Niger Delta

Retiring Edo CP Tasks Officers On Service

Published

4 years ago

March 7, 2022

Retiring Edo State Commissioner of Police, Phillip Ogbadu, has tasked officers to continue to be dedicated in their service to the state and country at large.
Ogbadu stated this yesterday at a Special thanksgiving service to prelude his retirement, at the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Church, Benin.
The Tide source reports that Ogbadu will retire from the Nigerian Police Force, on Monday after 33 years of service.
He noted that on assumption of office as the CP Edo command, in January 2021, the crime rates, especially kidnapping and cultism were very high.
“But through God, we were able to manage the situation and great improvement was recorded.
“There are no bad police men, those police we see as bad will do even much more better than those we see as good when a situation calls for drastic action.
“Police men need to be assigned to duties according to their specialty.
“Success is not achieved by the person at the top alone. Without able lieutenants, the person at the top cannot achieve any success.
“So I plead with you, do not relapse after now”, he said.
The CP decried manpower shortage in the force due to risks of various kinds in the course of service.
“When I joined the force in 1989, we were more than 200 in my set, but during passing out, only 180 of us passed out.
“Within one year of service, some of them lost their lives to armed robbers, assassins and others, and as at today, we are less than 55 remaining.
“That I joined the force, went for various assignments most of which were very risky, and by the grace of God, I’m alive to retire after 33 years of service is more than enough reason for me to come and give God thanks.”
He advised those still in service to seek God early, according to him “if you know God early, it’s very good”.
Ogbadu also encouraged them to continuously do good and what is right, without hiding where they stand on any issue.
“Let people know your stand, and let us live rightly”, he added.
In his message, the resident pastor of the church, Sam Iragbese, said that living is not by right, but by the mercy of God.
Taking his scripture reading from Luke chapter 17 verse 17 where only one leper out of the 10 cleansed came back to thank God.
He noted that irrespective of who man is, God is responsible for his breath.
“God will not complete your blessings until you return to thank him.
“It is a good thing to give thanks to God. Thanksgiving is a way of asking God for more.
“Thanksgiving is also a way to seek your blessings and preserve it”, he said.

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

13 hours 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

13 hours 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

3 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.