Niger Delta

Mrs Imoke Flags Off De-worming Exercise

Published

16 years ago

August 21, 2009

A total of ninety thousand children in Cross River State between the ages of 2- 17 years are said to have so far benefited from the de-worming exercise flagged-off by the wife of the state governor, Mrs Obioma Liyel-Imoke.

Performing the de-worming exercise at the three designated centres of Yakurr, Akpabuyo, the Ogoja Local Government Headquarters, the governor’s wife explained that five thousand de-worming tablets have been given to each local government chairperson and their primary Health Care Co-ordinaors.

She charged them to make sure every child in their community is de-wormed, pointing out that the de-worming exercise was made possible through the collaborative effort of one of her initiatives, as FAC (A state Fit For A Child), UNICEF, State Ministry of Health and that of Women Affairs.

Mrs Imoke disclosed that the state has declared an aggressive war on parasitic worm infestation in children by carrying out a campaign against worms through a six month periodic de-worming exercise, stating that this was part of the effort by asFAC to make sure Cross River is fit for a child.

According to her, one of the cardinal objectives of asFAC is to look after the children in the state as well as make sure they grow well, eat well, even while in the womb, stay alive and stay healthy enough to enroll in school.

Towards this end, she said the state government has made primary education free in the state to enable every child acquire basic education.

The governor’s wife noted that worms are detrimental to children’s health, their cognitive development, education as well as a brighter future for them.

She explained that worms deprive children of essential nutrients, leaving them malnourished, tired and unable to concentrate or attend to school activities.

“It also makes them physically stunted and retarded mentally,” she said, expressing optimism over the gains of de-worming, and promised to carry the war against worms to every part of the state.

Speaking separately, the chairmen of Yakurr, Akpabuyo and Ogoja local government areas, respectively pledged their readiness to assist in carrying out the campaign to every door-step in their communities to enable parents bring out their children for de-worming.

They also used the occasion to thank the Governor’s wife for the HIV test kits distributed to each local government area to enable everyone know his/her HIV status.

Speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Edet Ikpi, who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry of Health, Dr Phillip Obaji, said according to World Health Organisation (WHO), the high rate of death is more among children between the ages of 5 and below and pregnant women.

He attributed the high infant and maternal rate to lack of blood caused by worms.

The commissioner enumerated the kinds of worms to include tapeworm, roundworm, and hookworm and noted that children with worms usually have protruded stomach, are hungry and forgetful.

Also in her speech, the commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Ekama Awara, emphasised the commitment of the present administration in encouraging immunisation for proper growth of children in the state.

She thus urged parents to key into the de-worming exercise by getting their children de-wormed.

The governor’s wife also extended the fight against worms in children to the military at 145BTN Nigeria Army, Eburutu Barrack and the Nigeria Police Force Area Command, Otop Abasi, which were distributed points for both Military and Para-Military formations.

She explained that the reason was to ensure that every segment of the society is covered by the de-worming exercise.

She assured that this segment of the society will always be carried along in every Government House activity.

Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.

Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.

Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.

Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.

“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.

Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.

Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.

The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.

Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.

“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.

“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.

Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.

“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.

“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.

By; Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.

While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.

“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.

“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.

He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.

Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.

“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.

“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”

The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.

He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.

“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.

“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.

Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.

He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.

The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.

He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.