News
Uduaghan Seeks Petro Act Enlightenment
Delta Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has called for the enlightenment of indigenes of oil producing communities on Local Content Act of the petroleum industry recently passed by the National Assembly.
The governor made the call at the Nigerian Guild of Editors Conference in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Uduaghan, apparently reacting to a lecture entitled: “ Accountability in Oil and Gas Sector in Nigeria: the Role of NEITI, by Prof. Assisi Asobie, said the enlightenment would stem possible misconception of the the act.
He said, “because people learnt that 10 per cent from oil revenue would be given to host communities, they have started holding talks on the way and manner their community fund would be managed.’’
Uduaghan said Fixed Deposit Accounts should be opened by communities.They should draw interests accruing from it to develop their communities.
The governor said that communities would gain more from this strategy.
Uduaghan also used the medium to commend the media men for the “wonderful role they played recently to save the nation’s democracy.
“The media deserved commendation for making Nigeria democracy get a bearing following trials the country experienced in the last few months,’’ he said.
Asobie, of the Nigeria Extractive Industry and Transparency Initiative (NEITI), said over 70 per cent of the nation’s oil revenue was spent outside Nigeria.
He attributed the problem to non- availability of accurate records on accrual from oil, noting that the trend was responsible for the abject poverty of most Nigerians.
Mr Timi Alaibe,Special Adviser on Amnesty, said militancy had never been a positive trend in the growth of any nation.
Alaibe, whose lecture was entitled, ‘Militancy: Avoiding a Resurgence,’ said government plans to accommodate indigenes of oil producing areas who did not take up arms during the crisis in the Niger Delta.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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