Niger Delta

Firm Rewards Quiz Winners With N10m Prize In Edo

Published

3 years ago

October 31, 2022

Students of Green Park Academy on Friday won the star prize of N10 million in the 11th edition of Edo, Delta 2022 Seplat Pearl Quiz competition held in Benin.
The Tide’s source reports that Green Park Academy, Benin, scored 89 points to defeat Deeper Life High School, Warri, Delta State, which scored 48 points.
The Chief Operating Officer, Seplat, Mr Samson Ezugworie, congratulated students from the over 682 schools who took part in the test, out which 130 progressed to the next stage
Ezugworie said that the Seplat Pearl quiz had come a long way, and had impacted more than 50,000 students from Edo and Delta States.
“Today, the first position will get a project support of N10 million and the three participating students will get a scholarship fund of N100,000 each.
“The second position will get a project support of N5 million and the three participating students will get a scholarship fund of N75,000 each.
“The third position will also get a project support of N3 million and the three participating students will get a scholarship fund of N50,000 each.
“Through this programme on an annual basis, we have continued to engender and drive human capital and structural development across the winning schools.
“Seplat energy has continued to drive excellence and healthy competition among all the schools in Edo and Delta,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director of External Affairs and Sustainability of Seplat Energy, Dr Chioma Nwachuku, said the firm was committed to rekindling academic excellence and healthy competition among schools.
Represented by the Base Manager of Seplat, Western Assets, Mr Emmanuel Otokhine, Nwachuku said Seplat had taken it as a task to help improve academic outcome in Edo and Delta States.
“We want to create a platform for students from different backgrounds to climb to greater heights while also encouraging the spirit of team work and competitiveness.
“We at Seplat have sustainable values, education is number four on the list, where we ensure inclusiveness and equitable education for all public and private schools,” Nwachuku said.
Earlier, the Managing Director, Western Assets, Ayotunde Olatunde, said the quiz competition was a way to build future leaders of Nigeria.
“As today’s leaders, we have a principal job to create that enabling environment for our students to grow,” he said.
The Managing Director of NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), Ali Zarah, thanked everyone for contributing to the success of the Pearl quiz.
Represented by the Manager, Community Relations, Mr Noble Imabibo, Zarah said the programme seeks to stimulate healthy competition among students and reward outstanding performance.
According to him, we pledge our support to ensure that this programme continues to reward the winners as an engagement that education is indeed the key to societal development.
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was also represented by the State Permanent Secretary, Augustine Oghoro, commended Seplat and NEPL for the initiative.
The Edo Commissioner for Education, Joan Oviawe, also commended the companies for the initiative, and urged them to sustain the programme.

Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

4 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.

Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.

According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.

He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.

“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.

Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.

The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.

Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

Published

4 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.

The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.

Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.

He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.

“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.

The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.

The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.

The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.

He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.

“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.

Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.

“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.

Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.

Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.

“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.

Niger Delta

C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

Published

4 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.

The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.

It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.

Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.

He, however, said while several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.

“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.

‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.

In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.

Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.