Niger Delta

SACA Begins Post-Flood Response Farm-Inputs Distribution In Bayelsa

Published

2 years ago

February 15, 2023

A Non-governmental organisation, Stakeholders Alliance for Corporate Accountability (SACA), yesterday commenced the distribution of Farm-inputs to farmers in Bayelsa State to cushion the impacts of the 2022 floods that ravaged farmlands across the state.
The programme, tagged “Commissioning and Flag-off of farm-inputs disbursement”, held at Bayelsa State School-To-Land Authority in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The Tide reports that following the 2022 floods that wrecked havoc in the state and triggered medical challenges and shortage of food supplies, SACA conducted Flood Disaster Risks Assessment that led to the rejigging of its existing project tagged: ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy- UNGP-P2R-Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in Conflict and Post-conflict Contexts in the Niger Delta’ to meet community needs.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of SACA, Mr. Kingsley Ozegbe, noted that the flag-off of the disbursement of the farm inputs that consisted of hybrid plantain suckers and cassava stems aligned with an objective of the project that seeks to support citizens to uphold their rights to sustainable livelihood.
He described the programme as paramount, saying 1,023 farmers in 24 pilot communities across the state would benefit from the distribution.
“This programme is part of our existing project. The decision to support farmers with these food crops was taken by the Agriculture Management Committee (AMC) after reviewing the Flood Disaster Risks Assessment report that SACA produced”, he said.
Ozegbe commended partners of the NGO, Misean Cara of the Republic of Ireland, the St. Patrick Missionary Society, and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) for funding this component of the project to assuage the plights of the impacted people of the State.
Performing the flag-off, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chief David Alagoa, represented by the Project Manager of the Bayelsa State School-To-Land Authority, Mr Godwin Adeh, restated the State’s preparedness to continue to partner with SACA in its programmes.
Ade, who lauded the NGO for the initiative, describing it as timely, said the ministry, in its quest to ensure food security in the state, recently distributed over 7,000 cassava stems and other improved seedlings, and crops to farmers in the State.
In separate goodwill messages from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs Augustina Osuya, the state’s Branch Manager of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Mr Ikegwu Kenneth, and Mr Suowari Tonbara of the Nigeria Agriculture Insurance Corporation (NAIC), the trio commended the NGO for the initiative and encouraged beneficiaries to use the support to boost their production and enhance their potentials to access credit facilities from their banks.
Mr Tonbara specifically encouraged farmers to take up insurance schemes for their farms to minimise risks of loosing all their investment to unforeseen disaster like the recent flooding that occurred in the State.
He said the premium is usually very small because both the Federal and State Government pay substantial part of the premium.
Highpoints of the event were the field demonstration of planting techniques by a staff of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Onne, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He presented and taught participants modern ways of planting cassava stems and plantain suckers to achieve very good yield.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

18 hours 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

18 hours 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

18 hours 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.