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Niger Delta

US-Based Family Reaches Out To Widows, Orphans In Rivers

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5 years ago

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About 112 widows from Ede community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, have benefitted from a special medical outreach and empowerment programmed sponsored by the family of late Elder Aaron Nwabite Izeogu who are based in the United States of America (USA).
The event, which held at the compound of the sponsors in Ede Community was the Izeogu’s Family 4th Annual Widows/Orphans/Octogenarians/Nonagenarians End of Year Praise and Worship in Collaboration with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Ede, Ogba District.
Shortly after the health checks and administration of drugs, the 122 beneficiaries and another set of 34 widows took delivery of rice and unspecified cash gifts ahead of the Christmas celebration.
In all a total of 146 widows, 10 elderly men and seven orphan children benefitted from free medical outreach and Christmas packages.
Speaking to the beneficiaries and other community folks who gathered at the Izeogu’s compound through a video call from the United States in their native Ogba language, Prof. Vein Chukwudi Izeogu charged them to always trust in God, rather than hoping on man, saying God is the ultimate.
Prof. Izeogu expressed happiness to see that they were living in peace and hearing their voices, just as he wished them good health and thanked them for accepting the gesture his family offered through the years and wished them a happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.
Also through video call, Mrs. Margret Ulaku Chinwa thanked the beneficiaries and other community folks for attending the end of year and prayer session and urged them to always live for God.
Mrs. Chinwa said she was happy hearing their voices and seeing them and urged them to pray and reach out to those who could not make it to the end of year event for one reason or the other.
She also solicited their prayers for the repose of the soul of elderly community folks who have passed on in the last one year and thanked the Church for their efforts as well as the medical team for successfully completing the exercise.
In a sermon, District Pastor of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Ogba District, Saturday Itigwe, said the event was designed to pray for Ede community, saying: “It is important for us to have faith in God, hope for the future and the best in life because there is hope for tomorrow, especially for those who trust and believe in God.”
Pastor Itigwe said the widows might still be thinking of their spouses who have passed on, the elders may also be bothered about a health challenge or some situation, while the orphans might be thinking of the next meal, urging all not to be troubled as God said in His words.
Speaking to The Tide, the Doctor in charge of the medical outreach, Dapa Chineme said the programme was sponsored by the Izeogus for widows in the community, noting that they came with various ailments.
“We attended to about 109 widows (at the time of speaking). From the test we did, they came with various kind of illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis and malaria.
“But the prevalent ones (ailments) are hypertension, arthritis and body pains. For diabetes, we have few of them. Some have high blood sugar, so we took note of those ones for follow ups. For others, we examined them and administered drugs,” he stated.
Also speaking to our reporter, Supervisor of the End of Year, Smart Maduagu, said the event was to encourage people that have far more resources to remember the less privilege and vulnerable people and “those who cannot speak for themselves, to give them hope, purpose to live and to give them a future.”
Speaking to our reporter through her son, one of the widows, Mercy Akor, 83 thanked the Izeogus for the gesture, saying the medicals and gifts is a huge relief to her and prayed God to replenish their pockets and grant them good health.
Similarly, 88-year old Josiah Obigwe, described the gesture of the Izeogus as an effort worthy of emulation, noting that he was happy to hear their voices through the video calls and prayed God to preserve their lives.

 

By: Dennis Naku, Charity Opara

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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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