Niger Delta

HYPREP Set To Train Ogoni Women, Youth

Published

7 years ago

October 8, 2018

In a bid to restore the livelihoods of people affected by oil pollution in Ogoni- land in Rivers State, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has assured that it would soon commence the training of women and youths in impacted communities in the area.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr Marvin Dekil, who gave the assurance during a sensitisation programme at the palaces of some traditional rulers in Ogoniland last Thursday said the Federal Government had given the agency the approval and mandate to provide skills to women and youths of the area.
Dekil further indicated that as a way of restoring the livelihoods of Ogoni people, HYPREP had outlined strategies of carrying out skills acquisition programmes in impacted communities in Ogoniland, which he said would ultimately benefit the people, and solicited the support and cooperation of the traditional rulers in this regard.
“Support this project so that your people can use their land again for agriculture and also use the water for fishing,” he pleaded.
While restating the commitment of HYPREP to fully implement the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland, Dekil said the agency was determined to empower Ogoni people, particularly women and the youths through its skills acquisition programmes.
Dekil, who led other HYPREP’s officials during the sensitisation exercise to the palaces of Gberemene Gokana, Gberemene Babbe Kingdom and Gberemene Ken-Khana Kingdom assured that the agency would take into consideration local content in the implementation of the UNEP Report .
Speaking on behalf of the Gberemene Gokana and the Gokana Council of Chiefs, the Legal Adviser of the council, Mene G.M. Gbarage thanked the HYPREP team for the visit and noted that Gokana Local Government Area was the most polluted in the whole of Ogoniland.
While urging the agency to carry along paramount rulers in the clean-up exercise, he stressed the need for some indigenous companies to be considered for the clean-up project.
In his remarks, Gberemene Babbe Kingdom, Dr. M.K.F. Noryan III assured HYPREP of total support and gave the project coordinator his royal blessings.
The Gberemene of Ken-Khana Kingdom was represented at the event by Mene B.V. Deebom and Mene Bua Ken-Nwi Bara, Prince Nzidee Eguru, who commended the HYPREP team for the sensitisation programme.

Donatus Ebi & Femi Akinyemi

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

5 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

5 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

5 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.