Niger Delta

Students Celebrate Over School’s New Library

Published

5 years ago

November 18, 2019

Students of Government Girls Secondary School, Oromenike, Port Harcourt, recently rejoiced when a new vista of study was thrown open to them with the formal presentation of a refurbished and upgraded library facility.
The library was equipped with new chairs, new shelves, new reading cubicles, and an ample supply of brand new books.
The students could not help but extend their gratitude to the Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation, a non-governmental agency which donated the facility to the school as a mark of its corporate resolve to improve its community relations profile.
Executive Director, Operations, Cakasa Nigeria Company Limited, and member Board of Trustees, Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation, Engineer Gabriel Nkanyimuo, said the gesture came as a significant milestone marking forty years in the life of the company.
He also spelt out the purpose of the overture to the school in a revealing speech which underscored the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to provide quality education and encourage gender equality around the world.
He declared that the gesture is a demonstration of the Foundation’s commitment to provide educational support for children in public schools, with particular regard to female students, in a bid to get them to take their studies seriously and aspire to great heights.
“I challenge you to dream big,” he said, adding that “The first step is to complete your education, no matter what may happen. Study hard and your dreams will come true. That process begins with reading and concentrating on your studies.”
Nkanyimuo maintained that the Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation selected Government Girls Secondary School, Oromenike, Port Harcourt, for the donation after a comprehensive educational evaluation and needs assessment of the challenges faced by its host community.
According to him, great achievements begin with cultivating a good reading habit.
“The most phenomenal leaders of our planet are known to have been avid readers and authors in their own right. To be a leader tomorrow, you have to be a reader today”, Nkanyimo said.
To ensure that the library is put to proper use, Nkanyimuo disclosed that Cakasa Foundation will promote reading clubs, encourage spelling competitions, sponsor essay writing contests, and highlight the annual celebration of the International Literacy Day.
In her remarks at the handover ceremony, the Principal of Government Girls Secondary School, Oromenike, Port Harcourt, Mrs Boma Ivanhoe, expressed the appreciation of the entire staff and students of the school to the Foundation.
She promised that the library would be put to good use by students and staff alike, adding that it would go a long way to help meet their educational aspirations.

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.