The Government College Ughelli (GCU) Class of 92 is beaming with pride as one of our own, Hon. Dr. Olotu Otemu Akpodiete JP, achieves another significant milestone in his illustrious career. Dr. Akpodiete, the Executive Director of the Olotu & Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete Foundation, recently earned his PhD in Management from Ballsbridge University, British Virgin Islands—a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence.

Dr. Akpodiete’s journey is one of grit, dedication, and selfless service. With degrees from prestigious institutions such as Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and the Paris Graduate School of Management, France, alongside honorary doctorate degrees from esteemed universities including European-American University (Commonwealth of Dominica) and the University of Nicosia, Cyprus, his academic and professional accomplishments speak volumes.

As a Management Consultant, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur, Security Expert, and Community Developer, Dr. Akpodiete has seamlessly combined intellectual prowess with a passion for uplifting others. His leadership extends to memberships and fellowships in renowned global organizations, such as the Africa Institute of Public Administration (Ghana) and the International Professional Managers Association (UK), among others.

Beyond his academic accolades, Dr. Akpodiete has made monumental contributions to humanity through his foundation and leadership roles. Notable achievements include:

Organizing free medical outreaches and water projects for underserved communities.

Advocating for regular medical checkups in rural areas.

Conducting vocational and enterprise training for women and youth.

Donating educational materials to schools in Ughelli.

Supporting skill acquisition in fish farming and digital marketing.

His visionary efforts in social welfare and strategic empowerment have earned him numerous recognitions, including the GCU Class of 92 Silver Jubilee Philanthropist Man of the Year 2023 Award, highlighting his unwavering support for our alma mater and broader society.

Currently serving as the President of the Explorers Innovative Initiative, Dr. Akpodiete continues to champion human capital development, research, and community upliftment. His tireless efforts embody the values of resilience, service, and excellence that GCU stands for.

As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, let us draw inspiration from Dr. Akpodiete’s story—a journey marked by resilience, service, and an unyielding commitment to humanity. To the GCU Class of 92 and beyond, may his accomplishments remind us of the boundless potential within us to impact our communities positively.

Congratulations, Dr. Olotu Otemu Akpodiete JP! You are truly a shining light for us all.

Written by Taghogho Von Apochi, 2024

The Kebbi State government has debunked the news alleging that it was supporting illegal mining ongoing within the state.

The Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development and Mining, Alhaji Haliru Aliyu-Wasagu, on Sunday, while addressing a press conference in Birnin Kebbi, described the report as fake, malicious and a calculated attempt to distract the present administration from its efforts to reposition the state.

He said: “The briefing is to categorically debunk a recent online report which falsely alleges that the Kebbi State government is supporting illegal mining activities in Libata, in the Ngaski Local Government Area.”

The commissioner recalled that the ministry was established in 2023 alongside eight others by Governor Nasir Idris to diversify the state’s revenue sources and address key developmental priorities.

Aliyu-Wasagu also recalled that in September 2023, the state government took decisive action to sanitise the mining sector by suspending all mining activities across the state.

He said the decision was informed by several critical observations, including the lack of verifiable corporate social responsibility initiatives, community development agreement projects, and proper royalties and tax payments to federal and state governments.

The commissioner said the state government had approved and cleared seven mining companies to operate within the Libata area so far.

He said strict protocols were in place to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations, including registration with the ministry.

Aliyu-Wasagu said that after the registration, the ministry would write an introduction letter to be presented to the emir or district head for a consent letter to be forwarded to the Mining Cadastral Office, Abuja, to facilitate the application for a licence.

Other procedures include the ministry validating licences through the Mining Cadastral Office server, engaging with host communities for compensation, and community development projects, and obtaining an insurance permit/clearance from the ministry before mining.

“In the specific case of Libata, Ngaski LGA, Three Crown Company was issued a license by the Mining Cadastral Office, Abuja, for a total landmass of 5.4 square kilometres (27 cadastral units).

“Subsequently, a portion of this land (two square kilometres or 10 cadastral units) was allocated to El-Tahdam Exploration Limited.

“This overlap caused by the Mining Cadastral Office, Abuja, led to a dispute between the two companies. It is important to emphasise that the Kebbi State Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Mining has no involvement in this conflict.

“While Three Crown Company registered with the state government in 2023, El-Tahdam Company did in 2024. Three Crown fully completed the licensing process from the state to the federal levels,” he said.

In his contribution, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, said the publication was done to distract the government.

He stated that the state has never had a government more responsive, inclusive, and caring than the present administration.

He told residents that the governor was democratically elected to foster democracy and ensure good governance and appealed for support.

The Nigeria Army said its troops of the 6 Division, in conjunction with other security agencies have scaled up the ongoing anti-illegal oil bunkering operations across the Niger Delta Region.

In a statement on its official Facebook page on Sunday, it said troops recovered arms and ammunitions, deactivated 46 illegal refining sites, 47 boats used to ferry stolen products across the treacherous terrain, arrested 28 oil thieves with over 95,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

“These were in addition to other strangulation operations targeted at crippling the criminal network of cartels in the region. The operations which were conducted from 11-17 November 2024 recorded several operational successes,” it said.

According to the statement, in Rivers State, following credible intelligence on the activities of economic saboteurs along the Oando pipeline in Ebocha, a New base in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Area, ONELGA, troops engaged armed criminals.

It said troops swiftly mobilised to the area. On reaching the spot, troops encountered armed vandals, who opened fire on troops. In the firefight that ensued, the criminals who were overwhelmed by superior fire, fled in disarray.

“Further exploitation of the general area led to the recovery of one AK 47 riffle, one magazine loaded with 17 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition abandoned by the fleeing armed vandals.

It said more operations were conducted around Obiafu-Ndoni, and large wooden boats conveying over 472 sacks of stolen crude estimated to be 28,320 litres were intercepted.

“Seven suspected oil thieves have been arrested in connection to the heinous crime. Several operations were also conducted around the Buguma general area in Asari Toru LGA, which led to the dismantling of numerous illegal refining sites, the deactivation of several boats as well as the recovery of over 9,500 litres of stolen products.

“Operations were also conducted around Tuma and Krakrama general areas in Degema LGA with a number of wooden and fibre boats destroyed and over 10,500 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) confiscated,” it said.