Niger Delta

Buhari Wants Varsity To Train New Breed Engineers

Published

4 years ago

June 22, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the management of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, Delta State, to train new breed of engineers, scientists, researchers and others for national growth.
Making the call at the third Convocation ceremony of the university, Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, also urged the institution to place emphasis on training and research in the oil and gas sector to justify its establishment.
“The Federal Government is not unaware of the exploits recorded by the University thus far, especially the international awards and accolades won by the students, and the researchers.
“This confirms the fact that, indeed, it is an institution that trains a new breed of engineers and scientists. I sincerely commend your efforts and wish you many more,” he said.
In his address of welcome, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, Vice Chancellor, FUPRE, called for a robust synergy between the oil industry and the academia.
He said the gesture would help to improve the speedy development of the local content policy of the Federal Government in the oil and gas sector.
The Vice Chancellor said the University is open for collaboration to maximise the local content policy by developing products, equipment and tools that were apparently needed in the industry.
“I assumed office as Vice Chancellor on May 4, 2020, and it will be a great privilege to conduct the final rites of academic passage for the graduands of the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 academic sessions.
“The ceremony is for the awards of First Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Master Degrees to those who have received adequate training and found worthy both in character and learning.
“I am happy to inform you that a total of 1,409 made up of 1,201 First Degrees, 101 Postgraduate Diplomas and 107 Masters graduands are being honoured today.
“The graduands will be receiving their certificates from our two Colleges and Post Graduate Studies,” he said.
Rim-Rukeh said the figures comprised of First Class 24, Second Class (Upper Division) 438, Second Class (Lower Division) 619 and Third Class Degrees 120.
He stated that the University prides itself in equipping students with the technical know-how and leadership skills to thrive in the modern world.
Also speaking, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of FUPRE, appealed to the Federal Government to establish a funding policy to cater for financial challenges confronting the University.
According to the Pro-Chancellor, “There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. Adequate funding is required to get there and reap the benefits.”
In his remark, the Chancellor of FUPRE and Paramour ruler of Remo land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, said the University’s caretaker would leverage on the government support and take the institution to the next level.
According to him, “this is to ensure that the core mandate of the University is realised in due course”.
The Chancellor commended parents and guardians for standing firm against the enormous challenges confronting the education sector.
Highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of awards to five distinguished personalities, including Mr Daniel Omoyibo, Managing Director of Damotech Company.

Niger Delta

850-bed UCTH overstretched, services 5m patients – CMD

Published

16 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, has said the 850-bed hospital is overstretched, as it currently serves over five million patients.

He disclosed this on Friday during a media tour of the facility to showcase ongoing renovations and facelift in the hospital.

The CMD noted that, aside being the only tertiary healthcare facility servicing the state, UCTH also serviced neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi.

He said the hospital also received referrals from neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic.

According to him, the 850-bed hospital faced persistent space constraints because of increasing patients inflow and expanding healthcare demands.

“This hospital currently operates 62 clinical and non-clinical departments as well as between 30 and 38 wards covering medical, surgical, paediatric, orthopaedic and specialised services.

“Most wards have undergone facelift, remodelling, or complete renovation to improve patient care and working conditions for healthcare professionals”, he said.

He disclosed that the hospital was constructing a new 106-bed emergency medicine facility to address the rising demand for healthcare services.

According to him, the facility will include trauma bays, intensive care units, neonatal wards, and three fully equipped trauma theatres.

Speaking on the remodeled wards, Ikpeme explained that they followed modern nursing principles, allowing one nurse to attend to a maximum of 10 patients.

He said relatives would be restricted to designated waiting areas to reduce interference with medical procedures and improve emergency response efficiency.

The CMD noted that the hospital had strengthened specialist services in orthopaedics, neurosurgery, obstetrics, radiology, and minimally invasive surgery.

“UCTH now performs hip and knee replacements, arthroscopy, sports medicine, and complex brain tumour surgeries.

“Our surgeons also conduct keyhole procedures for appendectomy, hysterectomy and other conditions with faster patient recovery periods,” he said

In power, the CMD said the hospital relied on solar power from a seven-megawatt plant, constructed by the Federal Government at the University of Calabar, as well as public power supply, and generators to sustain its operations.

He appealed to governments, organisations, and philanthropists to support infrastructure expansion, equipment procurement, and specialised healthcare projects.

The CMD said the hospital required additional incubators, ward expansions, and a stand-alone amenity facility for private healthcare services.

He used the opportunity to dismiss allegations of ethnic discrimination, insisting that the hospital does not reject workers or patients based on tribe or origin.

According to him, the institution recently honoured an Igbo pioneer physician by naming a ward after him in recognition of decades of service.

The CMD said the hospital maintained strict disciplinary procedures to address negligence, poor attitude, and unethical conduct among staff.

The Tide’s source reports that some of the units visited include, intensive care unit, Department of Radiology, Urology Clinic, and Opthalmology Clinic.

Niger Delta

Police Burst Child Trafficking Syndicate In A’Ibom … Nab 3 Suspects

Published

16 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State says it has busted a child trafficking syndicate and arrested three suspects for conspiracy and unlawful sale of a newborn baby in the State.

The State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfom John, who disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Friday, said the three female suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1900hrs.

She said a complainant reported that his wife gave birth to a baby boy on May 7 and shockingly, shortly after delivery sold the newborn child to one of the suspects for N145, 000.

“Upon receipt of the report, operatives immediately swung into action, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the successful recovery of the baby boy.

“The suspects reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation, while investigation has been expanded to identify and apprehend all individuals connected to the trafficking syndicate”, John said.

She said the State’s Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive intelligence-led policing in the state.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Launches Operation Crack Down Scrap Dealers

Published

16 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa-Ibom State Government has launched a statewide crackdown on unregistered scrap dealers and scavengers, shutting down illegal operations and arresting operators accused of violating environmental and public safety regulations.

The enforcement operation, led by the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), followed the implementation of the state’s Waste Metal Scrap Law 2026, officials said.

AKSEPWMA Chairman, Obong Prince Ikim, said the exercise was aimed at regulating the scrap sector, protect the environment, and prevent criminal groups from operating under the guise of waste collection and metal trading.

“If you want to do scrap business, you must register,” Mr. Ikim said during the operation in Uyo, the state capital.

“Many people now hide under scrap trading to perpetrate nefarious activities”, he said.

According to him, dump site operators and scrap dealers who failed to register with the government risked closure and prosecution.

Authorities accused some operators of involvement in vandalism of public infrastructure and indiscriminate waste disposal, adding that investigations had uncovered criminal activities linked to several dump sites across the state.

“Some people vandalise government facilities in the name of scrap business and encourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse,” Mr. Ikim said.

He added that the state government and security agencies would continue efforts to enforce compliance and maintain public order.

“The Commissioner of Police has zero tolerance for criminality, and the Governor wants Akwa Ibom people to sleep with their eyes closed. We will fish out every defaulter”, he said.

Police officials involved in the operation said investigations showed that some criminal suspects used scrap yards and refuse dump sites as cover for illegal activities.

CSP Okwuzulike Vincent of the Itam Police Station said some suspects pretended to be mentally unstable while hiding ammunition and other suspicious items in makeshift shelters around dump locations.

The police officer praised the environmental agency for what he described as proactive efforts to sanitise the sector and pledged continued cooperation between law enforcement and the agency.

Officials said some first-time offenders arrested during the operation were released after profiling and signing undertakings, while repeat offenders would face prosecution.