Niger Delta

Buhari’s Aide Tasks Entrepreneurs On FG’s Enterprise Programme

Published

9 years ago

July 10, 2017

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Job Creation, Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede, has urged volunteer entrepreneurs to utilise the Federal Government’s Enterprise Empowerment Programme (GEEP), to boost their investments.
He gave the advice in Uyo, while addressing the seven N-Health volunteers at the Akwa Ibom Veterinary Clinic.
Reports indicate that, four of the seven volunteers at the clinic said that they invested their stipend on fish farming, dogs and goats rearing as well as poultry farming, but were unable to expand their businesses due to paucity of funds.
Imoukhuede, said that the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration were particularly aimed at addressing joblessness and encouraging innovation and enterprise.
According to him, the GEEP component of the SIPs offers soft loans to farmers and other business people to boost their enterprises.
“Use GEEP to support your investments,’’ he urged the volunteer entrepreneurs.
Imoukhuede commended the decision of graduates to participate in the N-Agro scheme to further their interest in farming.
He specifically said that the 3,000 fingerlings, raised by Mr Sylester Ukeme, a 2014 Bio-Chemistry graduate of University of Uyo, was the kind of projects which the volunteers should engage in.
He also lauded the decision of Mr Ini Effiong to join the veterinary section of the Ministry of Agriculture, to learn how to apply veterinary training to manage his 11-year-old dog farm.
Speaking, Effiong, a 2012 graduate of Our Savior Polytechnic, Enugu, said that, he was inspired to join N-Agro scheme because of his farm which had 20 species of security dogs.
“I knew that one of the challenges facing Akwa Ibom is insecurity and I chose to rear dogs to assist property owners secure their premises and investments.
“I applied for posting to the Ministry of Agriculture to enable me to acquire requisite skills and experience.
“The demand for my dogs is high and the prices of the puppies range from N30,000 to N50,000, and even up to N100,000, depending on one’s choice,’’ he added.
Our correspondent also reports that, the monitoring team, led by Imoukhuede, also visited St. Patricks’ Primary School, Iboko Offot, Uyo, and the Primary Health Centre in Operational Base, Uyo.
Imoukhuede told the volunteers there to work round the clock to catch up with their counterparts in other states since they started their programme late in the state.

Niger Delta

Otu Recommits To Support For Navy

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has said his administration will continue to collaborate with the navy for effective protection of the waterways.

Otu stated this when the Commandant, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, Commodore Shuaib Ahmed, visited him in Calabar.

The Governor described the visit as critical to consolidating the partnership between Cross River State and the navy.

“Peace and stability remain non-negotiable prerequisites for the progress of the state.

“So, this visit reaffirms our shared resolve to keep the state safe and secured through sustained collaboration,” he said.

Otu stated that security remained the foundation for meaningful development in every society.

“No society prospers in the midst of insecurity. As a state, our development vision depends on peace, order and collective vigilance,” he said.

The Governor commended the Navy for the level of professionalism being exuded by its personnel in the discharge of their duties.

He said the Navy’s efforts had hugely boosted investor confidence and strengthened the state’s economic environment.

The Governor assured the Navy of the state government’s continued support towards enhanced operation.

Earlier, Ahmed explained that the visit followed the military tradition of familiarizing with authorities upon assumption of duties.

He stated that it was crucial to align naval operations with the strategic priorities of the state government.

The naval chief thanked the state government for its support to the force, saying, “your support has helped us immensely in achieving targets”

The Commandant further said there was need to strengthen infrastructure and communication systems in order to address evolving security challenges.

“Operationalising key naval facilities will improve our capacity to tackle maritime crimes.

“The Navy is committed to supporting the state in ensuring the safety and security of the waterways.

“We shall continue to promote peace while enabling the residents to carry out their lawful activities without fear,” he said.

Niger Delta

Community Praises Diri, Ogbuku On Projects Execution … Prioritises Security, Dev

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

The Agbura Community of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has again lauded the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and the Managing-Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, over infrastructure projects executed in the community.

Speaking with newsmen midweek in Yenagoa, its Chairman, Community Development Committee, Mr. Tribunal Egba, hailed the Governor for the successful completion of the abandoned Oxbow lake-Agbura Road project and others within the Community.

He also eulogized the NDDC MD for the construction of new lodge in the community for serving Corps members as well as plans to execute other projects.

Mr. Egba added that the completion of the Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road has given the community facelift, while also pleading with the government and the interventionist agency to award shore protection contract in the community to save it from the perennial floodings experienced in the fast urbanizing town.

Similarly, the community’s leadership has given assurances that it will continue to give priority to development and security of lives and property.

The CDC helmsman promised to strengthen the existing community vigilante group, while also stressing that the age-long synergy between the community and security agencies would be improved upon to get rid of crime and criminalities in the area.

“As a community, we’re so thankful to Governor Diri for constructing the abandoned Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road project. We’re also glad with the level of infrastructural development ongoing in other parts of the state, courtesy of the Diri-led administration.

“We also like to laud the MD/CEO, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for the construction of a befitting Corpers lodge for Corps members serving in this community.

“Our priority as a community now is to protect these infrastructure projects. We’ll continue to work in synergy with all security agencies to make sure there’s peace and development”, the CDC leadership said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Delta Shocked Over Death Of Chief Protocol Officer

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

Delta State Government has expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Mr. Sunny Kotor, Senior Special Assistant on Protocol to the State Government.

Kotor, a renowned Master of Ceremony at state functions, reportedly slumped and passed away last Friday.

In a statement signed by the Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, in Warri on Saturday, his passing was described as “a profound loss; not only to his family, but to the Government and people of Delta State who benefited immensely from his professionalism, composure, and unmistakable presence at official engagements.

“He brought dignity, structure, and excellence to every function he handled, leaving behind a standard that will be difficult to forget,” the statement added.

The Commissioner noted that “every passing is indeed a sobering reminder of how fragile and fleeting life can be,” extending heartfelt condolences to Kotor’s family, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of working with him.

The statement prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.