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RSG Debunks Alleged MEND Attack On Oil Installations

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17 years ago

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The Rivers State Government, Sunday, described as false the alleged attack on an oil installation in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ibim Seminetari in a chat with newsmen, said all the oil installations in Rivers State are intact, and that no damage has been detected in any part of the state.

She said no oil company operating in the state has reported any damage on their pipelines or facilities anywhere within the state.

According to the commissioner; “there is no iota of truth, not a single iota of truth. The fact is that all the oil installations in Rivers State are intact; no damage has been done to any pipe anywhere. We have sent security agents to verify, and as I am speaking to you, the information we have is that Shell has all its oil installations intact, all other oil companies have their installations intact, Abonnema is peaceful, the people of Rivers State are ready to welcome the Christmas celebration, every body is keen right now, and so there is actually no problem”.

Mrs Seminetari, however, advice the people of Rivers State who wish to travel for the Christmas season to riverine communities to do so without fear of molestation.

She said that Rivers State is calm, and that security has improved, “was there is no reason for worry, security in Rivers State has been very much taken care of, and the Governor of Rivers State has invested time, not only in  security but in development projects, so the people of Rivers State are happy. No body is interested in making trouble”.

The commissioner also called on Rivers State indigenes outside the state and abroad to come and partake in the beauty that the state has become.

However, the MEND, Saturday said that it has broken the cease fire agreement with the federal government as it is said that it attacked a major Shell/Chevron crude oil pipeline located in Abonnema.

About 35 militants belonging to the group armed with rocket launchers, heavy calibre machine guns and assault rifles carried out the attack, MEND claimed.

Jomo Gbomo, spokesman of MEND, who confirmed  the attack, said the operation which was carried out in  five boats was a warning strike and added that MEND would review the indefinite cease-fire it ordered Sunday, October 25 within thirty days from December 19.

The MEND spokesperson said the militant group decided to carry out the attack because “while the Nigerian government has conveniently tied the advancement of talks on the demands of the group to a sick president, it has not tied the repair of pipelines, exploitation of oil and gas as well as the development and re-tooling of troops in the region to the president’s ill-health”.

Spokesman for Chevron and Shell did not respond to calls for comment Saturday morning but a repentant militant leader, Ateke Tom, has condemned the attack with advice to all repentant militants involved in the President Yar’Adua’s amnesty deal to remain patient and committed to the agreement.

 

 

Corlins Walter

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Rivers

Delta CP Seeks More Support From Traditional Institutions 

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3 weeks ago

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July 3, 2026

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The Commissioner of Police (CP) Delta State Command, Mr. Yemi Oyeniyi, has urged traditional institutions to continue to support law enforcement in the country.
Oyeniyi gave the advice on Tuesday at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner, who was on a familiarisation tour of police formations across the state, including the Effurun area command, solicited  continued partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence.
He commended the Ovie of Uvwie for his unwavering commitment to peace, security, and community development.
“I acknowledge the invaluable role of traditional institutions in supporting law enforcement in the country.
“I equally solicit continuous partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence among the people”, he said.
In his remarks, the Ovie of Uvwie, welcomed the Commissioner and his entourage to the domain.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the people to supporting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.
The royal father urged his subjects to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by way of providing timely and credible information.
The Commissioner, thereafter, proceeded to perform the groundbreaking of the Effurun area command at the instance of the Insp.-Gen. of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu.
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IAUE Senate Approves Leadership, Language Center Establishment 

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3 weeks ago

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July 3, 2026

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The Senate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has approved the establishment of a University Leadership Assessment Centre as proposed by Professor Veronica Okogbaa of the Department of Educational Management.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, said the centre will, among other things, identify and develop high potential skilled leaders and talents.
It will also evaluate participants through multi dimensional approach rather than rely on subjective perceptions, indulge in leadership trainings, and generate income from services with succession planning.
Similarly, Senate also approved the establishment of a centre for languages, digital Humanities and intercultural studies as proposed by the Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako.
The proposed centre, according to he statement, will have seven units namely language teaching unit, where French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Rivers State indigenous languages will be taught.
It will also have Translation and interpretation unit, indigenous languages documentation unit, Digital Humanities Laboratory, Artificial intelligence and language teaching unit, professional certification unit, as well as Research and Publication unit..
The statement quoted the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ken-Maduako, the centre will offer certificate in language proficiency for beginners, intermediate, advanced Diploma programme, translation and interpretation courses, Digital Humanities certification programme, Artificial intelligence and language technology workshops, online and Hybrid learning programmes, weekend and evening public classes, indigenous languages documentation training and Business and professional communication courses.
Professor Ken-Maduako firther said the center “will increase visibility of the University nationally and internationally, generate sustainable internally generated revenue, increase opportunities for grants and donor funded projects, enhance interdisciplinary research output, promote cultural preservation and community engagement, strengthen the University”s  profile in innovation and digital transformation, attract research collaboration and international partnerships, and improve graduate employability and digital competence.”
In his speech, the Chairman of Senate and Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, encouraged sponsors of the centre to source for funds for the take off of the centre.
He explained that Directors will be appointed for the self-sponsored centres and reiterated that his administration will continue to support all proposals geared towards the growth of the University as long as they are consistent with the academic brief of the Ivory Tower.
Earlier, Professor Samuel Otamiri commended Professor Veronica Okogbaa for the proposed centre which, he said, is a remarkable development, amd described it as a robust programme that would attract the necessary patronage .
In another development, the Senate welcomed a suggestion by Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi that Valedictory Senate sessions be introduced and held for retired Professors.
Results from the Postgraduate School as presented by the Dean of the School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, was approved by Senate.
Senate also approved that presented by the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), Professor Goddey Wilson, and that of the Graduate School of Business by Dr. Florence Ironawusi.
Sogbeba Dokubo
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Group Tasks School Proprietors, Parents On Early Preparation 

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3 weeks ago

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July 3, 2026

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The National President, Forum of Inclusive Educators and Readers (FIER), Mr. Onyeka Innocent, has admonished school owners and parents alike to learn how to prepare their children/wards ahead time in order to beat challenges irrespective of the angle they may spring up from.
Innocent made this known at the Forum’s meeting held partly in honour of the Spelling B, 2025 winners, in Port Harcourt.
“Soldiers are not trained during war, rather, they are trained and kept in the Barracks, waiting for war”, he said.
He said students must be provided with the necessary educational tools capable of boosting their academic pursuit.
According to him, proprietors of schools must conform with the Government’s authorities and guidance if they are determined to succeed in the project.
Another solution to educational management, he said, is the availability of Education Committees in schools, saying that it will improve the quality of its learning process.
Though he did not rule out decay in the society, he said there are few that still hold fast to determination and sincerity.
The FIER leader said his association was one of the bodies with the zeal to right wrongs in the society, especially in the Education sector.
He noted that his group was also prepared to reduce the number of out-of-school children by ensuring that education was taken to all parts of the Country.
On registration of private schools as directed by the State Government, he said his members are in compliance and assured of a cordial relationship between the Government and his Association.
Meanwhile, the winners of the Competition were Master Fredrick Jeffrey of Daisy Dan School, who emerged first; Badubulachi Maryan of Fertile Vineyard Academy, 2nd; and Itode Samuel of Baridoo Sam Joel School, 3rd.
They winners where rewarded with cash prices of N100,000, N50,000 and N30, 000 respectively.
King Onunwor
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