Niger Delta

Women Allege Politicisation Of Delta Micro Credit Scheme

Published

9 years ago

December 21, 2016

The Echidime Traders Co
operative Society, Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, has accused the Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (DMSMA), of distributing its micro credit loans to political cronies in the state.
Chairperson of the group, Mrs Catherine Okwumbu, said, in Ogwashi-Uku, that members of genuine cooperatives in the state had been denied the loans.
According to the leader of the community-based women group, “a few faceless individuals have continued to enjoy the micro credit loans.”
Okwumbu said that some politicians in the state had been influencing DMSMA to approve loans for their loyalists.
The chairperson said that such politicians secured the approvals as a form of compensation for their associates who worked for them during elections.
”If you take a look at the beneficiaries of the micro credit loan, you will discover that many of them belong to faceless groups who just emerged overnight under fictitious names.
”We have come to discover that some politicians are using the microcredit loans to compensate their loyalists who worked for them during campaigns,” she said.
She appealed to the state government to investigate the activities of the agency, with a view to curtailing the sharp practices being perpetrated by the officials in collaboration with corrupt politicians.
The Public Relations Officer of DMSMA, Mrs Agnes Eferusuoa, however, dismissed the allegation, describing it as baseless, insisting that approvals for all loan applications followed due processes.
”The allegation that approvals for loans are being politicised is not true. Here, we have laid down procedures for every application in respect of loans.
”The executive secretary of the agency is not a politician, but a seasoned technocrat who believes in due process. She ensures that every application for loan abides by laid down procedures.
”The problem is that most of these people making the allegations are ignorant of the procedures for accessing loans under the state government’s micro credit scheme,” she said.
Eferusuoa explained that procedures for accessing the loans required a prospective applicant registering under a cooperative society and opening an account with a micro-finance bank.
According to her, the bank acts as a clearing house for the agency in processing the loan application, by taking into consideration, the applicant’s business plan, scope and budget.
Eferusuoa appealed to the people to seek clarification from the agency or the micro finance banks on the procedures of accessing the micro credit loans, rather than make unsubstantiated accusations.

Niger Delta

NEMA Assists Windstorm-ravaged Communities In C’River

Published

2 days ago

August 4, 2025

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

Edo To Host 40,000 Delegates For CGMI 2025 Convention

Published

2 days ago

August 4, 2025

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

IGP Lauds Diri For Honouring Police Officer, SP Sentome Obi

Published

2 days ago

August 4, 2025

The Tide

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