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NNPC’s Subsidiary Seeks Amaechi’s Support On Security
The Port Harcourt Refining Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has solicited the support and cooperation of the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to help secure crude oil supply pipelines in the state and ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products to Rivers State and other parts of the country.
The new Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, Mr Ian G. Udoh made the appeal when he led a delegation of top managers of the company on a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “Our main mission here is to while seeking ongoing support and cooperation from Your Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, we also need very strong support in securing the crude oil supply pipeline. Similar measures have been taken, successes have been achieved in the product evacuation line”.
He named the problems confronting the Port Harcourt Refining Company to include pipeline vandalization and crude oil and products theft.
According to him, the vandalization of oil pipelines disrupt the normal supply of petroleum products and sought the governor’s assistance to fight the menace.
“This is the greatest threat to the existence of refining in this country, also to this Port Harcourt Refining Company and its operations. The crude oil supply pipelines have been under a spate of unprecedented attacks in recent times and products evacuation pipelines suffer similar threats”, he said.
The Managing Director on a brighter note, said the Port Harcourt Refining Company was until very recently in production of six million litres of petrol per day and 17 million litres of product daily collectively, stating that the company has zero tolerance for harmful effluent to the environment.
Udoh disclosed that all NNPC refineries in the country would in the next few years undergo an original builder – led rehabilitation that would increase their capacity utilization to 90 per cent.
On corporate social responsibility, the Managing Director noted that there is a good relationship between the Port Harcourt Refining Company and its host communities.
He congratulated Governor Amaechi on his most recent Vanguard Personality of the Year 2012 Award, describing the award as “an eloquent testimony Sir of your record of outstanding service to the good people of Rivers State. Your government has hallmarks of commitment, hard work and above all innovation. You have also brought about a congenial and relatively peaceful atmosphere that engenders economic growth both for individuals, the economy and the entrepreneurship in Rivers State. This is just one of the many accolades you have received and will continue to receive”.
Responding, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi said: “Let me welcome you to Port Harcourt and say to you that it brings me joy when you say that there is an improvement in refining in Nigeria. Hope you know that you are fighting a group of people that would prefer importation of finished product than for it to be refined here, so I will partner with you in that regard and I wish you success”.
While he expressed his administration’s readiness to secure crude oil supply pipelines in the state, he urged the Port Harcourt Refining Company and other oil multinationals in the state to be truly involved to work with the state government to provide the needed security for oil pipelines, disclosing that the state government has acquired two surveillance helicopters for checking crime in the state.
“You must then join the oil companies to bear the cost of operations and maintenance, yearly or monthly, I don’t want to know how, because we brought the money to be able to purchase those two helicopters. They are bullet-proof, they are equipped with sophisticated security gadgets and they record in real time”, Amaechi said.
The governor also appealed to the Port Harcourt Refining Company to consistently carry out its corporate social responsibilities to its host communities in the state.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.