Niger Delta

NDE Distributes N30m Equipment To C’River Youth

Published

13 years ago

December 28, 2012

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has distributed N30 million worth of equipment to unemployed skilled graduates in Cross River.

The Director General of NDE, Malam Abubakar Mohammed made the fact known in Calabar at the graduation and distribution ceremony of Resettlement Equipment/Tools for the beneficiaries.

The resettlement programme was a collaboration between Rep. Essien Ayi, the member representing Calabar South, Akpabuyo and Bakassi Federal Constituency and NDE.

The equipment distributed to beneficiaries included refrigerators, sewing machines, computer accessories, photocopying machines and hairdressing tools.

Represented by the State Coordinator of NDE, Mr Edem Duke, the director-general said 80 women and youths benefited from the programme aimed at helping them to establish their own businesses.

“It is gratifying to know that today’s occasion is achieved through a collaborative effort which is one of the emphases of the directorate in her continuous attempt at combating mass unemployment in the country,’’ Mohammed said.

He said that the youths received training for six weeks in trades, such as computer operation, computer repairs, hair dressing, catering, lawn mowing, GSM repairs, cosmetology and interior decoration/event management.

Mohammed advised the beneficiaries to make the best use of opportunities given by the Federal Government to set up workshops and manage them profitably to enable them to repay their loans promptly.

He appealed to individuals, especially members of the National Assembly, to emulate the initiative of the legislator to reduce unemployment.

In his remark, the Acting Governor of Cross River, Mr Efiok Cobham, commended Ayi for embarking on the programme and urged him to do more for his people.

He said that the initiative was in line with the state government’s empowerment agenda for wealth creation for the people.

Cobham said the state government had carried out empowerment and capacity building programmes for youths in the state, including offering micro-credits for more than 200 youths.

“Our youths must begin to learn to become entrepreneurs, the jobs are not available anymore and we must get our youths off the streets in order to be gainfully engaged,’’ he said.

Ayi, who was represented by Mr Patrick Ugbe, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, called on youths to learn and become employers of labour.

He advised the beneficiaries to put the tools to good use to improve their lives.

“Let me use this opportunity to inform all the youths in Cross River to prepare to key into a programme that will be coming up in 2013, this is Youths Empowerment and Social Support Operation, (YESSO),’’ Ayi said.

He said YESSO was a World Bank-funded programme to be executed with the support of the state government.

“I believe there is a need before us in our constituency to encourage a build-up of artisans and fruitfully engage the attention of young people, especially the less privileged,’’ he said.

The legislator appealed to the youths to inculcate the habit of hard work to benefit from entrepreneurship and possession of skills.

“Their effort and eventual success in making appropriate use of the grant will in no small way encourage the continuity of this initiative which will see more people benefiting years after year,’’ he said.

He commended NDE for creating the atmosphere that ensured the success of the programme.

Niger Delta

C’River Bans VIOs From Road Operations

Published

12 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has banned the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from road operations across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Out, who made the announcement in Calabar on Saturday, restricted activities of the VIO to office duties.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Linus Obogo, the directive followed protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators over high tickets, excessive fines and alleged harassment by enforcement teams.

The Governor, who made other announcements in the sector, said the measures were approved after a meeting with key transport stakeholders.

According to the statement, other announcements made was the reduction of daily ticket fee from N850 to N500, while the penalty for failure to purchase the ticket had also been reduced to N10,000.

“All traffic-related fines be slashed by 50 per cent and must be paid only into designated Cross River State Government accounts.

“Daily ticket for tricycle riders have been reduced from N1,200 to N500. However, every activity of commercial tricycle operators ends at 6 p.m. daily, night operations are permanently banned,” Otu asserted.

He said the review was aimed to ease the burden on drivers and restore order in the state’s transport system.

Speaking further, the Governor said the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) would now focus on vehicle registration and sale of tickets at approved rates.

He noted that enforcement officers must operate only in proper uniforms and with verifiable identification.

He directed the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMRA) to restrict its activities to statutory traffic management duties.

In addition, the Governor announced that “commercial bus drivers and tricycle riders will no longer purchase tickets on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

“These directives will take effect from March 9, and I urge all residents and transport operators to cooperate with relevant authorities.”

Speaking to The Tide’s source, some commercial drivers said the statement did not address some activities of TRAMRA such as the illegal “no parking order” for drivers who only pick and drop passengers.

For Johnson Ade, a commercial driver, there should be an official release stating the traffic infractions in the state and the fine for each of them.

He said slashing the fines by 50 per cent was ambiguous, adding that the amounts to be paid for each crime should be clearly stated to prevent criminal elements who posed as government traffic regulatory officials from abusing the directive.

On his part, Mr. Sunday Dennis, Metropolitan Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), said they would convene a meeting immediately to critically look at the governor’s statement.

It would be recalled that series of protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators had led to the suspension of all forms of transport tickets in the state by the government.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Community Seeks Govt Recognition For Elected Village Head

Published

12 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

Some indigenes of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, in Ikpe Annang Clan, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have called on the State Government to recognize Chief Samuel James Udo as the authentic Village Head of the community by according him a Certificate of Recognition.

According to them, the call is necessitated by the fact that Chief Udo has won the first and second election processes on 1st May, 2021 and 15th July 2025.

The indigenes said in addition to his emergence after the two election processes, Chief Udo’s emergence has been confirmed by Chief Akpan Akpa Inyang (Okuku Ikpa Isong Annang), who has handed him (Udo) to “UDAK” as stipulated by the custom and tradition of Annang Land.

They said Udo’s emergence marked the end of every struggle by individuals or groups of persons on the issue of headship of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, Ikpe Annang Land, in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

According to them, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, should call for the recognition of the Village Head-elect of Mbiabong Ikpe Village in accordance with the Traditional Rulers Council Law of Akwa Ibom State, CAP 134.

This, they said, is because he has been duly and rightly selected by the kingmakers as the village Head-elect and have satisfied all requirements in the extant law for the said selection.

“We are informing the Akwa Ibom State Government of the development, because any imposition of any other name to the Governor will not be accepted by the community”, they said.

Meanwhile, they have alleged that some “enemies of progress are causing problem over the Chieftaincy issue after the winner has emerged and accepted by the entire Kingmakers.”

When contacted the Village Head-elect, Chief Samuel James Udo, advised the people not to cause any crises, saying that their mandate will not be denied.

“I will continue to respect the law. My people are law abiding citizens and God will surely stand for true justice and the certificate will be given to me, not through fighting, causing unrest, or violence, but by our faith in God, and the belief that the relevant authorities will do the needful”, he said.

By: Christopher Tom, Uyo

Niger Delta

Delta Unveils World Book Day Festival

Published

12 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State government on Saturday unveiled the LightRay! Distortion World Book Day Festival.

The festival, themed “That Which Bends, Transcends,” is a major celebration of literature, storytelling, and cultural advocacy in the state.

It was unveiled at the office of the Head of Service, Mrs. Mininim Oseji, in Asaba.

The event was organised by LightRay! Media, in partnership with the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA) and Unchained Vibes Africa.

Founder and President of the media group, Ejiro Umukoro, described the event as the first large-scale literary festival in the state.

She explained that the initiative aims to engage both marginalised and privileged communities in dialogue on resilience, hope, and social change through literature.

Highlighting the transformative power of storytelling, Umukoro said literature can inspire action, reshape perspectives, and drive social change within communities.

According to her, the festival builds on the impact of the Distortion novel series produced by LightRay! Media, which explores themes of human resilience, personal agency, and renewal.

She noted that the book has supported social awareness campaigns and legislative advocacy, contributing to the abolition of the Osu caste system in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo.

“The novel has also received literary recognition, including the TYB Young Adult Literature Prize in 2024,” she added.

Umukoro further revealed that the Delta Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has approved Distortion as a recommended literature text for students.

She expressed concern over the poor condition of public libraries across the state, noting that many remain inactive or non-functional.

”Urban libraries also struggle with outdated collections, inadequate infrastructure, and limited professional staffing”, she said.

Umukoro urged stakeholders to rebuild libraries, strengthen reading communities, and equip facilities with modern learning resources.

“The three-month festival will feature competitions, workshops, creative showcases, and professional development programmes, Umukoro said.

The Permanent Secretary in the office of the Head of Service, Mr. Wilson Chukwuka, commended the initiative.

The leader of the National Association of Seadogs, Mr. Michael Nwaidei, said the project aligns with efforts to encourage critical thinking and knowledge acquisition among young people.

Nwaidei was represented by a member of the association, Mr. Uche Egbuche.

The Tide’s source reports that guests, educators, creatives, and literary enthusiasts from across the state and diaspora communities attended the festival.