Niger Delta

Declining Commitment Of Women In Politics Worries NGO

Published

14 years ago

March 28, 2012

The Executive Director of Community Partners for Development (CPD), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Mrs Nsekpong Udoh, said the commitment of women in politics has declined.

Speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Saturday, Udoh said that women who were holding political offices were not willing to mentor the young women to attain greater height in their chosen endeavour.

She said that women representatives did not even understand the problems of women they were representing.

“There is an obvious problem we have in the women that are representing us.

“Some of them do not understand the issues of women, they are not the women that have been working on women issues so they cannot go and represent us on what they do not know, Udoh added.

“They get there on the good luck of being a brother, sister, wife or girl friend of one person that has been asked to bring somebody.

“When these women go and sit there, it is difficult for you to explain to them why they should be a part of women programme because they would say; I did not get here courtesy of women, she said.

“I know how I manage to get here.

“Those are the regular responses we get from them, “ Udoh said.

She appealed to those women who had been blessed by God to use their good offices to uplift the younger ones.

Udoh, however, said that women before were more committed to a cause, adding that they made sure they knew what they wanted and they were out to get it.

“The women then did not have more participation than us now, it was not as if they had more money, but they were so committed and they were ready to stake their lives, “she added.

She said that her NGO was acting as partners for United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF). UNDEF is the founder, and United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) is the executing agency while CPD is the implementing agency.

The woman activist added that what her organisation had been doing in the past four years was to strengthen the participation of women in politics.

“Strengthening is trying to make sure we have more women going into politics, knowing the need to vote and to be voted for, knowing the need to protect their mandate and making sure they are ready for whatever they go out for. “

She urged women to come out of their shell and aspire to elective positions for a better representation in 2015 and advised that they should not forget the upcoming ones when they get there.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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.