibekobirya, the Okpoama Kingdom Youth President, Engineer Seiyefa Ben-Basuo; the Amayanabo of Agada-ama, His Highness Paul Odibikuma; Depyty Chief Iprete Ingofagha-Omubo; Elder Sidosi Emmanuel George; and Mrs Inemo Dei, all expressed gratitude to God for the successful Ibekobirya and pledged their readiness to support the Acting Amayanabo in moving the kingdom forward.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Akpe, has urged Nigerians of all walks of life, particularly the political class not to be overambitious and unnecessarily competitive in their quest for leadership positions.

Dr. Akpe gave the advice at a special birthday thanksgiving service held in his honour at the Province 1 headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG Higher Ground Parish, in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

The Deputy Governor, who attended the event in company of his wife, Dr Favour Akpe and other family members, noted that although having ambition is part of human life, excess of it often drive people into actions that are contrary to God’s plans and purposes for them.

Dr Akpe attributed his elevation to the position of Deputy Governor to the outworking of God’s mercy and grace upon his life.

He therefore encouraged those in public service and church leadership, as well as families, to hold on to God, for the Almighty Creator who sees and knows everything to direct their path to greatness.

The Bayelsa Number Two Man pointed out that although the special birthday service had been jointly put together by the church and other well wishers, he had adopted it as his family thanksgiving for his elevation and for every good thing God has done for him in recent times.

His words: “On behalf of my family, I want to appreciate everyone here for your prayers and for your counsels. I just got to know about this program today in the morning, that there is something like this.

“I don’t think that there will be need again to call us together to thank God. I am not sure I will have more than this audience. So this is the thanksgiving for all he had done: for the elevation. God has worked with me in a way that is absolutely marvelous. This Thanksgiving is not an exception; this is our thanksgiving.

“To all of us, I just want to encourage those in governance, the church leadership and families to hold on to God, He will direct your path. Let’s not be overambitious or be engaged in unnecessary competitiveness. If we live our lives that way, even if you get that thing, God may leave you alone to work it.

In his exhortation entitled, “The Weapon of Gratitude”, Pastor Emmanuel Okolo of the RCCG Youth Province 10, Port Harcourt, described gratitude as one of the greatest weapons at the disposal of the children of God.

Preaching from the Gospel of Luke Chapter 17, Verse 11 to 19, Pastor Okolo stressed that God always expects man to give Him thanks, adding that thanksgiving makes healing, deliverance and breakthroughs permanent for those who practice it.

Special prayers were offered at the service for the Deputy Governor and his family by the Senior Pastor in charge of Region 27 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Simon Folasayo.

Goodwill messages were also delivered by Dr Anthony Akpe, Pastor Leonard Ejiegbu, Professor ThankGod Apere, and Dr Jones Ebieri on behalf of the Akpe Family, the Church, the Ebedebiri Community and the Bayelsa State Government respectively at the service.

Earlier in the day, a novelty football match between the Comrades Family and the Disciples of Akpe was organized by friends of the Deputy Governor to mark his 55th Birthday at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Ovom, Yenagoa.

The separate events were attended by several top government functionaries including the Speaker, Chief Abraham Ingobere and members of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, former Deputy Governor Peremobowei Ebebi, commissioners, the clergy and parents of the deputy governor, His Royal Highness, Chief Agadabiri Akpe, the Amananaowei of Ebedebiri, and his wife, Mrs. Esther Akpe.