News
Monarch, NLNG, Others Hail Women Engineers For Infrastructure Dev
The contributions of women engineers to knowledge development and deepening of infrastructure profile of Nigeria, especially, Bonny Kingdom in Rivers State has received huge accolades from various personalities and stakeholders.
The Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William DappaPepple, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), Nigerian Society of Engineers, amongst others, poured encomiums on the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) for upscaling the capacity of women engineers and enhancing their leadership potentials.
They spoke at the occasion of the inauguration of the new executive of its Bonny Chapter and the 5th Anniversary of APWEN with the theme: ‘Empowering Women to Break Frontiers in Engineering’.
Represented by the Chairman of the Bonny Chiefs Council (BCC), Se-Alabo Dagogo Claude Wilcox, the Amanyanabo acknowledged the profound inputs women engineers have been making in different facets of national life and in Bonny Kingdom, praising them for their tenacity and also mainstreaming the grooming of the next generation engineers through the catch-them-young initiatives.
Also speaking, NLNG’s Managing Director, Dr Philip Mshelbila, who was represented by the General Manager, Production, Adeleye Falade, praised the comitment of APWEN to engage with other stakeholders to expand the scope of opportunities for career growth and leadership roles for women engineers, explaining that NLNG was committed to escalating the involvement of women in its present and future business and operational objectives.
In her speech, President of APWEN, Dr Elizabeth Eterigho, stated that APWEN was determined to achieve a positive outlook for the future of the girl-child and to build future generation where everyone was an equal stakeholder.
She noted that APWEN aptly connects with that objective, praising the new Chairman, Linda Ogbu for her leadership qualities.
Eterigho thanked Mshelbila, and Chairman of NSE, Bonny Branch, Ahmed Abdulwahab, for their relentless support for the association, which she said has helped in no small measure to project APWEN and help her achieve set objectives.
She also commended the outgoing Chairman of APWEN Bonny Chapter, Mrs Edith Hart for her invaluable efforts in providing the right leadership for the chapter and the numerous achievements of the chapter since its inauguration.
Delivering her keynote address on the theme, “Empowering Women to Break Frontiers in Engineering”, Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering at the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Dr ErewariUkoha-Onuoha,advanced the need for empowering women engineers, and indeed all professional women, to aspire to the highest prospects in their chosen careers.
Ukoha-Onuoha, who is a registered engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigerian (COREN), asserted that with the right atmosphere, support and motivation, women can break frontiers in the world of engineering.
On his part, Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Bonny Branch, Ahmed Abdulwahab, praised APWEN for the milestones it has achieved since its inauguration, explaining that the NSE would continue to support the association to realise its set objectives of empowering women engineers and raising the next generation of engineers.
President of the NLNG Residential Area Ladies Association (RALA), Victoria Obakpolor said “whatever is important to women is very important to RALA”, stressing that given that APWEN was populated by women, with most of them being members of RALA, her association connects with the passion of APWEN to empower women and its initiatives at reaching out to female students to inculcate in them the desire to pursue careers in engineering.
On her part, the newly inaugurated Chairman of APWEN Bonny Chapter, Linda Ogbu disclosed that under her watch, APWEN would amplify its catch-them-young drive to encourage the girl-child to not only study engineering but also excel in the profession, saying that as part of realising this goal, APWEN would visit schools, organise career talks and competitions and award scholarships, among other initiatives.
Outgoing Chairman of APWEN Bonny Chapter, Mrs Edith Hart thanked all stakeholders for the support the association enjoyed during her time in office.
The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) is a non-profit, non-governmental but educational service organisation and a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).
Inaugurated in 1983, APWEN currently has a membership of 3,500 registered female engineers, 39 chapters and 18 collegiate across the country.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
News
RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor