Niger Delta

Ebonyi To Boost Infant, Maternal Healthcare Services

Published

12 years ago

May 24, 2013

The Ebonyi Government last Tuesday said the state’s Community Health Insurance Scheme would be used to boost maternal and child care programmes in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Sunday Nwangele, said in Abakaliki that the scheme would be used to drive efficient infant and maternal healthcare services.
He said that the programme would give more access to healthcare services to pregnant and nursing mothers as well as children below five years.
According to him, the health insurance programme, which was community-based, would be accessed on the payment of N150 by the enrollees monthly.
He explained that necessary measures had been put in place for grassroots awareness and sensitisation campaign to enlighten the rural dwellers on the importance of keying into the programme.
The commissioner said the initiative would reduce the rate of infant and maternal mortality and pregnancy-related death which was high in the rural areas.
He maintained that with less than N2, 000 annually, beneficiaries of the scheme would have paid their hospital bills for the year.
Nwangele said the scheme would cover health issues ranging from child delivery, surgical operation, ante-natal and post- natal treatments among others.
He said that all the 13 general hospitals owned by the state government and some mission hospitals had been equipped and upgraded to enhance the success of the programme.
The commissioner said that government attached much importance to the health needs of the citizenry.
He said government would do everything possible to ensure the provision of efficient healthcare services to the people in line with the health policy of the state.
“The community health insurance scheme is one of the surest ways to provide access to medical facilities to vast population of women and infants living in our rural communities,’’ he said.
He also said that government had concluded arrangements to bring civil servants into the National Health Insurance Scheme to reduce the burden of high medical bills on Ebonyi workers.
“We are concerned about the high cost of medical bills and the sufferings of the civil servants in terms of payment of medical bills.
“Government has completed plans to introduce the scheme to the state civil servants to ease pains of high medical bills,’’ he said.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

4 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

4 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

4 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.