Niger Delta

Oborevwori Establishes New College Of Health Tech In Delta

Published

2 years ago

May 22, 2024

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has flagged off the establishment of College of Health Technology in Ovrode, Isoko North Local Government Area of the State.
Performing the ground breaking ceremony of the administrative building of the new College, the Governor said it would take off in earnest from the existing structures in the Ovrode Grammar School.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr Charles Aniagwu, said his administration was investing in education and healthcare infrastructure for the sustainable prosperity and longevity of citizens of the state.
He said: “Today, the flag-off of the School of Health Technology here, at Ovrode, marks a major step in the march towards strengthening our health care sector through the M.O.R.E Agenda.
“With this state-of-the-art facility, this institution will provide quality education and requisite practical know-how for healthcare professionals who are currently in short supply in the state.
“Through investment in education and healthcare infrastructure, we are investing in the sustainable prosperity and longevity of our dear citizens. I sincerely appreciate the World Bank for its timely supportive partnership with the Delta State Government in the improvement of our health indices”.
He thanked various stakeholders who have demonstrated unflinching support for the project.
According to him, they include the Delta State Ministry of Health, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the Delta IMPACT Team, and the Ministry of Education, for providing Ovrode Grammar School for the take-off of the institution.
Earlier in his address, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, said the project signified the State Government’s commitment to enhancing health care education and infrastructure across the state in line with Governor Oborevwori’s campaign promises.
He said the College of Health Technology would play a crucial role in shaping the future of health care delivery in the state, adding that Delta keyed into the “Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress By Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services Project” (IMPACT) in response to the Nigerian Government’s commitment to improve its human capital with the goal of reducing under-five mortality rate by half by year 2030.
On his part, the President-General of Ovrode Community, Comrade Simon Okata, thanked the Governor for appointing an illustrious son of the community as Commissioner for Health and for approving the siting of the College of Health Technology in Ovrode.
He said the establishment of the College was a divine fulfillment of Governor Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda and appealed to the Governor to construct the 3 km Ovrode-Aradhe Road to link the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway.
On his part, the President-General of Isoko Development Union (IDU), Prof. Chris Akpotu, lauded Governor Oborevwori for choosing Isoko and Ovrode for the establishment of the College of Health Technology.
Akpotu said: “Isoko people are happy and overwhelmed and we appreciate our dear Governor on this massive project. We also thank Governor Oborevwori for the ongoing works on the College of Medicine at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, as well as the massive transformation on the Isoko section of the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway.
“The Isoko people will continue to be partners with Governor Oborevwori and the State Government in the implementation of his MORE Agenda aimed at Advancing Delta”.

By: Albert Ograka, Asaba

Niger Delta

Okpebholo Assures Corps Members Of Improved Welfare

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured corps members deployed to the state of improved welfare and a supportive service year.

Okpebholo gave the assurance at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members last Friday at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp in Okada.

The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, safety and entrepreneurship.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Mrs. Charity Amayaenvbo, the Governor urged corps members to embrace innovation, community service and self-reliance rather than wait for white-collar jobs.

“Edo is committed to supporting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and incentives that turn ideas into enterprises.

“Do not wait for jobs, create value. Wherever you are posted, serve your host community with humility, dedication and compassion.

“Have a positive footprint and let your service contribute to unity, productivity and progress,” he said.

Okpebholo assured the corps members that the state government was attentive to their welfare and had started addressing key concerns raised by the NYSC leadership.

“On behalf of the state government, I assure you of our support in terms of safety, an enabling environment and a rewarding service year.

“I listened carefully to the requests highlighted by the state coordinator, and I am glad to inform you that some of them have already been captured in the 2026 budget, which has been approved and signed into law,” he said.

The Governor noted that provisions for accommodation, meal subsidies, logistics and the construction of a multipurpose hall at the camp were included in the budget.

Earlier in her address, the Edo State Coordinator of the NYSC, Dr. Frances Ben-Ushie, described the ceremony as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to youth development and national integration.

Ben-Ushie said as of midnight on Thursday, a total of 1,235 prospective corps members, comprising 531 males and over 700 females, had been duly registered.

She congratulated the corps members on their enlistment into what she described as a “noble scheme,” urging them to embrace discipline, learning and active participation throughout the orientation course.

“The NYSC platform provides a unique avenue to meet people from diverse backgrounds, build lifelong friendships and create networks that can open doors to greater opportunities,” she said.

Ben-Ushie also highlighted the contributions of the NYSC to the state’s development, noting that the scheme had consistently provided skilled manpower, promoted labour mobility and strengthened national unity.

She cited initiatives such as the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme as key interventions benefiting communities across the state.

The NYSC coordinator commended the state government for its support, including the provision of buses for corps members, and appealed for further intervention to address lingering operational challenges at the orientation camp.

She expressed confidence that resolving the issues would enhance the effectiveness of NYSC programmes in the state and thanked the Governor for prioritising the welfare, security and growth of corps members.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

Niger Delta

Students Protest Non-indigene Appointment As Rector in C’River

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Students of Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State, have protested to the Governor’s Office in Calabar over an alleged plan to appoint a non-indigene as Rector for the institution.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the students demanded respect for catchment area policy, local content, and the appointment of an indigene of the state as Rector of the institution.

Speaking on behalf of the students in Calabar, Stephen Etem said the protest sought to alert the Federal and Cross River State Governments to an alleged deviation from the established rectorial selection process.

Etem said a Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, was constituted by the Federal Government to conduct the Rector selection exercise.

“The screening, which began last year, reportedly produced a Cross River State indigene as highest scorer and recommended candidate.

“Information available to us suggests that the alleged recommended candidate’s name might be substituted at the Federal Ministry of Education.

“We urge the Federal Government to uphold the council’s recommendation because altering the process could threaten peace in the institution,” he noted.

Responding at the Government House, Mr. Goddie Akpama, the Special Adviser on Intelligence to the State Governor, Bassey Otu, appealed for calm, saying the Governor was away but would be briefed.

Akpama advised the students to submit written petitions through appropriate channels, avoid inflammatory language, and engage authorities to ensure stability and uninterrupted academic activities.