Featured
Be Firm In Fight Against Oil Theft, Fubara Tells CNS …As Navy Moves Training Hqtrs To Rivers …Seizes 14 Vessels In Three Months

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has encouraged the Nigerian Navy to be firm in the fight against all forms of economic sabotage, particularly crude oil theft, in the nation’s waterways.
The Governor noted with delight the positive results already recorded by the Navy in the State due largely to the tremendous support it has received from his administration.
Governor Fubara spoke when he hosted on courtesy visit, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla with his delegation of top officers of Navy High Command at Government House in Port Harcourt,yesterday.
The Rivers State Governor stated that Nigeria was facing myriad of crises, including economic challenges, rising insecurity and criminal activities that threaten the national economy, which should not be overlooked.
He said, “We are working together, we will give you all the support to make sure that you deliver on your mandate.
”And what is the mandate? You were appointed at a time when our country is facing a lot of crises, and your duty, among others, include to reduce, if it cannot be eliminated completely, the criminalities perpetrated on the waterways; oil theft and others.
”And I am happy that they are positive and commendable records of achievement so far, in the course of your tenure.”
Governor Fubara said the good news of reduced level of oil theft in Rivers State is evidence of the many positive things that are happening in the State beyond the much hyped negativity, and assured that such positive achievements will be sustained.
The State Chief Executive insisted: “The success of the Nigerian Navy in our State, in the areas of oil theft, is because the State Government has given you all the necessary support.
”We have collaborated with the command here. We supported them morally, and with all the necessary logistics.
”We have also maintained good relationship with the communities to make sure that whatever it is that is required for these operations to be successful were granted. I am happy to be associated with these very laudable achievements.”
Governor Fubara said: “So, I have to say that I am happy that the Chief of Naval Staff, today, is commending the success of the exercise. He is commending the doggedness of the men in fighting oil theft, not just in the Niger Delta, but particularly in our State.
”I want to assure you that we will continue to give them the support, and discourage any act that would be a sabotage to the economy of our State.”
Governor Fubara said that Rivers State was not named in error: there are several water channels that can boost the operations of the Navy. This is why we are requesting that the Nigerian Navy move all its bases to the State.
”It was not a mistake they called it Rivers State. It is surrounded with all forms of rivers. You want the Atlantic region, you can get it here. You want those small creeks, you can also get it here. Maybe, if you want an Island, you can also find it here.
”So, it is proper if we work with you and you have all that is required within this geographic region, to have all your bases relocated to Rivers State,” he said.
He further said: “We must continue to give you the necessary support to make sure that you succeed. I am happy to also say that, as the Governor of the State by the special grace of God, we are still here, not minding the dramas here and there. We will not let our people down in ensuring that we protect their interest.
”We will support the genuine course of governance; the protection of lives and provision of basic amenities. And these can only be achieved when there is a peaceful environment.
”And the peaceful environment can only come when there is a collaboration with security agencies to prevent crimes, and protect lives and property of residents.”
In his address, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, reiterated that the Nigerian Navy and Rivers State are like conjoined twins who cannot do without each other.
This is because, he said, they needed collaboration on various aspects of their activities ranging from training, operations, logistics, adding that Rivers State is key to their performance.
”My purpose of coming here today are three folds. The first is to inform His Excellency that on Saturday, we are graduating a set of former civilians who have been trained at our Basic Training School, Onne, and are graduating to join the ranks of the Nigerian Navy as ratings in order to beef up our strength.
”The second reason is to first appreciate the Governor and the entire Rivers State Government for the schools they donated to us: the Ambassador Nne Krukrubo Model Secondary School at Eleme in Eleme Local Government Area, and the Model Secondary School, Egbelu in Oyigbo Local Government Area.”
Vice Admiral Ogalla stated further: “We also want to use this opportunity to inform His Excellency that following that donation, and based on our strategic plan of moving our facilities to areas where we have enough space to be able to carryout out duties, we have renovated the school at Eleme.
”We are happy to report, today, that the erstwhile location of Headquarters of Naval Training Command, Lagos, is moving to that particular school location in Eleme, tomorrow.’
Speaking on the operational successes recorded thus far, he said that propelled by the charge given to them by President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Navy, under his watch, has impounded 14 vessels caught to be conveying stolen crude oil and several other individuals arrested, adding that investigations into their culpability were ongoing.
”I am here today to report Sir, that, with the “Operation Delta Sanity”, launched in January, 2024, we have been very successful, and within the period, we have recorded tremendous successes and achievements.
”Over 14 large crude carrying vessels have been arrested within that period. Most of them are at various levels of investigation. We have also arrested several barges and other companies and organizations that are involved in oil theft.
”As a result of the operations, we are happy to report that there has been tremendous improvement in terms of security in the maritime environment,” Ogalla added.
Featured
We’re Genuinely Opening Up Kalabari Land For Development, Says Fubara

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has explained that his administration is courageously executing strategic projects that are opening up Kalabari land for unprecedented development and economic growth.
Governor Fubara made the explanation when he received on solidarity visit, a delegation of monarchs, political leaders, elders, women and youths of Kalabari Ethnic Nationality, led by the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disreal Gbobo Bobmanuel, at Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
The Governor stated that while previous administrations avoided executing the original plan for the Trans-Kalabari Road project due to cost implications, he has ventured into it, and driving the process steadily in order to link Kalabari land to the State capital.
Governor said: “Somebody said, if I don’t do it for my people, who will do it for them. We ventured into the Trans-Kalabari Road, we didn’t close our eyes. Our eyes were open because we knew what we were entering into.
“It is not a joke; it is a big project. We believe that at the end of that project, the level of development that it will attract to that line of entry into Kalabari will be very unprecedented.
“Issues of insecurity from our waterways will be reduced because, at that point we are doing road, people won’t be using the river anymore. The cost of living will also be cheaper.”
Governor Fubara further asserted: “So, you understand that your interest, your safety, your development is key to us. It is not about the number of years that we are going to be here; what is important to this government is the impact we make while we are here.”
Responding to their unanimous endorsement to see him run for a second term in office, Governor Fubara said power belongs to God, and He gives it to whoever finds favour in His sight.
Governor Fubara, however, stated that if God so approved of it, even those who are regrouping against him will not see the path God will lead him because they cannot scuttle such plan.
He added, “Power belongs to God. So, you see, I like believing that we don’t have any problem. When we get to the bridge, we will cross it. If we can break the bridge, Moses will come and create a road for us. So, you don’t need to worry.
“We will cross the bridge. We will cross it in a way that our enemies will be struggling; they won’t see where we are passing. So, don’t worry.”
Governor Fubara acknowledged the immense support to him by Rivers Ijaw, and urged particularly the Kalabari people to stand with honour in their unalloyed support for his administration, which will neither abandon them nor fail to deliver quality projects to the people.
Governor Fubara also responded to their requests and informed them that his administration has completed the Emohua/Tema Junction Road project, and ready to inaugurate the Degema Zonal Hospital in May.
He said the Health Commissioner has been directed to assess the state of the Abonnema General Hospital for immediate rehabilitation, while promising to address the issues of shore protection in the area.
Governor Fubara assured that with the Abonnema sandfilling works completed, the phase two will commence that will include Buguma, explaining that the Commissioner for Works has been tasked to do the assessment immediately.
On the request for the establishment of tertiary institution in the area, Governor Fubara said his administration is already inaudated with memos asking that the off-campus of Rivers State University established previously be revised because it has become difficult to sustain them, but quickly added that the government will consider the establishment of a viable institution that will provide technical and entrepreneurial skills to the people in a sustained manner.
Reading the address of Kalabari Ethnic Nationality, Chief Pawariso Samuel Horsfall, announced that the entire Kalabari people have unanimously endorsed Governor Fubara for a second term, and vowed to mobilise Rivers people to ensure electoral victory for him in the 2027 gubernatorial election.
In his speech, the leader of the delegation and Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disreal Gbobo Bobmanuel, expressed the profound thanks of the Kalabari people to Governor Fubara for his genuine love for them, as evidenced in the types and quality of development projects delivered or being executed in the area.
Featured
Senate Passes N54.9trn 2025 Appropriation Bill

The National Assembly, yesterday, passed the N54.9 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill.
The Tide source reports that this followed the adoption of the report of the Committee on Appropriations on the bill.
The report was presented by Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun).
The Tide source reports that highlights of the passed 2025 appropriation bill indicates an aggregate expenditure of N54.9 trillion, statutory transfers of N3.6 trillion, with recurrent expenditure put at N13.6 trillion.
While the sum of N23.9 trillion was earmarked for capital expenditure, debt servicing was put at N14.3 trillion, fiscal deficit N13.8 trillion, while 1.52 per cent was approved as deficit and GDP.
Olamilekan, while presenting the report, said that the senate debated the general principles of the bill on Dec. 19, 2024.
This, he said, had resulted in the second reading of the bill after which it was referred to his committee for further legislative action.
The senator said that the initial proposal of the executive was N49.7 trillion.
He, however, said while processing the bill, the joint committee on appropriations met the president’s economic team to discuss the revenue projection and expenditure of the appropriation bill.
“After series of meetings, the Committee on Finance, in conjunction with our committee, sourced for additional revenue from some revenue-generating agencies,” he said.
Adeola said that the additional fund was made possible because of the increase in revenue by some of the revenue-generating agencies.
He further stated that some agencies of government provided funds to take care of critical needs.
The lawmaker said that the upward review of the budget from N49.7 trillion to N54.9 trillion was to cater for the difference between the details and the bill, procurement of vaccines and additional funding to some government agencies.
“The joint committee worked harmoniously with the leadership of the National Assembly and the executive arm of government in the processing of the bill.
“This ensured maximum collaboration of the two arms in the utilisation of additional revenue projection.
”This is to improve the funding of some critical projects which could not be adequately funded in the budget proposal earlier submitted by Mr President due to funding constraints,” he said.
Adeola said that the 2025 appropriation bill was presented late as against the 2024 appropriation bill.
He urged the executive to present the budget to national assembly not later than three months before the beginning of the next financial year.
“This will help return the country to the January-December budget circle,” he said.
Featured
CBN Retains N100 ATM Fee For Withdrawal Below N20,000

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced that Nigerians withdrawing less than N20,000 from another bank’s Automated Teller Machine will still be charged a fee of N100 per transaction.
This is according to a FAQ document published by the apex bank on its website, yesterday, which provides further information on a new CBN’s directive.
The directive is part of the newly revised ATM transaction fees set to take effect from March 1, 2025, as contained in the CBN circular dated February 10, 2025.
Under the revised fee structure, withdrawals from one’s bank ATMs will remain free of charge.
However, customers using ATMs of other banks will be subjected to a charge of N100 per withdrawal of N20,000 or less at on-site ATMs, which are located within or directly affiliated with a bank branch.
Off-site ATMs, which are positioned outside bank premises such as shopping malls, fuel stations, and other public spaces, will attract an additional surcharge of up to N500 per transaction.
For international ATM withdrawals, charges will be based on cost recovery, meaning customers will bear the exact fee applied by the international acquirer.
The CBN stated that the charge on withdrawals below N20,000 is intended to prevent customers from splitting withdrawals into smaller amounts to avoid fees.
The FAQ document read, “Yes, the fee of N100 will apply if you withdraw less than N20,000 from another bank (a bank other than the one that issued your payment card).
“The reason for applying the fee for every N20,000 withdrawal is to prevent customers from being compelled to break their withdrawals to less than N20,000 per withdrawal.
“In other words, ATM transactions will incur a base fee of N100 per transaction. It is also important to note that a tiered fee structure will apply for transactions exceeding N20,000, with an additional N100 charged for each subsequent withdrawal of N20,000 or portion thereof.”
Customers withdrawing more than N20,000 from another bank’s ATM will be charged an additional N100 for every subsequent N20,000 or portion thereof.
Another significant change in the revised structure is the removal of the three free monthly withdrawals previously allowed for customers using other banks’ ATMs.
From March 1, 2025, all withdrawals at another bank’s ATM will attract charges, potentially increasing costs for customers who frequently use ATMs outside their primary bank.
The apex bank has clarified that financial institutions are not permitted to charge more than the prescribed fees, although banks may reduce charges depending on their business strategy.
Any bank found in violation of the directive, including compelling customers to withdraw less than N20,000 per transaction despite sufficient funds in their account, will be sanctioned accordingly.
Customers who experience such restrictions are encouraged to report complaints to the CBN Consumer Protection Department via cpd@cbn.gov.ng.
To minimise transaction fees, the CBN has advised customers to prioritise withdrawals from their bank’s own ATMs.
It also encouraged Nigerians to explore alternative payment methods such as mobile banking applications, POS transactions, and electronic transfers to reduce reliance on cash withdrawals.
-
News2 days ago
Nigeria Meets OPEC’s Crude Oil Production Quota of 1.5m bpd
-
Entertainment1 day ago
Actor Uche Maduagwu Slams Tuface For Proposing Marriage To Natasha
-
Featured1 day ago
CBN Retains N100 ATM Fee For Withdrawal Below N20,000
-
Politics1 day ago
Rivers Assembly Tasks LGAs On Youth Restiveness …Confirms Assembly, LG Service Commissions
-
Nation1 day ago
I Was Never Suspended As LP Chairman-Dokubo
-
News1 day ago
ECOWAS Court Orders Nigeria to Pay N52m compensation to Rivers, Lagos Evictees
-
Rivers2 days ago
Commissioner Advocates For Gender Parity Initiative
-
Entertainment1 day ago
Toyin Lawani Cries Out Over Side Effects Of Epidural