Niger Delta

Bayelsa@ 28: Diri Calls For Sustained Support

Published

2 years ago

October 4, 2024

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged the people of the state to continue to rally round the Prosperity Government towards sustaining the prevailing peace and stability that had put the state on a steady path of development.
Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor stated this at an inter-denominational thanksgiving service in commemoration of Nigeria’s Independence Day and Bayelsa State at 28 anniversary at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa.
Senator Diri, who attributed the peace and security being experienced in the state to the collective efforts of the various security agencies, equally appreciated the support of all Bayelsans that led to the achievements recorded by successive administrations.
According to the governor, Bayelsa State has made tremendous progress in the last 28 years of its creation considering where the state used to be in terms of development.
The governor who noted that Yenagoa used to be known as a one-road capital city, but today the state can now boast of at least three entry points into Yenagoa due to the commitment of government to embark on massive infrastructural development across the state.
“You can now see the roads we are constructing, including the ongoing three senatorial roads as well the by-pass are among several road projects being handled to open up the state.
“And so we’re only stating the obvious when we say we have done very well. Our state is not where it used to be. I urge our people to see the brighter side of life rather than the dark side”, he said.
On the issue of the planned October 1st nationwide protest, Senator Diri said the best option to resolving issues remains dialogue, and therefore, enjoined those planning the protest to shelve the idea especially in the state.
He noted that his administration was doing everything humanly possible to ensure that there was peace and development as evident in the various projects and programmes being put in place for the welfare of Bayelsans.
“Through protest we are likely to destroy the peace we have worked hard to achieve. So, l encourage them to sheathe their sword. Let us dialogue because a house that is divided against itself can never stand.
“It has to be dark before it becomes day breaks. And so, we hope and pray that we will pass through this dark period. So l want to encourage them to avoid the protest especially here in Bayelsa State. We are doing all that is possible to ensure that there is peace and prosperity for everyone.
“As Bayelsa celebrate 28 years anniversary, l offer the message of hope, courage and determination because we are closer to where we need to get to than where we started.
“The government of Senator Douye Diri is doing everything humanly possible to develop the state and the signs are there for all to see, and so, they should be hopeful”, he stressed.
In his sermon, titled, “A Shepherd ln The Imitation of Christ”, the Chaplain, Central Naval Command Headquarters, Bayelsa State, Rev. Father Ethelbert Owulu, urged leaders to see themselves as an instrument of God to render selfless service to mankind.
Rev. Father Owulu, who is also a commander in the Nigerian Navy, said just as God chose various prophets to deliver his people from hardship, those in positions of authority should see themselves as shepherds to improve the general wellbeing of the people.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo read the only lesson at the service which was taken from the book of Joel Chapter two, verse 23 to 26.
Intercessory prayers were offered for President Bola Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima, Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and their families as well as for the security, peace and stability of Nigeria and Bayelsa State.
Special prayers were also offered for the three arms of government and the people of Nigeria, particularly the Niger Delta region and Ijaw land.
Dignitaries who attended the service included, Wife of the Governor, Dr Gloria Diri, the informer military governor of Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, the immediate past deputy governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, President, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Ayah, state lawmakers,
Others are, Secretary to State Government, Prof Nimbofa Ayaowei, the state Head of Service, Dame Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema, Commissioners and other top government functionaries, service commanders, and royal fathers including the Chairman of the state traditional rulers council, King Bubaraye Dakolo.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Niger Delta

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

Published

24 hours 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

24 hours 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

24 hours 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.