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Fubara Delivers Residential Quarters To NAF
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has explained that the residential building constructed by the State Government for officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was to enable his administration complement the efforts of the military and the Federal Government in providing welfare support to Servicemen.
The Governor also said that the housing facility, started in 2017, and reviewed from N212million to N454million, demonstrates a modest contribution to the Air Force personnel in appreciation of the existing mutual collaboration in the fight against crime and criminality.
Governor Fubara made the explanation at the inauguration of two (2) Blocks of 12 Flats each of 2-Bedroom NAF Prototype Residential Buildings for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at the Port Harcourt NAF Base in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, last Monday.
He said that the eventual realisation of the project speaks to the commitment of his administration to ensure that the deriveable benefits of the project are accessed by NAF officers.
The Governor said, “This project that we are commissioning today did not start in our administration. It was conceived in 2017, and it wasn’t completed.
“But our government came in and we were approached, and knowing the importance of the welfare of the officers of the Air Force, knowing fully well that when they are comfortable, they will perform effectively, we executed it.
“Like the contractor said, the project was initiated in 2017 at the cost of N212million. For one reason or the other, it wasn’t completed. When we came on board, we had to review it, and it was valued at over N454million. We felt what is N454million to the support that we are getting from the Nigerian Air Force?”
Governor Fubara emphasised the need for the State Government’s support not to be restricted to communities of electorate alone but to institutions that play critical roles in the protection of lives and property, while also advancing the interest of the State.
He stated that the housing facility will contribute to the housing comfort of personnel, enhance their performance and productivity.
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will continue to extend support to all security agencies to strengthen collaboration towards protection of national economy and assets, while also frustrating oil thieves.
He said, “We are here to say, as a government, our support is not only to those who elected (voted for) us, and those communities that we have to oversee their welfare. But we also have to contribute and support the agencies which also protect lives and property in our State.
“We have a very difficult situation in our hands, were we are battling the cases of oil theft; we have the cases of vandalisation of our oil pipelines. These are men who are always flying to ensure that those national treasures are secured.
“Our little contribution to their welfare can just be these. I consider it not much, but just a little thing that we can do to appreciate the sacrifices they are making for us.
“It is not only Mr President that will carry this burden. We, in our little corner, are also supposed to contribute to the welfare of these officers.”
The State Chief Executive said his administration is committed to making the 115 Special Operations Group Base of the NAF more attractive and to become an envy of others.
Governor Fubara further assured that already, other requests of the Base to the State Government were being considered, and will be eventually addressed in the characteristics manner of his administration as listening and supporting government.
He added, “We use their (NAF) airstrip; they are also part of the joint task force that are securing lives and property in Rivers State. We said, this is the little thing that we can do and that was why the government immediately approved and released the said amount.
“And what we are seeing today is the realization of commitment, not just verbal, but seeing it to the end. So, it is just an event to say, our government will continue to support all the security agencies in our dear State. Our government will continue to collaborate with them to protect lives and property.
“Our duty is to provide services, protect lives and property, ensure that we support the government at the centre for effective governance, to make our people happy, and that is what I believe and that is what I stand for.
“I assure you that we will work with your boss to make this base, 115 Special Operations Group more attractive. Other requests made by the commander, I believe, we are already working on them.
“We are doing it because we want this base to enjoy effective operational system. We want this base to see itself as the envy of all bases in Nigeria because you have a government that listens, and supports.”
Performing the inauguration, Chief of the Air Staff of Nigeria, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, described the project as a demonstration of the commitment to the welfare of NAF personnel and a testament to the strong partnership that exists between Rivers State Government and the Nigerian Air Force.
Air Marshal Abubakar said the project is very significant because it will undoubtedly have positive impact on the quality of life of NAF personnel and their families, boost morale, and also promote civil-military cooperation while contributing to the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Air Force.
He said, “Indeed, we are deeply indebted to the Rivers State Government for the kindness and commitment to our well- being for nearly six decades. As the saying goes, ‘One good turn deserves another’, and Nigerian Air Force has reciprocated by contributing towards the peace and security of the State, primarily through air operations against illegal oil bunkering.
“This has helped sustain the economic lifeline of the State, and created the enabling environment for businesses to thrive. We have also allowed the Rivers State Government unfettered access to our airfield facilities, while also providing security and handling services for the State-owned aircraft free of charge.
“This mutual cooperation exemplifies a strong partnership between the Nigerian Air Force and the Rivers State Government,” he added.
In his welcome address, the Commander, 115 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force Base, Port Harcourt, Air Commodore Ali H. Idris, said the housing facility represents an exemplary leadership of Governor Fubara to improve the welfare of NAF personnel, enhance their operational readiness and strategically strengthen partnership towards crime fighting in the State.
Providing the description of project, Rivers State Commissioner for Special Projects, Dr Rowland Obed-Whyte, said the 2-blocks of 12 flats of 2-bedrooms each is a monumental project that has been conclusively completed after it was abandoned when it started in 2017.
In his speech, representative of the contracting firm, Tee Gay and Associates, Onyeama N. D., thanked Governor Fubara for trusting them with the project and supporting them to deliver it to specifications.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.
The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.
Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”
He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.
Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”
He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.
“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.
According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.
He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”
The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”
He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.
The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.
It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.
It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”
The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.
The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.
Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.
According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.
“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”
Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.
“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.
Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.
“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”