Niger Delta

A’Ibom Nurses Decry Poor Welfare, Threaten Strike

Published

3 years ago

June 3, 2022

Akwa Ibom State nurse under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), have expressed dismay and sadness over what they described as lack of government’s care and proper attention to their welfare.
The Association complained of the inability of the State Government to proffer solutions to several problems bothering on the welfare of nurses.
Speaking with our reporter at the NANNM headquarters, Uyo, the State Chairman, Comrade Emem David, said the government of Mr Udom Emmanuel has not taken care of the welfare of nurses in the State, adding that “government’s insensitivenes on the plights of nurses has affected their outputs”.
He enumerated some of the problems facing the nurses to include shortage of nursing personnel in Akwa Ibom State workforce.
According to him, the negative impact was associated with massive retirement, death of nurses and exodus of nurses to developed countries for greener pastures, sayi that “the nursing work force is grossly inadequate”.
He added, “we have about 900 nurses in the government employ, including those that are going to be retired this year.
“How will these number serve the people and service these facilities, even as the State Government has invested in revamping the medical facilities in some parts of the State.
“If you fix the facilities without workforce you are fixing to fail”, he stated.
Davis also requested for the implementation of unified scheme of service for all nurses, recalling that the National Council on Establishment (NCE) in her 39th meeting held at Minna, Niger State, on 22nd July, 2016, approved a unified scheme of service for all nurses with nomenclature Nursing Officer with minimum qualification as Nigeria Registered Nurse (NRN) certificate, noting that it is yet to be implemented .
The NANNM boss stated that the disbursement of arrears of entitlements and allowances of nurses were other problems of the medical workforce in the State.
He pleaded for the implementation of payment of arrears of Consolidated- Akwa Ibom Health Salary Structure (CONAKHESS).
While commending the State Government for the payment of the said arrears to nurses at the State Hospital Management Board and Ministry of Health, he pleaded that the same gesture should be accorded those in the Local Government Areas.
“We want the State Government to pay us outstanding leave grants, arrears of promotion of nurses in the Local Government Areas, which dates back to 2012, Rural Posting Allowance (RPA), Specialty Areas in Nursing/Call Duty Allowance, and the Teaching/Research Allowance for Nurse Educators and Clinical Instructors.
“We want correct computation of CONHESS arrears for retired nurses at Hospitals Management Board, payment of gratuity, Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and the training and retraining of nursing staff in Akwa Ibom State”, he said.
Comrade David further disclosed that the Association has applied all measures to make government listen to them, and submitted that the union would have no other option than to resort to industrial solution if their demands are not met.
“Very soon we are going to take decision regarding this development if the government will continue to give us deaf ear.
“We are tired of this. If you complain, they say you are playing opposition, now, we are ready to fight for our rights”, he concluded.

By: Christopher Tom

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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.