Niger Delta

Mrs Buhari Lauds Women’s Effort In Nation Building

Published

8 years ago

November 14, 2016

Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhar,i has commended career women the world over who have proven their mettle as well as contributed to the shapping of the world in various fields of endeavour.

Mrs. Buhari made the commendation during the 2016 African Career Women Summit tagged: “African Career Women in Nation Building”, organized by the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) in collaboration with Excellent Women International, which was held recently at Tinapa Lakeside, Calabar, Cross River State.

Declaring the 3-day summit open in Calabar, Mrs. Buhari, who was represented by the wife of Cross River State Governor, Dr. Linda Ayade, said many women in Nigeria have become household names for their various achievements and contributions in nation building.

The wife of the President maintained that, “no nation will boast of any meaningful development without the participation of their women” adding, “affirmative action is simply a recognition of this and the fact that women are yet to enjoy their deserved pride of place in the building of our nation”.

She advocated for strong family values and enjoined women to mind their homes as well as do all that is necessary and legitimately possible in order to prepare their children for the future, while wishing all the participants fruitful deliberations.

Also speaking, the National President, NCWS, Dr. Gloria Laraba Shoda expressed thanks to Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade, and his wife, as well as the entire people of Cross River State for hosting the summit.

She said that “women have economic and political power as well as engage in trade and industry”, adding that, “the phenomenon of women contributing to the economic growth of a nation is not dead but lives in us”.

Shoda opined that women need more access to market, information, education, funding, micro credit loans to start up their businesses, marketing skills, amongst others, and therefore, called on the government and the private sector to look into the challenges faced by women and assist them to achieve their set goals.

In an address, the National Coordinator, Excellent Women International, Ambassador Christabel Okoye, noted noting that the summit was designed to inform and educate career women on how to better leaders, role models, mothers and better business people, as well as educate women leaders on skills and techniques for initiating, managing and sustaining the continent of Africa.

She disclosed, “the role of African career woman in building her nation cannot be over-emphasized. As mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and career women, our nation is our base and the hope of our children, therefore, our rights and roles in resource planning and management is paramount to sustainable development.

Okoye maintained that “no economy can be healthy without utilizing the contributions and skills of members of the society. Lack of or inadequate participation of women in governance means the exclusion of the greater part of the entire adult population deciding on issues that affect them”.

She, therefore, charged every woman to rise up in her respective offices and become role models against all odds, by ensuring that her voice is heard.

Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

10 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.

Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.

According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.

He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.

“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.

Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.

The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.

Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

Published

10 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.

The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.

Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.

He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.

“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.

The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.

The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.

The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.

He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.

“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.

Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.

“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.

Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.

Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.

“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.

Niger Delta

C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

Published

10 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.

The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.

It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.

Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.

He, however, said while several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.

“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.

‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.

In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.

Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.