Niger Delta

Youth Body Supports Dickson On Education Levy

Published

8 years ago

April 5, 2017

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

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

5 days 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

5 days 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

5 days 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.