News

Bayelsa: NDLEA, NAFDAC Partner Against Drug Abuse.

Published

6 years ago

July 1, 2020

Nigerian drug law enforcement agency, NDLEA, National agency for food,drugs administration and control, Nafdac in Bayelsa state have promised to partner against drug abuse.

This was revealed to The Tide in Yenagoa, on Tuesday, in separate interviews conducted on the sidelines of the 2020 international day on drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Fielding questions from our correspondent,the Bayelsa state commander, NDLEA, Kupi Maulsei reiterated their resolve to get rid of illicit drugs in the state.

The commander mentioned that outside the use or possession of illicit drugs that is incriminating,the taking of these drugs in itself makes addicts act contrary to expected societal norms,as these drugs move hand in hand with other crimes.

Maulsei caution against the menace of drug abuse,maintaining that some of the reasons adduced by illicit drugs users as to why they take these drugs unknown to them are actually the negative effects associated with drug abuse.

He called on employers to make remuneration of workers attractive just as he noted that some drug abusers the NDLEA has interacted with in the cause of carrying out their legal duties confided in the agency that they take these drugs in order to put in longer hours to work just to earn extra wages due to poor take home pay.

The drug law boss who also spoke on a trending odourless illicit drug called Arizona cannabis in the state warned that all illicit drugs are destructive, advising parents and guardians to watch the company their children and wards keep as peer group influence over the years has continued to play a higher negative role in the abuse of drugs.

“Arizona cannabis is a new odourless hard drug that is trending now.You won’t even know when a drug user is taking it because it doesn’t smell,but it’s very dangerous and destructive”, he said.

“I advice employers to increase wages for their employees. Some persons we’ve encountered confessed having been involved in illicit drugs taking so that they can work longer hours for additional income due to poor salaries”, he added.

Theme for this year’s world drug day according to the state NDLEA helmsman is “Better knowledge for better care”.

He noted that the state command has a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts,restating that the command between January-June 2020 confiscated 63kg of illicit drugs while 193kg were seized in 2019,just as he said the age bracket of hard drugs users in the state falls between 16-37 years.

In related development, the Bayelsa state coordinator,National agency for foods,drugs administration and control, Nafdac, Mr Joseph Edor has assured that his agency would continue to collaborate with the NDLEA and other sister agencies as well as well meaning individuals and corporate bodies to ensure that illicit and controlled drugs are not sold by unauthorized pharmacies and people in the state.

Edor hinted The Tide that as a result, Nafdac has been carrying out periodic checks on pharmacies and chemists to free the state of fake and contraband drugs.

The agency,according to Edor has also been carrying out checks and raids on food, drinks and beverages sale outlets across the state,saying that expired foods,drinks and beverages are as harmful and dangerous as illicit drugs.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.