Niger Delta
RAPE: C’River NAWOJ In A Peaceful Protest
As another 12-year-old girl was reportedly raped in Calabar-South Local Government Area of Cross River State, the Chairman of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ) Cross River, Umo Bassi-Edet, has lamented the action of the rapist in the State.
Speaking to our correspondent after the protest, she said “yesterday, a twelve-year-old girl was raped at Calabar-South. The report was made to a Primary Healthcare Agency and the health worker that was trying to help the girl was molested.
“You see in Big Qua here, a grandpa raped his granddaughter. Some cases are not reported and why we are doing this is because we want to break the culture of silence.
“Some people because of fear of stigmatisation seem to cover it.
Maybe, your husband raped your stepdaughter and you don’t want that stigma, so you are protecting your husband to the detriment of the child, because once that rape starts, today you rape the child and tomorrow you continue doing it because no one is talking about it,”
she stressed.
The NAWOJ Chairman said that the protest took them around the major streets and terminated at the State House of Assembly where the Speaker was at hand to receive them.
“Why we had to stop at Gov’s office was to ensure that we have the executive arm of government to implement the legislation that is already on the ground that seek to protect women and the girl child from sexual and gender-based violence.
“We can also work together to influence the policies they make. We still have a lot of things that need to be done. Research shows that every hour somebody gets raped. And beyond this, the sad aspect of this thing is that 95 percent of rape cases are being carried out by people that are close to us, not strangers at all, people living close to you.
“Your girl child is not even safe with their brothers anymore; the girl child is no longer safe with her uncles, not safe with her grandfather, grandparents go to the extent of raping their grandchildren,” she lamented.
From FRIDAY NWAGBARA, Calabar
Continue Reading
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.
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.
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.
-
Sports10 hours agoLa Liga: Ancelotti Hails Potential Successor
-
Oil & Energy3 hours agoMinister Tasks NNPCL On Oil Output Increase By Year End
-
News4 hours agoMother, Child Electrocuted After Downpour In Benin
-
Sports10 hours agoNewcastle Within Touching Distance Of UCL Spot
-
Politics4 hours agoNorthern Govs, Royal Fathers Renew Commitment To Region’s Dev.
-
Sports10 hours agoManager Wants Hitch free Spires 5-Aside divisional qualifiers
-
Oil & Energy3 hours agoExxonMobil Earmarks $1.5b For Nigeria’s Deepwater Oil Fields
-
News4 hours agoAdministrator Cautions Council Workers Against Partisanship