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Niger Delta

Edo Pays N147m Counterpart Fund In FG’s Intervention Project

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Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has paid the counterpart fund of N147 million for the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project for the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND).
The State Project Coordinator, Mr John Omoruyi, disclosed this in a statement issued in Benin on Monday.
The Tide’s source reports that LIFE-ND is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in collaboration with the Federal Government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The LIFE-ND directly supports Nigeria’s agricultural policy and the strategic framework for youth employment and job creation.
The project is currently being implemented in the Niger Delta states of Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Ondo.
Omoruyi explained that the amount, meant to create wealth, sustainable jobs, and ensure food security in the participating states, covered the years 2022 to 2024.
He added that the payment of the N147 million counterpart fund would enable the state to access funds for the ongoing transformation of the rural economy via agribusiness.
According to him, Obaseki has done well to restate his commitment to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector by promoting modern farming techniques, supporting smallholders, encouraging value addition and fostering agribusiness innovations.
“Furthermore, this feat by the Obaseki administration will not only contribute to economic growth but also enhance food security, reduce poverty and empower rural communities in the state.
“This is in addition to boosting agricultural productivity and value addition across four commodities – rice, cassava, poultry and fishery value chains”, he said.
According to Omoruyi, LIFE-ND in Edo has created jobs for 2,348 women and youth enterprises out of the targeted 4,250.
He said this was across the participating 10 local government areas and 100 communities across the state.
He disclosed the release of the counterpart fund would further create employment for more than 2,500 women and youths targeted for 2024.
The state project coordinator also disclosed that the National Project Coordinator (NPC), LIFE-ND, Mr Sanni Abiodun, had commended the governor for the prompt payment of the fund.
Abiodun acknowledged the Edo Government as the first in the country to pay the counterpart fund up to date, urging other participating states to emulate Edo State.
“This is in line with the consistent desire of the federal and state governments of Nigeria and IFAD to attain sustainable job and wealth creation as well as ensure food security in Nigeria”, he said.

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Niger Delta

Rotary Club Gets Kudos Over Humanitarian Activities

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The District Governor, District 9141, Rotary Club international, Rotarian Chinedu Ikegwuani, has commended the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt for its high. level of humanitarian activities.
Rotarian Ikegwuani said this in Port Harcourt while handing over for use thousands of mattresses and pillows donated by the Rotary club of Port Harcourt in conjunction with Nestello Nigeria limited to the transit hostel also build by the club for the Trans Amadi Police Station.
He said the club has continued to touch members of the society in several ways, describing it as the Rotary magic.
According to the District 9141 Governor, Rotary club has distinguished itself as far as humanitarian activities are concerned, adding that virtually every areas of human lives have been impacted on by Rotary club both locally and internationally.
He charged the the police to make the best use of the materials, stressing that the club will not relent in assisting the police and other security agencies to enable them discharge their duties effectively.
Also speaking, former district Governor of the club, Rotarian Ijeoma Okoro, urged for regular maintenance of the facility.
She said the gesture will enable the Trans Amadi Police Division to discharge its duties effectively.
Speaking, the President, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, Rotarian Victor Wariso, said the club will not relent in its support to security agencies.
Wariso said the Rotary club of Port Harcourt has remained consistent in assisting members of the public since it foundation years ago.
He also urged for proper maintenance of the facility while the mattresses and foams be given to those in need.
Managing Director of Nestello Nigeria Limited, Ernest Illochukwu, who noted that he is a Rotarian, said the club has continued to do good across the world.
He said the club is working in different areas of human endeavours , stressing that the activities of the club have continue to impact positively on members of the society.
Earlier, the representative of The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Trans Amadi Police Division, DSP Patrick Arawumi, commended the club for the gesture, promising that the Division will put it into judicious use.
The club later planted trees at the police station and Commissioned of billboards at the Rotary centre.

John Bibor

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Niger Delta

Police Parade 17 Over Cultism, Murder In A’Ibom

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The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, paraded 17 persons over alleged involvement in cultism, fraud and murder of a police inspector in the State.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Uyo on Monday, said the suspects were arrested for different offences in different parts of the state.
Ayilara said some of the suspects were arrested over the alleged murder of an Inspector, Usang Egbe, on January 1.
He said the young men, suspected to be members of Debam cult, were also responsible for the murder of Dr. Udofia Sunday-Umo at Ikot Epeyak Ikono Village in Uyo Local Government Area.
Ayilara said two locally made guns, two bottles containing concoctions suspected to be charms, and illicit drugs were recovered from the suspects.
The Commissioner further said the Police Command in Akwa Ibom State also arrested a suspected kidnapper residing at Nepa Line in Uyo metropolis.
He said an AK49 Rifle, SMG Rifle, two magazines and six rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered from him.
“While being interrogated, the suspect confessed to being a member of the Vikings Confraternity.
“During the period, the Command also arrested some suspects over alleged advanced fee fraud involving the sum of N320, 000.
“The Command also foiled a planned kidnap mission and arrested four suspects in the process.
Ayilara said all suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded on their matters.

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Niger Delta

Angry Youths Shut Down SEEPCO OPL Oil Field In Bayelsa

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Some aggrieved youths of the Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, and Onuebum Community, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, yesterday barricaded the site of an oil well project in OPL 2005 located in the community.
According to the youths, the owner of the project, sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) allegedly disregarded the state government’s directive on resumed negotiations with host communities and compliance with local, state and federal laws including Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
The angry youths, numbering over a hundred, arrived the dredging site of the project at about 9:30 am and shut down operations.
They were also supported by Onuebum youths led by the Chairman and Secretary of the Onuebum Oil and Gas Task Force, Mr John Bailiff Egapekpar and Engr. Ebitimi Egbenpere, respectively
The youths, chanting Ijaw songs, displayed placards with inscription such as ‘SEEPCO comply with section 12 of the EIA Act’, ‘IYC demand implementation of Section 236 of the PIA for Onuebum community’, ‘We reject your non-compliance with Petroleum Industry’, and ‘Desist from your violatory operations in Onuebum’.
Speaking with The Tide’s source IYC Chairman, Ayama Clan, Comrade Samson Insurance Lucky, said, “We were in Onuebum to counter the anomaly of the Sterling Global in the areas of the non-conduct of EIA, the disrespect to the Onuebum community and disregard for extant laws.
“We call on the company to resume discussions with the community and respect the relevant laws. The company have also rebuffed and shunned efforts by the IYC to assist in the resolution of the contentious issues.”
The traditional heads of Onuebum community led by the Paramount Ruler, HRH ObanemaKineKobolotaOsain, Ogo XVI and his Deputy, High Chief John Alpheus Edede, Opalama XIII, confirmed that despite the protest staged by the IYC and the youths of the community, the State Government should call the Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) to order.
The Paramount Ruler said, “What we are asking is for the company to conduct EIA and respect existing laws. Instead of complying, they embarked on divisive tactics. They have disregarded the community authority.
“We call on the State Government to call the Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) to order.”

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