Niger Delta

2023: Diri’s Aide Faults Decampees, Dispels Rumours On Dickson

Published

4 years ago

August 3, 2022

The Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Inter-party Relations, Barr. Jackson Ebi Suokiri, has described the recent defection of some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state as ill-conceived.
Suokiri stated this in Kaiama, headquarters of the Kolokuma/Opokuma Council area of the state in a chat with journalists against the background of a gale of defections from the PDP to other parties in the past weeks in the state.
The Bayelsa Governor’s aide, who alleged that the trio of Hons. Victor Isaiah, Executive Chairman, Brass Council Area, Daniel Mark-Iworiso, former Commissioner for Information and Orientation, and Alex Dumbo, former Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s office, have benefited maximally from the PDP, restated that though it is normal and legal to defect from one party to the other, the defection of the trio from the PDP to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was not done with good conscience.
He urged Bayelsans and the public to discountenance any rumour that the defection of the trio who were alleged allies of the immediate past Governor of the State, Seriake Dickson, was a pointer that the incumbent Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and the former now have a soured relationship.
He reiterated that Governor Diri and Senator Dickson have a blossoming relationship, noting that the allegations that those who were the latter’s loyalists were being mistreated in the Governor Diri-led prosperity administration were spurious claims.
Suokiri, who also stated that the recent PDP primaries were free, fair and credible, lauded the governor for ensuring a level playing ground, saying those defecting from the party are aspirants who were defeated in the primaries.
He emphasized that rather than allege that the primaries were not transparent and that they were being victimized in the PDP, the defectors, he insisted, should have ideally said having lost the primaries in the PDP, they would now like to test their popularity in the SDP.
“Governor Diri ensured that there were credible primaries. In every contest, there would be winners and losers. I, therefore, see no reason why after losing the primaries, a party member who has benefited immensely from the PDP should think of defecting. Instead, if I were them, I would’ve been very loyal and faithful now so that I can be carried along.
“Iworiso was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor, Seriake Dickson. From the position of a CPS, he was later appointed as Information and Orientation Commissioner. But honestly, I don’t see an Iworiso winning primaries. I don’t think he has the structure in Ogbia to do that even.
“For Victor Isaiah, the Brass LG Chairman, I also think he never thought it wise to have opted to defect at this time. Like the other defectors, he has benefited more from the PDP.
“He was appointed as Care-taker Committee Chairman of that LGA and was later elected as Executive Chairman.
“If I were him, I would’ve still toed the path of loyalty, especially now that his tenure as Chairman would be expiring soon.
“Imagine, just a few days after their defections, they were announced as flag-bearers of the SDP in their various elective Constituencies.
“Bayelsans know that Governor Diri has done marvelously well in both human capital and infrastructural developments and even timely payment of civil servants, etc.
“So, I’ld like to assure Bayelsans that the Governor has also graciously reinvigorated unity and love within the PDP, and so the party has all the structures needed to win any election here in the state”, Suokiri said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

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

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

2 days 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.