Niger Delta

Four Unemployed Graduates Get N2.8m Loan

Published

14 years ago

February 15, 2012

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Cross River State says it has disbursed N2.8 million to four unemployed graduates under the Enterprise Creation Fund of Small Scale Enterprise (SSE) of the directorate.

The State Coordinator of the Directorate, Mr Edem Duke, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Calabar on Saturday.

He said that the beneficiaries would be given N700, 000 each to enable them start and run their own business successfully.

“Yesterday, we disbursed N2.8 million to four beneficiaries under the Enterprises Creation Fund of Small Scale Enterprises of the NDE in Cross River.

“It is expected that the graduate youths will use the money to set up their business and repay back the money on time.”

The coordinator stated that the beneficiaries had been given a six month moratorium and were expected to pay back the money in two years time.

Duke said the graduates were trained under the Start Your Own Business (SYOB) programme of the Directorate.

“They wrote feasibility studies. We looked at the feasibility studies and organised an orientation programme for them at NDE office in Ibadan in November last year.’’

In a related development, Duke said that 100 unemployed youths were undergoing training on School on Wheels Scheme of the Directorate at Sankwala in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River.

He said that Schools on Wheels Scheme was aimed to train unemployed youths in the rural areas in different trades.

“At the moment we have flagged off the three months training at Sankwala, the capital of Obanliku.’’

He said the 100 youths were undergoing training in Hair Dressing, Fashion Designing, Carpentry, Electrical installation, Welding and Metal Fabrication.

“All the 100 youths are from Obanliku Local Government Area who requested for the training,’’ Duke said.

He said the Community or Local Government would have to request for training before the Directorate would carry the caravan to the area.

“The Community or Local Government Area will have to request for us to carry the caravan to those areas that requested for training programme.’’

Edem appealed to other Local Government Areas to take advantage of the programme to improve the quality of life of the youths in the areas.

He said that Abi and Ikom Local Government Areas had written to the Directorate seeking for training.

“The communities in Abi and Ikom local government areas have written to us. We are still in the process of finalising arrangement for the training using schools on wheels in these areas.”

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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.