News
‘We’ll Host Best NBA Confab’ …Wike Harps On Cashless Economy To Check Crime …Tasks Govt On Anti-Poor Policies
L-R: Representative of the Swiss Embassy, Dr Daniel Cavegn, Assistant Inspector General of Police (Training and Development), Mr Olufemi Adenaike, and Commandant, Police College, Kaduna, CPJimoh Ozi-Obeh, at the Nigeria Police Force Human Rights Training Programme in Kaduna, recently
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has hinted that the state will host one of the best Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conferences come August this year.
He gave the hint while playing host to the African Bar Association (ABA) in Government House, yesterday in Port Harcourt.
Aside the NBA conference, the governor said the state is geared to host other national events such as the Peoples Democratic Party Convention billed for May, Federal High Court legal year, and Nigerian Magistrates’ Conference, among others.
He opined that hosting this string of national events is an indication that the state is peaceful as against the media propaganda by the opposition to paint the state in bad light.
Wike submitted that the stability and peace being enjoyed in the state judiciary has been consolidated with the emergence of substantive chief judge and president of Customary Court of Appeal.
Assuring the African Bar Association that the financial autonomy granted the judiciary will be sustained as that is the only way to promote impartial adjudication of cases the governor declared, “We will always support the promotion of the rule of law. This is because the existence of the rule of law promotes peace and development”.
Meanwhile, the African Bar Association has conferred on Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike the life membership of its council for reviving and stabilising the state judiciary.
The conferment of the life membership of the African Bar Association Council on the governor was conveyed via a letter presented to him by the President of the African Bar Association, Mr Hannibal Uwaifo during a courtesy call at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Uwaifo said that the African Bar Association considers the development actions of Governor Wike worthy of commendation as he has proved to be a good ambassador of the legal profession.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) cashless policy will go a long way to check crime within the state if implemented.
He made the assertion during a courtesy visit by the new Controller of Port Harcourt branch of the CBN, Mr Kazeem Adekunle Alaka, yesterday in Government House, Port Harcourt.
He told the Port Harcourt CBN branch controller that, “we will help you sensitize the people on the importance of the cash less policy”.
Wike while lauding the CBN for also introducing the Bank Verification Number (BVN) said the recent staff audit exercise in the state has underscored the need for the bank to stick with good policies and programmes, as it saved the state huge sums of money.
The governor pledged that the state government will help the bank in promoting programmes that will uplift the condition of the citizenry.
Wike said his administration will also exploit the agric development programmes of the apex bank to diversity the state economy through commercial agriculture.
Thanking the bank for the recent loan scheme to small and medium scale businesses, Wike solicited for more of the apex bank loans to develop the state.
The governor noted that investments in agriculture already being consolidated by his administration will further develop the state’s economy and enhance food security.
He commended the CBN governor for being firm and consistent in the application of monetary policies, and stated that policy somersaults in the past negatively affected the economy.
In his remarks, the Port Harcourt Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr Kazeem Adekunle Alaka, announced that the CBN will assist farmers in the state to improve on the cultivation of oil palm produce and cassava allocated to the state.
He said the two areas of financial inclusion for farmers in the state are aimed at diversifying the state economy through agriculture.
Alaka, therefore, appealed to the state government to launch sensitization programmes to ensure that more farmers key into the programme.
Similarly, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has called on the Federal Government to implement policies and programmes that will fight poverty in the country.
He made the call while hosting students of the National Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Study Group Six on study tour of Rivers State, in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Leader of the team and Director of Studies in NIPSS, Prof. Celestine Bassey, had informed the governor that studies carried out by the institute reveal that 67 million Nigerians live in poverty, while 37 per cent of the population live in abject poverty.
Wike, however, noted that it was not enough to conduct studies around the country, saying the Federal Government needs to implement the findings and recommendations of the institute.
“I think government should take your recommendations because it will go a long way in the review and adjustment of policies and programmes,” Wike said.
He declared that the state government will support any policy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which will enhance the well-being of Rivers people.
“I will support any policy of the Federal Government that will enhance the living standard of people of Rivers State. It does not matter who initiated such policy, as long as it favours our people”, he explained.
Emphasizing that he will not use his office for unnecessary politicking, Wike, pointed out that good policies should transcend party affiliation.
He said the Rivers State Government will support the NIPPS study team in carrying out their research into poverty alleviation in the state.
Earlier, Leader of delegation, Prof Celestine Bassey, had said that the team was in the state to carry out an assessment of the impact of poverty alleviation programmes in the state.
The team later held an interactive session with top officials of the Rivers State Government.
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.