Niger Delta

A’Ibom Promises Libya Returnees Adequate Welfare Package

Published

7 years ago

January 12, 2018

The Akwa Ibom State Government yesterday promised to cater for the welfare of the eight returnees from Libya into the state.
The state Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo gave the promise when he received the returnees who were rescued from Libya by the Federal Government.
The returnees, who arrived the country through the Port Harcourt International Airport last Monday, wore forlorn faces.
They said that they were very happy to return to their state of origin after months of incarceration in Libya.
Ekpo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary; Deputy Governor’s office, Mr Nkopuruk Ekaiko, commended the Federal Government for coming to the rescue of the returnees.
The deputy governor charged them to learn from the lessons of their travel and reintegrate themselves into the society, advising that there is no place like home.
“I believe you have learnt your lessons through your travel to seek greener pastures where they do not exist.
“Thank God for your safety, we have received you back into the state. Government will take charge and cater for your welfare.
“Be of good conduct to benefit from state government’s welfare package,” Ekpo said.
Speaking to the
One of the returnees , Victoria Sampson, told newsmen that she travelled to Libya in 2016 when she lost her husband.
Sampson , a mother of three children, said that after the death of her husband, a woman took her to Libya on condition that she would work to offset the transport expenses incurred on her.
“I work for 10 months in Libya and paid the madam her N600,000. Unfortunately, when I started to work for myself I was arrested and thrown into prison where I was living on a meal of Macaroni once daily.
“I was arrested and put in an underground prison for nine months. The Libyans tortured us every day while in prison.
“One of us from this state by the name Eno died in prison as a result of the torture,” Sampson said.
Another returnee, Isonguyoh Patrick, a 2012 Banking and Finance graduate from one of the Nigerian universities said he travelled to seek job in Europe.
He said he was trapped in Libya and imprisoned for four months.
“After my graduation from the university in 2012, I tried to look for job in the country, but it was not forthcoming.
“My friend facilitated by travelling to Europe in search of the greener pastures but I could not get to Europe before I was arrested and thrown into prison for four months.
“Travelling to Europe by land is the worst venture anyone can undertake,” Patrick said.
He appealed to governments to make policies and programmes that would create jobs for the teeming youths to discourage illegal traveling.
Our corrrespondent reports that the eight returnees were made up of five males and three females.

Niger Delta

Delta APC Reaffirms Support For Oborevwori’s Administration

Published

4 days ago

June 6, 2025

The Tide

The State Executive Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Monday reaffirmed its support for the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori-led APC government in the state.

Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Omeni Sobotie, who led members of the Executive Committee of the APC on a visit to the Governor, said they would continue to support the State Government as it drives the Renewed Hope For MORE Agenda in the state.

Chief Sobotie disclosed that they were at Government House, Asaba, to pledge their solidarity, reiterating that the Governor is the leader of the APC in the state.

“If the Governor, as the leader of the party, tells everyone to queue behind him, who is going to question that? Who would act contrary to that?” he asked rethorically.

“We came to reaffirm our support and pledge our solidarity with the Governor of the state, who is the leader of the APC in Delta”, the State Chairman added.

He, therefore, urged Deltans to continue supporting the policies and programmes of the Oborevwori’s administration, adding that they should expect more with the Renewed Hope for the MORE Agenda.

Albert Ograka, Asaba

Niger Delta

Otu’s Wife Champions Healthcare Access For 500 Elderly Citizens

Published

4 days ago

June 6, 2025

The Tide

The Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu, has sponsored the enrollment of 500 senior citizens, aged 70 and above, into the Cross River Health Insurance Scheme.

The gesture, which covers the premiums of the elderly citizens for two years, targeted the vulnerable senior citizens in the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

The Director General of the agency, Mr. Godwin Iyala, described the initiative as “a significant milestone in the first lady’s humanitarian outreach”.

According to Iyala, the first lady had already made full financial commitment to cover the 500 beneficiaries for the next two years.

“This initiative prioritises our elderly population, many of whom had spent decades serving their families and communities.

“Her Excellency has once again demonstrated her deep sense of empathy and leadership.

“The ripple effect of this act is far-reaching because when the aged are cared for, families are relieved, and the moral fabric of our society is strengthened”, he said.

He commended Otu for the initiative, describing it as a lifeline for elderly citizens, particularly those in the rural areas, who face significant barriers in accessing healthcare.

Iyala stated that the Agency would begin immediate enrollment of the beneficiaries into the health insurance database, to ensure they begin to enjoy prompt and uninterrupted access to medical services.

He further said that the initiative was expected to significantly ease the burden of healthcare cost to elderly citizens, offering them a renewed sense of dignity and security in their twilight years.

Niger Delta

Denmark Partners NGO On Climate Change Project In N’Delta

Published

4 days ago

June 6, 2025

The Tide

The Embassy of Denmark in Nigeria, partnering with the Academic Associate PeaceWorks (AAPW), is set to fund a two-year project towards moderating climate change impacts in the Niger Delta.

The embassy’s Senior Programme Manager in Nigeria, Nosakhare Ayejimiwo, disclosed this in a two-day Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum in Yenagoa on yesterday.

The Tide’s source reports that the forum is titled “Policy Dialogue and Exhibition on Green and Blue Economy in the Niger Delta”.

Ayejimiwo said the policy dialogue and exhibition were not only to share ideas but living demonstrations of how partnership and cooperation could lead to real and impactful change.

“One of Denmark’s strategic priorities for engagement with Africa is to increase efforts for climate adaptation, with particular focus on water, forests, and biodiversity, and support for green transition in the continent.

“We are living in a time where climate change is undeniably one of the greatest global concerns of our era.

“Yet, while its effects are felt worldwide, it is communities at the frontline like yours and others in the Niger Delta that bear the brunt of its impacts most acutely.

“The Niger Delta faces unique challenges that demand urgent, thoughtful, and locally relevant responses.

“Denmark’s partnership in this region reflects our strong commitment to supporting solutions that are inclusive, locally-led, and sustainable.

“This project is a shining example of those values in action; it embodies collaboration across sectors and stakeholders”, she said.

In her remarks, AAPW Executive Director, Judith Asuni, explained that the two-year project, implemented by AAPW, would be in four communities.

According to her, the communities are those highly affected by climate change, environmental degradation and piracy in Bayelsa and Delta States.

She added that the communities could potentially develop green and blue economies in their areas.

Asuni said, “The project aims to promote sustainable practices in both marine and terrestrial environments, emphasising conservation and resource management in the Niger Delta region.”

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Agricultural and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, reiterated the mandate of his ministry to produce food for Bayelsa, Nigerians and the world.

He noted that the administration of Governor Douye Diri had concluded that the state was too blessed to be poor or associated with poverty.

However, while attributing the state’s blessedness to its rich vegetation and soil fertility, he regretted that a large amount of food consumed in the state was being brought from outside.

“Our primary focus has been on rice production because Bayelsa State is a natural habitat for rice. So, we are supporting our rice farmers by providing inputs, seedlings and rice mills.

“Our goal is to reduce the cost of rice, and we cannot do that without collaboration with our rice farmers.

“We want to create the enabling environment for farmers to be productive”, he said.