Niger Delta

Methodist Prelate Loses Car To Armed Robbers

Published

16 years ago

December 7, 2009

The prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His eminence Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde was attacked by a gang of armed robbers in Akwa Ibom State and dispossessed of his Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep.

The attack was said to have taken place between Abak and Ukanajun as the prelate and his entourage were returning from a grand reception and thanksgiving service by the cathedral of Unity Methodist Church, Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Uwa East, Essien Udim in honour of governor Godswill Obot Akpabio last Sunday.

In a telephone conversion with one of the drivers in the entourage who craved anonymity, the armed robbers may have been informed of the prelate’s movement by a source who attended the church reception.

Even though the source did not give a detailed account of the attack and the exact spot where it occurred, it was obvious that they had pre-information by the way they operated.

Apart from the prelate losing his car and some content inside it, the mobile policeman attached to him was also said to have lost his riffle to the hoodlums.

Our source added that the attack must have been carried out on the prelate as target because their informants may have informed them that the prelate’s car was loaded with cash given him by the governor.

The Tide was however not told how much cash His eminence lost to the men of under world in addition to the car.

The prelate who earlier reprimanded Gov. Akpabio for his habitual lateness to events, however commended him for the various life touching projects he has executed in the state.

Makinde told politicians who are interested in second term not to stash money for their re-election but should execute projects, saying it is there projects that would make people to vote for them a second time.

He singled out both the Lagos State governor Fashola and Akpabio for their good works and endorsed them for second term.

Responding, Chief Akpabio attributed his lateness to the planning committee, who had informed him that he was only going to be needed during the second part of the programme.

Akpabio used the occasion to call on Akwa Ibom politicians to stop politics of deceit, noting that some of them who are spreading falsehood about him can not even be voted by their kinsmen.

He said his emergence in the political arena was facilitated by his family members due to his track records.

He later commissioned a multi purpose hall and parsonage built and furnished by Elder Ibanga Akpabio, stat PDP Secretary.

Niger Delta

Oborevwori Boosts Digitalisation With Ulesson 500 Tablets To Pupils, Students

Published

20 mins ago

July 11, 2025

The Tide

In a move to promote digital literacy and educational inclusion, the First Lady of Delta State, Her Excellency, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, has distributed 500 uLesson tablets to students in public primary and secondary schools across the state.

The distribution, which took place recently at Government House, Asaba, was carried out in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Speaking at the event, Deaconess Oborevwori described the gesture as a meaningful investment in the future of Delta State’s children.

“Again, we are giving students from the Primary, Junior, and Senior Secondary Schools five hundred uLesson tablets, one hundred for Primary, two hundred for Junior Secondary, and two hundred for Senior Secondary schools”, she stated.

She explained that the initiative is part of a broader mission to equip students with the tools needed to succeed in a digital world.

“This is a Renewed Hope Initiative and NDDC educational collaboration,” she noted.

The First Lady expressed hope that the tablets would inspire independent learning and improved academic performance, especially among students in underserved communities.

“It is my earnest prayer that whatever we are giving will multiply a hundredfold in Jesus’ name”, she concluded.

In her welcome address, the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Catherine Onyeme, described the initiative as a reflection of the administration’s commitment to empowerment.

“This is what this government is known for, enriching and empowering the people around us”, she said, calling the effort “a beacon of progress.”

Mrs. Onyeme also addressed traders present at the event, encouraging them to use the support they received with care and purpose.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Primary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, highlighted the importance of technology in expanding the horizons of young learners.

“With access to the internet, children can do a lot using this tablet. This gadget will enable them to continue conquering the world”, he remarked.

He also praised the state government’s commitment to security and holistic development.

Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, also commended Deaconess Oborevwori and the First Lady of Nigeria for their roles in inspiring hope and uplifting the younger generation.

The event featured the distribution of 500 uLesson tablets to students, gas ovens for bakers, grinding machines for traders, and cash grants to support small businesses.

Beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Wife of the Governor and the First Lady of Nigeria for the support and encouragement.

Albert Ograka, Asaba

Niger Delta

Commissioner Explains Oborevwori’s Retirement Age Extentoon For Associate Profs

Published

23 mins ago

July 11, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner for Higher Education in Delta State, Professor Nyerhovwo Tonukari, has explained the decision of the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to extend the retirement age of Associate Professors in the state-owned universities from 65 to 70 years.

He said the decision was driven by a need to strengthen the academic system, deepen postgraduate programmes, and ensure the mentorship of younger lecturers across the state’s expanding higher institutions.

Professor Tonukari, who made this known during an interview, described the move as a compassionate and timely decision by the Governor to strengthen the academic workforce in the state.

He said the approval was a compassionate and strategic move to align with Federal Government policy and support the evolving needs of the state’s university system.

The Commissioner explained that although the federal law was amended in 2012 and domesticated in Delta for Delta State University, Governor Oborevwori has now approved its full implementation across all state universities to enhance academic quality and institutional growth.

“In 2012, the Federal Government amended the law to extend the retirement age of academic staff in the professorial cadre to 70 years, while non-academic staff retire at 65.

“Delta State domesticated the law for Delta State University at the time, and now His Excellency has magnanimously extended it to Associate Professors across all state universities”, Tonukari explained.

He dismissed concerns that raising the retirement age would block opportunities for younger academics, noting that the state’s massive expansion of its tertiary institutions under Governor Oborevwori’s administration has created more academic space and employment opportunities.

“Since 2023, over 600 academic and non-academic staff have been employed across the four state universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education due to ongoing institutional growth and accreditation drives”, he stated.

The Commissioner highlighted significant expansion projects in institutions such as Southern Delta University, Ozoro; Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba; University of Delta, Agbor; and the newly established campus of the Southern Delta University, Orerokpe, saying these campuses have nearly doubled in size and capacity.

He also emphasized the importance of the extended retirement age in fostering strong postgraduate programmes, as more experienced academic staff are needed to mentor junior lecturers and lay the foundation for robust research and academic excellence.

“This decision is timely. For the first time, we are seeing very strong postgraduate programmes emerge in Delta State’s universities. These senior academics will guide the next generation and ensure the sustainability of quality education in the state”, Tonukari said.

He reiterated the Oborevwori administration’s unwavering support for education, describing it as a cornerstone for long-term development and capacity building in Delta State.

Albert Ograka, Asaba

Niger Delta

C’River Focused On Youth Empowerment – Commissioner

Published

45 mins ago

July 11, 2025

The Tide

The Government of Cross River State says it has initiated three flagship programmes aimed at engaging youths in the state, and to discourage crime.

The state Commissioner for Youth Development and Skills Acquisition, Mr. Ijom Ukam, made this known in an interview with The Tide’s source in Calabar.

He listed the programmes as: skill-in-the-hand initiative, one youth two skills programme, the back-to-land initiative.

He said the three programmes were aimed at creating opportunities for the youths to excel in their chosen endeavours.

According to Ukam, the programmes will also provide sustainable means of livelihood for the growing population of youths in the state, adding that about 1500 youths have benefitted from these programmes.

“One of the programmes is called skills-in-the-hands initiative. The goal of this initiative is to ensure that every youth possesses at least two skills, regardless of their educational background.

“This approach serves as a replacement for “Food on the Table”, that enrolled hundreds of youths onto the state’s payroll, providing them with salaries for the duration of the administration.

“We also have the ‘One Youth, Two Skills’ programme, which is in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development of Abuja, and then we also have the ‘Back-to-Land initiative’.

“These three flagship initiatives are geared towards engaging our young people productively.

“Now, you will understand with me that we cannot guarantee employment for all the young people who are seeking employment.

“But we try to make sure that we can supplement the government’s effort in terms of employment by creating opportunities for young people to learn skills”, he said.

The commissioner said the youths are not just trained in various aspects of skills, but are also exposed to sources of funding and, in some cases, provided with startup capital.

He noted that in achieving this, the state went into partnership with some organisations such as Lafarge, NDDC, Skyrun International.

Ukam noted that the training on various skills was not limited to Nigeria, adding that some trainees have also been sent abroad.

He said government aims to train thousands of youths in various skills as part of efforts to empower young people, create wealth, and reduce youth restiveness in the state.