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Niger Delta

Youth Body Supports Dickson On Education Levy

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8 years ago

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The Niger Delta Youths Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP), last Sunday, commended the educational policies of Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.
It would be recalled that Dickson had last Friday announced that he had signed the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund and Bayelsa State Higher Education Trust Fund.
The laws make it mandatory for every taxable adult, civil servants, and corporate bodies to contribute on a monthly basis to the trust funds.
The fund would be used to run secondary educational institutions in the state and to provide revolving loans to indigent students in tertiary institutions.
NDYCPP in a statement signed by Pastor Olayinka Tiedor and Chief Henry Nabena, Acting National Chairman and Acting State Chairman in Bayelsa State respectively, pledged to collaborate with Bayelsa government to sensitise the public to contribute towards the trust funds.
The coalition noted that the educational programmes of the Dickson-led administration in Bayelsa were panacea to reverse the educational backwardness of the state.
It noted that the establishment of Ijaw National Academy, a model boarding secondary school providing scholarship to 1, 000 students from the Niger Delta region was an ambitious effort worthy of support.
“We support in totality, the educational development levy because of its importance in sustaining quality education at all levels in the state.
“This will also check youth restiveness in the state by providing opportunity to youths to ensure self development.
“This wake-up call to give education the priority it deserves is key to the speedy transformation of Bayelsa and indeed the Ijaw nation.
“Therefore, all hands must be on deck to bring it to fruition irrespective of political party affiliation or tribe.
“The NDYCPP, a coalition of several youth groups across the Niger Delta with structures in all the states and local government areas of the region, remain a viable youth advocacy platform.
The group said it is committed to empowerment of 5, 000 youths in Bayelsa within the next one year.
The group further stated that in collaboration with the Bayelsa Ministry of Agriculture, it had facilitated the participation of some 200 youths in the CBN Anchor Borrowers Scheme for Fish/Cassava farmers.
It stated that the target of empowering 5,000 youths was feasible going by its efforts in agriculture, entrepreneurship development, wealth creation and existing partnership with the three tiers of government and private sector
The group also lauded the plans of Bayelsa government to float Bayelsa Young Entrepreneurship Programme to provide soft loan to youths with viable business ideas capable of creating jobs to decongest the labour market.
Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) on Sunday urged state governors in the Niger Delta region to priotitise education and step up investment in education.
The youth group was reacting to the foundation laying for Senate building of Niger Delta University by Gov. Seriake Dickson in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Thursday.
Secretary of the IYC Mr

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Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

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2 weeks ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.
Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.
According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.
He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.
He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.
“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.
Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.
The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.
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Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

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2 weeks ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.
The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.
Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.
He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.
“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.
The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.
The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.
The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.
Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.
He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.
“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.
Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.
“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.
Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.
Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.
“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.
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Niger Delta

C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

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2 weeks ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.
The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.
It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.
Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced  the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.
He, however, said while  several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.
“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.
‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.
In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.
Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.
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