News
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.
News
NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam
The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.
News
Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence
The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.
The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.
News
Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027
A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.
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