Niger Delta

Obaseki Applauds FG For Releasing Intervention Fund

Published

9 years ago

March 1, 2017

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has commended the Federal Government for releasing 1.5 million dollars “Save a Million Lives” intervention fund to the state.
Obaseki made the commendation when he received the Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, at Government House in Benin, last weekend.
He said the fund, geared toward improving maternal and child health, would be judiciously used in the state.
The governor noted that the state had set up a contact group to ensure that the programme achieved its aims.
“The contact group has done quite a number of work on the programme.
“I have taken personal responsibility to chair the contact group to show the level of seriousness we take the programme in the state,” he said.
The governor, who intimated the minister of his administration’s plans to reposition the state’s heath sector, said that much support would be needed from the Federal Government.
“We have refurbished the general hospitals across the state, but we have not been able to staff them adequately to provide the level of care we need.
“That is a major challenge and that is one area we will like to have more conversation with the Federal Government on how to resolve the challenge,” he said.
Obaseki stated that the state also needed assistance in the repositioning of its School of Nursing and Midwifery and School of Health Technology.
Earlier, the minister commended Obaseki for his scientific approach to addressing issues in the health sector and other sectors in the state.
Ehanire said that the Federal Government through the ministry had come up with policies and schemes geared toward reforming health care delivery in the country.
He disclosed that government had created a committee to resolve the issues of salaries and wages of health workers and incessant strikes in the sector.
He said the Federal Government was currently repositioning the primary health care system to take health care to the grassroot.
The minister said that plans were ongoing to link the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary health institutions for the purpose of having an effective refferal system that could be made up of an ambulance service.
Ehanire also said that plans to extend health insurance scheme to the state levels were also been worked out.
He, however, urged the state government to give support to the management of the Federal Government health facilities in the state.

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.