Niger Delta

Minister Commends Nigeria, Cameroun Relationship

Published

17 years ago

October 23, 2009

Relations between Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroun have become stronger as some significant achievements have been recorded by both countries in the last few years. Mr. Luc Magloire Mbarga, Cameroun Minister of Trade who stated this at the opening of the Cameroun Economic and Trade Week in the main bowl of the Cultural Centre, Calabar, attributed the rise to the October 2008 meeting between President Musa Yar’Adua of Nigeria and President Paul Biya of Cameroun which culminated in the first Nigerian Trade and Cultural week in Douala in March 2009. According to Mbarga, the Cameroun Economic and Trade Week is a follow up to a promise that Cameroun would follow the move made by Nigeria by holding its own version in Nigeria later in the year, adding that the decision falls in line with resolutions to ratify economic unions between the two nations. Mbarga reasoned that the economic week would afford business men and women the opportunity to interact and share their different know how, adding that time has come for the two countries to grow for the benefit of the people as the trade agreement between them is intended to make the duo one of the strongest trading partners in Africa. He noted that both stand to gain greatly if they partner because of their areas of comparative advantage than trading with oversea nations with what is available continentally, commending the two countries for the resolve to settle their differences peacefully. Chief Achike Udenwa, Minister of Commerce and Industry, represented by Mr. Augustine Adigwe, commended the Cameroun government and the organisers for the initiative which is aimed at promoting trade between the two countries, adding that the Nigerian Trade and Cultural Week held in Duoala was a great event which became a catalyst to ignite the economic and cultural potentials of the two countries. Udenwa disclosed Nigeria’s vision 20:20:20 on industrial reform which touches on increase in industrial productivity, promotion of the non-oil sector and promotion of export is aimed at creating employment and wealth, stating that Nigeria and Cameroun have a strong cordial relationship of benefit though far below their income potentials. The Minister observed that the forum would create opportunities for trans-border trade between the two countries as well as improve the quality of the people through Public Private Partnership (PPP), saying that there should be more fora for trade fares and exhibitions to promote trade between the duo and that by this time next year, Nigeria will be back in Cameroun. Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State in a welcome address, said there was need to create a conducive environment for trade between Nigeria and Cameroun through support for entrepreneurship, establishment of infrastructure like roads, water transportation as well as enforcement of security to address critical areas to boost commerce and trade. Imoke asserted that Calabar would provide opportunities to interact, share ideas that would contribute to the growth and development of the two countries as those involved would proffer ideas that would bring development for the collective growth of the nations.

Niger Delta

850-bed UCTH overstretched, services 5m patients – CMD

Published

18 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, has said the 850-bed hospital is overstretched, as it currently serves over five million patients.

He disclosed this on Friday during a media tour of the facility to showcase ongoing renovations and facelift in the hospital.

The CMD noted that, aside being the only tertiary healthcare facility servicing the state, UCTH also serviced neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi.

He said the hospital also received referrals from neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic.

According to him, the 850-bed hospital faced persistent space constraints because of increasing patients inflow and expanding healthcare demands.

“This hospital currently operates 62 clinical and non-clinical departments as well as between 30 and 38 wards covering medical, surgical, paediatric, orthopaedic and specialised services.

“Most wards have undergone facelift, remodelling, or complete renovation to improve patient care and working conditions for healthcare professionals”, he said.

He disclosed that the hospital was constructing a new 106-bed emergency medicine facility to address the rising demand for healthcare services.

According to him, the facility will include trauma bays, intensive care units, neonatal wards, and three fully equipped trauma theatres.

Speaking on the remodeled wards, Ikpeme explained that they followed modern nursing principles, allowing one nurse to attend to a maximum of 10 patients.

He said relatives would be restricted to designated waiting areas to reduce interference with medical procedures and improve emergency response efficiency.

The CMD noted that the hospital had strengthened specialist services in orthopaedics, neurosurgery, obstetrics, radiology, and minimally invasive surgery.

“UCTH now performs hip and knee replacements, arthroscopy, sports medicine, and complex brain tumour surgeries.

“Our surgeons also conduct keyhole procedures for appendectomy, hysterectomy and other conditions with faster patient recovery periods,” he said

In power, the CMD said the hospital relied on solar power from a seven-megawatt plant, constructed by the Federal Government at the University of Calabar, as well as public power supply, and generators to sustain its operations.

He appealed to governments, organisations, and philanthropists to support infrastructure expansion, equipment procurement, and specialised healthcare projects.

The CMD said the hospital required additional incubators, ward expansions, and a stand-alone amenity facility for private healthcare services.

He used the opportunity to dismiss allegations of ethnic discrimination, insisting that the hospital does not reject workers or patients based on tribe or origin.

According to him, the institution recently honoured an Igbo pioneer physician by naming a ward after him in recognition of decades of service.

The CMD said the hospital maintained strict disciplinary procedures to address negligence, poor attitude, and unethical conduct among staff.

The Tide’s source reports that some of the units visited include, intensive care unit, Department of Radiology, Urology Clinic, and Opthalmology Clinic.

Niger Delta

Police Burst Child Trafficking Syndicate In A’Ibom … Nab 3 Suspects

Published

18 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State says it has busted a child trafficking syndicate and arrested three suspects for conspiracy and unlawful sale of a newborn baby in the State.

The State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfom John, who disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Friday, said the three female suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1900hrs.

She said a complainant reported that his wife gave birth to a baby boy on May 7 and shockingly, shortly after delivery sold the newborn child to one of the suspects for N145, 000.

“Upon receipt of the report, operatives immediately swung into action, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the successful recovery of the baby boy.

“The suspects reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation, while investigation has been expanded to identify and apprehend all individuals connected to the trafficking syndicate”, John said.

She said the State’s Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive intelligence-led policing in the state.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Launches Operation Crack Down Scrap Dealers

Published

18 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa-Ibom State Government has launched a statewide crackdown on unregistered scrap dealers and scavengers, shutting down illegal operations and arresting operators accused of violating environmental and public safety regulations.

The enforcement operation, led by the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), followed the implementation of the state’s Waste Metal Scrap Law 2026, officials said.

AKSEPWMA Chairman, Obong Prince Ikim, said the exercise was aimed at regulating the scrap sector, protect the environment, and prevent criminal groups from operating under the guise of waste collection and metal trading.

“If you want to do scrap business, you must register,” Mr. Ikim said during the operation in Uyo, the state capital.

“Many people now hide under scrap trading to perpetrate nefarious activities”, he said.

According to him, dump site operators and scrap dealers who failed to register with the government risked closure and prosecution.

Authorities accused some operators of involvement in vandalism of public infrastructure and indiscriminate waste disposal, adding that investigations had uncovered criminal activities linked to several dump sites across the state.

“Some people vandalise government facilities in the name of scrap business and encourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse,” Mr. Ikim said.

He added that the state government and security agencies would continue efforts to enforce compliance and maintain public order.

“The Commissioner of Police has zero tolerance for criminality, and the Governor wants Akwa Ibom people to sleep with their eyes closed. We will fish out every defaulter”, he said.

Police officials involved in the operation said investigations showed that some criminal suspects used scrap yards and refuse dump sites as cover for illegal activities.

CSP Okwuzulike Vincent of the Itam Police Station said some suspects pretended to be mentally unstable while hiding ammunition and other suspicious items in makeshift shelters around dump locations.

The police officer praised the environmental agency for what he described as proactive efforts to sanitise the sector and pledged continued cooperation between law enforcement and the agency.

Officials said some first-time offenders arrested during the operation were released after profiling and signing undertakings, while repeat offenders would face prosecution.