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NAOC Presents EIA Report To Rivers, Bayelsa

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In a bid to commence the exploration and drilling of oil wells in some parts of Rivers and Bayelsa states, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), has presented the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the respective oil locations to the host communities.

The communities hosting Oshie oil location  in Rivers State include, Akala-Olu, Ukpeliede, Enito I and II and Akinima, all in Ahoada West Local Government area, while in Bayelsa State, Letugbene I and II are hosting TINPA  A oil field in Ekeremo Local Government Area, as Idu oil location in Rivers State is also extended to Egbebiri and Tuburu communities in Biseni clan, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Presenting the EIA report to the respective host communities in Rivers and Bayelsa states, during the weak, at Sam Royal Hotel, Ahoada and Meglams Hotel Yenagoa, the NAOC Public Affairs Division Manager, represented by the Public Relation Manager, Prince Nwachukwu Obi, said that the EIA public forum is intended to sensitize the landlords on the purpose and nature of exploring more oil in the area. It also gives them the opportunity to make positive inputs that would better their lives.

According to him, “the benefits associated with the venture are  enormous; roads would be upgraded, allied jobs would be created, contracts would be awarded to indigenes and general economic activities of the area will improve among other infrastructures.

He noted that the era of exploitation of host communities by the oil companies is over, rather it’s a bargain between the host communities and the company.

Prince Obi solicited for their support and co-operation, so that at the end both parties will co-exist on a win-win relationship.

Earlier, the representative of the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, Miabiye Kalio and Woyingikro Agadah, representing Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, respectively lauded NAOC for abiding by the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, no 86 of 1992, which enables project proponent to carry out EIA before commencement of the project, as well as making consultation with the stakeholders.

In his speech, Chief Eniata Abieba, Secretary Akinima Town Council, representing HRH Adide Dimkpa Yellow Mazi, paramount ruler of Akinima, Rivers State; and the Ibedaowei of Biseni, Bayelsa State HRH Lawson Obireke, respectively thanked NAOC for the EIA sensitization programme, but urged the company to urgently address the issues affecting the wellbeing of the host communities, as they assured peace and safe business environment for NAOC to operate.

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Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons

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Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.

Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.

The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.

Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.

“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.

“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”

Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.

In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.

Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.

Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.

 

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NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure during an inspection of the Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, last Thursday.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
According to him, the centralised production system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for improved service delivery.
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FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year 

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy, starting in early 2026.
Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event.
The forum, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” brought together regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonise inputs for building inclusive, secure, and interoperable systems for governance and service delivery.
According to Kaka, Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including national identity systems and digital payment platforms.
What remains is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which he said would be finalised by the end of 2025.
“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” Kaka explained.
He stressed that the federal government recognises the autonomy of states urging them to align with national standards.
“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.
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