Rivers

Oil Theft: FG Arrests 210 Suspects

Published

4 years ago

October 3, 2022

The Federal Government has announced the arrest of 210 suspects in its efforts to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the figure in Port Harcourt after undertaking an aerial assessment of some hotspots along the Right of Way of the Trans-Niger Pipeline.
The Tide’s source reports that the minister, accompanied by some journalists in the surveillance, also covered the Nembe Creek Trunk Line leading up to the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal that has been under force majeure since March 2022.
Briefing newsmen after the 90 minutes-aerial survey, the minister also disclosed that the continued efforts by security agencies had led to the confiscation of 20.2 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), diesel.
According to the minister, over 461,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol), 843,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene DPK, and 383,000 barrels of crude oil were confiscated.
He said an additional 365 illegal refining sites were destroyed, with about 1,054 refining ovens, 1,210 metal storage tanks, 838 dugout pits, and 346 reservoirs also destroyed.
Mohammed said the activities of vandals and economic saboteurs had severely impacted Nigeria’s crude oil and natural gas production.
“Since the post-covid pandemic recovery of Crude Oil Prices, Nigeria has been unable to meet its OPEC Production quota, hurting the Nigerian Economy.
“Due to the nefarious activities of vandals, Nigeria has been losing out on producing approximately 700,000 Barrels of oil daily.
“This volume is split between crude stolen and production deferment (shut-ins) due to legitimate fear of losing substantial volumes in transit.
“Terminal receipts have persistently declined, leading to decisions such as the force majure declared at the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal in March 2022,’’ he said.
To check the activities of the saboteurs, the minister said the NNPC Ltd had set up a new security architecture to serve as a solid response to detect, deter, and respond to the activities of vandals.
He said the security architecture leveraged collaboration between the Upstream operators, Industry Regulators, Government Security Agencies (GSA), and Private Security Contractors (PSC).
The minister said, in line with the approval by President Muhammadu Buhari, Private Security Contractors (PSCs) with the required capability were contracted.
He said the PSCs who are to provide community surveillance within the oil-producing regions were identified and engaged after comprehensive vetting by the DSS and EFCC.
They are also to provide local intelligence on all illegal crude ventures happening within the region and security surveillance services for safe and seamless operations along the nation’s pipeline networks.
The Minister added that NNPC Ltd.’s Command and Control Centre was set up for round-the-clock monitoring of petroleum operations and activities within the Nigerian Exclusive Economic Zone.
According to him, all vessel movements within the Nigerian Exclusive Economic Zone as well as all Ship-to-ship activities within the same zone are monitored.
The Command and Centre, according the minister has also launched various online tools to enable public participation in the fight against crude theft.
The tools included, Whistle Blowing Portal, for patriotic Nigerians to report illegal activities and Crude Sales Document Validation Portal, to validate all crude sales documents.
He said the centre also has Incidence Reporting and Management Application and developing a Vessels Reporting Application.
Mohammed reiterated that the federal government is determined to put an end to the crude oil losses.
The source reports that the team conveyed on the aerial surveillance in two Sikorsky S76D Choppers witnessed first-hand a number of illegal refineries destroyed by military.
It also reports that in the course of the surveillance, the team also saw first-hand, high level of damage to the environment, as a result of the activities of the economic saboteurs.

Rivers

Delta CP Seeks More Support From Traditional Institutions

Published

4 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police (CP) Delta State Command, Mr. Yemi Oyeniyi, has urged traditional institutions to continue to support law enforcement in the country.

Oyeniyi gave the advice on Tuesday at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner, who was on a familiarisation tour of police formations across the state, including the Effurun area command, solicited continued partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence.

He commended the Ovie of Uvwie for his unwavering commitment to peace, security, and community development.

“I acknowledge the invaluable role of traditional institutions in supporting law enforcement in the country.

“I equally solicit continuous partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence among the people”, he said.

In his remarks, the Ovie of Uvwie, welcomed the Commissioner and his entourage to the domain.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the people to supporting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.

The royal father urged his subjects to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by way of providing timely and credible information.

The Commissioner, thereafter, proceeded to perform the groundbreaking of the Effurun area command at the instance of the Insp.-Gen. of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu.

Rivers

IAUE Senate Approves Leadership, Language Center Establishment

Published

4 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Senate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has approved the establishment of a University Leadership Assessment Centre as proposed by Professor Veronica Okogbaa of the Department of Educational Management.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, said the centre will, among other things, identify and develop high potential skilled leaders and talents.

It will also evaluate participants through multi dimensional approach rather than rely on subjective perceptions, indulge in leadership trainings, and generate income from services with succession planning.

Similarly, Senate also approved the establishment of a centre for languages, digital Humanities and intercultural studies as proposed by the Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako.

The proposed centre, according to he statement, will have seven units namely language teaching unit, where French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Rivers State indigenous languages will be taught.

It will also have Translation and interpretation unit, indigenous languages documentation unit, Digital Humanities Laboratory, Artificial intelligence and language teaching unit, professional certification unit, as well as Research and Publication unit..

The statement quoted the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ken-Maduako, the centre will offer certificate in language proficiency for beginners, intermediate, advanced Diploma programme, translation and interpretation courses, Digital Humanities certification programme, Artificial intelligence and language technology workshops, online and Hybrid learning programmes, weekend and evening public classes, indigenous languages documentation training and Business and professional communication courses.

Professor Ken-Maduako firther said the center “will increase visibility of the University nationally and internationally, generate sustainable internally generated revenue, increase opportunities for grants and donor funded projects, enhance interdisciplinary research output, promote cultural preservation and community engagement, strengthen the University”s profile in innovation and digital transformation, attract research collaboration and international partnerships, and improve graduate employability and digital competence.”

In his speech, the Chairman of Senate and Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, encouraged sponsors of the centre to source for funds for the take off of the centre.

He explained that Directors will be appointed for the self-sponsored centres and reiterated that his administration will continue to support all proposals geared towards the growth of the University as long as they are consistent with the academic brief of the Ivory Tower.

Earlier, Professor Samuel Otamiri commended Professor Veronica Okogbaa for the proposed centre which, he said, is a remarkable development, amd described it as a robust programme that would attract the necessary patronage .

In another development, the Senate welcomed a suggestion by Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi that Valedictory Senate sessions be introduced and held for retired Professors.

Results from the Postgraduate School as presented by the Dean of the School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, was approved by Senate.

Senate also approved that presented by the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), Professor Goddey Wilson, and that of the Graduate School of Business by Dr. Florence Ironawusi.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Rivers

Group Tasks School Proprietors, Parents On Early Preparation

Published

4 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The National President, Forum of Inclusive Educators and Readers (FIER), Mr. Onyeka Innocent, has admonished school owners and parents alike to learn how to prepare their children/wards ahead time in order to beat challenges irrespective of the angle they may spring up from.

Innocent made this known at the Forum’s meeting held partly in honour of the Spelling B, 2025 winners, in Port Harcourt.

“Soldiers are not trained during war, rather, they are trained and kept in the Barracks, waiting for war”, he said.

He said students must be provided with the necessary educational tools capable of boosting their academic pursuit.

According to him, proprietors of schools must conform with the Government’s authorities and guidance if they are determined to succeed in the project.

Another solution to educational management, he said, is the availability of Education Committees in schools, saying that it will improve the quality of its learning process.

Though he did not rule out decay in the society, he said there are few that still hold fast to determination and sincerity.

The FIER leader said his association was one of the bodies with the zeal to right wrongs in the society, especially in the Education sector.

He noted that his group was also prepared to reduce the number of out-of-school children by ensuring that education was taken to all parts of the Country.

On registration of private schools as directed by the State Government, he said his members are in compliance and assured of a cordial relationship between the Government and his Association.

Meanwhile, the winners of the Competition were Master Fredrick Jeffrey of Daisy Dan School, who emerged first; Badubulachi Maryan of Fertile Vineyard Academy, 2nd; and Itode Samuel of Baridoo Sam Joel School, 3rd.

They winners where rewarded with cash prices of N100,000, N50,000 and N30, 000 respectively.

King Onunwor