Niger Delta

Father’s Day: Group Donates Borehole, Generator to Correctional Centre

Published

3 years ago

June 20, 2022

The Men’s Fellowship of the University of Calabar Chapel of Redemption has donated a borehole, generator and other items to the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Calabar.
The donation of the generator, which was made to the correctional centre in commemoration of the International Father’s Day, follows an earlier donation of a borehole and water treatment plant to the centre.
During the handover ceremony on Saturday in Calabar, the President of the Men’s Fellowship, Dr Philip Bassey, said after due consultation, they keyed into the need of the centre and embarked on a borehole water project.
He, however, noted that in one of their familiarisation visits to the Deputy Controller, Corrections, Anyamele Don, he placed an urgent need for a generator to power the borehole since power supply had been poor.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce that the fellowship has come today with a new 3.0 kva generator to support our water scheme at this centre.
“Also, we are supporting the scheme with a take-off fuel of over 20 litres and oil. It is our hope that our meagre support will help to alleviate some of the burden in the centre,” he said.
Responding, Don commended the fellowship for its support, adding that God had been helping and sustaining the centre.
He used the opportunity to appeal to other organisations and well meaning Nigerians to support the centre and make it a real reformation centre.
“I wish to thank the fellowship for sowing in the lives of the inmates and for touching God’s heart according to the scripture in Matthew 25 verse 36.
“However, I wish to appeal to churches that we have a chapel here, it needs an amplifier, plastic chairs, mats, mattresses and other items.
“There is also need for television here for the inmates to watch motivating programmes that will lift their spirit.
“Abroad the correctional centres are so equipped that you will just know that we are very far behind,” he stated.
The Tide’s source reports that the Medium Security Custodial Centre Calabar, established in 1890, has 591 inmates out of which 574 are males while 17 are females.

Niger Delta

Bayelsa Tasks Security Agencies On Vigilance Over Waring Communities

Published

3 days ago

August 31, 2025

The Tide

The Bayelsa State Government has urged the Police and other security agencies to beef up security in and around Letugbene and Ogbotubo Communities of Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state to prevent the destruction of lives and property.

Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the directive during recently at a meeting held with the leaders of both communities and top government functionaries in his office in Government House, Yenagoa.

He said the directive has become imperative in view of renewed skirmishes between the two neighbouring communities following a boundary dispute over the ownership of a piece of land where the Renaissance Africa Energy Company (formerly SHELL) had sited a project.

While calling on the people of Ogbotubo and Letugbene communities to maintain their long-standing cordial relationship over the years, the Deputy Governor stressed the need for communities not to allow oil companies to divide them to cause intra and inter-communal crises.

He warned that government would hold the leadership of both communities, including the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairmen and Youth Presidents responsible, in the event of any further violent attacks in the area.

Setting up an eleven-man committee to look into the boundary dispute, the Deputy Governor further urged the representatives of Letugbene and Ogbotubo communities to make their claims, including previous court judgements and agreements, available to the committee without any delay.

The Committee, which has one month to conclude its assignment, is Chaired by the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr. Perepuighe Biewari.

The Secretary to the State Boundary Committee is to serve as Secretary, while the Commissioner for Special Duties, Bayelsa West, Chief Michael Magbisa, the Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, Hon. Onniye Isaac, and the state Surveyor General, Margaret Geku, are members.

Other members include the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, CP Akpoebi Agberebi (Rtd); Chairman of Alabeni Rural Development Authority, Mr. Eddy Brayei; Technical Adviser on Boundary Matters, Chief Vote Salem; his Special Duties counterpart, Mr. Tonworimi Embiowei; and one nominee each from the offices of the Attorney General and Commissioner of Police.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NDLEA, NNPC Partner Against Adolescents Drug Abuse

Published

2 weeks ago

August 22, 2025

The Tide

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has partnered with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to curb rising drug abuse among youths in Edo State.

The collaboration was unveiled on Wednesday at the 2025 Adolescent Lifestyle Programme in Benin, organised by the NNPC, with the theme: “Empowered Choices, Safer Futures: Guiding Adolescents to Healthy Living.”

The event brought together adolescents, educators, health professionals, and community leaders to address the risks associated with substance abuse.

It also aims to equip youths with the knowledge to make healthier lifestyle choices.

Addressing participants, Commander of the NDLEA in Edo, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said adolescents remained highly vulnerable to drug use, peer pressure, and online influences that could derail their future.

“We are excited about this collaboration with NNPC, which underscores our shared commitment to nurturing a healthier, drug-free generation.

“Adolescents are exposed to risk factors both online and offline; as a result, programmes like these are vital in providing them with the support and resources they need to navigate the complexities of life,” Ofoyeju said.

The NDLEA boss highlighted the psychological and societal consequences of drug use, stressing the need for young people to embrace resilience, peer support, and empowered decision-making as safeguards against substance abuse.

In his address, the NNPC Manager of Operations, Dr Okanta Emefiele, reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to youth development.

He stressed that investing in adolescents’ health and empowerment was vital to building a safer and stronger society.

The programme also featured workshops led by health, sexuality, and online safety experts.

Similarly, a session on migration and human trafficking was delivered by Mr Sam Offiah, Benin Zonal Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.

Interactive group sessions gave participants the chance to share experiences and learn practical ways of resisting drug-related temptations.

News

Why We’re Reviving Govt Media Houses -RSG

Published

2 weeks ago

August 22, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government says the ongoing efforts to revive the government-owned media houses in the State are geared towards making the government a formidable information outlet for the citizenry.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, gave the explanation while receiving the Executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, South South (Zone F) on Wednesday in his office.

Sirawoo said the government-owned media organisations have the resources and manpower to inform, educate and enlighten the populace, hence the current efforts to revamp them.

“We believe that our information officers are able to generate information to inform the outside world what is happening in Rivers,” he said.

He also explained that reviving the media houses would also generate revenue for the ministry, noting that online publication is now a better way of attracting public patronage and generating revenue.

He described the NUJ Zone F Conference as a welcome development, as he pledged the State Government’s support to the confab being held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He reminded the NUJ to always play the watchdog role by ensuring that public are properly informed and enlightened.

According to him, professionalism remains one path way to build integrity and earn the respect of the public.

Earlier, the Vice President of Zone F, NUJ, Comrade Opaka Dokubo, had told the Permanent Secretary that the zonal meeting was aimed at appraising operations of the NUJ in the Niger Delta and chart a new course for the profession.

He commended the Permanent Secretary for the efforts being made to revive the government-owned media houses.

“We want to say, indeed, that the government has actually tried in its efforts. We thank the Sole Administrator for handling the situation the way he has done so far,” Dokubo said.

He also commended the cordial relationship journalists have enjoyed with the current administration in the State.

Kevin Nengia