Niger Delta

Obaseki Pledges Sustained Investment In Healthcare

Published

4 years ago

November 19, 2021

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, says, his government is focused on reforming and upgrading the state’s primary healthcare system, ensuring swift, affordable and quality medical service delivery to Edo people.
Obaseki, who spoke with journalists in Benin City,. Wednesday, said the government planned to have at least one standard primary healthcare centre in every ward in the state with well-trained staff and technology before 2024.
He said: “In the area of healthcare, we have just started, even though we have done quite a lot of work in the sector. Our focus has always been on basic care, just like we did with our education system; we are fixing those areas where our people have the first interaction with our healthcare system.
“Primary healthcare reform is our priority and by the time we are leaving in 2024, at the minimum, we should have at least one primary healthcare centre in every ward in Edo with well-trained staff and technology that tracks the quality of service rendered.”
Reassuring his administration’s commitment to transforming Edo into a health hub, Obaseki added: “We see Edo as the health hub in the next five years because we have everything that it takes to become a hub for healthcare.
“We have revamped the Edo Specialist Hospital and ignored the manipulations from detractors who try to make an issue of our decision to bring down a 90-year-old hospital and move it into a five-year-old hospital.
“So, we are transforming the Specialist Hospital and building a new Stella Obasanjo Hospital,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has flagged off the state’s Second Phase Outbreak Response (OBR) for Circulating Vaccine-Derived Polio Virus Type 2.
The ceremony, which was held at Eyaen Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC), Benin City, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State, kick-started a coordinated response to routine immunisation.
Shaibu expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Health, agencies and their partners in the state, the World Health Organisation (WHO), National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), and Africa Centres for Disease Control, among others, for their support towards improving health care in the state.
He hailed mothers in the state for their courage in bringing their children for routine immunisation and urged those yet to take the COVID-19 vaccine to do so for their safety.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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.