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Group Flays Political Violence In A’ Ibom

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The Neighbour 2 Neighbour, Nigeria for the Goodluck/Sambo ticket in the South-South geo-political zone of the country, has condemned in strong terms the recent political violence in some states of the federation, particularly in Akwa Ibom State which resulted in the destruction of lives and property.

The group which made the condemnation while briefing newsmen shortly after its South-South Zonal meeting in Port Harcourt on Monday said the incident was a calculated attempt to truncate the good works of Neighbour 2 Neighbour across the South-South Zone in its bid to return President Goodluck Jonathan to office come May 29, 2011.

The meeting which was facilitated by the Rivers State Co-ordinator of the association, Barrister Daddy West was attended by all the six state co-ordinators, co-ordinators in the various local government areas, wards and polling units as well as field officers and faith co-ordinators.

Addressing newsmen on behalf of the group, the South-South Zonal co-ordinator of Neighbour 2 Neighbour, Nigeria, Barrister Ebikeme Bosin disclosed that members of the organisation were also victims of the political mayhem in Akwa Ibom State.

“We, therefore, sincerely condemn in its entirety every act of violence that has been carried out against any member of any group, whether it is Neighbour 2 Neighbour group or not,” he said.

While condoling families of victims of the political violence in Akwa Ibom State, the zonal co-ordinator noted with candour that members of the group had resolved that votes of Nigerians must count this time around, and urged all Nigerians to work hand to protect their votes in order to prevent the rigging of the forthcoming elections.

According to him, members of the opposition in the South-South geo-political zone were working secretly to cause a political upset in the zone to embarrass President Janothan.

Bosin, however, assured that the group was working hard to nip such plans in the bud, as it was mobilizing the people of the zone particularly at the grassroots to ensure that 90 per cent of eligible voters in the region vote for the Goodluck/Sambo Presidential ticket, stressing that members of the outfit were working hard to deliver victory to President Jonathan at the polls.

“The South-South is the home of the President. Neighbour 2 Neighbour is up to the task in the South-South. We are very ready,” he declared, pointing out that members of the organization were reaching out to all the nooks and crannies of the South-South for the singular purpose of securing 90 per cent votes for the Goodluck/Sambo ticket.

While urging members to intensify their efforts of achieving this goal, the South-South Zonal Co-ordinator noted that Neighbour to Neighbour volunteers were equally working assiduously for the electorate to turn out enmasse on election day to vote for President Jonathan.

Bosin noted with satisfaction that the Jonathan administration had within the past few months recorded tremendous improvement in several sectors of the nation’s economy including the education, power and energy sectors among others, and expressed optimism that the president’s transformation programmes were capable of improving the lives of Nigerians if re-elected.

The zonal co-ordinator further hinted that Neighbour 2 Neighbour was equally convinced that none of the presidential candidates eyeing the presidency in the present dispensation could beat the credentials of President Jonathan.

“We are very convinced that there is no other candidate that can beat the credentials of President Jonathan whom we are selling and offering to Nigerians. Mr. President is ready to improve the lives of the citizenry of this country in all areas by the time he comes on board come May 29, 2011,” Bosin said.

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Niger Delta

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

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

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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.
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A’Ibom Launches Operation Crack Down Scrap Dealers 

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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.
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