Niger Delta

Don Blames Nation’s Woes On Research Aparthy

Published

14 years ago

December 21, 2011

A University lecturer, Prof Anietie Ettee, has called on the Federal Government to sponsor research as a means to move the country away from just being a consumer economy to a production one.

Ette of the University of Uyo made the call in Uyo at the 30th Inaugural Lecture of the university, entitled: “Materials Processing: The Art, The Science and You. “

The Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering said that until the nation realised the importance that research played in the development of countries, attaining the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) would be a mirage.

According to him, the government should therefore take urgent steps to sponsor, support and encourage research in all forms.

Ette advised the government to also support indigenous research, especially in areas that impacted on local technology.

He noted that until the country realised the enormous human resources it had as potential creators of wealth, which needed to be managed to bring the best from them, it risked losing much of its wealth.

“We must become research-oriented to move from a consumer economy to a production economy. We must study and know indigenous technology for the development of this country.

“The level of technology of any country determines where it stands. Technology creates wealth, venture into technology and be counted.

“Let government sponsor research. Nigeria does not know the human resources it has.

“With the support of the World Bank, government should support indigenous research on the area that impacts on our environment. “

Ette maintained that over-dependence on oil had made the country think less of other resources.

Resources like agricultural resources; mining and mineral resources; synthetic or man made resources; industrial waste or by-products; and marine resources had been ignored, he lamented.

The professor explained that the problems with most local technologists, especially when it came to material unit processing, were size, separation, concentration, and refining processes.

Ette said that unless accurate measurement was obtained, processing would lead to error which could be fatal.

He maintained that if the right policies were properly implemented towards materials processing, that would help the government realise national security amid social and economic stability.

The don said the lecture was to propose to government the need to enact appropriate laws or policies that would encourage industries to develop and use local raw materials.

“Government is therefore called upon to note that technology is an instrument of change in the society.

“The level of technology utilisation in a nation is the measurement of economic independence and national security.

“Technology creates wealth, power and confidence; when engineering technology is utilised, it is protected from infringement,” Ette said.

Niger Delta

Otu Launches Grassroot Security Network In C’River

Published

19 minutes ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has launched a grassroots security intelligence network, named, ”Homeland Safety and Security Agency,” to strengthen community-based surveillance and enhance safety across the state.

Otu, who inaugurated the agency’s office in the Southern Senatorial District of the state on Monday, in Calabar, said similar offices were being inaugurated in the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.

The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar, said the officials of the agency would serve as first point of call before matters would be escalated to main security architecture in the state.

He described Homeland Security as an intelligence-driven structure focused on neighbourhood monitoring and early threat detection through coordinated local efforts.

He said the initiative constituted the directors and field operatives, tasked with gathering and forwarding intelligence to relevant security agencies for prompt action.

Otu noted that the network would serve as a first point of contact before intervention by conventional security agencies.

“It is important that we enhance monitoring of movements across our communities, border areas, and riverine zones to identify suspicious activities and enhance security response.

“The state government will provide necessary gadgets and communication tools to improve efficiency and real-time intelligence sharing,” he said.

Otu called for public cooperation, stressing that ‘’security is a collective responsibility requiring timely information from residents.’’

He said, ‘’to ensure that the security outfit works like a model unit, proper screening would be conducted on the volunteers to weed out undesirable elements from the system.’’

The Tide’s source reports that the Governor handed over 14 motor bikes to the agency’s southern Senatorial district office to enhance their efficiency.

On his part, the Director-General, South of the agency, Mr. Michael Nsan, said the volunteers had played key roles in reducing crime through coordinated patrols and intelligence sharing.

Nsan said over 1,300 volunteers currently supported the operations with additional informants providing critical information across communities.

“Crime rates dropped significantly during the last festive period due to our collaboration with law enforcement agencies in the state,” he said.

The Director-General said volunteers would undergo training and screening, with plans underway for formal recruitment through a government employment portal.

According to him, communication tools, including walkie-talkies, and patrol motorcycles had improved rapid response to security incidents.

He commended the governor’s commitment, noting that the initiative would further strengthen security architecture and community safety across the state.

The source reports that some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion were traditional rulers and government officials.

Niger Delta

Edo Defends 18-month Record, Cites Gains In Other Sectors

Published

20 minutes ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State Government has defended its performance in office so far, saying ongoing projects in infrastructure, healthcare, education and security showed clear progress despite criticism from the opposition.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the State, Prince Kasim Afegbua, stated this at a news conference held in Benin on Wednesday.

Afegbua said the Statement Governor, Monday Okpebholo, had been focused on addressing inherited challenges rather than engaging in propaganda.

He described the recent protests against the government as driven by “faceless actors,” questioning the credibility of those behind the protests.

The Commissioner also dismissed claims that the state was stagnating.

“The current Edo narrative is cheering news to the average Edo mind. We are not into propaganda. What we are doing, you can see for yourselves”, he said.

Afegbua anchored the government’s defence on infrastructure, pointing at the ongoing and completed road projects across the state.

He also listed the near-completion of the Ramat Park flyover and a second flyover at Aduwawa Junction as some of the new infrastructural developments being carried out by the Okpebholo administration.

He also cited rehabilitation works on Sapele Road, previously abandoned, as well as multiple urban and rural road projects, spanning Edo South, Central and North Senatorial Districts.

“In 18 months, we can beat our chest that the Governor has done so much to advance critical infrastructure”, he said, noting that road construction was being accelerated despite early rains affecting timelines.

Afegbua also highlighted interventions in the education sector, stating that about 6,500 teachers had been recruited, alongside rehabilitation of dilapidated schools previously lacking basic facilities, such as desks, roofs and toilets.

“Today, you can go around and see the difference,” he said.

The Commissioner added that completed school projects had risen from 68 at the administration’s one-year mark to nearly 80.

In healthcare, he said the state government had expanded primary healthcare access by already constructing 75 centres, with a target of 160 within four years.

He said many of the facilities had been equipped to deliver immediate services at the grassroots, while work had resumed on Stella Obasanjo Hospital which, he said, was inherited at 55 per cent completion.

“We are strengthening primary healthcare because it is the first point of contact for our people,” he said.

On higher education, Afegbua disclosed that the state recently committed N2 billion to infrastructure development at Edo State University, Iyamho, while also increasing its monthly subvention from N100 million to N250 million.

Government, he said, had also provided buses to support students’ mobility.

Beyond infrastructure and social services, he pointed at the economic support initiatives, including a N1 billion interest-free loan scheme for market women and another N1 billion set aside for students’ bursaries.

All these, he noted, were aimed at easing economic pressure and expanding access to education.

While acknowledging that security incidents had shifted from urban centres to the hinterlands, Afegbua, however, maintained that overall security had improved significantly in the state.

“The way kidnapping was rife when we took over, I think it has dropped maximally,” he said, citing bush-combing operations, arrests and destruction of criminal hideouts.

He also stated that government had procured over 100 Hilux vans and 300 motorcycles for security agencies.

Similarly, he said government had supported the local vigilante operations and established a rapid response mechanism for road maintenance and emergency interventions.

Afegbua further said that local governments had been empowered with heavy-duty equipment to open rural roads and improve mobility, describing the decentralised approach as critical to grassroots development.

“We need the cooperation of everyone. Security is not just about government; it is about collective responsibility,” he added.

Responding to concerns about transparency, particularly around contract costs, the commissioner insisted that all projects followed due procurement processes and were approved by the State Executive Council.

“If you check with the Ministry of Works, you can always get the cost of those contracts,” he said, stressing that the administration was prudent in resource management.

Niger Delta

Okpebholo Urges Edo Youths To Join Nigerian Army Recruitment

Published

20 minutes ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has urged eligible youths in the state to take advantage of the ongoing Nigerian Army 91 Regular Recruit Intake by enlisting in the Army.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, in Benin.

According to the statement, the call followed the scheduled visit of the Nigerian Army sensitisation team to the state from April 8 to April 14.

It noted that the visit is aimed at engaging, guiding and supporting prospective applicants through the recruitment process.

The Governor, however, urged qualified young men and women in the state to participate in the exercise.

“The opportunity offers a pathway to meaningful employment, national service and personal development through the Nigerian Army recruitment process.

“I urge Edo youths to come forward in large numbers to improve the state’s participation and meet its national quota in the Army recruitment exercise.

“It is a chance for young Edo people to build disciplined and purposeful careers,” he said.

Okpebholo also urged parents, guardians, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious institutions and youth organisations to mobilise and encourage eligible candidates within their communities to take part in the exercise.

He added that interested applicants should visit the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal for full details on eligibility, requirements and application procedures.

The Governor further advised candidates to ensure that all necessary documents are complete before presenting themselves at designated sensitisation centres during the stated period.

“The Edo State Government remains committed to creating opportunities for youths and calls for collective support to ensure the success of this exercise,” he said.