Niger Delta

‘Leadership, Beyond Accolades, Awards’ … As 17 Bag Leadership Award

Published

2 years ago

December 2, 2023

The Country Director, Doctors on Call (Nigerian), Dr. Jude Mmone, says leadership is beyond mere accolades and gibiyof awards to identified stakeholders.

Mmone, who stated this, weekend, during the maiden “Global Leadership and Philanthropy Awards” presentations by Doctors on Call (Nigeria) in Rivers State, said leadership, amongst others, is a commitment to making a difference.

Urging the awardees in his address, the Country Director said, “As we celebrate tonight, let us remember that leadership extends beyond accolades and awards, it is a relentless pursuit of excellence, a commitment to making a difference and a dedication to living a legacy and transient time.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the nominees and awardees. Your unwavering dedication and outstanding contributions inspired us all. Together, let us continue to lead with courage, compassion, and a shared vision for a better world.

The Rivers State Coordinator, Doctors on Call (Nigeria), Amb. Sylvester Okoduwa, 3rd right, being inaugurated along side Local Government Area Coordinators, Secretaries, and Public Relations Officers during the maiden edition of the “Global Leadership and Philanthropy Awards” in Port Harcourt, held Saturday, December 2, 2023.

Mmone, who represented by the Coordinator, Doctors on Call, Amb. Sylvester Okoduwa, explained that the award, titled, “Global Leadership and Philanthropy Awards”, covers various categories.

According to him, the event is, “a testament to the power of leadership, the power to inspire, influence, and ignite positive transformation.

“Each nominee and awardee here today represents a beacon of hope, a driving force behind initiatives that create a tangible and lasting impact on a global scale”.

Speaking on the essenc eof the award, the Admin Director, Doctors on Call (Nigeria), Dr. Goodness Ene-Bongilli, said it is, “to honour those who have worked with the under-served, carries humanity in their hearts.

“We are here to tell them thank you, and also tell them to continue the good work they are doing in our society”.

According to her, have underserved persons/areas are the hard-to-reach areas, “where the government may not go to, where people may not want to go to”, adding that Doctors on Call has reached over 5,000 people.

One of the awardees, HRM, Sir, Ohna Sergeant Awuse, Nne-Nwe-Eli-Emuoha XIII (Oloah IV), said a true leader earns respect through his rightful actions and mass following without any dictatorship.

“He inspires others to follyhos footsteps and become the guiding light for the community”, he said.

Awuse, who was represented by his wife, stated further that “the great leader is someone who carries the torch of wisdom and enlightens the society, thereby leading people to the path of progress and growth”.

Also speaking, another awardee, and the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom, eulogized Doctors on Call for their gesture, saying, it will spore him to do more.

Mmom, whose award was titled, “Face of Quality Education on Rivers State”, said, “I assure you that I’ll keep playing part and ensuring that we have quality education in Rivers State. It’s a call for all to join hands together to actualise it”.

The other fifteen awardees are Michael Jordan; Late Dr. Stella Adedavoh; Hon. High Chief Anthony C. Okocha; Amb. Elijah Onyeagba; and Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill.

Others are Hon. Hope O. Ikiriko; HRH, Sir Benson M. Egwenre; HRM, King Ateke M. Tom; Faith Adole; Dan Mbamala, Dr. Beatrice Igwe; Rufao Oseni; Eze Golden Owhonda; and Chief Uchenna Ukemwo; and Chinweike Echie.

By: Sogbeba Dokubo

Niger Delta

850-bed UCTH overstretched, services 5m patients – CMD

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

Police Burst Child Trafficking Syndicate In A’Ibom … Nab 3 Suspects

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Launches Operation Crack Down Scrap Dealers

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

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.