Niger Delta

LG Boss Offers N50,000 Reward For Students

Published

14 years ago

December 28, 2011

Chairman, Obot Akara Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom, Mr Tiebiet Joshua, has offered a N50,000 reward for any student in the area who could read 10 books in one month.

According to him, to earn the money, the student will explain details of the books as evidence of his understanding of their contents.

Joshua announced this in an interview with newsmen shortly after the opening of a seminar on “Bring-Back-the-Book-To-Akwa Ibom” held at Obot Akara Multi-purpose Hall, Nto Edino, near Ikot Ekpene, on Saturday.

He disclosed that the seminar was sponsored by the local government in collaboration with the U.S Embassy, with the aim of bringing back reading culture to the area.

Joshua lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for his bring-back-the-book initiative and urged students in the state to cultivate the reading culture.

It would be recalled recalls that Jonathan launched the Bring-Back-the-Book programme in 2010.

He pointed out that the secret of governance, amazing discoveries, development, progressive management principles and all the desires of states and nations, were hidden in books.

“It is only through reading that leaders of tomorrow nurture dreams and values that can change our society.

“Standard of education has fallen today, because students no longer devote time to read books and that is why we have massive failures in WAEC and NECO examinations.

“Parents and guardians are not helping the system, because they are encouraging their children with money for examination malpractice and you know this makes them not to read and prepare for exams.”

The council boss, who is the author of “Africa, The Origin of Life,” cautioned parents not to unduly insist that their children must pass examinations without ensuring that they worked hard for it.

According to him, parents should not be over excited with the number of distinctions and credit passes their children score, they should rather be interested in their being able to defend the certificates.

He noted that the restoration of reading culture would guide the youth towards broadening their knowledge, encourage intellectual endeavours and build a state at the “fore-front of an intellectual economy.”

Joshua lauded Gov. Godswill Akpabio, for his love for Akwa Ibom children as evidenced in the provision of free and compulsory education to all and sundry, irrespective of tribe and political affiliations.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

6 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

6 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

6 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.