Niger Delta

Bayelsa NSE Unveils New Exco

Published

2 years ago

June 24, 2024

The Bayelsa State branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Thursday, inaugurated its 12th State Executive Council members.
In his inaugural address, the new Branch Chairman, Engr. Edoghotu Boyibim Jonah, gave the assurance that the society under his stewardship would be recommitted towards the unity and progress of the engineering profession in the state.
Edoghotu stressed the importance of collaboration with all of divisions of the society, describing it as key in their effort to make greater impact and to stamp out quackery in the profession.
He noted that the bane of the profession’s development over the years is lack of unity of purpose, saying however that the problem of faulty engineering is mostly not associated with works executed by registered Engineers, but patronage of quacks.
The chairman commended members of the society in the state for their resilience and commitment towards building the profession, just as he averred that past chairmen and other executive members of the NSE have laid a solid foundation for the state branch of the society.
“Sincerely, I owe a great depth of gratitude to all my predecessors who charted this part of honour for us to tread. If I can do anything better it’s because I’m standing on the shoulders of 11 great leaders who’re also tapping from their wealth of experience.
“I’ve a six-point agenda for the NSE, Bayless state chapter. But the most important of this six-point agenda is unity of the chapter. If we’re able to work on unity every other thing would be added to us as members of the NSE here in the state.
Other members of the 12th exco are, Engr. Adou Doubara David, Vice Chairman; Engr. Deborah Ebimiekumo, Secretary; Engr. Idubamo Rebecca, Treasurer; Engr. Abhon Adus, Technical Secretary; and Engr. Diepriye Owana-Omubo, Assistant Secretary.
Members of the Executive also include Engr. Dr. Ebiyeritei Wisdom, Financial Secretary; Engr. Happiness Mac-Eteli, Assistant Technical Secretary; while Engr. James Sokari Karimo and Engr. Eluanatein Mac-Jokori are to serve as Ex-officios one and two respectively.
Earlier in his welcome address, outgoing Chairman of the Branch, Engr. James Sokari Karimo, thanked members of the society for the support given him and the entire executive members of the 11th exco of the society under his leadership.
He charged members of the profession to extend same cooperation to the Edoghotu-led 12th exco, saying that under his reign the NSE was able to commence the building of its permanent state secretariat.
In a lecture titled, “The role of engineering in advancing society’s proficiency in sustainable development’’, guest lecturer, Engr. Eruni Uku Philip, the Acting Head of Department, Chemical Engineering, Federal University, Otuoke eulogized engineers world over for their intellectual prowess on innovation, science and technology.
She said the engineering profession through various research is at the fore front of driving sustainable development through the design of innovative solutions that minimizes environmental impact, optimize resource usage and by promoting social equity, amongst other.
Meanwhile, the NSE President, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, said she was committed towards making the practice of the engineering profession under her leadership more worthwhile in the country.
She tasked leadership of the State Branch of the society not to relent in its effort to make the society better.
Represented by the NSE Vice President, Engr. Bemigho Ofoeyena, the society’s helmsman eulogised the leadership of the state’s branch for their resilience and hard work.
Similarly, the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers(NIMechE), Bayelsa State chapter on Friday held the 4th edition of the Emeritus Prof. Steven Odi-Owei annual public lecture series.
In his welcome address, the state’s chapter chairman of NIMechE, Engr. Seigha Gumus said 21st June every year is sacrosanct in the history of the Mechanical Engineering profession in the state.
He commended the National Chairman of NIMechE for attending the event, just as he also applauded the State Branch of the NSE, guests and members of the Mechanical Engineering profession in the state and others for gracing the occasion.
The theme of this year’s lecture is, “Nanocomposite Electrodeposition: Surface Engineering tool for job creation”.
Delivering the lecture, guest lecturer and Director of academic planning, NMU, Akerenkoko, Prof. Tolumoye Tuawari, described the Mechanical Engineering profession as distinct, saying in the era of job loss and study apathy on the side of some students due to rising unemployment, surface engineering can be used as an alternative to create jobs for citizens.
He stated that the mechanical engineering field is replete with immense opportunities, saying that all other fields of human endeavour depends partly on tools produced by mechanical engineers for their inputs, hence the numerous successes recorded in the field of mechanical engineering world over.
In same vein, Prof. Odi-Owei charged the Federal Government to complete and put to adequate use the Ajaokuta steel industry for the rapid socioeconomic transformation of the nation.
He commended the NIMechE for organizing the yearly event, advising members of the engineering profession not to compromise standards in their careers, just as he thanked invited guests and others for gracing the occasion.
Featured as part of the event was the birthday celebration of the emeritus Prof., exhibition, awards presentation and goodwill messages, amongst others.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Eno Recommits To Private Sector Investments

Published

3 days ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, says his administration will continue to promote private sector investments in order to enhance economic prosperity.

Eno, who stated this recently at the inauguration of a new Zenith Bank branch in Uyo, said private sector growth was critical to employment generation and the overall development of the State.

He said his long-standing business relationship with Zenith Bank exposed him to the critical roles that banks could play in supporting private sector growth.

“The bank played a laudable role in the growth of Royalty Hotels, a brand I pioneered and led until I joined public service.

“It is my hope that the bank will accord the same support to other private sector investments in the state, be it micro, small or medium-scale enterprise”, he said.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank PLC, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, described the new business office as a significant milestone in the life of the bank.

She thanked successful administrations in the state for their support to the bank over the years, saying, ”We thank the Governor for creating a conducive environment for business to thrive.

“We opened our first branch in Akwa Ibom about 25 years ago, we have enjoyed a very good relationship with the government and people of the state.

“Akwa Ibom stands out as a major business friendly state. The state is clean, accommodating, and fast developing, we commend the government for this”, she said.

The Zenith Bank chief reiterated the bank’s commitment to sustain its partnership with the government and people of Akwa Ibom in order to make mutually impactful and meaningful progress.

She urged business owners in the state, especially women, to leverage the initiatives being offered by the bank to grow their businesses.

Niger Delta

Delta Prioritises Primary Healthcare Over Flyover Projects

Published

3 days ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Delta Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare services across the state, dismissing claims that it was focusing more on visible infrastructure projects than grassroots healthcare delivery.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, made the clarification while reacting to comments by health influencer, Aproko Doctor.

Aproko Doctor recently suggested on social media that political leaders often prioritised flyovers and modern hospitals while neglecting primary healthcare centres.

Onojaeme said the claim did not reflect the situation in Delta, noting that healthcare remained a central pillar of the Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori administration’s development agenda.

According to him, although road projects and flyovers are visible across the state, deliberate investments have also been made in healthcare infrastructure and services.

He said that within two years, the state government had renovated 150 primary healthcare centres across the three senatorial districts out of the 441 public health facilities in the state.

According to him, another 150 centres are already undergoing planning and preparation for renovation.

“The effort will bring the number of upgraded primary healthcare centres to 300, thereby improving access to quality healthcare at the community level and reducing pressure on secondary and tertiary hospitals,” he said.

The commissioner said that the state’s free maternal and under-five healthcare programme continued to yield positive results, including reductions in maternal and infant mortality, while easing financial burdens on families.

“Gov. Oborevwori recently approved the release of N2 billion to sustain the programme, alongside regular funding to strengthen Universal Health Coverage in the state,” he said.

Onojaeme also said that state-owned hospitals were granted autonomy to retain and utilise their internally generated revenue, enabling them to procure drugs, maintain equipment and respond more efficiently to patient needs.

“In specialised healthcare delivery, dialysis machines have been installed in state hospitals, helping to reduce waiting time for treatment while lowering dialysis costs from about N70,000 to N45,000 per session,” he said.

He said that CT scan machines installed at Warri Central Hospital and Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, were already improving diagnosis of conditions such as stroke and internal injuries.

“While newly procured echocardiography machines are strengthening early detection of heart-related conditions.”

The commissioner said the government had ordered three Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines for installation at Asaba Specialist Hospital, Central Hospital Warri and DELSUTH, Oghara, ensuring coverage across the three senatorial districts.

“While some states do not have a single MRI machine, Delta State is procuring three at once, with delivery expected by April as site preparations are ongoing,” he said.

Onojaeme said the government was establishing a new College of Health Sciences in Ovrode, Isoko North Local Government Area, to complement the existing institution in Ofuoma and boost the training of middle-level health manpower.

“The long-abandoned Mother and Child Hospital in Ekpan was nearing completion, while another Specialist Hospital was being developed in Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area, modelled after the Asaba Specialist Hospital.

According to him, Delta remains the only state in the country with more than 60 functional government-owned hospitals, adding that the current administration is determined to further expand healthcare access.

On health insurance, Onojaeme said enrollment under the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme had surpassed 2.78 million residents as of January 2026, making it one of the leading state-supported health insurance programmes in the country.

He explained that the scheme covered both formal and informal sector workers, while prioritising vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children under five and the elderly, through the Equity Health Plan.

The commissioner added that the scheme recently enrolled 10,000 widows and continues to register indigent residents across the state.

He also disclosed that the Delta State Contributory Health Commission had introduced facial recognition technology at accredited facilities to improve efficiency and transparency in service delivery.

Onojaeme reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage and delivering affordable and accessible healthcare services to residents across the state.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly Seeks Crackdown On Drug Abuse

Published

3 days ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has urged the State Government to urgently enforce drug laws to curb the rising menace of substance abuse.

The resolution followed a matter of urgent public importance raised by Yakurr I lawmaker, Mr. Cyril Omini, during plenary in Calabar.

Omini cited a tragic incident in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, involving a 23-year-old man allegedly under the influence of drugs.

He said the suspect, Ubi Bassey, allegedly beheaded his father, Bassey Okoi, on February 2.

“Drug abuse has become widespread among youths, with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine and tramadol commonly abused.

“In spite of warnings by health and government agencies, illicit drug trading and consumption persist across many communities”, Omini said.

According to him, the trend has led to early deaths and, in extreme cases, violent crimes against innocent persons.

Omini warned the incident had caused fear in Ugep, cautioning that failure to act decisively could worsen social decay.

He, however, commended the State Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Okoi Obono (rtd), for efforts to restore peace in the area.

Lawmakers called for sustained drug sensitisation, youth-focused campaigns, stronger partnerships with non-governmental organisations, and stricter enforcement against drug peddlers and users.

The Speaker, Elvert Ayambem, expressed sadness over the incident and urged prompt prosecution of the suspect to deter other youths.