Niger Delta

Delta Registers 33,000 Farmers

Published

13 years ago

April 25, 2012

The acting General Manager, Delta State Agriculture Procurement Agency (DAPA), Mr Ruben Ishaka says more than 33, 000 farmers have registered in the state in the on-going farmers enumeration exercise.

Ishaka, said the farmers’ enumeration was still going on in the state.

According to him, as at March, more than 33,000 farmers in the state have been captured in the Federal Government Growth Enhancement Service scheme.

“The Federal Government scheme has been tried in the state with about 10 registered farmers and I think the result was okay.

Ishaka said the beauty of the programme was that a different body was going to be handling any assistance directly to the affected farmers and there would be no diversion of inputs.

“For the farming season, the agency has procured some fertilisers and other agro-chemicals and distributed them to the 25 LGAs.

“The only different is that they are not subsidised.

“I think the FG scheme will be successful, but my advice is that those registered names should be properly screened to ensure that the real farmers get the benefits.’’

On his part, the Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Warri North Chapter, Mr Edward Obonrighomi said there would be no diversion of inputs with an effective implementation of the scheme.

“I am also a big time cassava farmer and fish farmer. I think our productivity would increase if we can get the right support.

“We thank the state government for approving and disbursing the agriculture loans to the farmers.

“As part of the state infrastructure support, the government promised to build cassava processing mills in each of the three senatorial districts.

“This in no doubt will encourage the farmers to produce more because we can process and make additional money.’’

A farmer, Mr Eugene Jacob said that government had intervened through the farmers support programme to existing farmers as part of the infrastructure support to farmers.

“The state government has also intervened through the Youth Empowerment Through Agriculture (YETA) by encouraging youths, young graduates and non-graduates to go into agriculture.

“There is also the micro-credit scheme to support small farmers in the state as well as other measures, including building access roads to link farming communities in the state.

“There is also the state tractor hiring service where farmers can hire tractors at a reduced rate to clear their farm lands,’’ Jacob said.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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.