Niger Delta
Bayelsa Ministry Resorts To Intimidation, Arrests … As Journalists Uncover Fraud
The Bayelsa State Ministry of Education has launched arrests and intimidating tactics against Journalists practicing in the State over reportage of fraud in the Ministry.
The Tide learnt that trouble started when the duo of Mr. Francis Dufugha, Publisher/Editor-in-chief of the Niger Delta Herald and Mr. Emem Idio of the Vanguard Newspapers reported on fraudulent deductions allegedly perpetrated by the Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) of the Ministry against contractors handling projects in the Ministry.
Journalists who fielded questions from the duo, when they visited them upon hearing that they were arrested by officers of the Zone 16 of the Nigerian Police Force in Yenagoa, the State capital, owing to a petition allegedly entered against them by officials of the Ministry, report that the reportage did not fall short of ethical practice and conventions.
They noted that upon getting wind of the fraudulent allegations levelled against some officials of the Ministry, as chequered professionals, they also resorted to hearing from the DFA before Press time.
“We never imagined doing our jobs legally and professionally could incur the wrath of the ministry officials who from their actions were hell-bent on arresting us as a ploy to intimidate and silence the media in the state.
“When we got wind of these allegations on fraudulent deductions on various sums of money due contractors executing projects in the Ministry of Education, we quickly reached the DFA to hear from him before publication, yet the ministry petitioned us and got us arrested by the Police”, they said.
Calling on the State Government to be weary of some of its appointees and others holding positions of trusts in the State, the duo said though they were unhurt on the first day of their arrest, they were again invited on Wednesday to appear before the Police for further questioning and investigation.
“But we’ve never been so surprised that in this information age, beaming our searchlight as Journalists, through investigation, in order to illuminate the truth has become an offense due to someone’s high handedness and phoney deals in the State’s Ministry of Education”, the duo added.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has presented relief materials to Ojuk North and Ojuk South in Akamkpa Local Government Area, recently devastated by windstorm.
Presenting the items to the communities on Thursday, Dr. Victor Akpakpan, NEMA’s Head of Relief and Rehabilitation Department, Uyo Office, said the gesture was a follow-up to the agency’s assessment after the windstorm, which destroyed properties in the communities.
The Tide’s source reports that items presented to the communities were bags of rice, gari and cartons of spaghetti.
Others were cartons of vegetable oil, 30 bags of salt, 30 cartons of tomato paste and 30 cartons of seasoning cubes.
Akpakpan, who spoke on behalf of Ms Aisueni Mmandu, the Head of Operations, Uyo NEMA Office, noted that after the agency’s assessment and report, the Federal Government decided to assist the communities by providing the relief materials.
He advised the communities to alert NEMA of any impending disaster so it could commence steps to assist.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Anthonia Michael from Ojuk North, thanked the agency for the gesture, saying “we were elated when we saw the truck of food coming into the community; it had not been easy, especially for the women.
“The windstorm destroyed many buildings and devastated our community; we thank God that nobody died but there was massive loss of property and economic trees.”
She also thanked the Federal Government for the aid and appealed for building materials like zinc, cement, nails, so they could rebuild damaged areas.
Another benefifiary, Mr. John Agbor from Ojuk South, commended the Federal Government for the assistance, noting that the communities still lacked electricity and good roads.
Benin City, the Edo State capital, is set to experience a week-long spiritual revival as it hosts over 40,000 delegates for the 2025 Convention of the Church of God Mission International (CGMI).
Chairperson of the Mega Convention, Rev. (Mrs) Maureen Okoro-Sokoh, made this known during a press conference on Friday in Benin.
According to her, the convention—codenamed MegaCon 2025—with the theme, “Focus on Christ for Immeasurable and Infinite Love”, will take place between Aug. 4 and Aug.10 at the Balm of Gilead City, Benin.
She described the event as a spiritually enriching and life-changing experience for all attendees, with participants expected from across Nigeria and other countries.
The convention, she said, would feature powerful teachings, dynamic worship experiences, and transformative leadership programmes designed to uplift and empower lives.
“This gathering not only reflects CGMI’s spiritual authority but also boosts local tourism, hospitality, and economic activity in Edo”, she noted.
Okoro-Sokoh also announced that CGMI’s Presiding Archbishop, Margaret Benson-Idahosa, would lead the event, alongside notable ministers such as Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide.
Other key ministers expected include Bishop (Dr) Feb Idahosa, Head of the CGMI Cabinet and President of Benson Idahosa University; and Bishop Wale Oke, President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), among others.
“There will be anointed gospel ministers leading worship, creating an atmosphere of soul-lifting praise, heartfelt worship, and powerful encounters with God”, she said.
She added that MegaCon remained CGMI’s flagship event, drawing thousands of believers, leaders, and seekers annually for spiritual renewal and growth.
The week-long programme will also feature leadership training, youth empowerment, and community development sessions aimed at deepening faith and encouraging practical Christian engagement.
Quoting Margaret Benson-Idahosa, she said MegaCon 2025 was “a divine appointment” and urged all believers to refocus on Christ’s immeasurable and unfailing love.
“It is an opportunity to reconnect with Christ, the centre of our faith, and experience His limitless, transformative, and eternal love”, she emphasised.
Also speaking at the briefing, Rev. Tari Hudson-Ekiyor, CGMI’s Director of Administration, assured the public that adequate security and logistics had been put in place to ensure a safe, smooth, and hitch-free convention.
Other key officials present at the media briefing included Rev. Steve Okoro-Sokoh; Rev. Engr. Etinosa Igbinobaro; and Rev. (Mrs) Joy Ayere, Director of Kingdom Builders.
Others were, Rev. (Mrs) Sharon Ighile, Head of CGMI Corporate Affairs; and Dr. Elder Dan Tolofari, Chief Protocol Officer of the Convention Committee.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has commended the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, for hosting a high-level state banquet in honour of Superintendent of Police (SP) Sentome Obi, recipient of the Police Officer of the Year 2024 and IGP Integrity Award.
The event, which took place on Tuesday, 23rd July 2025 in Yenagoa, symbolises a significant recognition of honour, courage, and ethical excellence in law enforcement.
Recall that SP Sentome Obi, a native of the state and Head of the Financial and Cybercrime Unit at Zone 16 Command, Yenagoa, earned national acclaim following his refusal of a $17,000 bribe aimed at derailing a sensitive investigation.
A statement from the Force Public Relations Officer, Force headquarters, Abuja, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, quoted the IGP describing SP Obi’s principled stance which, he said, was executed under operational pressure as exemplifying the highest standards of ethical policing.
The Statement added that in acknowledgment of this uncommon integrity, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri presented SP Obi with a brand-new Toyota Corolla and a fully furnished three-bedroom bungalow, an unprecedented reward for ethical conduct in public service.
The IGP lauded the gesture as a watershed moment in the effort to institutionalize integrity within Nigeria’s security architecture, noting that public recognition of exemplary officers is a powerful tool not only for reinforcing professional values within the Force, but also for restoring public confidence in policing as a noble and honourable profession.
“This is more than a commendation, it is a cultural statement. It tells every officer that integrity is not just expected but rewarded”, the IGP said.
According to the statement, in line with this philosophy, the Force Management Team, under the leadership of the IGP, had earlier on, at its meeting held on Monday, 23rd June 2025, resolved to recommend SP Obi, Police Officer of the year, 2024 and CSP Aliyu Shaba, the recipient of the Police Officer of the Year award 2023 for accelerated promotion by the Police Service Commission.
The Team also approved that SP Obi’s portrait and that of CSP Aliyu Shaba be displayed prominently at the entrances of all State and Zonal Command Headquarters, the main entrance of Louis Edet House (Force Headquarters, Abuja), and the Nigeria Police Hall of Fame on the 7th Floor of the Force Headquarters.
Further decisions reached include the adoption of a merit-driven framework for promotion, under which any officer who has won the police award or received the IGP Recognition Award or other national commendation at least twice in the last two consecutive award cycles will be considered for accelerated promotion.
This policy direction, the statement explained, theis intended to embed reward-for-performance as a sustainable feature of the Force’s personnel development strategy.
These initiatives are part of a broader leadership commitment by the IGP to reposition the Nigeria Police Force as a modern, accountable, and ethically grounded institution.
The statement continued that “by celebrating integrity, rewarding professionalism, and elevating officers who embody the core values of the Force – discipline, transparency, service, and excellence – the IGP continues to lay the foundation for a new culture of policing in Nigeria”.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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