Niger Delta

N’Delta Women Coalition Leaders Applaud Tinubu Over Ogbuku’s Reappointment

Published

1 year ago

May 17, 2024

A group of women christened “Coalition of Niger Delta Women Leaders” in the Niger Delta region, has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reappointing Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and its Board members.
The coalition also warned detractors against engaging in pull-him-down syndrome in the commission.
The women leaders called for inclusion of women in every phase of development that is being planned and initiated by the commission.
National Leader of the body, Lady Ann Kio Briggs, stated this when it visited the Managing Director in his office in Port Harcourt.
“The women leaders apealed that adequate time be given to the Board that is peopled by a rare crop of dynamic and resourceful persons to enable them carryout their developmental template which is founded on righting the wrongs of the past”, she said.
The foremost Niger Delta activist commended Dr. Ogbuku’s development roadmap aptly tagged, “Transiting from Transaction to Transformation” approach.

She commended the Board for embarking on novel initiatives such as, Project Hope, the Niger Delta Chamber of Commence, the Nigeria Delta investment Ltd. and setting up of communal and infrastructure schemes targeted at introducing and completing abandoned and uncompleted projects.

The Women leaders further warned detractors and agents of mischief to put a stop to acts capable of hindering the progress of the region.

The leaders urged President Tinubu to release all funds owed the Commission to enable them work assiduously for the growth and development of the region.

“We appreciated Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for setting up opportunities to engage with stakeholders across the region”, they said.

Earlier, the MD expressed his appreciation to the woman leaders and vowed that the Board will work with the people of the region as they strive to improve on the successes of past administrations.

He assured the women leaders that President Tinubu will ensure that the NDDC gets the needed funds to achieve the set objectives of the Commission.

He called for the need for all hands to be on deck to maintain peace as a panacea for development.

Ogbuku informed the team that NDDC has restarted the free medical care programme for vulnerable people and families in the Niger Delta and assured them that the NDDC will continue to light up the Niger Delta with solar powered lights in our communities.

He said the commission has also introduced the Youth Internship Scheme, a programme targeted at empowering the youths and women in the Niger Delta.

He assured the Women that when the 2024 budget is passed and assented to, the Commission will embark on legacy projects, some that had been abandoned and some to be introduced in line with the developmental agenda of President Tinubu for the region.

Membership of the coalition is drawn from all works of lives, such the academia, business moguls, professionals and community leaders across the Niger Delta.

Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.