Niger Delta

C’River Commits To Mother, Child Mortality Reduction

Published

5 years ago

December 21, 2020

The Cross River State Government has said it would ensure that mother and child mortality rate is reduced by 50 percent in 2021, just as the State Government said at least 900, 000 young women of child-bearing age and 361, 127 children were targets.
The deputy Governor of the State, Prof. Ivara Esu, made this known in Calabar, during the flag off the Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) week.
Prof. Esu who was represented by the Health Commissioner, Dr Betta Edu, said, “for this campaign, the target is to see that we can reduce by 50 percent the mortality of mothers and children in Cross River State.
“We hope to immunise about 361, 127 children in hard to reach areas and also looking out for about 900,000 mothers within the reproductive age. We want to deliberately bring down infant mortality to a very insignificant level and it is the diligence of the health workers that will ensure its success.”
Also speaking, the Director General of the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, said the COVID-19 pandemic had made health services in the state challenging, thereby creating gaps in some areas, but that the campaign would seek to bridge any known gap.
She said: “Because of Covid-19, a lot of gaps have been created in terms of health services and we bridge these gaps with this kind of intervention. The MNCH is about integrated services, an opportunity to see that if there are gaps in nutrition, we will fill them.”
The coordinator of World Health Organisation (WHO) in the state, Raji Railwan, said the global body was ready to support Cross River in its efforts to provide health services to its people.
While calling mothers to key into the campaign, Julius Idoko, a representative of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said every support would be given to Cross River to make its vision real.
In another development, the Cross River State Commissioner of Police, CP Abdulkadir Jimoh is dead. He reportedly died on Friday.
In a condolence message to the Nigeria Police and the family of the deceased, the State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, expressed shock and sadness over the death of the Commissioner.

By: Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

6 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

6 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

6 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.