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Niger Delta

Cleric Tasks Stakeholders On Drug Abuse

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4 years ago

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In concert with the realities now facing the nation, the Presiding Bishop of the Calabar-based Christian Central Chapel Int’l (CCCI), Bishop Emmah Isong, has charged the Federal Government and all stakeholders to holistically fight the menace of drugs abuse, saying it was the underlying cause of crimes and all forms of criminalities in the country.
The Clergy, who said it was difficult to fight and win the war against crime without first attacking drug abuse, made the remarks in Calabar, during the 7th Emmah Isong Annual Public Lecture, which had the theme, ‘Curbing Drug Abuse: A Major Panacea to Reducing Crime in Nigeria.’
He said the level of destruction witnessed during the hijacked End-SARS protest could not have been possible without impulsive effects of drugs, insisting that it would be practically impossible to win the war against crimes if governments at all levels and the society in general did not fight drug abuse first.
“We need to fight illicit use of drugs before going ahead to fighting crimes. We all saw the level of destruction that happened in Cross River and other places when the #EndSARS protest was hijacked by hoodlums. This couldn’t have been possible without the use of drugs.
“We have enough laws already on ground to arrest the menace of drug abuse; in fact, in the next 300 years we should not make another law on it, all we need is implementation of the existing laws and recommendations. Our problem is the lack of political will by leaders and the led; we all need to come together and change the narrative by stopping the definition of government as a particular person but seeing it as you and I,” he stated.
Bishop Isong disclosed that the annual public lecture was his platform to answer many unanswered societal questions, and insisted that it was foolhardy to pretend that substance abuse, which he said led to multiplication of cult groups, kidnapping, armed robbery and all manner of criminalities, was not a huge challenge in the society.
The guest lecturer, Mr . Rekpene Bassey, who spoke extensively on the subject matter, said people abused drugs for various bio-psychosocial reasons, lamenting that drug abuse was increasing by the day.
Bassey who was a one-time Cross River State Security Adviser, said “A survey carried out in 2017 by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Federal Ministry of Health and United Nations Office on Drug and Crimes (UNODC) disclosed that 14.4 percent of persons between the ages of 15 and 64 were involved in the use of dangerous drugs.
“It further revealed that while 66 per cent of children on the streets are on drugs, 88 per cent of these children are actively involved in crime. In the next 25 years, if nothing is done, over 100 million Nigerians will be involved in drug abuse.
“Other factors that give vent to crime include huge unemployment, proliferations of small arms and light weapons, endemic corruption, staggering poverty, poor policing, lack of political will to fight crime and poor criminal intelligence.”
To reduce drug abuse, Bassey recommended sustained campaigns on drug demand reduction (DDR) and drug supply reduction (DSR), as well as introduction of drug abuse awareness programmes in Nigeria’s educational curriculum.
He further advised parents and guardians to monitor their children and wards closely so as to be able to detect their use of drugs on time.

 

By: Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

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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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