Niger Delta

Oborevwori Charges Electoral Umpires On Free, Fair, Credible Elections

Published

3 years ago

September 29, 2023

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has charged electoral umpires to ensure free, fair, transparent, and credible elections that will generally reflect the will of the people.
The Governor gave the charge while swearing-in the Chairman and members of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) on Monday in Asaba.
He said Nigerians from all walks of life were desirous of an electoral process where the will of the people would prevail.
Those sworn-in were Dr Jerry Agbaike as Chairman, Mr James Umukoro, Mr Friday Seimode, Mrs Light Diden, Mr Imasua Azogbulem, Mr Chris Onwuma, and Chief Frank Oru as members.
The Governor also swore in the Chairman and members of the Delta State Local Government Service Commission with Mr Joseph Otirhue as Chairman, while Mr. Anslem Nwokenye, Dame Minnie Igbrude, and Philomena Ededey are members.
Also, the Governor swore in Dr Austin Obidi as Chairman, and Dr Isaac Akpoveta as Director-General for the Delta State Contributory Health Commission.
He said the primary responsibility of (DSIEC) is to organize, undertake, and supervise all elections at local government councils within the state in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as ammended).
He said members of the Commission were carefully selected to reflect the values of probity, accountability, and strength of character that they should possess.
Oborevwori urged members of the Commission to ensure that the will of voters prevails at all times in all elections they will organise.
He said: “It goes without saying that Nigerians from all walks of life are desirous of an electoral process where the will of the people will prevail. And the people of Delta are no exception.
“I charge the new members of DSIEC to model the values of honesty, transparency, impartiality, courage, and respect for the rule of law.
“As we gear up for the local government elections in 2024, it is my earnest expectation that you will hit the ground running.
“It is important that you immediately begin the process of interfacing with all registered political parties in the state and ensure free flow of information from the Commission to them and other relevant stakeholders”.
He said rules and procedures for electioneering campaigns must be clearly spelt out and in a timely fashion.
“In order to have free, fair, transparent, and credible elections, electoral officers, especially ad-hoc staff, must be adequately trained.
“This has been a major undoing with elections in Nigeria, and I trust that you will avoid the ugly scenario of electoral officers who are clueless about their job by ensuring that they are grounded in sound democratic election processes.
“Similarly, I expect you to guide against the recurring problems of late arrival of electoral materials and personnel to the polling units.
“This will ensure a seamless voting process and elicit voter confidence”, he said.
The Governor charged the Chairman and Members of the Delta State Local Government Service Commission, to ensure probity in recruitment, promotion, discipline, and career development of staff of the councils.
He also urged the Chairman and Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission to exhibit the virtues of probity, transparency and accountability in their quest for Universal Health Coverage for the people.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, Obidi thanked the Governor for finding them fit to serve.
He pledged their resolve to uphold the principles of probity, transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties in their quest to contribute in advancing the M.O.R.E Agenda of the administration.
The State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Arthur Akpowowo, State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Kingsley Esiso, were among dignitaries that attended the event.

Niger Delta

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

Published

16 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

16 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

16 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.