Niger Delta

Bayelsa Earmarks N500m For Workers Insurance

Published

13 years ago

March 11, 2013

Civil servants in Bayelsa State are to enjoy insurance schemes.

To this end, the Bayelsa State Government says it has earmarked the sum of N500m to start up the scheme.

Governor Seriake Dickson who stated this at Government House while receiving the report of the State Health Committee said the scheme would cover all civil servants in the state’s payroll.

Hon.Dickson declared, “this is a project that we are very passionate about and that is the state health insurance policy. I have been informed you have talked about it.”

“I hope that your recommendations and findings in that regard are exhaustive but we intend in no distant time to set up a technical committee to undertake the drafting of the legislation that will support the health insurance scheme.”

“We feel that we should not allow our people to bear the brunt of healthcare. It is never done in any decent society. Our people in this state deserve the support of government in terms of health care provisions and particularly they need to know that if they fall ill and do not have money, their government has a programme that will come to their aid.”

The Governor noted that some members of the technical committee would be drawn from the health committee due to their experience and expertise in the health sector would also be involved in the implementation of government programme on health.

According to him, all civil servants are expected to key into the proposed scheme and pay only a token assuring that government’s contribution towards the insurance scheme will go a long way in ensuring its future sustainability as opposed to previous schemes in the state.

Acknowledging the fact that government did not declare a state of emergency in the health sector, Governor Dickson pointed out that government has invested massively in that sector with the upgrading of various health facilities across the state as well as the construction of standard general hospitals in all the 8 local government areas.

He also expressed government’s desire to ensure the early completion of the 350 bed Melford Okilo General Hospital, Yenagoa, construction of the Diagnostic Centre, upgrading of Diete Koki Memorial Hospital and Government House Clinic as places of excellence.

He therefore charged the committee to embark on the second phase of the assignment by touring all the communities to ascertain the capacity of Health centres and make appropriate recommendations on the way forward.

‘Government is desirous of providing functional health facilities in every community in the state, including living quarters for community health workers that will be posted to the areas’

Hon Dickson also called on the committee to make available raw data that will help government plan for the future in the health sector.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Health Committee and Commissioner for Health, Dr. Anapurere Michael Awoli had recommended the declaration of a State of Emergence in the Health sector due to its numerous challenges.

He said there was need for human capacity training, the development of a Cardiology Department and financing of the sector through the proposed State Health Insurance scheme.

Niger Delta

Pro-Chancellor Hands Over Okey Onuchuku Peace, Conflict Institute Building

Published

3 days ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

History was made on Wednesday 17th June, 2026 when the Okey Onuchuku Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies building was handed over to Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE).

Speaking during the hand over ceremony, which attracted an array of personalities from various works of life, the 13th Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman of IAUE, Chief Chinyere Igwe, commended the Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, for giving back to the University with the institute’s building project.

While affirming that Government cannot do it all, he encouraged individuals, corporate organizations, institutional partners to ensure the growth of University education in Nigeria.

He praised Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for sustaining University Education in Nigeria, and called for good initiatives and support “that will not only benefit the University, but put IAUE on the map of academic excellence in Nigeria and beyond.”

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Onuchuku, expressed gratitude to his wife, Mrs. Chika Onuchuku, and family for all the support given for the vision achieved.

He also thanked his close associates, political friends, well-wishers, and others who donated generously towards the building project.

“The growth of Universities all over the world”, Professor Onuchuku said, “comes from personal efforts of individuals, alumni associations and others.”

He noted that donations as being witnessed is the best way to go and called on all to invest in the Nigerian education system and immortalize their names with worthwhile donations and contributions..

The Okey Onuchuku Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies building, he further stated, “is donated as a Professorial Chair with the Dean of Postgraduate School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, also a Professor of Peace Studies, as the occupant of the Professorial Chair.

Giving his address, the Director, Okey Onuchuku Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, Professor Kingdom Elendu Ohia Nwaenyi, lauded Professor Okechuku Onuchuku for sacrificing his hard earned salaries, allowances and funds raised from two volumes of textbooks in his honour and titled “Perspectives on Nigeria’s Development”, launched on his 60th birthday.

He noted that the project is the first legacy to be accomplished by any serving Vice Chancellor in the institution.

Professor Nwaenyi stated that the Institute mounted five programmes: Peace and Conflict Studies; Peace Building and Development; Peace Building and Security Studies; Peace Building and Conflict Management; and Peace Education.

The institute, he explained, has birthed over fifty students running programmes in Postgraduate Diploma, M.A, M.Sc, M. Phil, and PhD.

Thirty students are in the PhD programme, fifteen are admitted into the Masters and M.Phil, and eight in Postgraduate Diploma Programme.

He expressed hoped that the Institute would check litigation and provide alternative dispute resolution.

In a vote of thanks, the Chairman, Okey Onuchuku Peace and Conflict Studies and Dean of Postgraduate School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, thanked God for His grace and enablement.

He prayed for the donor and Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, and further expressed his gratitude to Professor Isaac Olawale Albert, the third most cited Peace Scholar in the world, for his collaboration in developing a world class curriculum.

While thanking all who supported and celebrated with the University in this regard, Professor Nwobueze assured the public that the Okey Onuchuku institute of Peace and Conflict Studies will emerge as a centre of excellence, contributing meaningfully to scholarship, policy formulation, community engagement and the promotion of peaceful coexistence within Nigeria, Africa and the global Community.

The Institute, he stated, is willing to partner with the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) in line with its mandate to promote peace studies, Peace building, Conflict Management and sustainable development.

The institute has over four lecture halls with sixty to one hundred and twenty capacity, a befitting conference hall, offices for staff and a library.

A donation of one million naira was made during the event for the best two graduating students of the institute by Barrister Nyema Wagbara, the Leader of Dynamic Development Club of Port Harcourt based in Rumuolumeni.

Each of the two best graduating students will get the sum of five hundred thousand naira.

The event featured goodwill messages from Professor Isaac Albert, Professor Alwell Nteegah, the Chairman of Society for Peace Studies and Practice, Rivers State Chapter, Dr. Benjamin Ibietonye.

Dr. Emem Nyewene presented the goodwill message of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice National.

Others who gave goodwill messages are Ambassador Green Isaac, the Country Director, Relief International Africa, and Comrade Levi Zachariah George, Chairman Postgraduate Students Association.

The event also featured rendition for Professor Okechuku Onuchuku by Dr Maria Abidiak.

Niger Delta

Oborevwori Commends Police Over Arrest Of Electric Cable Vandals

Published

3 days ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Saturday commended the State Police Command for the arrest of two suspected electric cable vandals and the recovery of vandalised cables, describing the operation as a major step in protecting critical public infrastructure across the state.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, Oborevwori praised the Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, officers and men of the Command for their prompt response and sustained commitment to combating criminal activities, particularly the vandalism of government-owned facilities.

He also commended the local vigilante group for their support and corporation with security agencies in the state, adding that the arrest demonstrated the government’s resolve to safeguard public assets and ensure that investments in infrastructure continue to serve the people without disruption.

The Police in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said operatives of the Kwale Police Station, working in collaboration with members of a local vigilante group, acted on credible intelligence on June 25, 2026, and stormed the Ibabu–Ugiliamai Road where suspected vandals were allegedly dismantling and stealing electric cables.

The suspects reportedly attempted to flee on sighting the security team, but were apprehended during the operation.

One of the suspects sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital, while the other remains in police custody.

The suspects were identified as Osakwe Sunday, 28, and Ekene Obocha, 34. The vandalised electric cables were recovered as exhibits.

Commending the operation, the Governor urged residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information that would aid in the fight against crime.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting public infrastructure and maintaining a safe and secure environment for all Deltans.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, warned criminal elements to desist from vandalising government critical infrastructure and other public assets, stressing that the Command would continue to identify, arrest and prosecute offenders.

He also appealed to members of the public to sustain their cooperation with the police by volunteering useful information capable of preventing crime and bringing offenders to justice.

Niger Delta

We’ll Study INC’s Reconciliation Committee Report – Diri

Published

3 days ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration would study the recommendations of the Reconciliation Committee of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and consult widely before implementation.

He expressed optimism that the recommendations of the committee would foster peace, progress, stability and reposition the Ijaw nation for greater relevance in Nigeria.

He stated this at the weekend while receiving the report from the eight-man committee in Government House, Yenagoa.

The Tide gathered that the report followed its inauguration by the Governor on May 26, 2026 with the mandate of reconciling aggrieved interests in the INC after a disputed presidential election.

Diri lauded members of the committee for painstakingly putting the report together within the stipulated timeframe of one month, saying nothing less than excellence was expected.

He added that the committee delivered a report that speaks to the divisions and future possibilities of the Ijaw people, describing the INC as the highest institutional expression of the identity and historic aspirations of the people.

“We cannot stand aloof while such a vital institution drifts without direction. The Congress and the people rise or fall together.

“You were given a sacred mandate: to find reasons to stay together. You have discharged it with diligence and courage. You have given us not just a report, but a pathway back to trust and collective purpose.

“When I inaugurated this committee, I said the destiny of the Ijaw Nation was too precious to be left unattended. You heard that urgency. You responded to it.

“Given the high calibre, sterling pedigree and unimpeachable integrity of this committee, nothing less than excellence was expected. You have delivered a report that speaks to our divisions and to our future possibilities”, he said.

Presenting the report, the Chairman of the reconciliation committee, Dr. Mathew Seiyefa, said they interacted with all contestants in the INC elections, including members of the electoral committee, the INC executive and also received memoranda from various zones of the INC and other critical stakeholders of the Ijaw nation.

Dr. Seiyefa, a former Director-General of the Department of State Services, noted that the expectation of the committee was that the INC would speak for the Ijaw nation, its people and their causes.

According to him, the resurgent INC will be more consultative and inclusive, giving primacy to its role as a platform for advocacy, which will enable the body gain greater traction and resonance in the lives of the people.

“A common trend, which permeated this interaction, was the overwhelming passion for not just the survival of the INC, but its renewal and reinvigoration.

“There was a yearning for an INC that would rise to the challenges of the moment with respect to the cause of the Ijaw nation and its people. This sentiment was a key driver in the deliberations of the committee and has informed the recommendations that we have made”, Dr. Seiyefa said.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa