Niger Delta

Expert Advises FG On Farming Season

Published

9 years ago

July 20, 2016

The Chairman, Raymos
Guanah Farms Limited, Mr Raymos Guanah, has called on the Federal Government to align its agriculture programmes with the varying farming seasons in the country’s regions.
Guanah made the call in an interview with newsmen in Asaba recently.
He said that the current practice by which the Federal Government maintained one calendar in its agricultural interventionist programmes for all the regions might not fully achieve the desired goals.
According to the former commissioner in Delta, planting seasons varied from region to region.
He said that unless such programmes were worked out to reflect the varying planting seasons and followed judiciously in terms of input distributions, they might not succeed in some states.
He commended the Federal Government’s agricultural programme being anchored by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) but expressed concern about the delay in release of inputs to farmers in the Niger Delta region.
“The team from the CBN, Bank of Industry and the state Ministry of Agriculture, has visited my farm which is a beneficiary of the programme.
“No input has been supplied and the planting season is almost over. There is no farmer in this state that has not completed planting now; by August we shall be harvesting.
“So, there will be no need giving fertilisers or seedlings to farmers in the state now. The current system does not work; it has to be tinkered with.
Guanah said the country could achieve food sufficiency with the right agricultural policies being implemented as and when due.
The chairman said the country was blessed with arable land, rivers with various kinds of fishes, good vegetations and all kinds of domestic and wild animals.
“So, we must not have to look at the oil sector alone but explore the great potential in oil palm, cocoa, rubber, rice, beans, yam, wheat, sorghum and vegetables.
“My appeal to government is that it maintains its stand on the ban on rice importation into Nigeria.
“I am sure that with this, in the next two, three years, Nigeria will be self-sufficient in the production of rice, wheat and sorghum and other crops,” he said.

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.