Niger Delta

169 Vulnerable Households Benefit From N-CARES Grants In Edo

Published

3 years ago

September 19, 2022

About 169 individuals from vulnerable households were, on Friday, trained in Benin to benefit from the Nigeria CARES COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-CARES) grant in Edo State.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs Ifueko Alufohai, stated this during a one-day livelihood support training and orientation, organised by the State Cash Transfer Unit (SCTU).
The Tide’s source reports that the grant is codenamed EDO-CARES.
Alufohai explained that the beneficiaries would be given grants ranging from N20,000 to N200,000.
The Permanent Secretary noted that the N-CARES was a World Bank-funded emergency relief programme, put in place to ameliorate the adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on livelihoods, especially the operators of businesses in the informal sector.
The Head, State Cash Transfer Unit, Flora Bossey, in her address of welcome, said that the programme was designed for economically-active youths and women.
Bossey said: “This programme is Disbursement Linked Indicator (DLI 1.3), under the EDO-CARES livelihood support programme, one of the 11 DLI being supported by the State Government.
“The programme is taking place in two pilot Local Government Areas of Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha in the State.
“The beneficiaries were selected from the state social register for the poor and vulnerable households.”
She continued that the State Government had made it possible for the beneficiaries to receive grants to improve their businesses that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The training, according to her, is the first round of livelihood and soft skills, aimed at supporting their businesses before the grants would be disbursed.
Mrs Precious Osunde, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, commended the State Government for the kind gesture and promised to expand her business with the grant.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.