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JTF Destroys Nine Illegal Refineries, Impounds Barge …Partners Keke NAPEP To Tackle Oil Theft

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12 years ago

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The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta said that it destroyed nine illegal refineries and impounded a barge laden with suspected stolen crude in multiple raids on oil thieves.
A statement issued by Media Coordinator of JTF, Lt-Col. Mustapha Anka in Yenagoa yesterday stated that the raids were carried out within the last 10 days.
It stated that the barge, Dera 1 intercepted on Brass Creek, Brass Local Government Area of the state, was in custody of the JTF.
The JTF spokesman said the vessel and crew would be handed over to prosecuting agency after preliminary investigations were concluded.
In another raid, JTF troops destroyed eight illegal crude oil distillery camps on Tebidade Brass Agip pipeline in Gbamatoru Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
The statement stated that five crude oil and Automated Gas Oil (AGO) dumps filed with suspected stolen crude and illegally refined AGO were destroyed during the operation.
It further stated that the Maritime Component of the JTF patrolling on Okpumani Creek in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta intercepted two wooden boats laden with suspected stolen crude.
The spokesman said the troop seized and destroyed two pumping machines in an abandoned well head and a fibre boat on site.
The JTF, Anka stated, however, handed over a ship registered as MV LAME to the Management of Seatide Marine Ltd., arrested for it alleged involvement in movement of stolen crude.
He said the vessel was arrested on July 9, 2013 on Bonny Anchorage with about 100, 000 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“Our investigation that the product was unadulterated AGO which made the Defence Headquarters to order the release of the vessel and the crew.
Meanwhile, the authorities of the Joint Military Task Force code named Operation Pulo Shield has expressed its intentions to involve Commercial Tricycle Drivers and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in its renewed efforts towards tackling the menace of oil theft in the Niger Delta.
Also listed as partners in the new security exercise are traders at the various entry points along the waterways and creeks, especially the Swali Market Association, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMA) and Spare Part Dealers Association amongst others.
The Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF),Major General Emmanuel Atewe who described the listed trade unions as key elements in the fight against oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta  , said there should be synergy between stakeholders, community leaders and the JTF especially in the areas of credible information gathering that will aid the Task Force to carry out its mandate.

Atewe who stated this during a meeting with the leaders of various Associations in Bayelsa State at the JTF Headquarters, weekend said the fight against illegal oil bunkering and oil theft is a collective responsibility and should not be left in the hands of Security Agencies alone.

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198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

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5 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.
Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.
He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper,  7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.
He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin.  This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.
“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education.   We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”
Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic,  “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.
The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.
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Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council  trains tra 1,000 teachers

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5 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.
This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies
The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.
He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.
Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.
“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.
“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.
On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.
Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.
He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.
 Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo
Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.
He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.
He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.
According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.
Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.
She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa
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RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

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5 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.

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