Niger Delta

Religious Leaders Dissociate Selves From Youth Protest In C’River

Published

11 years ago

August 12, 2015

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry- Banigo (2nd left), supervising the cutting of wedding cake of the newly wedded couple, Lt and Mrs. Bonaventure Obonyano, during the wedding reception in Port Harcourt on Saturday

Religious Leaders in
Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State has dissociated themselves from last week youth protest against Council Chairman Dr. Kerian Mfam.
The religious leader threatened to file a legal suit against youths if they don‘t refrain from linking the name of the religious institution in a protest staged by Youths against Council Chairman stressing that they know nothing about the protest.
The reaction follows newspapers publications that the religious leaders in the area had participated in a protest staged by Obubra youth against alleged plan by incumbent Chairman to seek for a 2nd term in office when Local Government elections begin next year and that they are not being carried along.
Speaking to journalists in Ovunum Community, Branch Chairman for Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Obubra branch Rev. Emmanuel Tabershima and his Islamic counterpart, Alhaji Lawal Ibrahim Isa, maintained that the religious leaders could not have participated in the protest given the fact that council chairman is a friend to the Mosque and the church.
They said that such allegation was ridiculous and absurd adding that Council chairman had not offended them or shirked away from his responsibility to deserve such a kind of maltreatment.
“We don`t know these youths, we have no business with them. Why would we participate in a strike that is anti-chairman when we are always carried along by the chairman? Dr. Mfam had always attended our programmes when we invited him to the church.”The CAN chairman said.
The Muslim leader averred that the council Chairman had been instrumental to the success of the Sallah festival adding that the Council boss had always carried them along and called for caution from the protesting youths so as not to incur the wrath of Allah.
The religious leaders averred that as far as there are concerned no protest issue was included in any agenda of their meetings and warned that no one should henceforth include their names in matters of such nature without their consent, otherwise appropriate sanctions would be meted out to the erring group.
Also reacting on the issue, Public Relations Officer for Obubra branch of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Mr. Stanley Ovat said, “we disassociate ourselves from the stage-managed protest and disown these group of youths for going on rampage without seeking the consent of the youth Exco,” he queried.
“we don`t know these youths who we learnt carried out the protest purported to be against council chairman, we know that they were sponsored by some disgruntled element aspiring to take over from our council chairman, this is totally unacceptable,” the PRP said.
“How could they have stage a protest without youths Exco who are superintending activities of youths at grass root level?” The PRO queried.
National President of Obubra Central Women Osopom I, Mrs. Kate Willy Esangha accused those claimed that council Chairman was not carrying them along as detractors and said that the council boss was down to earth and accessible, responsive and had always met the womenfolk at the time of need.
When contacted on phone for comment the council chairman said he had no comment and said, “I do not have time to provide answers to these allegations that are base on falsehood. I am interested in doing council work which I was duly elected for. In any case I had not told anyone that I want to vying for a second term.”

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

Niger Delta

850-bed UCTH overstretched, services 5m patients – CMD

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, has said the 850-bed hospital is overstretched, as it currently serves over five million patients.

He disclosed this on Friday during a media tour of the facility to showcase ongoing renovations and facelift in the hospital.

The CMD noted that, aside being the only tertiary healthcare facility servicing the state, UCTH also serviced neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi.

He said the hospital also received referrals from neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic.

According to him, the 850-bed hospital faced persistent space constraints because of increasing patients inflow and expanding healthcare demands.

“This hospital currently operates 62 clinical and non-clinical departments as well as between 30 and 38 wards covering medical, surgical, paediatric, orthopaedic and specialised services.

“Most wards have undergone facelift, remodelling, or complete renovation to improve patient care and working conditions for healthcare professionals”, he said.

He disclosed that the hospital was constructing a new 106-bed emergency medicine facility to address the rising demand for healthcare services.

According to him, the facility will include trauma bays, intensive care units, neonatal wards, and three fully equipped trauma theatres.

Speaking on the remodeled wards, Ikpeme explained that they followed modern nursing principles, allowing one nurse to attend to a maximum of 10 patients.

He said relatives would be restricted to designated waiting areas to reduce interference with medical procedures and improve emergency response efficiency.

The CMD noted that the hospital had strengthened specialist services in orthopaedics, neurosurgery, obstetrics, radiology, and minimally invasive surgery.

“UCTH now performs hip and knee replacements, arthroscopy, sports medicine, and complex brain tumour surgeries.

“Our surgeons also conduct keyhole procedures for appendectomy, hysterectomy and other conditions with faster patient recovery periods,” he said

In power, the CMD said the hospital relied on solar power from a seven-megawatt plant, constructed by the Federal Government at the University of Calabar, as well as public power supply, and generators to sustain its operations.

He appealed to governments, organisations, and philanthropists to support infrastructure expansion, equipment procurement, and specialised healthcare projects.

The CMD said the hospital required additional incubators, ward expansions, and a stand-alone amenity facility for private healthcare services.

He used the opportunity to dismiss allegations of ethnic discrimination, insisting that the hospital does not reject workers or patients based on tribe or origin.

According to him, the institution recently honoured an Igbo pioneer physician by naming a ward after him in recognition of decades of service.

The CMD said the hospital maintained strict disciplinary procedures to address negligence, poor attitude, and unethical conduct among staff.

The Tide’s source reports that some of the units visited include, intensive care unit, Department of Radiology, Urology Clinic, and Opthalmology Clinic.

Niger Delta

Police Burst Child Trafficking Syndicate In A’Ibom … Nab 3 Suspects

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State says it has busted a child trafficking syndicate and arrested three suspects for conspiracy and unlawful sale of a newborn baby in the State.

The State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfom John, who disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Friday, said the three female suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1900hrs.

She said a complainant reported that his wife gave birth to a baby boy on May 7 and shockingly, shortly after delivery sold the newborn child to one of the suspects for N145, 000.

“Upon receipt of the report, operatives immediately swung into action, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the successful recovery of the baby boy.

“The suspects reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation, while investigation has been expanded to identify and apprehend all individuals connected to the trafficking syndicate”, John said.

She said the State’s Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive intelligence-led policing in the state.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Launches Operation Crack Down Scrap Dealers

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa-Ibom State Government has launched a statewide crackdown on unregistered scrap dealers and scavengers, shutting down illegal operations and arresting operators accused of violating environmental and public safety regulations.

The enforcement operation, led by the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), followed the implementation of the state’s Waste Metal Scrap Law 2026, officials said.

AKSEPWMA Chairman, Obong Prince Ikim, said the exercise was aimed at regulating the scrap sector, protect the environment, and prevent criminal groups from operating under the guise of waste collection and metal trading.

“If you want to do scrap business, you must register,” Mr. Ikim said during the operation in Uyo, the state capital.

“Many people now hide under scrap trading to perpetrate nefarious activities”, he said.

According to him, dump site operators and scrap dealers who failed to register with the government risked closure and prosecution.

Authorities accused some operators of involvement in vandalism of public infrastructure and indiscriminate waste disposal, adding that investigations had uncovered criminal activities linked to several dump sites across the state.

“Some people vandalise government facilities in the name of scrap business and encourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse,” Mr. Ikim said.

He added that the state government and security agencies would continue efforts to enforce compliance and maintain public order.

“The Commissioner of Police has zero tolerance for criminality, and the Governor wants Akwa Ibom people to sleep with their eyes closed. We will fish out every defaulter”, he said.

Police officials involved in the operation said investigations showed that some criminal suspects used scrap yards and refuse dump sites as cover for illegal activities.

CSP Okwuzulike Vincent of the Itam Police Station said some suspects pretended to be mentally unstable while hiding ammunition and other suspicious items in makeshift shelters around dump locations.

The police officer praised the environmental agency for what he described as proactive efforts to sanitise the sector and pledged continued cooperation between law enforcement and the agency.

Officials said some first-time offenders arrested during the operation were released after profiling and signing undertakings, while repeat offenders would face prosecution.