Niger Delta
NDLEA Arrests 229 Illicit Drug Suspects In Edo
The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said on Saturday, that it arrested 229 suspects for illicit drug trafficking in the state since June 2020 to date.
The State Commander of the agency, Mr Buba Wakawa, disclosed this in Benin, on the occasion of the 2021 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
Wakawa, who disclosed that 151 of the suspects were males and the rest 78 females, also announced the seizure of 15,648.532 kgs of different types of hard drugs, in addition to eight vehicles and five motorcycles, used as means of conveyance or proceeds of drugs, within the period under review.
He further said that the command destroyed 16, 077 bags of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, weighing 233,778 kg in a cluster of four warehouses in Okpuje forest, in Owan West Local Government Area of the state.
The warehouses were the biggest cannabis sativa stores ever discovered in the history of the agency, Wakawa said, adding that during the period, 14 suspected cannabis farms, measuring 16.69738 hectares, were also identified and destroyed.
“Within the period under review, the command also secured 17 convictions at the Federal High Court, Benin, while 154 drug dependent persons were counselled, rehabilitated and re-integrated into the society”, he said.
The commander also revealed that a new trend entailed operating an online kitchen as drug processing centre, advising people to be mindful of what they eat at social gatherings.
Wakawa noted that the “Share Facts About Drugs, Save Lives” theme of this year’s celebration informed on why the command had engaged in sensitisation, sharing facts and creating awareness in the minds of the people, about the menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the society.
“If the country is to stem the rate of criminality and other social vices bedevilling the society, then tackling drug trafficking and abuse is the only panacea.
“All over the world, there is a strong correlation between drugs and crimes, especially violent crimes. There are also lots of misinformation on drug use and drug itself.
“The issue of legalisation of cannabis sativa also brings a conflict between human and societal health, against financial and economic benefits. The choice is between health and wealth”, he said.
In his address of welcome, Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, disclosed that statistics had shown that the state accounted for a disproportionate large share of illicit drug production, trafficking, and abuse in the country.
He said that this was in addition to being a major producer of hemp or marijuana, which was commonly abused in the society.
According to him, the rising wave of criminality and insecurity across the nation, was fuelled by drug abuse.
“Our children and youths must be made to understand the reality of the dangers and negative life altering outcomes, in yielding to drug abuse.
“They must be taught that the future is bleak for drug abusers. In the same vein, parents and adults who abused drugs must stop for the sake of the young ones.
“Drug abuse, a hydra-headed monster, must be crushed if we must forge ahead as a nation. We must save the future for our children and youths”, Shaibu said.
In his remarks, Chairman, Edo State Drug Control Committee (ESDCC), Dr Osamwonyi Irowa, described the 2021 theme for commemorating the day was significant, considering the unquantifiable and enormous danger posed by substance abuse.
Irowa noted that drug abuse had brought about family disintegration, decimated the capacity of youths and led to increase in various crimes like insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and extremism.
Inaugurating the sub-committees in Government House, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, explained that Bayelsa has countless reasons to appreciate God for what He has done for its land and people in the 30 years of its existence, especially in development.
He charged the sub-committees to come up with proposals for the various activities and events for the celebration within the next two weeks in line with their respective terms of reference, stressing that strategic things had to be done to make the anniversary significant and historic.
According to him, the three-day programme of activities for the anniversary celebration, which will commence on the 29th of September, will be preceded by two weeks of commissioning of public infrastructural projects completed by the Prosperity Administration.
The Bayelsa Number Two Man further clarified that events penciled down for the celebration include a cultural carnival, boat regatta, anniversary lecture, sporting events, state banquet and awards night.
The sub-committees are: the Awards Sub-Committee, chaired by His Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo; the Sports Sub-Committee, headed by Hon. Daniel Igali; and the Lecture Sub-Committee, with Prof. Stephen Olali as its Chairman.
Others are: the Mega Praise Sub-Committee, jointly chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, and the Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Emiefenim; the Cultural Sub-Committee, headed by Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou-Obolo; and the Publicity Sub-Committee, with the Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, as Chairman.
by: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Niger Delta
NDDC Backs Federal Drive To Cut Maternal, Newborn Deaths … Trains Traditional Birth Attendants
The Commission made the pledge during workshops for traditional birth attendants held in Delta and Bayelsa states, where it stressed the need for stronger collaboration between traditional birth attendants and the orthodox healthcare system to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
Speaking at the training, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, urged women to embrace modern medical care while leveraging the trusted role of traditional birth attendants in their communities.
Represented by the Principal Manager, Education, Health and Social Services (EHSS), Mrs. Dare-Oloko Kuami, Ogbuku described maternal and child mortality as an alarming public health challenge that requires urgent and collective action.
“The rate of death among women and children is alarming and must be eradicated. This training is designed to enlighten our women and should not be taken for granted”, he said.
According to him, the workshop was organised to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of traditional birth attendants in providing safe maternal and newborn care, identifying pregnancy-related complications early, and referring high-risk cases promptly to hospitals and health centres.
Also speaking, the Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Patience Ezugu, called on women to take issues relating to childbirth seriously, stressing that improved knowledge and adherence to safe delivery practices would help save lives.
Represented by the Principal Manager, EHSS, Dr. Otokolo Fidelis, Ezugu disclosed that more than 300 women from Delta and Bayelsa states participated in the training and were provided with medical equipment and cash support to enhance their services.
One of the resource persons, Mrs. Gift Akitiri, underscored the vital role traditional birth attendants continue to play in many rural communities, noting that regular capacity building would improve the quality of maternal healthcare delivery.
“Traditional birth attendants are trusted members of many communities. By equipping them with updated knowledge, we are helping to ensure that mothers and newborns receive timely and appropriate care, thereby improving health outcomes”, she said.
A participant, Mrs. Franscica Odiakosa, commended the NDDC for organising the workshop, describing it as timely and impactful.
“I have gained valuable knowledge that will improve the quality of healthcare I provide in my community. I have also learnt the importance of referring expectant mothers to health centres and hospitals whenever a case is beyond my capacity”, she said, while urging the Commission to sustain the initiative.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the club’s headquarters on Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, the President of the club, Prof. Sahm Etuk, urged the newly elected executive members to bring their wealth of experience and professionalism to bear in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He said members of the club expected the new leadership not only to strengthen the institution, but to also extend its impact beyond the clubhouse through service to the wider community.
“You have voluntarily presented yourselves for service, and we expect that you will make yourselves available at all times to offer the service required of you”, Etuk said.
The inauguration followed the April 2026 bye-election conducted to fill vacant positions in the Executive Council.
Among those inaugurated was renowned broadcast administrator and Executive Managing Consultant of Comfort 95.1 FM, Uyo, Samuel Enoh Akpan, who was elected Public Relations Officer. Akpan is also a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
Other members of the Executive Council are Barrister Eno Inyang (Treasurer), Anthony Etim (Social Secretary), Christian Daniel (Welfare Secretary), Friday Ekpa (Legal Adviser), Christian Chukwu (Provost), Mmenye Udofa (Assistant Secretary), Otu Otu (Maintenance Secretary) and Macaulay Udom (Ex-Officio).
Prof. Etuk, a Professor of Strategic Marketing, Director of the School of Continuing Education at the University of Uyo, and Chairman of the institution’s Sports Committee, had earlier been inaugurated as President on January 10, 2026, alongside the Vice President, Dr. Nestor Udoh, a retired Permanent Secretary.
Other officials inaugurated at the time include Ndi Aquaisua (General Secretary), TPL Dr. Emmanuel Etuk (Financial Secretary), Dr. Imbur Terfa (Auditor), and Dr. Anietie Ekong (General Games Captain).
The President also inaugurated the Board of Past Presidents, made up of all living former presidents of the club, urging them to continue providing guidance and institutional support to the Executive Council in line with the club’s constitution.
Former presidents present at the event included Dr. Emem Umoh, Dr. Bassey Etuknwa, Engr. Mbosowo Orok, Prof. Ini Jonah, and Akparawa Ikpong Essien-Udom, a member of the Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
Etuk called on members to unite in pursuit of the club’s founding ideals of recreation, service and development, expressing confidence that the newly constituted organs of the club would strengthen its operations and reposition it for greater relevance.
Founded in 1935, Uyo Club remains one of Nigeria’s foremost recreational associations, with a membership that cuts across diverse professions and sectors of society.