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Edo, Delta, Bayelsa Govts Outline Palliative Distribution Strategies

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Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa State Governments have expressed their different palliative distribution strategies to lessen the impacts of the current harsh economy on their citizens.
The state governments disclosed their plans while responding to the citizens’ call for intervention in a survey across the three states by The Tide’s source on Wednesday.
The source reports that the distribution of palliatives had recently become the focus of state governments and organisations, following the hard times occasioned by the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of exchange rates.
 It recalls that on March 22, the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, had confirmed the death of two students while rushing to get bags of rice distributed by the Nasarawa State Government.
Besides the death of the two students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, the hospital also confirmed it received 14 others with different degrees of injuries from the incident.
The Vice-Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Suleiman Bala-Mohammed, while attributing the stampede to impatience on the part of the students, promised further investigation into the matter.
In a similar incident on March 24, the police in Bauchi State confirmed the death of four persons in a stampede during the distribution of alms by a philanthropist in Bauchi metropolis.
Spokesperson of the police command, SP Ahmed Wakil, said the incident occurred when hundreds of people gathered to collect alms from the said philanthropist.
The police, thereafter, said the death toll from the stampede had risen to seven as at March 25.
Against this backdrop, the Edo State Government says it is doing things differently to ensure lives meant to benefit from the palliatives do not end up dead during the process of distribution.
The State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr Chris Nehikhare, told the source that the state operates its “Operation Feed the Hungry Initiative” via places of worship.
Nehikhare said the distribution of palliatives to the people through places of worship was to avoid stampedes as recorded in Nasarawa and Bauchi states.
“This method of palliative distribution, using churches and mosques, is the best.
“It’s just like the Edobest Education System that so many states have come to understudy and adopt”, he said.
According to him, the model does not encourage stampedes because it takes into consideration the closeness between the poor and the vulnerable and their various churches and mosques.
“When people are poor and hungry, they feel more comfortable to go to their places of worship, either the church or the mosque.
“You will also agree that these places of worship do not discriminate. It does not matter the political party one belongs to; everyone is treated equally.
“So, this is what this model is based on”,  he said.
The Commissioner disclosed that the model supported the buying of the food within the locality where it would be distributed without involving contractors.
He said: “The only role the government plays in the model is to provide funds and monitor the process”.
According to him, some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) usually donate food to widows, the poor, and the vulnerable, going through churches and mosques.
“It is a model where, even though government is funding it, it (government) has removed its hands completely from the distribution process.
“Government will only carry out a routine monitoring to access the outcome and its impact.
“So, I recommend this model to other states. I’m sure that with time, when people begin to see the effectiveness and the impact of this model, other states will adopt it”, he added.
Meanwhile in Delta State, as residents lament not receiving palliatives from the government, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Dennis Guwor, said the legislators were not mandated to give such to their constituents.
The Speaker made the disclosure when members of the Western Chapter of the Ijaw National Congress visited him in his office.
Though Guwor noted he was not against giving palliatives, he explained that members of the Assembly had, in their different ways, empowered their constituents.
According to him, members of the assembly can reach out to their constituents during Easter and Christmas celebrations as well as any other time as the need arises.
Corroborating the people’s cry in Delta, Director of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Karo Ovemeso, confirmed that the State Government had yet to embark on any distribution of palliatives to residents.
He, however, said: “That we are not giving palliatives for now does not mean we have not been giving relief materials to victims and communities that are challenged”.
The residents of Bayelsa State have a similar story to share, as they said they too had yet to receive any form of palliatives from their State Government.
A resident, Mr Moses Edefe, lamenting how he and his family could barely feed, alleged that the State Government had not shown concern for the people’s sufferings.
According to him, the State Government has never been proactive in terms of the welfare of the people.
“They shared rice during the 2023 November governorship election but only to their party members, a Federal Government palliative for that matter.
“It was a very wrong thing to do, not considering the poor people in the society.
“I don’t know why the Bayelsa Government keeps neglecting the people.
“Even the N35,000 wage palliative has not been paid, not even for a month, to any Bayelsa worker, it’s very bad.
“I call on the Bayelsa Government to do the needful, as the people are suffering. Let them have a rethink”, he said.
Another resident, Mr Solomon Edums, who recalled the loss of lives in the past few days while struggling to secure palliatives, called for caution.
However, in a subtle reaction to the people’s allegations, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa, at Easter, said the provision of palliatives was not a lasting solution to the economic hardship in the country.
He said his administration was initiating policies and programmes that would bring about long-term empowerment to people of the state rather than short-term palliatives.
The Governor, who explained that the government could not alone provide for everyone, called on the people to get involved.
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Niger Delta

Tai Agric Sector Gets Emergency Attention …As Chairman Distributes Farm Inputs, Inaugurates Technical Team

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The Chairman of Tai Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon. Matthew Nenu Bari Dike has declared a state of emergency in the agriculture sector of Tai local government.
Speaking while distributing farm implements and other agricultural support packages to the farmers at the council’s headquarters in Saakpenwa, yesterday, Dike challenged farmers to show their farms before requesting for financial assistance.
The council boss stated that as a government, they were committed to putting smiles on the faces of the people and assured that his administration would ensure that every person in the local government is happy.
“As a government we want to assure you that, we will stop at nothing to ensure you all are empowered and living happily”.
According to him, “the gesture is aimed at enhancing food production and security through agriculture, and enjoined all lovers of agriculture in the local government area to identify with the quest to redefine development through agriculture in the local government.
He encouraged everyone to cultivate the passion and return to agriculture, to guarantee self-reliance, maximum food production and security in the area.
His administration, he said, would purchase more yam seedlings in order to get greater production to encourage exportation beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“A boost in yam production will also empower farmers in the Local Government Area”, the elated chairman said.
In a related development, the Chairman has inaugurated a five, member Agricultural Technical Committee for the Local Government Area.
The committee is made up of Pst. Anderson Wariboko, Barr. Paul Newman,, Smith Nyor-Ue, Gladys Jumbo and Dr Keke Rammyson
Also speaking, the Director of Agriculture, Tai Local Government Area, Mr Anderson Wariboko revealed that the event was part of activities to mark the chairman’s 100 days in office.
Wariboko who led the chairman, and other leaders of the council on the distribution of the farm inputs to the farmers, was full of praises for the chairman, Hon. Dike whom he said has the interest of the people at heart.

Kiadum Edookor

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Niger Delta

Coalition Urges Politicians Not To Escalate Tension In A’Ibom 

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The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations has urged politicians in Akwa Ibom State not to escalate political tensions in the state in order to ensure sustainable peace and development.
At a press conference, the National Coordinator, Mr. Franklyn Isong, said those already elected into leadership positions should be allowed to work.
Isong urged the political class to wait until ban on political activities was lifted  by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said it was too early to engage in unhealthy political activities, saying “2027 is still far, this early politicking can affect governance and development”.
The Coordinator said the coalition was aware of plots by some politicians to destabilise governance in Akwa Ibom State.
“As a body, we frown at this, and we are raising the flag against the plot to pile up unhealthy political climate ahead of the 2027 political season.
“Those involved in this plot should call themselves to order, their activities are capable of stifling governance in the state.
“We urge politicians across party lines to close ranks and work towards the unity, progress and development of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria at large”, he said.
Isong further said the coalition was committed to the sustenance of good governance, rule of law, transparency and accountability in the state.
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Commissioner Charges NYSC Members On Opportunities In Edo

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Edo State State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy, has charged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to the state to see opportunities in difficult situations as they await their postings.
Addressing the corps members at the orientation camp in Okada, about 40 kilometres from Benin City, Paddy urged them to be focused, build strong networks, and embrace a mindset of value addition.
“If you can think it, you can achieve it. The story of Governor Monday Okpebholo is enough to inspire you that no dream is too big.
“Though the number of out-of-school children is rising, your resilience has brought you this far, and today, you stand as an NYSC member.
“Let this be a stepping stone to greater achievements”, he said.
The Commissioner stressed the importance of making deliberate choices in life, particularly in their careers and personal associations.
“You must choose your company wisely because it will determine who will accompany you in life. Do not surround yourself with dream killers.
“Take action with passion, and it will yield results. Above all, pray before venturing into anything”, he advised.
Paddy, however, expressed confidence in the corps members’ ability to contribute meaningfully to Edo’s development.
“I saw the youthful population, ready to act and contribute to society. I saw the energy and drive.
“Obviously, we expect you to bring your passion to improve our educational system and the state at large”, he said.
He assured the NYSC members of the state government’s commitment to creating opportunities for young people through policy reforms and strategic partnerships.
Earlier in her welcome address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Frances Ben-Ushie, commended the State Government for its commitment to youth development.
Ben-Ushie said over 80 per cent of the corps members would be deployed to the education sector.
“These young men and women have undergone physical and intellectual training, leadership development, and specialised programmes such as the SDGs initiative, SERVICOM, and Safety Vanguard.
“They are ready to make an impact in their assigned communities”, she stated.
She further highlighted the importance of the commissioner’s visit, saying it provided corps members with direct interaction with a key stakeholder in the state’s education sector.
“This session is crucial because it allows the corps members to meet someone who is already making a difference in capacity building, philanthropy, and human capital development.
“It will prepare you mentally to serve effectively in the communities”, she added.
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