Niger Delta

Dickson Rates Diri High

Published

2 years ago

December 28, 2022

Immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, has expressed satisfaction with the performance of his successor, Senator Douye Diri.
Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West in the Senate, stated this, Monday, when Governor Diri paid him a Yuletide visit at his Toru-Orua country home in the Sagbama Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Diri was accompanied on his visit to the ex-Governor by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the lawmaker representing Ekeremor State Constituency 1, Tari Porri, the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Solomon Agwanana, the party’s caucus Chairman in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, Chief Isaac Kumokou, and other party chieftains.
Others who were part of the governor’s yuletide visit to his predecessor were traditional rulers from Kolokuma/Opokuma and top government functionaries.
Dickson said he was very pleased with the governor’s commitment towards completing projects inherited from his administration, especially the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road and the ongoing work on the two other senatorial roads in Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa East.
He thanked the governor for the visit, which, according to him, was now a tradition as he made a similar visit last year, noting that Governor Diri has pioneered a culture in the state’s political history by recognising and according him much respect.
He stressed that such positive gestures would be etched in the minds of their political followers.
Senator Dickson cautioned those fabricating rumours of discord between him and his successor, saying this was counter-productive to the political stability of the state.
“Let me say that I am pleased with the work you are doing. With the road projects you have continued, our communities are now being connected.
“Specifically on this very important project (Sagbama-Ekeremor road) that we toiled for and is a major infrastructure agenda on which we were elected.
“Let me also thank you for your thoughtfulness in pioneering this visit, which for me is a tradition. I recall how the governor made last Christmas memorable for me and we were very pleased to receive you.
“This tradition we have started, I believe it is one of the benefits of the experiments that led to the emergence of this government.
“An experiment in the sense that after eight years, the Governor and the system deciding on succession, pushing it hard, even when they stole it, God gave it back to us.
“In Bayelsa, rumours fly rapidly. I am sleeping in my house and doing my work in Abuja but people are fabricating different stories. I am used to it”, the former Governor said.
The Senator further described the Governor as a man of experience, having served in other capacities before assuming office, assuring that he was still available for advisory roles.
Speaking earlier, Governor Diri said the visit was primarily to consolidate on the bond between him and his predecessor, stressing that nothing can separate them as leaders.
He disclosed that as a mark of sustaining the legacies of Senator Dickson, his government has continued the construction of projects inherited in a bid to promote continuity in governance.
“This visit, for me, is more like strengthening the bond that I and our leader (Dickson) share. There is nothing that can separate us.
“To buttress that fact, one of the the major projects you took over from the Federal Government under the NDDC, which is the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road, has been going on smoothly under my watch and it remains one of my priority projects to be completed by the Government you handed over to.
“Our state will continue to get stronger, more united and we will develop faster and further than when we met it”, Governor Diri said.
The Bayelsa Chief Executive called for a minute’s silence in honour of the late Senator Inatimi Rufus-Spiff, who passed on, on Christmas eve.
Until his death, the deceased was Chairman of the State PDP Reconciliation Committee and caucus Chairman in Brass Local Government Area.
He was also a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government and one-time Commissioner for Education in Bayelsa State.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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.