Niger Delta
Diri Exonerates Colonialist, Berates African Leaders For Continent’s Underdevelopment
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged African leaders to stop blaming their woes on the colonial era but rather make deliberate efforts to develop their countries.
The State Governor took a swipe at African leaders over the slow level of development of the continent, midweek at the launch of two books titled: “The African Voice” and “Once A Soldier”, at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, the State capital.
The Tide reports that the two books are authored by the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council and Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo.
Diri, who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, noted that institutions such as PABOD Breweries, textile industries, paper mills in Delta and Akwa lbom states, crude oil discovery, Cocoa House were established during the colonial era and wondered why they had become moribund.
The Governor, who stressed the need to do away with policies that create barriers to regional integration and economic development, advised that such policies should be jettisoned to allow for more integration to fast-track development in the continent.
He, however, lauded African leaders for taking steps to establish the African Continental Free Trade Area, which promotes intra-African trade, thereby deepening integration.
“The problem is with us and not colonialism. I don’t believe our predicament is still about the colonial masters. After all, it was not only Africa that was colonized. China, India and America were also colonized. So, why the perpetual cry about colonialism?
“There was colonialism before we had the Cocoa House, oil boom, PABOD Breweries, textile industry in Kaduna, paper mills in Sapele, Delta State and Oku Iboku in Akwa Ibom State. What has happened to those assets?
“I think it is time for us to take a step back and move forward and take right decisions. Look at Nigeria today, we are still talking about state of origin. These are deliberate blocks erected to stifle our progress and integration.
“I believe that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement instituted by African leaders is one best way to trigger development in our own continent”, he said.
While congratulating King Dakolo for his literary feat in producing 3 books within a space of 2 years, Governor Diri said the monarch braced all odds to achieve his goals in life.
He, therefore, urged the youths to emulate the shinning example of the King and stop seeking justice through violence and criminal means.
According to him, the Prosperity Administration has priotized education in order to produce literary icons like Gabriel Okara, Christian Otobotekere and King Dakolo, who all incidentally hail from the same Ekpetiama clan.
In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Dr Godknows Igali, said the literary works of King Dakolo underscores the need for the Niger Delta people to reflect on their culture, history and identity as a people and chart a common way forward for sustainable development.
Igali, who is also Chairman of all Pro-Chancellors of universities in Nigeria, noted that traditional rulers were custodians of a people’s cultural heritage and history, describing King Dakolo as an epitome of a 21st century monarch.
He said one of the books King Dakolo authored, “Riddle of The Oil Thief,” captures the discovery and production of crude oil in 1956 till date, and encapsulates the gains and pains of the oil industry.
Reviewers of the book, “The African Voice”, were Dr Ebidenyefa Nikade and Prof. Solomon Ebobrah, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Niger Delta University, while “Once A Soldier” was reviewed by Maj. Gen. Solomon Udounwa represented by the Commander, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, and Justice Simon Amaduobogha.
At the launch, which had the Bayelsa First Lady, Dr Gloria Diri, in attendance, King Bubaraye Dakolo read excerpts from his two books and expressed gratitude to the Governor and his Deputy for their support.
King Dakolo, who noted that he started writing while he was still in military service also appreciated guests and well wishers for gracing the event.
The Chief Launcher, High Chief Victor Wayles, of the Wayles Group, represented by Mr. Adam Okoro, made a donation of N5 million while Mr Okoro made a personal donation of N200,000.
Others who made donations include, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, represented by Pastor, Obeya Oworibo, Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Maj Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd) represented by his media aide, Chief Freston Akpo.
Brig. Gen. Mohammed Sadauki Agaie (Rtd) of 38 Regular Course, the Ijaw National Congress, represented by its 2nd Vice Chairman, Chief Nengi James, and Prof. Steve Azaiki, former member representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, also made financial donations at the event.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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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.
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.
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.
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