News

Lawan Vows To Break Jinx On PIB Passage …Tasks Oil Firms On CSR

Published

7 years ago

July 5, 2019

President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, yesterday, pledged to ensure conclusive reform in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, saying that the Ninth National Assembly would quicken the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) for the benefit of all.
Lawan stated this when he hosted the Chief Executive Officer of the ExxonMobil Group of Companies, Mr Pul McGrath, who led the team of Executives from the company to his office in Abuja.
The President of the Senate noted that several failed attempts have been made by previous assemblies to conclude the passage of the PIB.
He said, “We came closer to it in the 8th Assembly. We disaggregated the bill, we did better than previous assemblies, but unfortunately, we ran out of time. We have a vibrant team now, I promise Nigerians, we will start as soon as we inaugurate our committees and they will start the work on the PIB.
“This time around, we will work with every stakeholder in the industry. Whatsoever it will take to make this Bill beneficial to Nigerians and the players, we will not hesitate.
“We demand your collaboration. We will work together in the interest of the country and everyone”, Lawan said.
Lawan also seized the occasion to call on multinational companies which operate in the Niger Delta region to, as a matter of priority, intensify efforts to deliver on their corporate social responsibilities (CSRs).
According to him, “Corporate Social Responsibility is one area that requires our attention. The host community that produces this oil must be taken care of. The goose that lays the golden eggs must be protected,” Lawan advised.
Earlier, the ExxonMobil CEO, Mr Paul McGrath, had congratulated the President of the Senate and the leadership for the smooth take off the Ninth Senate, even as he promised that ExxonMobil was always available to work with the parliament on reforms in the sector.
MaGrath promised an unalloyed support for Nigeria and her people,
“We look forward to closer working relationship with the Ninth National Assembly, and in particular, the Senate. We will support the reform in the industry and our commitment is intact”, MacGrath said.
However, the Senate, yesterday, passed a motion to increase budgetary allocation for the management of Primary Health Care (PHC) in the country.
The resolution of the Senate was hinged on a motion sponsored by Sen. Oluremi Tinubu (APC – Lagos Central) on the need to increase funding of PHC for the benefits of Nigerians.
It would be recalled that the PHC in Nigeria was adopted in 1998 by the National Health Policy to provide promotive, curative and rehabilitative services.
The motion was co-sponsored by 108 other senators.
Tinubu, said the motion became necessary because of the challenges associated with health management in the country.
She said the health problems were traced to the low performance of PHC facilities.
The senator added that available indicators from World Bank survey showed that the performance of PHC was being hampered by lack of financial resources, infrastructure deficit, lack of drugs, equipment and vaccines.
Tinubu quoted the Frontiers in Public Health Journal as having said that “Only about 20 per cent of the 30, 000 PHC centres in Nigeria are working, with most of them lacking capacity to provide essential services.”
She said the failure of PHC and the belief that it is for low-income earners had resulted to influx of patients to secondary and tertiary health care facilities.
The motion attracted contributions from senators like Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu East), Sen. Adamu Alero (Kebbi Central), Dahiru Ashatu (Adamawa Central), among others.
They said that accessibility to healthcare was a fundamental right and must be accorded the required attention.
The Senate, in addition to increasing of the funding, urged the Ministry of Health to create awareness on benefits of health and life insurance.
It directed the Ministry of Environment to put in place policies to ensure that every employer of labour has health insurance package for employees.
It also urged federal and state Ministries of Health to encourage medical technological innovations in primary health facilities in their respective domains.
Similarly, the Senate, yesterday, condemned the death of about 50 persons in Benue State sequel to the explosion of a petrol tanker in Gwer East Local Government Area of the state.
The Upper Chamber also urged the Federal Ministry of Health to intervene and help the victims undergoing medical attention in various health facilities.
Debating the motion to that effect during its plenary, which was sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Oker-Jev, the lawmakers further charged the management of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to quickly assist the victims with relief materials to ease their suffering.
The senators also urged the Federal Government to release funds for the dualisation of the Keffi-Lafia-Makurdi-Enugu road to enhance accessibility of the road.
In his lead debate on the motion titled: ”Benue tanker explosion: Urgent need to curb incessant explosions of petroleum tankers in Nigeria”, Senator Oker-Jev, revealed that over 100 people who sustained various degrees of injuries were battling for survival in various hospitals across the state.
Meanwhile, after the debate, the Senate resolved to constitute an ad-hoc committee to liaise with relevant agencies, organisations and stakeholders to identify the remote and immediate causes of the incessant petroleum tanker explosions in Nigeria.
The committee, when constituted, would come up with sustainable solutions to the Senate within eight weeks.

Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor