Niger Delta

N’Delta Newspaper Set To Launch Unity App, Annual Carnival

Published

4 years ago

January 17, 2022

A new newspaper outfit with focus on Niger Delta, ‘Niger Delta Reporter’, is set to launch an electronic App, the Niger Delta Unity App, and also unveil the Niger Delta Carnival.
The Niger Delta Unity App is a one-stop technological platform that presents the rich cultural and socio-economic potentials of the Niger Delta region comprising of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Ondo, and Imo states.
A statement by the board and management of the newspaper said, the Unity App is beautifully designed and user-friendly with rich content that covers politics and governance, corporate organisations, development of Niger Delta region, governors of Niger Delta scorecards, NDDC, Presidential Amnesty Programme, issues in Nigerian Local Content in the oil and gas industry, other key activities in the region, particularly affecting the environment, industries, businesses, and the news events within the region, amongst others.
The statement also said that the Niger Delta Carnival is a socio-cultural tourism event designed to unify and showcase the beauty of the entire region, inspire a new generation of change agents, and entrench the culture of peaceful coexistence for the sustainable development of the region that is presently contributing the most to Nigeria’s economy.
Both the Unity App and the Carnival present a unique platform to unify the strength of the component states for the development of the people as well as draw active attention of the government to the region’s challenges which have gone beyond oil spillage and environmental pollution to the loss of jobs and livelihoods of the lovely people of the region.
According to the Board and Management of Niger Delta Reporter Newspaper, the launching and unveiling of the two programmes are expected to be in March, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking to journalists on the two programmes on behalf of the Board and Management, the Publisher/CEO of the Niger Delta Reporter Newspaper, Hon. Felix Idowu, described the mobile application as inspirational, creative and innovative concept, stating that the App was downloadable on the Google Play Store and IOS.
He said that it grants users access to socio-economic developments of the various nine states that make up the Niger Delta region.
Idowu said, “It’s our utmost belief that the Niger Delta Unity App and the Carnival will open another vista of economic activities for the region, as we will be networking with countries that have distinguished themselves in carnival affairs. This Carnival will open the Niger Delta region to the great continents of the world, as we will use it to let investors know that our region is now a safe haven for investors against the backdrops of negative local and International press portraying the region”.
He explained that the orgainisation was consulting with the nine states that constitute the region, namely; Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Ondo, and Imo states to be fully involved in the Carnival and our Niger Delta Unity App, saying, “We have secured strong synergy with NDDC, Presidential Amnesty Programme, to mention but a few agencies and other stakeholders in the region”.
Idowu added, “We are looking forward, in the near future to announcing the first Niger Delta state that will be hosting this momentous and historic event on behalf of the region, the Niger Delta Carnival 2022. The chosen state will serve as a host and hub of the entire Niger Delta region, including our foreign delegates, as we have an opening with over 20 countries that can explore the platform this Carnival is providing for stronger socio-economic linkages.
“We have no doubt in our minds that these two flagship programs: the Niger Delta Unity App and Niger Delta Carnival 2022 will put the region on a positive global map as the carnival will be held annually and rotated among the Niger Delta states, respectively. Surely, its value for the region will bring a quantum leap to the economy of the entertainment and hospitality industry and improve the tourism potentials within the region”.
He extended invitation to various state governments, MDAs, local and multinational oil and gas industries, entertainment industries, corporate organisations, friends, and well-wishers of the Niger Delta to key into these programmes as they have the potential to reorient and empower the youths, improve on the quality of education, facilitate skills development, and enhance the living condition of Niger Deltans.
“Consequently, the programmes provide the opportunity for fun, entertainment that makes the region an ideal holiday destination for local and international audiences whiles promoting peace, unity, and progress of the region.
“Niger Delta region has unique stories and potentials and the Niger Delta Unity App and the Carnival is the choice platform for telling these unique stories and showcasing of these potentials to the world”, he stated.

Niger Delta

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

Published

4 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

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

Published

4 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Launches Operation Crack Down Scrap Dealers

Published

4 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

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.