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We shall hunt you down – Coalition warns troublemakers to stay off oil facilities in Rivers
A group, the Niger Delta Ambassadors of Regional Peace, NDARP, otherwise known as the Ambassadors, has warned of dire consequences should any person or group of persons dare threaten oil facilities anywhere in the Niger Delta region particularly in Rivers State under any guise saying the region had long embraced peace and whoever threatens the peace and tranquility of the region shall be hunted down by law enforcement agencies in collaboration with the people of Niger Delta.
Reacting through its leader in Abuja, Sunday, aftermath of a stakeholders meeting held at the instance of a popular ex-militant leader from the region, Layefa Ibinabor Ebelo, who dared the Justin Alabraba-led Niger Delta Development Force, said nobody is above the law and whoever blows up any pipeline would be hunted down by youths in the region and handed over to security agencies.
Ebelo wondered why an otherwise constitutional issue in Rivers State would bring about the threat of bombing oil pipelines, adding that the security agents are on red alert to take on any group who chooses to cause damage to oil infrastructure or engage in an untoward act in the region.
He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, and nobody can threaten or stampede him to carry out any action saying the raging feud between Governor Fubara, his political party, his followers on one hand, his godfather and his followers on the other hand are strictly constitutional matters.
The group said it’s a general knowledge that the duo of Fubara and Wike are entangled in conflict of interest, a development he said has no nexus whatsoever with oil infrastructure in the state or anywhere in the region.
He said Alabrabra and his sponsors are overreaching themselves, noting that, the Ambassadors will lead the military to fetch out whoever touches any oil facility in the region.
Alabrabra’s group had threatened to bomb oil facilities in the state should any court deliver a judgment that stops the disbursement of local government funds to the state, a statement Lyefa dismissed as an empty threat that may pave the way to demystify and end incessant threats of bombing oil infrastructure in that part of the country.
He added: “We know you up to your fathers’ houses, when we get to the bridge, we shall cross it. Nobody can challenge the might of the Nigerian state without ending in tears and sorrows.
“The military shall be taken to your community so that you will dance to the music. We know your leaders include that who also threatened to shoot down military plane and others. We will get you one, after the other.”
The Ambassadors adding that the group is a faceless one that was sent by the ‘culprits’ to test the waters through threats to the Nigerian state, saying “If you are not cowards, identify yourselves for the Nigerian public to know you are real.”
Pointedly, the Ambassadors called on the president not to treat criminals with kidgloves but go all out against them to forestall crimes and criminalities in the region.
He said that nobody can impede any court from entering judgment in any matter in Nigeria saying: “What we operate is constitutional democracy and nobody can threaten it.
“Should the matter go out of hand, we are calling on the president to declare a state of emergency in Rivers. The
President being the father of the nation had intervened in the feud but the demagogues and conflict entrepreneurs in the state won’t allow peace to reign between the two major gladiators.
“Now is when some feeble characters deemed it right to coerce the president to intervene whereas they sabotaged the initial efforts made by the president. The president should activate that emergency clause in the constitution.”
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Nigeria pushes for leading fish exporter status — Oyetola
By Francesca Hangeior
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced that Nigeria is positioning itself to become a major exporter of fish as part of its strategic blue economy push.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Head of Press for the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Muhammad Zakari.
At the 39th Annual National Conference and General Meeting of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Oyetola, stressed that Nigeria is moving towards becoming a major exporter of fish products while also working to achieve self-sufficiency.
“The establishment of this ministry marks the beginning of a new era for the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector. In line with Mr President’s vision, the ministry is committed to achieving self-sufficiency in fish production and positioning Nigeria as a leading exporter of fish and fisheries products.”
The Minister noted that the theme of this year’s conference, “Unlocking the Investment Potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy: Advancing the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector for Sustainable Development,” aligns with the President’s goal of expanding the nation’s economic opportunities.
“The theme of this year’s conference is particularly significant, as it aligns with the President’s vision for sustainable economic diversification, reflected in the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue
Economy. This focus has been reinforced by the recent transfer of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to this Ministry, which will now directly oversee all fisheries-related matters.”
Oyetola further stated, “The Ministry is implementing various initiatives to manage fisheries, enhance investment in fisheries and aquaculture, improve post-harvest infrastructure, promote innovation, leverage technology, and foster multi-stakeholder collaborations.”
The Minister highlighted the commitment to fully utilising Nigeria’s marine resources, noting the sub-sector’s potential to boost food production, create jobs, and drive economic development for Nigerians.
He added, “Fisheries and aquaculture are central to the broader vision for Nigeria’s Blue Economy sector. The Ministry’s strategic focus is to upscale fish production sustainably, tapping into the full spectrum of our marine resources.
“This sub-sector has the potential to unlock long-term resources, increase food production, provide job opportunities, and drive sustainable development across our coastal and inland waters. This, in turn, offers long-term prosperity and security for future generations.”
Oyetola mentioned that, since the department’s transfer to the ministry nine months ago, significant progress has been made across several areas, including boosting local feed production while reducing imports, engaging stakeholders to identify growth needs, enhancing public-private partnerships to attract investment, studying best practices from countries like Morocco, and collaborating with international organisations such as the FAO.
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Confusion as petitioners query Obaseki’s silence on multi-billion naira Edo investments
As the Transition Committee in Edo State awaits the clarification of the stake owned by Edo State Government in the ownership of some properties, palpable fear has enveloped Government House over the out-going Governor’s silence on Ossiomo Power Plant, Edo Modular Refinery and the Radisson Blu Hotel.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the incoming All Progressives Congress (APC) Committees, held a joint session where facts about the three companies were discussed.
The PDP team, during the meeting, promised that the matter will be discussed with Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The APC team, which requested documents on the ownership and stake of Edo state government in the projects, were stunned when the government officials feigned ignorance in such mega projects that cost taxpayers several billions of naira.
A petition addressed to the Transition Committee and copied to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is said to be unsettling Governor Obaseki who will be handing over to Senator Monday Okpebholo in less than two weeks.
The petition, signed by Comrade Samuel Osawaru of the Edo Integrity Group, is believed to be working from the Obaseki team.
The group stated that Quadrant Consolidated Systems Engineering Limited, allegedly owned by Uwagboe Igiehon and Mark Igiehon, was being used for the financial transactions including “receiving of revenues for themselves and on behalf of Ossiomo Power Project” from Edo state government coffers.
The group, which named Chinese Clean Energy and Telecom Company (CCETC) as the technical partners of Ossiomo Power Project, also disclosed that both the CCETC and Ossiomo were holding companies for the owners of the plant.
It added that majority of Edo State Government agencies pay their tariff to the Ossiomo Power Plant through estimated billing but the company has quickly resorted to metering of the government agencies since 21st September 2024, when PDP lost election.
The Edo Integrity Group which stated that it was fighting corruption in Edo State, appealed to the Transition Committee and the EFCC “to beam search light on the activities of Ossiomo Power Plant as a lot has happened there” in the past few years.
In a related development, an anonymous letter addressed to security agencies has indicted Governor Obaseki over the acquisition of Edo Modular Refinery and Radisson Blu Hotels, which were both funded with tax-payers money but converted to private ownership.
The letter urged the security agencies to investigate the funding of both companies which were from Edo state government “but not included as assets of Edo state in the ongoing handover notes for the in-coming administration.”
The writers of the petition also revealed that they were staff of Edo State Government and members of the PDP Transition Committee “but were not allowed to function as all documents and directives were from Governor Obaseki, mostly through telephone calls.”
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They called for thorough investigation stating their “resolve to disclose information because of their allegiance to the state and not to any individual.”
The owners of the American-Dutch based Radisson Blu were said to be uncomfortable with their brand being drawn into corruption allegations and have written several letters to the governor indicating willingness to pull out of the partnership and franchise for integrity’s sake.
Radisson Blu hotels are mainly located in major cities across Europe, Middle East and Africa and owned by Choice Hotels, Jinjiang International and Radisson Hotel Group with headquarters in USA and Belgium.
Deputy Governor of Edo state, Philip Shuaibu, had last month inspected the site of the Radisson Blu hotels sending indications that the project was being funded by the Edo state government.
But the new twist emerged as the Government did not declare it as property of the state. The Government did not also capture it in the handover notes to the transition committee.
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Reps Member Arraigned In Kuje Court For Assault
An Abuja Court located in the Kuje area of the Federal Capital Territory has arraigned a member of the House of Representatives from Abia State, Honourable Alex Ikwechegh for assaulting a bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya at the Kuje Magistrate Court.
The probe and prosecution of Ikwechegh are being handled by the Inspector General of Police’s Special Investigation Unit.
The lawmaker, representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency in Abia State, was recently captured in a viral video physically assaulting a bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya.
The incident occurred on October 27 when the driver was delivering a package to the lawmaker at a residence on Zamfara Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.
Nigerians have continued to react and condemn the lawmaker’s actions.
Amid the outcry, the embattled lawmaker apologized and promised to cooperate with the police in their investigation. He also disclosed that he was seeking counseling over his actions.
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