Niger Delta

Widow Send SOS Over Beheaded Husband In A’Ibom

Published

1 year ago

March 21, 2025

A widow, Mrs Immaculate Sampson Akpan, whose husband was brutally beheaded in the ongoing clash between Eket and Ibeno communities in Akwa Ibom State has appealed to Nigerians and government at all levels for justice.

Our Correspondent gathered that her late husband, Sampson Akpan, was murdered at Ndito Eka Iba village for allegedly acting as an informant against Eket people who are contesting ownership of the land with their Ibeno neighbours .

It was further gathered that the victim, though from Eket, lived in the riverine area as a fisherman but was suspected to be spying for Eket people against Ibeno .

An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said the attack on Ndito Iba Village was the fourth in the series of attacks in which Sampson was beheaded.

“The attack on Ndito Eka Iba Village in Ibeno LGA by attackers from Eket is the fourth in the series of attacks on Ibeno LGA since the controversial attempt by the past administration to remap Akwa Ibom State, with the case still pending in court”, the eyewitness said.

The widow, who was fighting back tears, while speaking to our reporter in Ibeno LGA, recalled that they have lived peacefully in Ndito Eka Iba Village for several years without rancour.

She explained that attack on the fishing community on Christmas Eve last year has left a huge scar on Ndito Eka Iba Village after the invaders, suspected to have come from Eket, launched attacks on residents destroying houses, Churches, several boats with outboard engines, cars, motorcycles and other valuables including fishing nets.

The widow, a mother of four, narrated the sad incident that cost the life of her husband while several children were still missing in the community.

“When our neighbours from Eket LGA launched the attack on the night of December 24, 2024, we were caught unawares.

“Before the attack, the invaders had attempted to host a festival to herald the Christmas day, but instead of using the true name of the village, Ndito Eka Iba, which is Unit 6, Ward 10, a gazetted village in Ibeno LGA used the name Okoiyak Ekid, to reflect their Eket identity, implying that Ndito Eka Iba village in Ibeno LGA, no longer belongs to Ibeno LGA, but Eket LGA.

“Because of this, the youths of Ndito Eka Iba village, approached them, and advised them against such plans to alter the original name, but they instead threatened war, which they (the Eket people) later launched late that night, forcing people to escape into the dark shrub where they spent the night before emerging in the morning to seek refuge in safer locations.

“The entire village of Ndito Eka Iba has been left in total ruins and I have relocated to my village, Odio, in Eket LGA, after my husband had been killed and his remains buried in shallow grave without his head, which was taken away by the attackers.

“I have been dislocated from where I used to eke out my living with my four children, trading in fish, crayfish and other seafoods like periwinkles, prawns and others”.

She, therefore, appealed to authorities concerned, including Akwa Ibom State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Churches, individuals and corporate organisations for relief materials for her and other displaced victims.

“it has become too difficult to feed and clothe my four children in a new location without job or business”, she lamented.

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police (CP), Baba Azare, while responding to the incident said the suspects arrested during the fracas were still in custody.

According to him, investigation on the incident has been concluded as the suspects have been charged to court.

“Investigations on the case had since been concluded and the suspects charged to Court.

“No one has any right to interfere in the matter. I take full responsibility over the case, and I have spoken with the investigative officer who told me that the matter had already been charged to Court”, the CP stated.

Christopher Tom, Uyo

Niger Delta

Bayelsa Inaugurates Cttees For 30th Creation Anniversary

Published

2 weeks ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

The Bayelsa State Government has inaugurated six sub-committees, as it begins preparations for the 30th Anniversary celebration of the creation of the state on 1st October.

Inaugurating the sub-committees in Government House, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, explained that Bayelsa has countless reasons to appreciate God for what He has done for its land and people in the 30 years of its existence, especially in development.

He charged the sub-committees to come up with proposals for the various activities and events for the celebration within the next two weeks in line with their respective terms of reference, stressing that strategic things had to be done to make the anniversary significant and historic.

According to him, the three-day programme of activities for the anniversary celebration, which will commence on the 29th of September, will be preceded by two weeks of commissioning of public infrastructural projects completed by the Prosperity Administration.

The Bayelsa Number Two Man further clarified that events penciled down for the celebration include a cultural carnival, boat regatta, anniversary lecture, sporting events, state banquet and awards night.

The sub-committees are: the Awards Sub-Committee, chaired by His Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo; the Sports Sub-Committee, headed by Hon. Daniel Igali; and the Lecture Sub-Committee, with Prof. Stephen Olali as its Chairman.

Others are: the Mega Praise Sub-Committee, jointly chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, and the Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Emiefenim; the Cultural Sub-Committee, headed by Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou-Obolo; and the Publicity Sub-Committee, with the Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, as Chairman.

by: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NDDC Backs Federal Drive To Cut Maternal, Newborn Deaths … Trains Traditional Birth Attendants

Published

2 weeks ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has stated its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), with a renewed push to tackle the persistently high rate of preventable maternal and newborn deaths across the Niger Delta.

The Commission made the pledge during workshops for traditional birth attendants held in Delta and Bayelsa states, where it stressed the need for stronger collaboration between traditional birth attendants and the orthodox healthcare system to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Speaking at the training, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, urged women to embrace modern medical care while leveraging the trusted role of traditional birth attendants in their communities.

Represented by the Principal Manager, Education, Health and Social Services (EHSS), Mrs. Dare-Oloko Kuami, Ogbuku described maternal and child mortality as an alarming public health challenge that requires urgent and collective action.

“The rate of death among women and children is alarming and must be eradicated. This training is designed to enlighten our women and should not be taken for granted”, he said.

According to him, the workshop was organised to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of traditional birth attendants in providing safe maternal and newborn care, identifying pregnancy-related complications early, and referring high-risk cases promptly to hospitals and health centres.

Also speaking, the Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Patience Ezugu, called on women to take issues relating to childbirth seriously, stressing that improved knowledge and adherence to safe delivery practices would help save lives.

Represented by the Principal Manager, EHSS, Dr. Otokolo Fidelis, Ezugu disclosed that more than 300 women from Delta and Bayelsa states participated in the training and were provided with medical equipment and cash support to enhance their services.

One of the resource persons, Mrs. Gift Akitiri, underscored the vital role traditional birth attendants continue to play in many rural communities, noting that regular capacity building would improve the quality of maternal healthcare delivery.

“Traditional birth attendants are trusted members of many communities. By equipping them with updated knowledge, we are helping to ensure that mothers and newborns receive timely and appropriate care, thereby improving health outcomes”, she said.

A participant, Mrs. Franscica Odiakosa, commended the NDDC for organising the workshop, describing it as timely and impactful.

“I have gained valuable knowledge that will improve the quality of healthcare I provide in my community. I have also learnt the importance of referring expectant mothers to health centres and hospitals whenever a case is beyond my capacity”, she said, while urging the Commission to sustain the initiative.

Niger Delta

Uyo Club Inaugurates New Executive … Tasks Members On Service, Community Impact

Published

2 weeks ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

One of Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious social clubs, Uyo Club, has inaugurated its full Executive Council to oversee the affairs of the association for the next two years, with a charge to provide purposeful leadership and make meaningful contributions to society.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the club’s headquarters on Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, the President of the club, Prof. Sahm Etuk, urged the newly elected executive members to bring their wealth of experience and professionalism to bear in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He said members of the club expected the new leadership not only to strengthen the institution, but to also extend its impact beyond the clubhouse through service to the wider community.

“You have voluntarily presented yourselves for service, and we expect that you will make yourselves available at all times to offer the service required of you”, Etuk said.

The inauguration followed the April 2026 bye-election conducted to fill vacant positions in the Executive Council.

Among those inaugurated was renowned broadcast administrator and Executive Managing Consultant of Comfort 95.1 FM, Uyo, Samuel Enoh Akpan, who was elected Public Relations Officer. Akpan is also a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

Other members of the Executive Council are Barrister Eno Inyang (Treasurer), Anthony Etim (Social Secretary), Christian Daniel (Welfare Secretary), Friday Ekpa (Legal Adviser), Christian Chukwu (Provost), Mmenye Udofa (Assistant Secretary), Otu Otu (Maintenance Secretary) and Macaulay Udom (Ex-Officio).

Prof. Etuk, a Professor of Strategic Marketing, Director of the School of Continuing Education at the University of Uyo, and Chairman of the institution’s Sports Committee, had earlier been inaugurated as President on January 10, 2026, alongside the Vice President, Dr. Nestor Udoh, a retired Permanent Secretary.

Other officials inaugurated at the time include Ndi Aquaisua (General Secretary), TPL Dr. Emmanuel Etuk (Financial Secretary), Dr. Imbur Terfa (Auditor), and Dr. Anietie Ekong (General Games Captain).

The President also inaugurated the Board of Past Presidents, made up of all living former presidents of the club, urging them to continue providing guidance and institutional support to the Executive Council in line with the club’s constitution.

Former presidents present at the event included Dr. Emem Umoh, Dr. Bassey Etuknwa, Engr. Mbosowo Orok, Prof. Ini Jonah, and Akparawa Ikpong Essien-Udom, a member of the Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

Etuk called on members to unite in pursuit of the club’s founding ideals of recreation, service and development, expressing confidence that the newly constituted organs of the club would strengthen its operations and reposition it for greater relevance.

Founded in 1935, Uyo Club remains one of Nigeria’s foremost recreational associations, with a membership that cuts across diverse professions and sectors of society.