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Oil Theft: NDDC Seeks Traditional Rulers’ Assistance

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2 years ago

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has called on traditional rulers in the Niger Delta to assist the Federal Government and security agencies to curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
Mr Boma Iyaye, Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, on Wednesday.
Iyaye made the appeal at an interactive session with members of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers at their council headquarters in Port Harcourt.
“We urge monarchs to play a key role in checking the activities of oil thieves and assisting the government and security agencies to protect the nation’s oil assets.
“Traditional rulers have a big role to play in protection of our oil assets and projects in Rivers State.
“If there is no oil theft, there will be more allocation for the region, hence, I urge our fathers to protect our resources and stop economic sabotage in the region”, he said.
Rivers State, Iyaye said, was one of the major oil producing states in Nigeria that contributed about 33 per cent of the country’s oil revenue.
“So, no government can afford to disregard the state. I assure you that 2024 will be a better year for all of us, as the NDDC Board will meet with our traditional rulers again at the appropriate time to exchange ideas.
“The National Assembly has approved over N300 billion in the budget for the region, and NDDC Board will deploy the money for development projects in the various states”, Iyaye assured.
Speaking, the Rivers State Representative on the NDDC Board, Chief Tony Okocha, said the negative trajectory the commission had taken over the years was now a thing of the past.
He said the new board had brought positive change in conformity with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“So, this interactive session is an indication that we have set the ball rolling for the Niger Delta region.
“There are about 953 uncompleted projects in the region. The question we ask is why the projects were abandoned.
“Some of the reasons are the frequent change in the NDDC leadership and the issue of non-payment of contractors”, he said.
Okocha promised that actionable steps were being taken to develop human capital as well as embark on massive infrastructural development in the Niger Delta.
Responding, Sergeant Awuse, Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council, said the council’s partnership with NDDC would bring positive change in the state and Niger Delta at large.
“This is the first time NDDC is reaching out to the council, and so, we will not take this gesture for granted.
“We will give them our support while praying that they discharge their duties for the benefit of the region”. he said.

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NSE Members Tasked On National Dev

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7 days ago

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July 11, 2025

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Members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, have been urged to work hard towards contributing to national development. This call was made at the recent induction of new members by the Port Harcourt branch of the Society. The induction ceremony was used to formally welcome new members and celebrate its elevated new fellows.
Speaking during the ceremony held a in Port Harcourt, the Branch Chairman, Engr. Idaeresoari Ateke Harriet, FNSE, called on members of the NSE to actively participate in the Society’s professional and technical activities in order to contribute meaningfully to national development. He congratulated the new inductees, describing their admission as a testament to their hard work and resilience.
Engr. Ateke also commended the new Fellows for their immense contributions to the engineering profession, reminding them that their elevation is a call to greater responsibility as mentors and role models.
The event featured a lecture by Engr. Prof. Steve Odi-Owei, FNSE, on “Opportunities and Challenges in Nigeria’s Blue Economy.” The Chairman noted that Nigeria’s maritime and aquatic resources remain largely untapped, adding that engineers have a crucial role to play in harnessing these resources for economic growth and environmental sustainability.
He thanked the first female President of NSE, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE, other dignitaries, sponsors, and families of inductees for gracing the occasion.
Also, engineers, especially those in Rivers State have been advised to adhere strictly to the core ethics of the profession and to always uphold the professional ethics of the body.
This advice was given by an engineering expert, Basoene Benibo, in an interview with at the sidelines of the  induction ceremony and Fellowship celebration of the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Benibo stressed the need for young engineers in the state to learn and improve on their skills by tapping from the wealth of experience of older professionals in the field to enable them excel.
 Benibo, who is a one-time Chairman of the Port Harcourt Chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, also noted and hailed the efforts of the society in eliminating quackery in the engineering profession.
Some of the new fellows include Prof Jackson Akpa, Pereowei Jose’s and Telema Osima, while the inductees, Engr Mrs Lizzy Onwuso, Engr David Jonathan jnr and Worlu Emmanuel expressed joy in being found worthy to become full NSE members, believing that it would enable them have access to more knowledge, practice rightly and impact the society positively.
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VALVA Restates Commitment Education Advancement, Literacy In Nigeria

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7 days ago

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July 11, 2025

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The President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Dr. Dominic Amenaghawon Omokaro, has expressed deep commitment to the advancement of education and literacy in Nigeria through the library system.
Speaking through his state Chairman Dr. Chidara Okachukwu Nyemezu, at the formal Launching/inauguration of the Vanguard for Library Visibility And Advocacy (VALVA) at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt recently, Omokaro discribed the inauguration of the new body as a significant and  passionate movement aimed at shining the spotlight on one of the underappreciated yet critical institution in Nigeria’s educational system and national development.
“We are gathered here not just to launch a group, but to launch a vision and ignite a movement to reinforce a mission to make libraries visible and valuable again for our people”, he said.
Dr. Omokaro stated that the birth of VALVA is based of the recognition that libraries, particularly school libraries, are the bedrock of  promoting a reading and research culture that includes innovation and lifelong learning in the society, though the system is grossly underfunded and poorly equipped in many cases.
He recalled the theme of its first week under his watch, “Library System for National Development in 2022”, which he hinted was driven by the state chapters.
He explained that the inauguration of VALVA shows an important mission to promote the visibility and development with impact on schools and other libraries through strategic advocacy that will advance quality education and foster lifelong learning culture in Nigeria.
“The vision is clear to promote the visibility where every school and indeed every community will have access to a functional library managed by a professional Liberian”, he said.
Speaking with journalists at the sideline of the event, the founder of the VALVA, Dr. Juliet C. Akex-Nmec, stressed that no society can grow without a functional and  effective library.
She urged government at all levels to ensure the establishment of effective and functional libraries across the country.
Dr. Alex-Nmec, who is also an Associate Professor of Library and Information Science, Rivers State University, called for the appointment of a Special Adviser on Library matters by the state government in order to assist the government on Library matters.
High point of the event was the formal inaugural of the new body and oath of offices to the new executive.
Akujobi Amadi
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Rivers Judiciary Denies Issuing Court Order Stopping SOLAD from Swearing in RSCSC Members

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7 days ago

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July 11, 2025

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The Rivers State Judiciary has denied a media report claiming that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court issued an injunction order restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC).

 

In a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of litigation at the High Court, Menenen Poromon (Esq), the state Judiciary disassociated itself from the report, describing it as malicious and fabricated.

 

The statement emphasized that the report was a falsehood and a misrepresentation of what transpeared in the court.

 

Poromon clarified that no such order was issued by Justice Onyiri or any other judge of the High Court of the state and urged the public to disregard the information, as it lacked any iota of truth.

 

The statement however advised the public to verify any information concerning the state Judiciary directly from the office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of the State, to avoid spreading of misinformation.

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