Niger Delta

MOSIEND Hails N’Delta Ministers …Warns Against Fighting NDDC Board

Published

3 years ago

August 18, 2023

The Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has congratulated Ministers from the region who made the Ministerial list and were assigned portfolios into the Federal Executive Council.
MOSIEND, in a statement by its National President, Comrade Kennedy Tonjo West, also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving opportunity to trustworthy personalities from Niger Delta to serve in his government, saying the move was in order.
West urged the newly designated ministers to close ranks and work towards promoting regional development and economic growth.
He described the appointment as putting square pegs in square holes “because those sworn-in are seasoned technocrats and consummate politicians who have made their marks in previous national assignments and undertakings”.
The MOSIEND President expressed optimism that President Tinubu will get equal value from their appointments, as the newly inaugurated ministers mean business.
He said, “We advice the ministers from the region to close ranks as they promote regional peace, cohesion and development.
“They should avoid the pitfalls made by the past ministers from the region who did not work in synergy, but allowed superior personalities who had the President’s ears to tear them.
“These sentiments blinded the sense of unity, regional growth and development – wasting the entire 8 years of the Buhari-administration.
“But we cannot blame President Buhari for the developmental setbacks of the region because he gave equal opportunity to all his ministers, and whether or not such opportunities were used effectively for the development of the region is not his concern.
“Today, another opportunity has been given to illustrious sons of the region to serve in this government and we are expecting synergy, understanding and love, bearing in mind the overall development of the region.
“President Bola Tinubu and the people of the region are believing that, as ambassadors from the region, they will bring the dividends of democracy to the region beyond serving their official office demands effectively and efficiently.
“The President is hoping that they will use the opportunity to promote cohesive, improved welfare and development of the region.
“We advice that they support each other and avoid making the mistakes of their predecessors. They should avoid oppression and not do anything that will create an impression that they are opposition to the state Governors, either because of party divide or sentiments.
“We advice them to support the revalidation and continuation of the current NDDC Board which is the popular wish of the people of the region.
“They should also work with the Senators, house of Reps members, Niger Delta governors and other stakeholders so that the region can move forward, and they should not engage in any feud over the NDDC like their predecessors.
“Often times, it is the choice of who nominates the members of the NDDC Board for one political patronage or the other that usually ignites the feud amongst ministers from the region, and we don’t want that kind of disaffection in this administration.
“As a people, we respect them and have no doubt about their capabilities to deliver on their mandates, but we will also appeal that they support the continuity of the NDDC Management board”.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

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

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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.