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Empowerment: Belemaoil Splashes N30m On Niger Delta Indigenes

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7 years ago

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In keeping with its avowed commitment to wealth creation and changing the narrative of the Niger Delta, a leading indigenous oil company in the region, Belemaoil Producing Limitedd has empowered ten persons with N30 million funds to set up and grow their businesses.
The beneficiaries most of whom are drawn from different parts of Rivers and Bayelsa States received cheques ranging between N1,000,000.00 (one million naira) and N6,000,000.00 (six million naira) under the 2019 NNPC/Belemaoil JV Economic Empowerment Programme to support and grow Small and Medium Scale Enterprises. The beneficiaries cut across different enterprises including fish farming, music, hospitality, beauty and fashion, digital production, among others.
Speaking during the official presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries at the company corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Director, Production and Engineering of Belemaoil Producing Ltd., Engr Mufaa Welsh said the essence of the scheme is to support efforts by all tiers of government to reduce the rate of unemployment and crime in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.
The Director said: “It is actually to assist the government in reducing the unemployment rate in Nigeria so that we will have a crime-free society for all of us to live in. We are committed 100% in ensuring that we reduce our unemployment rate in Nigeria. Our charge to the beneficiaries is that they judiciously use the funds that have been provided for them and to make sure that they create more employment for others who are not yet employed.”
Also, the Manage,r External Relations of Belemaoil Producing Ltd., Barr Samuel Abel-Jumbo called on the beneficiaries to ensure judicious use of the funds to encourage the company to do more.
He said: “This is a Joint Venture Programme and we are the operators of that JV so everything we do here the NNPC is part of it. NNPC is supporting you, Belemaoil is supporting you. This is not a loan this is a gift from us to you. If you do what you said you are going to do with the funds it makes us happy, it gives opportunity for the next people to also benefit. But if you don’t do what you said you are going to do with the funds and we are not seeing progress we can’t continue. We are going to monitor you to the letter.”
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke, thanked Belemaoil and promised to put the funds in good use. One of the beneficiaries, a fish farmer, Mr. Bethel Oko-Jaja said, “Today Belemaoil has shown that commitment in ensuring that the people of Niger Delta and Nigerians are properly empowered for national development. This kind gesture will not go unappreciated if not by man, by God Almighty. Let me thank Belemaoil for this kind gesture and to say we shall reciprocate by judiciously utilize these funds provided today.
Another beneficiary, Gloria Ekaro, a Beauty Salon owner said: “I thank Belemaoil for this gesture. I am not from the Host Community local government area, I am from Ahoada East and if they do this for somebody from Ahoada East, I don’t know, it’s really amazing. I feel elated right now.”
Meanwhile, the National President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), who is one of the facilitators of the empowerment scheme, thanked the Founder and President of Belemaoil Producing Ltd., Engr. Jack-Rich Tein Jr. for the gesture.
Sukubo said: “The beneficiaries are from Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. None of them expected that their request will come to reality. But this is just the beginning. The only thing I will say Rivers people, Nigerians and the Niger Delta, this is just the beginning because God has sent the President and Founder of Belemaoil Producing Ltd, Engr Jack-Rich Tein Jr., to Rivers people, to the Niger Delta people and to Nigeria at large. I thank God and pray that God will bless him and give him more opportunity to reach out to his people.”

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COAS Tasks Troops To Dominate Battlespace, Intensify Offensive In N/Central

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4 days ago

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May 29, 2026

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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.

Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.

This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.

Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.

He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.

The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.

He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.

Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.

Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.

 

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Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West

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4 days ago

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May 29, 2026

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A former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Nathaniel Uwaji, has expressed excitement over the emergence of Bro Felix Obuah as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Rivers West Senatorial District following the party’s just concluded primaries.
Hon. Uwaji, who formerly represented Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Constituency I, described Obuah’s emergence as a reflection of the wishes and aspirations of the people of Rivers West.
Speaking shortly after voting at Ward Five, Obrikom, Uwaji commended party members and supporters for turning out en masse to participate in the exercise and vote for what he described as “the right candidate.”
According to him, Bro Felix Obuah’s reputation as a bridge builder and grassroots politician makes him well suited to represent Rivers West in the Senate.
“Bro Obuah’s antecedents speak volumes across the length and breadth of Rivers State. The people are pleased to have him represent them at the National Assembly because he has paid his dues,” Uwaji stated.
The former lawmaker further noted that Obuah has remained unwavering in his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, whom he described as key political leaders with strong followership in the state.
“There is no doubt that Bro Obuah has consistently demonstrated loyalty and support to both President Tinubu and Chief Wike. He remains one of the strongest allies of the FCT Minister,” he said.
Uwaji maintained that Obuah’s popularity and political track record have endeared him to the people, stressing that his victory at the primaries was widely expected.
“The name Bro Obuah is already a household name in Rivers State politics because of his track records. This victory has once again demonstrated his popularity and acceptance among the people,” he added.
He also thanked the people of Ward Five, Obrikom, and other stakeholders for their overwhelming support during the primaries, expressing confidence that the APC candidate would record another victory during the 2027 general elections.
“As you can see from the results, the people voted overwhelmingly for him, and they will repeat the same feat during the main election in 2027. Ward Five, Obrikom, will be among the first to deliver results for Bro Obuah and Mr. President,” Uwaji declared.
The former lawmaker also commended security agencies and electoral officials for ensuring a peaceful, free, fair, and credible primary election process.
He assured constituents that Bro Felix Obuah would not disappoint the people if elected into the Senate.
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Navy Upgrades Training, Infrastructure To Tackle Security Threats

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4 days ago

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May 29, 2026

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The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.

Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.

“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”

According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.

Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.

Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.

Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.

“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.

“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’

He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.

The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.

“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.

In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.

Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.

Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.

“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.

He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.

Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.

He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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