Niger Delta

Ogbia Lauds Diri On Purposeful Leadership

Published

3 years ago

September 15, 2023

The people of Ogbia Kingdom have applauded the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for what the called his purposeful leadership of the state.
Ogbia Kingdom is host of the first commercial oil well, the Oloibiri well, where former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan hails from.
The Kingdom, led by their monarch, King Dumaro Charles Owaba (Obanobhan iii), midweek, gave the commendation during a “Thank-You-Visit” to Government House, Yenagoa.
In an address presented on behalf of the Kingdom by the legal adviser of the monarch, Barr. Ernest Omiloli, the Kingdom said they were highly impressed with the Governor for promoting good governance in the state.
The Ogbia people noted that they were particularly pleased with the Governor and his team for their passion in tackling issues of development as evidenced in infrastructure provision and other projects across the state.
The Kingdom listed the achievements of the present administration in Ogbia land to include: Construction and commissioning of the bridge and an adjoining road at Imiringi, construction of three important bridges and rehabilitation of Elebele community access road and construction of a psychiatric hospital at Ogbia town.
Other projects, according to the Ogbia people, include rehabilitation of the Otuoke-Onuebum road and construction of a pavilion at Ogbia town.
The former President’s kinsmen also expressed gratitude to the Governor for actively participating in the 15th memorial celebration of the late sage, Chief Melford Okilo, the first civilian Governor of old Rivers State, and the appointment of their sons and daughters into his government.
They requested that when re-elected, the “Prosperity Government” should consider the construction of some roads in Ogbia Local Government Area.
Amongst roads they requested Governor Diri to construct upon his reelection are, the Akaba-Ogu Road in Yenagoa Local Government Area to Okodi in Ogbia Local Government Area; Otuabagi-Idema-Emaguo-Okoroba-Akani Road; Otakeme-Otakpein-Otuogidi Road, and the Ewoi-Otuabula 2 and Abobiri Roads.
The Tide further learnt that Ogbia Kingdom span communities in the present Ogbia Local Government Area and some communities in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, including some communities of Abua-Odual and Ahoada-West Local Government Areas of Rivers State, which share borders with Bayelsa State.
In his response, Governor Douye Diri thanked the Ogbia people for supporting his administration.
The state’s helmsman, however, noted that the Akaba-Okodi Road, which is one of the roads on their request list, was already being constructed by his administration, assuring that the administration was committed to spreading development to al parts of the state.
The Governor stressed the need for the leadership of the area to focus on security and not condone acts of lawlessness.
“We cannot continue to have criminals taking over our communities, or using our communities to perpetrate crime.
“The moment you see your son or daughter drifting towards crime, it is your duty to check them. If they refuse, it is also your duty to report to the appropriate authorities.
“If you condone them with the belief that they are your children, one day you will be held responsible.
“When the Elebele bridge totally collapsed, that route was no longer in use. Today that bridge has been constructed, completed and inaugurated, and I’m always happy whenever l drive on it.
“For us as a state, our needs are different from that of others. What we spend here to construct a bridge is different from what is spent in other places to construct a similar bridge.
“But we are happy that by doing these projects, we are touching the lives of our people and changing the narrative about our state”, he said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Niger Delta

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

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

2 days 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.