Niger Delta

S’South Govs Wives Review Women Dev Plans

Published

15 years ago

May 23, 2010

The Forum of South-South Governors’ Wives met in Yenagoa to review their action plan for improved economic development and social health status for women and children in the region.

The forum, which met on Wednesday, was hosted by the Bayelsa Governor’s wife, Mrs Alayingi Sylva in conjunction with UNICEF, NDDC, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

Sylva appealed to donor agencies to assist in financing the various projects of the governors’ wives to improve the welfare and socio-economic wellbeing of Niger Delta women and children.

She said that the creation of the Ministry of Gender and Social Development in the state had effected a significant change in the status and level of matters relating to the welfare of women and children.

She specifically appealed to UNICEF to support the initiatives of the forum in their various projects “to bring succour to the living conditions of women, children and the physically challenged persons.

“The UN made a declaration to make the world a better place in 2015, with its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), yet with just five years left to 2015, our women are still battling to achieve these goals.

“Governor’s wives have therefore, resolved to support their husbands to ensure that the MDGs are met,” Sylva said.

In her presentation, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Nigeria, Mrs Pelucy Ntambirweki, enumerated the various positive inputs that the forum could make in addressing the development challenges facing women and children in the region.

In her presentation entitled “Achieving Strategic Results for Children: The Role of Governors’ wives,” she expressed regret over the incidence of malnutrition among many children in rural communities.

Ntambirweki said that diseases posed great challenge to the government and the development agencies.

She said: “We can mobilise the governors’ wives to redouble their efforts in their respective states in tackling the challenges facing women and children, especially those from poor backgrounds.”

The UNICEF chief stressed the need to intensify efforts toward raising the issues of the vulnerability of children and women to the highest point and make them the priority of government.

While assuring them of UNICEF support, Ntambirweki called on the first ladies to evolve more result-oriented measures that would help them to actualise the objectives of their development projects.

In their contributions, the wife of the Cross River Governor, Mrs Obioma Imoke and her Rivers counterpart, Mrs Judith Amaechi, highlighted the “impressive submissions on our pet projects, the Mothers against Child Abandonment (MACA) and the Empowerment Support Initiatives (ESI) respectively’’.

Imoke pointed out that the governor’s wives had been restricted by lack of funds and solicited for renewed partnership between donor agencies and their offices in the region.

In her solidarity speech, the Community Relations Officer of Brass LNG, Mrs Ruth Benamaisia-Opia, reiterated the company’s readiness to partner with the governor’s wives.

She said the company was ready to assist them in their pet projects and the provision of welfare packages to children and women.

The meeting ended with a nine-point communiqué, urging the forum to develop an economic empowerment strategy for women with the introduction of micro-credit and conditional cash schemes.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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.