Niger Delta

Bayelsa Gets First Female Head Of Service

Published

14 years ago

August 3, 2011

15 years old Bayelsa State has got a female as Head of Service for the state’s civil service.She is Mrs.Gloria Izonfo.

Mrs Izonfo has already been sworn-in by the State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, who charged her to initiate reforms that would instill discipline in the service.

Six new permanent secretaries were also sworn-in along with her. They are the Solicitor-General, Mrs.Biobelemoye Onye,Dr.Boumokumo Kpokiri, Dr. Martha Akpana, Mr. Durban Whyte, Mr.Okpoi Ebimotimi and Dr.Henry Simeni.

Mrs.Gloria Izonfo, takes over from the retired Head of Service,Mr.Obeha Oworibo.

Until her appointment, she was the Permanent Secretary in charge of General Services in the office of the Secretary to the State Government. In a charge to the new Head of Service,Governor Timipre Sylva,said the civil service in the state was yet to live up to expectation and asked the new appointees to make it functional to help drive the vision of the government.

The Governor, noted that civil servants in the state do not report early to duty urged her to ensure that the service rendered must be commensurate to the salaries paid by government.

“Head of Service,you are going to be on top of a civil service that I consider today not very functional.People don’t perform the job they are employed and paid to do.You must ensure that you make this civil service work and instil discipline”, Sylva lamented.

Governor Sylva stated that the civil service remained the engine room of any government that would want to succeed and called on all the senior civil servants to use their positions to improve the standards.

The Governor, who congratulated the new Head of Service for being the first woman to occupy the position,urged her to come up with new reforms to improve the capacity of the system.

Later in an interview, Mrs.Gloria Izonfo,said she would work in line with the directive of the Governor to build the capacity of the workers to enhance productivity.

Mrs.Gloria Izonfo,who has put in thirty-two years of service, is the fifth Head of Service to be appointed since the creation of Bayelsa state in 1996.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

1 week 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 week 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 week 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.