Niger Delta

80 Niger Delta Students Get NGO Scholarship

Published

15 years ago

June 16, 2010

The Chris Nkwonta Foundation, an NGO, has released N12 million for the award of scholarships to 80 Niger Delta youths.

The Coordinator of the Foundation, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwankwo, said that the scholarship would help curb youth restiveness in the Niger Delta region.

Nwankwo was speaking recently in Akwete, headquarters of the Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia, at a workshop held for beneficiaries of the scholarship.

He said that scholarship would also help turn the minds of the youths away from violent crime.

The beneficiaries include 20 university students spread across the country and 60 from other institutions of higher learning in designated centres in the Niger Delta region.

The coordinator said that the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Chief Chris Nkwonta, was denied many good things of life while growing up, and did not wish youths to suffer the same fate.

Nwankwo said that each university scholarship was worth N300,000 per year and that each beneficiary must not score below 3.5 cumulative point average at the end of any semester.

He also said that each polytechnic scholarship had the same annual cash award with that of the university students and that each recipient must not score below 3.00 average point in a semester.

The coordinator said that high academic performance was a condition for each beneficiary to continue to enjoy the scheme.

He further said that the conditions would ensure that those, who benefited from the Foundation’s scholarship programme, were not only grounded in their chosen areas of endeavor, but were also responsible citizens.

Nwankwo said that the skills acquisition programmes were basically for indigent youths, who must exhibit high sense of commitment and responsibility.

He said that each of them would be given N200,000 as take-off grant at the end of the two-year training programme to be financed by the foundation.

The coordinator said that it had also concluded arrangement to award 150 secondary school scholarships to deserving pupils in the area.

He said that the scholarships, which would be available for students in federal and good private schools, would place high premium on efficiency and high standards.

He urged youths in the area to make maximum use of the opportunity to better their lives.

Mr Boniface Nwaigwe, one of the beneficiaries commended the Foundation for the gesture and gave the assurance that they would make good use of the opportunity given to them.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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.