News

Support Dangote Refinery to end fuel queues- Ex-NDIC boss

Published

2 years ago

July 29, 2024

A former Managing Director of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, says supporting the Dangote Refinery is crucial to mitigating the negative consequences of fuel scarcity.

He expressed this at the 2024 Mid-Year Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Conference organised by the Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (AERMP) in Lagos.

The event also featured the induction of new members into the emeritus category and newly qualified fellows and associates.

Ibrahim, inaugurated at the event as the Global Board Chairman of Emeritus, Risk and Compliance Professionals, will lead other members from the capital and money markets, insurance and financial services sectors.

Addressing the Dangote Refinery issue, Ibrahim called for collaboration and urged regulators to exercise caution to prevent risks to the public.

He emphasised the importance of supporting Dangote Refinery to operate optimally, noting that fuel queues had reappeared in Lagos, a development he described as “not a good sign”.

“I expect the regulator to exercise more caution even if the regulator has all the facts.

“Regulators should not take actions that could harm or de-market the institutions they regulate,” he said.

Ibrahim spoke on the themes: “Enterprise Risk Management Framework: Implementation and Global Best Practices in the Capital and Financial Markets”.

Mr Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, had earlier stated that locally refined products were of lower quality compared to imported ones.

In response, federal lawmakers set up a committee to investigate the allegations.

The former NDIC boss advised regulators to engage in self-regulation to maintain credibility and relevance while adopting measures against risks.

He called for accountability among regulators and stressed the need for collaboration among the banking and financial services sectors, media, legislature, and professional bodies.

He added that this would ensure the success of ongoing monetary policy reforms.

“The days of overbearing bank CEOs and chairmen are over, but we must all work together for financial stability.

“Regulators must be credible, fair, seek professionalism, and possess robust knowledge.

“Regulators must be subjected to scrutiny by all concerned parties, including operators, civil society, the National Assembly, and the media,” he said.

Mr Jamiu Badmus, an engineer and risk expert, highlighted the importance of mindset in achieving excellence across various sectors.

Badmus identified three key mindsets necessary to overcome challenges: the unbreakable mindset, customer-centric mindset, and collaborative mindset.

The consultant explained that a collaborative mindset goes beyond teamwork, requiring the integration of great ideas to achieve more.

He noted that one of the greatest challenges organisations faced was the misalignment between leaders and followers in turning challenges into opportunities.

“For every risk, if we look very well, there are opportunities,” he noted.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.