Niger Delta

We’ll Continue To Empower, Support Youths, Bayelsa Assures

Published

4 years ago

November 19, 2021

Bayelsa State Government has reaffirmed that it would continue to place premium on youth development as evident in the various policies and programmes being devised for their empowerment.
The State Governor, Senator Douye Diri represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo stated this at the 56th Executive Council meeting in Yenagoa.
Reacting to recent comments made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the prosperity administration was not a youth-friendly government, Senator Diri described such comments as unfounded and a malicious propaganda that cannot be verified.
Senator Diri reminded the people that only a forthnight ago, his administration launched the Diri Digital Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme, (DDEEP) in the state to train youths in the area of information, communication and technology to equip them for the fast-paced and digitalized global economy.
According to the governor, the N500 million proposed for the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development in the state’s 2022 budget is a proposal, which is flexible and not cast in stone.
“We want to place on record and correct an erroneous impression that the Prosperity Administration of Governor Douye Diri is not youth-friendly. I want to state that, that narrative is a propaganda by the opposition party, the APC, which is unfounded and unverifiable.
“The Centre for Youth Development is to be funded through the office of the Political Adviser as an agency already working with the office of the governor. And so, for the APC to go to town and to be pontificating that this government is not youth-friendly is a wrong sermonisation.
“Let’s be objective in our criticisms but not engage in armchair, malicious, wilful and destructive criticisms. We call on Bayelsans to be loyal and supportive of the Prosperity Government towards actualizing its mandate”, he said.
Diri also used the opportunity to call on youths who are engaged in cult activities to denounce their membership and not constitute themselves into a parallel government.
The governor who condemned the recent trend whereby cultists terrorise traders in major markets in the state, warned that henceforth, government would no longer condone such acts.
While calling on their sponsors and leaders to desist forthwith, he spelt out the dire consequences and advised the youths not to allow selfish politicians, who remember Bayelsa only when elections draw close, and use them against constituted authority.
The Governor also advised members of the State Executive Council to liaise with the Ministry of Information and Orientation to engage the media to properly inform the public on what government is doing through their various ministries.

By: AriweraIbibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

4 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

4 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

4 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.