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Dame Jonathan, Mark, Others Hail Senator Sekibo
The First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, has described the Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Army and Defence, Senator George Thompson Sekibo as a true man of honour and a philanthropist, “truly illustrious, humane and humble” who has used his political positions and privileges to share in the burden of the poor both in his Ogu community and Rivers State.
Dame Jonathan who made the remarks during the civic reception and conferment of chieftaincy title of Igo Alabo on Senator George Sekibo by the chiefs and people of Ogu Kingdom in Ogu Town last Saturday said Sekibo had in his quest to add value to life and affect humanity around him, successfully secured for his people projects that are endearing.
The First Lady who was represented at the occasion by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals, Dr. (Mrs) Precious Gbeneol said the career progression of Sekibo especially in politics was not surprising and urged “all men everywhere to emulate the virtues of this great son of Rivers State.”
She remarked that the unprecedented crowd that graced the occasion was an attestation of the fact that the Senator had represented his people creditably, stressing that “the lesson from this is simply that we must all strive in our little capacities, to live a life of service to God and humanity.”
While urging Sekibo to reciprocate the honour done him by resolving to do more for the people, Dame Jonathan expressed delight that he had discovered the secret of making God’s blessings his lifestyle through gratitude.
Also speaking, the Senate President, Senator David Mark described Sekibo as a consummate lawmaker who had distinguished himself as one of the leading lights of the Senate, going by his incisive and thought-provoking contributions on the floor of the Senate.
Mark, represented at the occasion by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije said Sekibo had earned the respect of his colleagues by his sheer brilliance and knowledge of the law which he had often displayed when contributing to debates in the National Assembly, stressing that “he firmly uses the law as a pair of binoculars by which he addresses issues on the floor of the Senate.”
According to him, his contributions are anchored on the truth, as he does not see issues from sectional perspective but weighs their merits and demerits before making his contributions.
“All his contributions on the floor are original and thought-provoking,” he said, and urged the Senator to soar high like the Eagle (Igo) and catapult Ogu community to greater heights in the leadership of Rivers State and Nigeria because, according to him, “to whom much is given, much is expected.”
On his part, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall O. O. Petrin described Sekibo as somebody with outstanding leadership qualities who has the mind to make things happen, noting that as Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Army and Defence, Sekibo had been supportive of everything the Military was doing. He said he was convinced that in any committee he (Sekibo) found himself, he would be up and doing.
The chairman of the occasion and Chairman of Okrika Divisional Council of Cheifs, Chief Wisdom Nimi Adoki in his opening remarks lauded Sekibo for his lifestyle and accomplishments, saying, Ogu people had honoured their very best, a true and worthy son.
Adoki said the conferment of the Igo Alabo title on Sekibo was not only a milestone for the Ogu Kingdom but for the Senator’s towering personality whom he noted had been making his people proud by his selfless and dedicated service to mankind, saying, the legacies he had so far left behind would be admired by all.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief E. M. Ibiorika-Kalaowi Perefi described Sekibo as a grassroots mobiliser and a friend to widows and the needy in his senatorial district and beyond, saying, the prayers of the widows, orphans and the less-privileged had accelerated his political advancement.
According to him, the Senator had through his untiring efforts attracted several developmental projects including sand reclamation to Ogu community, stressing that he was being honoured by the people because of his sound representation, doggedness and patriotic zeal.
In his sermon titled, ‘the Reward of Diligence’ during the inter-denominational thanksgiving service at St. Martin’s Anglican Church, Ogu, the Bishop of Okrika Diocese, Bishop T. R. Abere reeled out the accomplishments of Sekibo, saying, “he is a diligent servant,” who has been carrying everybody along and touching positively the lives of widows, the aged and indigent students among others.
In his response, Senator George Sekibo thanked the chiefs, the people of Ogu, security agencies, his constituents and all those who graced the occasion, saying, he was greatly humbled by the honour done him.
He also thanked Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who was represented at the occasion by the State Commissioner for Employment and Empowerment, Dr. Ipalibo Harry for all the support given to him at the critical periods of the 2011 general elections and his re-run election.
Sekibo particularly thanked security agencies for ensuring that his kidnapped wife was released, and expressed delight that the abductors of his wife had been arrested.
According to him, the kidnap and safe rescue of his wife had overshadowed his electoral victory for which reason he thanked God for His goodness to him and his family.
Donatus Ebi
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.
This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.
It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.
According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.
Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.
The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.
Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.
The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.
Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.
He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.
“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, destroying a reactivated illegal refinery site in Rivers State and intercepting suspected stolen petroleum products in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja, yesterday.
Folorunsho said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery site at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said the action followed credible intelligence that a previously dismantled illegal refining site had resumed operations.
According to him, an Anti–Crude Oil Theft team deployed to the location discovered that the dismantled refining oven had been reconstructed.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of additional refining equipment and storage facilities containing about 3,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.
Folorunsho added that the illegal refining infrastructure, including ovens, storage tanks, hoses, connected pipes and newly acquired metal components used for illegal refining, was destroyed in line with operational procedures.
He said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, in another operation, intercepted about 3,950 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority area in Calabar, Cross River State.
He said the interception was based on credible intelligence on suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.
The naval patrol team, according to him, swiftly deployed to the area and traced the illegally siphoned products to a trailer park within the port facility.
“On sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene, after which the area was cordoned off and the illegally siphoned products secured,” he said.
Folorunsho said further inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil stored in drums and jerrycans, which had been evacuated to the naval base for further necessary action in line with extant regulations.
He noted that the successes aligned with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining the operational tempo of Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage.