News
RSG Takes Possession Of Kidney Island As Shell Kicks
The Rivers State Government has secured the enforcement of her interest in the acquisition of 45 per cent equity stake in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 and the Shell facility at Kidney Island in Port Harcourt.
Accordingly, Kidney Island, which was once used as Shell Petroleum Development Company marine operational base in Port Harcourt, now belongs to the Rivers State Government pursuant to a certificate of purchase registered in the Lands Registry as No. 6 at Page 6 in Vol. 46, Port Harcourt.
The certificate of purchase was issued by the order of the High Court of Rivers State on July 23, 2019, and September 25, 2019 following the purchase of the lucrative facility.
It would be recalled that the Supreme Court had in November, 2020, reaffirmed Rivers State Government’s acquisition of SPDC interest in OML 11 and Kidney Island when it dismissed the oil firm’s suit which sought to set aside the judgment made against it in 2019 in favour of Ejama-Ebubu community in Eleme Local Government Area.
The Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Zaccheus Adangor, SAN, made this known, last on Wednesday, while addressing journalists after sealing off Shell’s Kidney Island facility in execution of the judgement of Rivers State High Court.
“You will recall that sometime in 2017, the people of Ejama-Ebubu secured judgement against SPDC and its subsidiaries in the sum of N57.7billion for the damages done to their environment arising from the oil spill from the Trans-Niger pipeline in 1970.
“After that judgement, Shell refused to pay the judgement sum, and thereafter, proceeded to levy execution by attaching the moveable properties of SPDC. But those were found to be grossly insufficient to settle the judgement sum.
“Subsequently, they (Ejama-Ebubu community) approached the court to seek the leave of the court to attach the immovable properties of SPDC, and the court granted them that order. Following the grant of that order, there was a court order for sale of some of the properties of SPDC, including Kidney Island and the acquisition of Shell interest in OML 11”, Adangor said.
Adangor said that after the court order, a public auction was held by the officers of the Rivers State Judiciary during which the state government bided successfully for the purchase of Kidney Island and Shell interest in OML 11.
“So, we are here to execute the judgement of the High Court of Rivers State, and secure the enforcement of the interest acquired by the Rivers State Government”, he added.
The Attorney General stated that the Rivers State Government successfully executed the enforcement as Shell, in all fairness, did not resist the enforcement.
“It was lawfully purchased through public auction ordered by the court pursuant to a court judgement; hence everything went in accordance with the due process of the law.
“The Rivers State Government successfully executed the enforcement, and in fairness to Shell, there was no resistance during the exercise.”
“I was on ground to ensure that everything was done smoothly and in accordance with the law”, Adangor explained.
Also speaking, a representative of the office of the Deputy Sheriff, High Court, Port Harcourt, Mr. Livinus Akere, said the exercise was to take vacant possession of Kidney Island auctioned on August 13, 2019, and OML 11 in Ejama-Ebubu community of Eleme Local Government Area.
It would be recalled that in September, 2019, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, had announced the acquisition of SPDC’s 45 per cent interest in OML 11 oilfields and Kidney Island in the state.
The governor, following a court order to auction SPDC assets in the suit against Ejama-Ebubu community, had directed the Rivers State Ministry of Finance Incorporated to make a bid of $150,000,0900.00 supported by a Bank Guarantee and cash payment to the Deputy Sheriff in the sum of N1billion, the later payable to the Judgement Creditors while the former is escrowed.
However, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has kicked against the move by the Rivers State Government, saying that the exercise was “premature”.
A statement signed by Shell Media Relations Manager, Bamidele Odugbesan, last Wednesday, said, “the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has dismissed the reported takeover of Kidney Island asset of the SPDC Joint Venture in Port Harcourt by the Rivers State Government in the exercise of rights purportedly acquired through a court auction process that is still the subject of ongoing appeals at the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt.
“According to SPDC, any purported exercise of rights allegedly acquired through that process including any attempt to take over or seal up the Kidney Island asset or other assets of the SPDC JV to satisfy claims in pending suits is premature and prejudicial to the ongoing court proceedings, and therefore not recognised.
“Under the Nigerian Petroleum Act, any acquisition or assignment of interests in a licence or lease would require the consent of the Minister of Petroleum. No such consent has been given in the case of the purported acquisition by the Rivers State Government.
“In addition, the ruling of the Supreme Court on 27 November 2020 did not decide liability or the size of the award in the underlying suit of Chief Ogbara & Others Vs SPDC neither did the ruling affirm the purported sale of SPDC JV’s assets to the River State Government as being claimed by the state.
“Meanwhile, there is a pending litigation by SPDC in which the Federal High Court has issued an interim order restraining further enforcement of the underlying Agbara judgment pending the hearing of the motion on notice fixed for hearing on 14 January 2021.
“We remain of the view that until the pending appeals are heard and determined, any exercise of rights including any attempt to take over or seal up SPDC JV’s assets by the Rivers State Government is premature and unlawful,” the statement added.
News
NIGERIA AT 65: FUBARA HARPS ON UNITY, PEACE

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
News
Shettima departs New York for Germany after UNGA engagement

Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
News
FG holds special thanksgiving service ahead of 65th Independence Day

As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
-
Rivers7 hours ago
FTAN Gets New State Coordinator … To Push For Tourism
-
News6 hours ago
NDLEA arrests two drug kingpins in Lagos, seizes cocaine, heroine
-
Sports7 hours ago
Group lauds Foundation’s contribution to football, youth dev.
-
Education7 hours ago
Lga boss tasks corp members on diligent service to fatherland
-
Politics7 hours ago
New PDP Leaders Emerge In Adamawa After Congress
-
Sports6 hours ago
Forest Still Looking For Winning Formula
-
online games2 days ago
The Power of Advanced Historical Data and Live Metrics for Football Analytics
-
Rivers7 hours ago
Democratic Rule Return Sparks Renewed Debate In Rivers