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Niger Delta

Yenagoa Law School: Ijaw Group Commends Wike’s Magnanimity

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The Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), has joined others in commending the Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike, on the flag- off of construction works for hostel blocks and the 1,500 seat auditorium at the Yenagoa law school campus.
The group said the Rivers governor has once again proved himself to be a man who matches words with action.
Recall that Governor Wike, made a pledge on 29th August, 29, 2020 and nine months down the line, he has fully redeemed his pledge to build a 900-student hostel and the 1500 capacity auditorium.
Speaking on behalf of the National President, the Chairman MOSIEND, central zone, Comrade Taribolou Ogboriyo, noted that the revival of MOSIEND was to raise the level of clamour for purposeful infrastructural and human capital development of our people, in the Niger Deltan region.
MOSIEND fully shares the ideals of Governor Wike who has developed infrastructure to a point where he is nicknamed Mr Project and we can all attest to the fact that Governor Wike’s drive for developmental projects knows no bound as he has crisscrossed into his sister state in Bayelsa to showcase the importance he attaches to education in the Niger Delta.
He continued that, “In so doing, MOSIEND is using this auspicious occasion to whisper to the Governor that our Elders council, National and Zonal leadership have already come to firm conclusion that Your Excellency has naturally distinguished yourself as the spokesman of the Niger Delta, similar to the hard work the governor has put in place, that earned him the Mr Project title.
Accordingly, MOSIEND is consulting with other ethnic nationalities on the need to confer a befitting title on him in order to fully establish and authenticate his natural emergence as the voice for the Niger Delta.
MOSIEND also used the opportunity to bring up the NDDC board issues that is hitting up the polity and threatening to conflagrate the entire Niger Delta.
The group stated that amongst other things, the constitution of the Board of NDDC is the responsibility of the president with advice from the governors
“The importance of the appointment cannot be over emphasised, as it is the only prescribed legal body that can always be held accountable by the people of the Niger Delta”.
Furthermore, the zonal chairman, said that the NDDC Act Part III, Section 11(1) also prescribes a Standing Committee made up of the Governors of the NDDC States, known as the Advisory Committee, whose appointment and functions are statutory and beyond the powers of the president. As a matter of fact Section 11(3) states in part:
“The Advisory Committee is charged with advising the board and monitoring the activities of the commission, with a view to achieving the objectives of the commission”.
This section is the key to the expected success story of the NDDC. It has therefore become very necessary to appeal to His Excellency to, without delay, liaise with the South-South Governors, forum chairman to constitute a delegation to once again, visit Mr President, to impress it on him to constitute the board so that the governors can also play their role on the NDDC in ensuring it functions lawfully.
The law requires the governors to advise and monitor the board and not a sole administrator. The people of the Niger Delta will henceforth not allow politicians to toy with the development of the area.
Comrade Ogboriyo, used the occasion to extend hands of fellowship to Wike and also craved his indulgence to grant audience to the Eastern Zone MOSIEND leadership which is domiciled in Rivers State and the National Executive headed by a Rivers State indigene for purposes of working out areas of cooperation on the issue of security.

By: AriweraIbibo-Howells, Yenagoa

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Niger Delta

850-bed UCTH overstretched, services 5m patients – CMD

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The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, has said the 850-bed hospital is overstretched, as it currently serves over five million patients.
He disclosed this on Friday during a media tour of the facility to showcase ongoing renovations and facelift in the hospital.
The CMD noted that, aside being the only tertiary healthcare facility servicing the state, UCTH also serviced neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi.
He said the hospital also received referrals from neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic.
According to him, the 850-bed hospital faced persistent space constraints because of increasing patients inflow and expanding healthcare demands.
“This hospital currently operates 62 clinical and non-clinical departments as well as  between 30 and 38 wards covering medical, surgical, paediatric, orthopaedic and specialised services.
“Most wards have undergone facelift, remodelling, or complete renovation to improve patient care and working conditions for healthcare professionals”, he said.
He disclosed that the hospital was constructing a new 106-bed emergency medicine facility to address the rising demand for healthcare services.
According to him, the facility will include trauma bays, intensive care units, neonatal wards, and three fully equipped trauma theatres.
Speaking on the remodeled wards, Ikpeme explained that they followed modern nursing principles, allowing one nurse to attend to a maximum of 10 patients.
He said relatives would be restricted to designated waiting areas to reduce interference with medical procedures and improve emergency response efficiency.
The CMD noted that the hospital had strengthened specialist services in orthopaedics, neurosurgery, obstetrics, radiology, and minimally invasive surgery.
“UCTH now performs hip and knee replacements, arthroscopy, sports medicine, and complex brain tumour surgeries.
“Our surgeons also conduct keyhole procedures for appendectomy, hysterectomy and other conditions with faster patient recovery periods,” he said
In power, the CMD said the hospital relied on solar power from a seven-megawatt plant, constructed by the Federal Government at the University of Calabar, as well as public power supply, and generators to sustain its operations.
He appealed to governments, organisations, and philanthropists to support infrastructure expansion, equipment procurement, and specialised healthcare projects.
The CMD said the hospital required additional incubators, ward expansions, and a stand-alone amenity facility for private healthcare services.
He used the opportunity to dismiss allegations of ethnic discrimination, insisting that the hospital does not reject workers or patients based on tribe or origin.
According to him, the institution recently honoured an Igbo pioneer physician by naming a ward after him in recognition of decades of service.
The CMD said the hospital maintained strict disciplinary procedures to address negligence, poor attitude, and unethical conduct among staff.
The Tide’s source reports that some of the units visited include, intensive care unit, Department of Radiology, Urology Clinic, and Opthalmology Clinic.
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Niger Delta

Police Burst Child Trafficking Syndicate In A’Ibom … Nab 3 Suspects

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The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State says it has busted a child trafficking syndicate and arrested three suspects for conspiracy and unlawful sale of a newborn baby in the State.
The State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfom John, who disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Friday, said the three female suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1900hrs.
She said a complainant reported that his wife gave birth to a baby boy on May 7 and shockingly, shortly after delivery sold the newborn child to one of the suspects for N145, 000.
“Upon receipt of the report, operatives immediately swung into action, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the successful recovery of the baby boy.
“The suspects reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation, while investigation has been expanded to identify and apprehend all individuals connected to the trafficking syndicate”, John said.
She said the State’s Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive intelligence-led policing in the state.
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Niger Delta

A’Ibom Launches Operation Crack Down Scrap Dealers 

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The Akwa-Ibom State Government has launched a statewide crackdown on unregistered scrap dealers and scavengers, shutting down illegal operations and arresting operators accused of violating environmental and public safety regulations.
The enforcement operation, led by the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), followed the implementation of the state’s Waste Metal Scrap Law 2026, officials said.
AKSEPWMA Chairman, Obong Prince Ikim, said the exercise was aimed at regulating the scrap sector, protect the environment, and prevent criminal groups from operating under the guise of waste collection and metal trading.
“If you want to do scrap business, you must register,” Mr. Ikim said during the operation in Uyo, the state capital.
“Many people now hide under scrap trading to perpetrate nefarious activities”, he said.
According to him, dump site operators and scrap dealers who failed to register with the government risked closure and prosecution.
Authorities accused some operators of involvement in vandalism of public infrastructure and indiscriminate waste disposal, adding that investigations had uncovered criminal activities linked to several dump sites across the state.
“Some people vandalise government facilities in the name of scrap business and encourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse,” Mr. Ikim said.
He added that the state government and security agencies would continue efforts to enforce compliance and maintain public order.
“The Commissioner of Police has zero tolerance for criminality, and the Governor wants Akwa Ibom people to sleep with their eyes closed. We will fish out every defaulter”, he said.
Police officials involved in the operation said investigations showed that some criminal suspects used scrap yards and refuse dump sites as cover for illegal activities.
CSP Okwuzulike Vincent of the Itam Police Station said some suspects pretended to be mentally unstable while hiding ammunition and other suspicious items in makeshift shelters around dump locations.
The police officer praised the environmental agency for what he described as proactive efforts to sanitise the sector and pledged continued cooperation between law enforcement and the agency.
Officials said some first-time offenders arrested during the operation were released after profiling and signing undertakings, while repeat offenders would face prosecution.
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