Niger Delta

Directorate Graduates 300 Trainees In C’River

Published

11 years ago

June 16, 2014

The National
Directorate of Employment (NDE), said its Graduates Attachment Programme (GAP) had trained 300 graduates in Cross River from inception in 2006 to date.
The Coordinator of the directorate in the state, Mr Edem Duke, announced the figure at the orientation/sensitisation workshop for stakeholders for 20 GAP beneficiaries in Calabar.
“It is on record that over 300 beneficiaries have passed through this programme in Cross River since its inception in 2006. It is also noteworthy that some successes have been recorded on the issue of retention of outstanding graduates of this scheme by employers of labour. “And it is my fervent hope that this current set will surpass this record,’’ Duke said.
He cautioned the beneficiaries against acts capable of tarnishing their image and rubbishing the scheme.
“I wish to warn that you are expected not to do anything that will undermine the objectives of the places of your assignment,’’ the coordinator said.
According to him, GAP was designed to develop the unemployed graduates of tertiary institutions a positive attitudinal change, with the view to enhancing their employability.
Duke said the attitude of the graduates would reinforce the employers’ confidence with the hope of offering them permanent employment.
“This orientation, therefore, becomes imperative as an avenue of positioning the GAP participants to maximise this unique opportunity,’’ the coordinator said.
He announced that two participants had been dropped for failing to attend the orientation workshop without any reason.
The South-South NDE Zonal Coordinator, Mr Joseph Ekpenyong, charged the participants to take the scheme seriously by exhibiting attitudinal change in their area of posting.
Ekpenyong said that their success would be determined by their behaviour, saying it was a rare opportunity.
The Special Assistant to Gov. Liyel Imoke on Job Placement, Mrs Magdalene Agibe, urged the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of the scheme.
Agibe said the state government was doing everything possible to ensure that its citizens were adequately represented in terms of employment.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Gift Oqua, thanked NDE for the opportunity and promised that they would not disappoint it.

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.