Niger Delta

Rep Woos Stakeholders Over FMC Bill

Published

4 years ago

June 11, 2021

A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Ben Ibakpa (PDP-Delta), has appealed to stakeholders to support the bill for an Act to establish a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Oghara, Delta State.
Ibakpa made the plea at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions yesterday to get the views of the general public and critical stakeholders.
Ibakpa, who is the sponsor of the bill, said that Delta State is a microcosm of Nigeria and it is difficult to develop as a result of the spread of its cities.
He said that the only opposing voice against the establishment of the FMC in Oghara is the policy which says a FMC already exists in Asaba, the state capital.
The Rep explained that Asaba is at the edge of the state (Delta North) which is five hours drive from Oghara, saying that many patients had died trying to reach the FMC in Asaba.
Ibakpa said that Oghara is in Delta Central and has boundaries with eight Local Government Areas, saying that the existing FMC in Asaba would not help the people of Oghara and its environs.
According to him, if the FMC is established, it will serve more than 20 local government areas in Delta and Edo.
“Oghara hosts a Federal Polytechnic, the Western Delta University, over 12 operational tank farms, School of Health Technology, Institute of Continuous Education, over 200 secondary schools and over 400 primary schools.
“It has the Mopol 51 base, Naval Logistic Command, so many government institutions in that local government.
“We are here to represent our people and in representing them, we should be able to bring the dividends of democracy, the universal health coverage, closer to our people.
“That is what has informed the need to ask that a FMC to be established in Oghara.
“The population explosion over the years warrants the special consideration and the plea that Oghara being the centre should be given this FMC,’’ he said.
Ibakpa said that the Teaching Hospital in the area which is basically for training and treating higher ailment, 80 per cent of its departments had been out-sourced, making it too expensive for the ordinary man.
In his remarks, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said that the ministry was in agreement with the sponsor with regard to access to healthcare for the growing population of the people.
Represented by the Principal Medical Officer, Dr Shetak Gilbert, Ehanire said that the Federal Ministry of Health was working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to ensure universal health coverage.
“For us to achieve this, we need to bring healthcare services closer to the people for them to have access.
“The ministry, in the spirit of achieving universal health coverage will continue to work with this committee, the House of Representatives and the National Assembly in general to achieve this request,’’ he said.
The Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Pascal Obi (APC-Imo), said that there was an existing policy of the Federal Government that allowed only one FMC per state.

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.

The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.

Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.

The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

By: Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State

The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.

MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator, Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.

LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama, Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.

He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

4 days ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.