Niger Delta

Gov Orders Sanctions Against Absentee Perm Secs, Directors

Published

10 years ago

August 24, 2015

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo (middle), receiving the Roll of Honour Award and a portrait from Prof. Alice R. Nte of the Nigeria Medical Association (right) and the State Chairman of the association, Dr. Furo Green, during a dinner and award night in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

Cross River State
Governor, Ben Ayade’s unscheduled visits to some ministries to find out if civil servants comply with their official responsibilities has caught some permanent secretaries and directors panting.
The governor, who was accompanied by his Deputy, Prof Ivara Esu, Secretary to the State Government , Mrs. Tina Agbor, and Acting Head of Service, Mr. Ekpenyong Henshaw, arrived Ministry of Agriculture headquarters at 12.40pm on Monday.
He was shocked to discover that most senior officers had not resumed in their respective offices as at the time of his arrival.
Upset at the development, he directed that disciplinary actions be taken against the erring staff.
Expressing disappointment with what he described as an intolerable behavior of the senior civil servants, Ayade said the state was at a critical stage where all hands were needed to be on deck to actualize the economic agenda of his administration.
He said, if government could honour its obligation to pay civil servants’ salaries as and when due, they were duty bound to reciprocate its gesture by coming to work early, stressing that they were always the first to cry foul when their salaries were not paid on time.
“I am not happy with what I am seeing because it is against civil service orientation, and I will not accept it because they are expected to be in office between 8am and 4pm,” he stated.
Ayade noted that as directors, they were expected to be exemplary, as they were those to take over from permanent secretaries that were retired recently, adding that from what he saw, it seemed they were not prepared for the task ahead.
At the Ministry of Health, the governor berated the Director of Administration following his discovery that there was no documentation of movement of staff as indicated in the time book and movement register.
He directed the Director of Administration to ensure that the proper things were done.
The governor, who was also angry with what he saw at the Civil Service Commission said, “this place is worse than others, and they should be taught a lesson, and the permanent secretary replaced for failure to show good leadership.”

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

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.