Niger Delta

A’Ibom Receives18 Abandoned Children

Published

14 years ago

May 20, 2011

The Akwa Ibom State Government has taken custody of 18 children from an NGO, the Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN).

Officials of the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare told newsmen in Eket that the exercise, which began last week, would continue with the remaining children in the private orphanage run by the NGO.

CRARN runs a shelter for some 200 abandoned children accused of witchcraft by members of their communities in Southern Akwa Ibom.

The children, however, resisted the offer to transfer them to another centre but agreed to go with the ministry officials to inspect the new home promised by the officials.

Eighteen out of the 200 children in the orphanage volunteered to go with the officials who conveyed them to Uyo in a luxury bus.

Most of the remaining children cried uncontrollably as the bus conveyed their colleagues away from the centre.

Some of the children told The Tide’s source that they were sad to miss their friends who were taken away by the government officials.

The Chairman of the State Task Force and Child Trafficking Rescue Team, Mr Wisdom Udoka, alleged that the children were not properly taken care of in the private home.

According to the chairman, there is no adequate care for the children in all the private homes being run by the NGOs.

“We have provided a brand new home for the children; they will stay in the home pending when they will be reunited with their families in due course.

“We have been working hand in hand with CRARN and there is nothing we do in the centre without carrying them along,” he added.

Reacting to the concerns expressed by CRARN that there was no notice from the ministry on the takeover of the children, Udoka said the ministry got information that the children lacked adequate care.

Earlier, Mr Bassey Antai, the Administrative Officer of CRARN, had maintained that the visit was impromptu as the ministry did not give them prior notice.

“I want to say with all sense of humility that we are disappointed with the way these children are being hurriedly and forcefully removed by the government without any prior information.

“It is indeed a relief to us at CRARN that government is coming to assist with the welfare of these children.

“We welcome the idea but we strongly feel that it should be a process that will involve us and the children as well as the documentation of the children.

“We were shown a letter written by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Eunice Thomas, asking us to hand over the children in our custody,” Antai said.

She said CRARN had been working on reunification and reconciliation of the children with their families to decongest the limited facilities at the centre.

The Director, Global Media International, Mr Atah Ikiddeh, commended the humanitarian services rendered by CRARN by rescuing and keeping the stigmatised children who were accused of witchcraft.

Ikiddeh, however, noted that the state government had the resources and capacity to take good care of the children and reunite them with their families.

Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.

Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.

According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.

He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.

“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.

Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.

The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.

Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.

The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.

Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.

He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.

“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.

The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.

The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.

The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.

He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.

“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.

Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.

“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.

Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.

Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.

“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.

Niger Delta

C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.

The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.

It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.

Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.

He, however, said while several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.

“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.

‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.

In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.

Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.