Niger Delta

3,600 Drivers Licences Remain Unclaimed In C’River

Published

7 years ago

May 6, 2019

Well over three thousand, six hundred drivers’ licensces are said to have been abandoned by the owners in Cross River State.
Disclosing this to newsmen in Calabar, the Chief Route Commander (CRC) S. I. B. Alonge lamented the situation.
Alonge who is the Sector Head, Driving License Centre (SHDLC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Cross River State Sector Command said “We have about 2, 000 unclaimed driving license in Calabar.
“In the entire state we have over 3, 600. We have pleaded with church leaders, Imam in the mosques, traditional rulers and town criers to inform people to come and collect their licenses,” he said.
He explained that though, the sector was not having it easy to produce the driver’s license for members of the public due to network problem, the command was doing all it could to ensure that license is available to the owners.
“To beat network problem, what we do is that by 6.30am-7am every morning, we are always here because in the afternoon around 2pm, the network is always not stable, slow, off air and sometimes not available.
“In order to satisfy our customers, we ask them to drop the photocopy of their forms and we work on them. Network is beyond what we can control but what we do is to make calls to our headquarters and they will call our engineers who will call us and we explain to them our problems.
“We (FRSC and BIR) have formed a committee to ensure reduction of unclaimed license, the committee would go to churches, mosques, and traditional rulers to enlighten the people to come and collect their driver’s license. We collect 50 copies from the BIR every week and call on the owners to come and pick them
The sector head, however, said, “Our headquarters have erected a mask for our speedy operations but we are waiting for connectivity, this would be an alternative to disc and it would assist reducing the problem of network.”
Consequently, Alonge said the issue of providing driver’s license is a tripartite arrangement, FRSC, BIR and VIO, everyone of them has its own responsibility. The responsibility of VIO is to conduct driving test for fresh applicants, the BIR issues learners’ permit and others are done by us.
On the unclaimed driver’s licence, he said, “for now, we don’t have that barrage numbers of unclaimed driver’s ; licence, we use to have huge unclaimed driver’s licence but since we assumed office here, we have been working assiduously to reduce the number.”

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

13 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.

The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.

Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.

The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

By: Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

Published

13 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State

The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.

MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator, Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.

LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama, Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.

He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.