Niger Delta

Commissioner Urges Collective Fight Against Child, Maternal Mortality

Published

10 years ago

June 29, 2015

The Commissioner for
Women Affairs and Social Development in Bayelsa State, Ms Nengi Rufus-Spiff, has said that the fight to eradicate child and maternal mortality should be collective among stakeholders.
Ms Rufus-Spiff, made the assertion in a meeting when a Target States High Impact Project (TSHIP) team led by Hajia Nafisatu Omar, visited her in her office recently.
She called on both private and government health organizations to bring their professional experience to bear in addressing the alarming rate of premature death in infants and pregnant women in the developing world.
According to her, “the increasing rate of infants and pregnant women could partly be attributed to ignorance as well as the high incidence of patronage of traditional birth attendants, sometimes in unhygienic environment”
The commissioner advised pregnant women to always visit health care centres for proper medical attention during delivery in order to reduce the infant and maternal mortality rate in the state.
She used the forum to call on well-meaning Bayelsans and private as well as government organizations to support the present administration’s effort to drastically reduce infant and maternal mortality rate in the state.
Earlier, the Technical Officer of the team, Ms Kezzy Ufumwen Omo, had said that the visit was to provide a platform for the Target States High Impact Project (TSHIP) team solicit the ministry’s support in their effort at addressing the challenges of infant and maternal mortality in the state.
According to Ms Ufumwen-Omo, misoclear and chlorhexidine products are high quality drugs produced with the World Health Organization (WHO) approval to prevent excess bleeding of mothers during child delivery and prevent umbilical cord infection in new born babies.
She said the TSHIP has come to partner with the Bayelsa State Government to fight against infant and maternal mortality in the state through enlightenment programmes on the use and distribution of the product.
She therefore appealed to the women affairs commissioner to assist in reaching out to all the relevant authorities to secure approval for the women affairs clinic to be used as a flagship for the use of the product by children and mothers.
In another development, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ayibatonye Owei, has expressed the readiness of the state government to partner with local and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and donor agencies, with a view to sharing experiences on the best way forward to improve health systems in the state.

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.