Niger Delta

Ewhrudjakpo Tasks Bayelsa Education Trust Fund On Revenue Drive

Published

3 years ago

May 5, 2023

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has urged the state Education Development Trust Fund Board (EDTFB) to step up their revenue drive to augment the monthly statutory funds it is drawing from the State Government.
He gave the advice at a recent meeting with the Management of the Board led by the Acting Chairman, Prof. Francis Sikoki, who represented the substantive Chairman, Prof Turner Isoun, in Government House, Yenagoa.
The Deputy Governor, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, described education as a critical social need that requires so much financial investment for its impact to be felt in society.
While acknowledging the role the Board is playing in advancing the educational fortunes of the state, he stressed the need for them not to depend on government’s funding alone, considering the capital intensiveness of education.
Ewhrudjakpo, however, assured that the Governor Douye Diri-led administration would continue to show commitment to its monthly statutory obligations to the Board because of the high premium it attaches to education.
Underscoring the importance of education, the Deputy Governor, noted that, “those with thorough education are those who are easy to lead, because they know their rights. Therefore, investing in the sector cannot be overemphasized”.
He venerated the immediate past Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Seriake Dickson, for his doggedness, astuteness and foresight in initiating the EDTF, noting that even the vilest opposers of the idea are now singing his praises.
”Just as a piece of advice, your operation for revenue drive has to go beyond what it is now. So, you need to explore other means. There is nothing wrong if the Trust Fund could organize annual dinners and lectures as a way of raising funds.
“I want to encourage you to spread your tentacles, because until a seed is buried, it cannot become a tree. So, we need to expand what we have in order not to limit ourselves to this statutory line of funding.
“We believe that the first priority of every reasonable government after security is education. That is why the Prosperity Administration has made it its top cardinal point for development. Because we believe that the more educated people we have, the better our society.
“I am very sure and persuaded that most of us at the initial stage, would think why Education Trust Fund. But today we all, including those his critics will agree that if not of the novel ideas and initiatives he (Senator Dickson) took, we would not be making some of the progress we are making today as a state”, he said.
Earlier in his address, Prof. Sikoki, who represented the substantive Chairman of the EDTF Board, commended Governor Diri for sustaining the trust fund policy he inherited from his predecessor.
He explained that in pursuance of its mandate, the Board has formulated a number of policies and programmes as well as set up some standing committees to enable it carry out its duties effectively.
According to the Acting Chairman, the Board is also developing a strategic plan for intervention in some key areas, including information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, functional science laboratories, school feeding and capacity building, especially for teachers.
While thanking the State Government for its support so far, Professor Sikoki, appealed for more funding and better office accommodation for the Board to discharge effective and efficient services.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr Gentle Emelah, the Executive Secretary, Dr Alice Atuwo, and some members of the EDTF Board, including Dr James Tobias, Sir Mathias Otuogha and His Majesty, King Fidelis Agbiki, who is the Regent of Tarakiri Kingdom, were among dignitaries that attended the meeting.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Eno Recommits To Private Sector Investments

Published

4 hours ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, says his administration will continue to promote private sector investments in order to enhance economic prosperity.

Eno, who stated this recently at the inauguration of a new Zenith Bank branch in Uyo, said private sector growth was critical to employment generation and the overall development of the State.

He said his long-standing business relationship with Zenith Bank exposed him to the critical roles that banks could play in supporting private sector growth.

“The bank played a laudable role in the growth of Royalty Hotels, a brand I pioneered and led until I joined public service.

“It is my hope that the bank will accord the same support to other private sector investments in the state, be it micro, small or medium-scale enterprise”, he said.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank PLC, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, described the new business office as a significant milestone in the life of the bank.

She thanked successful administrations in the state for their support to the bank over the years, saying, ”We thank the Governor for creating a conducive environment for business to thrive.

“We opened our first branch in Akwa Ibom about 25 years ago, we have enjoyed a very good relationship with the government and people of the state.

“Akwa Ibom stands out as a major business friendly state. The state is clean, accommodating, and fast developing, we commend the government for this”, she said.

The Zenith Bank chief reiterated the bank’s commitment to sustain its partnership with the government and people of Akwa Ibom in order to make mutually impactful and meaningful progress.

She urged business owners in the state, especially women, to leverage the initiatives being offered by the bank to grow their businesses.

Niger Delta

Delta Prioritises Primary Healthcare Over Flyover Projects

Published

4 hours ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Delta Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare services across the state, dismissing claims that it was focusing more on visible infrastructure projects than grassroots healthcare delivery.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, made the clarification while reacting to comments by health influencer, Aproko Doctor.

Aproko Doctor recently suggested on social media that political leaders often prioritised flyovers and modern hospitals while neglecting primary healthcare centres.

Onojaeme said the claim did not reflect the situation in Delta, noting that healthcare remained a central pillar of the Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori administration’s development agenda.

According to him, although road projects and flyovers are visible across the state, deliberate investments have also been made in healthcare infrastructure and services.

He said that within two years, the state government had renovated 150 primary healthcare centres across the three senatorial districts out of the 441 public health facilities in the state.

According to him, another 150 centres are already undergoing planning and preparation for renovation.

“The effort will bring the number of upgraded primary healthcare centres to 300, thereby improving access to quality healthcare at the community level and reducing pressure on secondary and tertiary hospitals,” he said.

The commissioner said that the state’s free maternal and under-five healthcare programme continued to yield positive results, including reductions in maternal and infant mortality, while easing financial burdens on families.

“Gov. Oborevwori recently approved the release of N2 billion to sustain the programme, alongside regular funding to strengthen Universal Health Coverage in the state,” he said.

Onojaeme also said that state-owned hospitals were granted autonomy to retain and utilise their internally generated revenue, enabling them to procure drugs, maintain equipment and respond more efficiently to patient needs.

“In specialised healthcare delivery, dialysis machines have been installed in state hospitals, helping to reduce waiting time for treatment while lowering dialysis costs from about N70,000 to N45,000 per session,” he said.

He said that CT scan machines installed at Warri Central Hospital and Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, were already improving diagnosis of conditions such as stroke and internal injuries.

“While newly procured echocardiography machines are strengthening early detection of heart-related conditions.”

The commissioner said the government had ordered three Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines for installation at Asaba Specialist Hospital, Central Hospital Warri and DELSUTH, Oghara, ensuring coverage across the three senatorial districts.

“While some states do not have a single MRI machine, Delta State is procuring three at once, with delivery expected by April as site preparations are ongoing,” he said.

Onojaeme said the government was establishing a new College of Health Sciences in Ovrode, Isoko North Local Government Area, to complement the existing institution in Ofuoma and boost the training of middle-level health manpower.

“The long-abandoned Mother and Child Hospital in Ekpan was nearing completion, while another Specialist Hospital was being developed in Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area, modelled after the Asaba Specialist Hospital.

According to him, Delta remains the only state in the country with more than 60 functional government-owned hospitals, adding that the current administration is determined to further expand healthcare access.

On health insurance, Onojaeme said enrollment under the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme had surpassed 2.78 million residents as of January 2026, making it one of the leading state-supported health insurance programmes in the country.

He explained that the scheme covered both formal and informal sector workers, while prioritising vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children under five and the elderly, through the Equity Health Plan.

The commissioner added that the scheme recently enrolled 10,000 widows and continues to register indigent residents across the state.

He also disclosed that the Delta State Contributory Health Commission had introduced facial recognition technology at accredited facilities to improve efficiency and transparency in service delivery.

Onojaeme reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage and delivering affordable and accessible healthcare services to residents across the state.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly Seeks Crackdown On Drug Abuse

Published

4 hours ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has urged the State Government to urgently enforce drug laws to curb the rising menace of substance abuse.

The resolution followed a matter of urgent public importance raised by Yakurr I lawmaker, Mr. Cyril Omini, during plenary in Calabar.

Omini cited a tragic incident in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, involving a 23-year-old man allegedly under the influence of drugs.

He said the suspect, Ubi Bassey, allegedly beheaded his father, Bassey Okoi, on February 2.

“Drug abuse has become widespread among youths, with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine and tramadol commonly abused.

“In spite of warnings by health and government agencies, illicit drug trading and consumption persist across many communities”, Omini said.

According to him, the trend has led to early deaths and, in extreme cases, violent crimes against innocent persons.

Omini warned the incident had caused fear in Ugep, cautioning that failure to act decisively could worsen social decay.

He, however, commended the State Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Okoi Obono (rtd), for efforts to restore peace in the area.

Lawmakers called for sustained drug sensitisation, youth-focused campaigns, stronger partnerships with non-governmental organisations, and stricter enforcement against drug peddlers and users.

The Speaker, Elvert Ayambem, expressed sadness over the incident and urged prompt prosecution of the suspect to deter other youths.