Niger Delta

Bayelsa Tasks Pharmacists On Local Production Of Medicine

Published

5 years ago

September 1, 2021

The Bayelsa State Government has challenged the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) to embark on research for the production of quality medicines to meet the healthcare needs of the country.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the charge when the Bayelsa State branch of PSN paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, the Deputy Governor described the pharmaceutical industry as an essential sub-sector in the healthcare service delivery system of the country.
He, however, noted that the PSN had only been focusing on regulation of the pharmacy profession and welfare of its members at the expense of conducting research and the production of drugs.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who expressed concern at the over-dependence on foreign drugs for healthcare services, observed that the organisation was dissipating too much energy on condemning alternative medicine practice in the country.
He pointed out that although alternative medicine practitioners had created some problems, it is also true that the efficacy of their medicines in curing some ailments had been established.
The Deputy Governor called for the immediate setting up of a pharmaceutical research unit in the state Ministry of Health and the Department of Pharmacy at the state-owned Niger Delta University to undertake clinical research.
Condemning quackery in the profession, Senator Ewhrudjakpo said many pharmacy outlets in Yenagoa and elsewhere in the state do not maintain the right and prescribed temperature to preserve their drugs, which affects their potency.
Consequently, he urged the health ministry to work closely with the PSN in the area of monitoring and supervision to check unwholesome pharmaceutical practices in the state.
”The role of pharmacy in medicine, no doubt, is key. But sometimes due to either self-interest or delusion, we leave this our status and begin to hover in areas that are not our traditional areas.
“Unfortunately, over the years the pharmaceutical society and the pharmacy profession seem to be focusing on one direction. I think you are not doing enough in terms of encouraging the manufacturing of Nigerian-made drugs.
“I mean a situation where all coagulants and other necessary components were strictly obtained as a result of research in Nigeria. That seems to be lacking.
“In addition to this, we still have this tendency of pulling down ourselves. And when you operate in that kind of environment, it is not possible for anybody to grow.
“Our reliance on foreign drugs is a major issue, which is the reason why we are not looking at local capacity. Our traditional medicine practitioners or alternative medicine practitioners may not be doing right thing.
“But I think we have used so much energy trying to condemn alternative medicine than trying to do anything from it. Instead of antagonising alternative medicine practitioners, let us see how we partner with them and see what we can pick out of what they are doing”, he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharmacist Ronari Charles, solicited the support and partnership of the state government in organising the 2021 World Pharmacists Day in the state billed for next month.
The PSN Chairman also requested the state government to provide logistical support for routine pharmaceutical inspections and the recruitment of more pharmacists at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

C’River Bans VIOs From Road Operations

Published

16 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has banned the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from road operations across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Out, who made the announcement in Calabar on Saturday, restricted activities of the VIO to office duties.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Linus Obogo, the directive followed protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators over high tickets, excessive fines and alleged harassment by enforcement teams.

The Governor, who made other announcements in the sector, said the measures were approved after a meeting with key transport stakeholders.

According to the statement, other announcements made was the reduction of daily ticket fee from N850 to N500, while the penalty for failure to purchase the ticket had also been reduced to N10,000.

“All traffic-related fines be slashed by 50 per cent and must be paid only into designated Cross River State Government accounts.

“Daily ticket for tricycle riders have been reduced from N1,200 to N500. However, every activity of commercial tricycle operators ends at 6 p.m. daily, night operations are permanently banned,” Otu asserted.

He said the review was aimed to ease the burden on drivers and restore order in the state’s transport system.

Speaking further, the Governor said the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) would now focus on vehicle registration and sale of tickets at approved rates.

He noted that enforcement officers must operate only in proper uniforms and with verifiable identification.

He directed the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMRA) to restrict its activities to statutory traffic management duties.

In addition, the Governor announced that “commercial bus drivers and tricycle riders will no longer purchase tickets on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

“These directives will take effect from March 9, and I urge all residents and transport operators to cooperate with relevant authorities.”

Speaking to The Tide’s source, some commercial drivers said the statement did not address some activities of TRAMRA such as the illegal “no parking order” for drivers who only pick and drop passengers.

For Johnson Ade, a commercial driver, there should be an official release stating the traffic infractions in the state and the fine for each of them.

He said slashing the fines by 50 per cent was ambiguous, adding that the amounts to be paid for each crime should be clearly stated to prevent criminal elements who posed as government traffic regulatory officials from abusing the directive.

On his part, Mr. Sunday Dennis, Metropolitan Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), said they would convene a meeting immediately to critically look at the governor’s statement.

It would be recalled that series of protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators had led to the suspension of all forms of transport tickets in the state by the government.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Community Seeks Govt Recognition For Elected Village Head

Published

16 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

Some indigenes of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, in Ikpe Annang Clan, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have called on the State Government to recognize Chief Samuel James Udo as the authentic Village Head of the community by according him a Certificate of Recognition.

According to them, the call is necessitated by the fact that Chief Udo has won the first and second election processes on 1st May, 2021 and 15th July 2025.

The indigenes said in addition to his emergence after the two election processes, Chief Udo’s emergence has been confirmed by Chief Akpan Akpa Inyang (Okuku Ikpa Isong Annang), who has handed him (Udo) to “UDAK” as stipulated by the custom and tradition of Annang Land.

They said Udo’s emergence marked the end of every struggle by individuals or groups of persons on the issue of headship of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, Ikpe Annang Land, in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

According to them, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, should call for the recognition of the Village Head-elect of Mbiabong Ikpe Village in accordance with the Traditional Rulers Council Law of Akwa Ibom State, CAP 134.

This, they said, is because he has been duly and rightly selected by the kingmakers as the village Head-elect and have satisfied all requirements in the extant law for the said selection.

“We are informing the Akwa Ibom State Government of the development, because any imposition of any other name to the Governor will not be accepted by the community”, they said.

Meanwhile, they have alleged that some “enemies of progress are causing problem over the Chieftaincy issue after the winner has emerged and accepted by the entire Kingmakers.”

When contacted the Village Head-elect, Chief Samuel James Udo, advised the people not to cause any crises, saying that their mandate will not be denied.

“I will continue to respect the law. My people are law abiding citizens and God will surely stand for true justice and the certificate will be given to me, not through fighting, causing unrest, or violence, but by our faith in God, and the belief that the relevant authorities will do the needful”, he said.

By: Christopher Tom, Uyo

Niger Delta

Delta Unveils World Book Day Festival

Published

16 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State government on Saturday unveiled the LightRay! Distortion World Book Day Festival.

The festival, themed “That Which Bends, Transcends,” is a major celebration of literature, storytelling, and cultural advocacy in the state.

It was unveiled at the office of the Head of Service, Mrs. Mininim Oseji, in Asaba.

The event was organised by LightRay! Media, in partnership with the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA) and Unchained Vibes Africa.

Founder and President of the media group, Ejiro Umukoro, described the event as the first large-scale literary festival in the state.

She explained that the initiative aims to engage both marginalised and privileged communities in dialogue on resilience, hope, and social change through literature.

Highlighting the transformative power of storytelling, Umukoro said literature can inspire action, reshape perspectives, and drive social change within communities.

According to her, the festival builds on the impact of the Distortion novel series produced by LightRay! Media, which explores themes of human resilience, personal agency, and renewal.

She noted that the book has supported social awareness campaigns and legislative advocacy, contributing to the abolition of the Osu caste system in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo.

“The novel has also received literary recognition, including the TYB Young Adult Literature Prize in 2024,” she added.

Umukoro further revealed that the Delta Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has approved Distortion as a recommended literature text for students.

She expressed concern over the poor condition of public libraries across the state, noting that many remain inactive or non-functional.

”Urban libraries also struggle with outdated collections, inadequate infrastructure, and limited professional staffing”, she said.

Umukoro urged stakeholders to rebuild libraries, strengthen reading communities, and equip facilities with modern learning resources.

“The three-month festival will feature competitions, workshops, creative showcases, and professional development programmes, Umukoro said.

The Permanent Secretary in the office of the Head of Service, Mr. Wilson Chukwuka, commended the initiative.

The leader of the National Association of Seadogs, Mr. Michael Nwaidei, said the project aligns with efforts to encourage critical thinking and knowledge acquisition among young people.

Nwaidei was represented by a member of the association, Mr. Uche Egbuche.

The Tide’s source reports that guests, educators, creatives, and literary enthusiasts from across the state and diaspora communities attended the festival.