All Posts in "Day: October 27, 2024"
Niger Delta:Troops Arrest Several Oil Thieves,Recover Stolen Crude
Delta:Police Nab Councilor For Kidnapping,Recover Firearms
Five Bodies Still Missing In PH Helicopter Crash-NNPC
Mohammed Shosanya
Five bodies are still missing in the ill-fated helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation that crashed on Thursday in Port Harcourt,the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited,NNPCL, has confirmed.
Olufemi Soneye,Chief Corporate Communications Officer,who confirmed this in a statement on Sunday,disclosed that only three bodies have been recovered since the crash.
All the eight passengers on the aircraft have been confirmed dead by police authority in Rivers State.
Soneye quoted that intensified search and rescue operations for the remaining bodies along with relevant authorities is still ongoing.
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC had yesterday,implored the Federal Government to probe the causes of the latest crash,describing the air crash as unfortunate.
Commiserating with the families of the deceased and the Union’s affiliate,Joe Ajearo,its President,called on employers in the country’s energy and aviation sectors to activate robust safety measures for workers in their employ
APC UK Chapter Presents Global Ambassador Awards To Ganduje,Others
Mohammed Shosanya
Prince Ayorinde Stephen Amoko, leader of the People with Disabilities (PWD) in the APC UK chapter, presented the Global Ambassador for People With Disabilities award to some members of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC),for their sustained commitment to advocating for the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities.
The recipients included:APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR . APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, PhD, APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Dr.Ali Bukar Dalori, APC National Organizing Secretary, H.E. Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, OFR and APC PWD National Leader, Hon. Bankole Tolu Oyebode
According to a statement,the award recognized their dedication to advancing the cause of people with disabilities, their exemplary leadership, and their active engagement in disability advocacy.
Prince Amoko highlighted the recipients’ dedication of time, resources, and influence to support disability-related causes, noting the impact of their volunteerism on the lives of many PWD community members.
Besides,the Chairman APC UK chapter, Tunde Doherty,in his speech expressed their commitment to the ideals of the APC and its leadership.
The chapter also presented gift items to the party.
During the ceremony, Prince Amoko expressed his appreciation for the recipients’ efforts in championing disability rights within the APC, both within Nigeria and among the diaspora.
He further commended the APC UK chapter, under the leadership of Mr. Doherty,for its consistent commitment to the party and its steadfast loyalty to APC leadership,which has strengthened ties between the party’s local and international branches.
A known philanthropist,Prince Ayorinde Stephen Amoko has been actively involved in supporting communities in need.
Through his foundation-ASA EnableUs Foundation, he is providing educational assistance to numerous students across Kano, Borno, Kogi, Benue, Lagos and other states, and has continually extended support to people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
His work as a politician and a humanitarian underscores his deep commitment to social causes and reflects the core values of inclusivity and empathy.
Prince Amoko reaffirmed his dedication to carrying forward these initiatives, pledging that he will continue to channel resources and support through his office and foundation.
He expressed gratitude to the APC UK chapter’s leadership for their ongoing collaboration in these efforts.
Prince Amoko announced that the Global Ambassador for People With Disabilities honor would become an annual recognition, spotlighting and celebrating individuals who make meaningful contributions to disability advocacy and community empowerment.
Q3:Kebbi Customs Command Rakes In N36.2m,Renews Crusade Against Smuggling
Mohammed Shosanya
The Nigeria Customs Service Area Command, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, has generated the sum of N36.2million in the third quarter of 2024.
It also seized Illicit goods with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N323m,according to a press statement made available to Premium News by the Customs Area Controller, Kebbi Command,Comptroller Ernest Iheanacho Ojike.
Ojike,who said that his Command has been working assiduously to up the yearly revenue target of the Command has been holding series of meetings with stakeholders including educating them on the Customs procedures in relation to import and export aimed at stemming the tide of smuggling and to increase revenue generation.
He said:”In particular,we assemble all our trading communities on board in a deliberate and conscious effort to forge a common ground. In all the meetings we held, we stressed the need for compliance and avoidance of importing goods that would be injurious to the health of Nigerians and destroy the economy.”
He noted that the Command under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,has been actively involved in the process of reopening of Tsamiya-Sebgana border, which proposed a one-stop border post. A one-stop border cuts off all irrelevancies in documentations and non-tariff procedures preceding trade facilitation.
He regretted that a lot of challenges have affected the Command’s revenue generation which he attributed to low volume of imports through the only official border, Kamba.
The Command,according to him,was still able to generate the sum of thirty six million, two hundred and twenty three thousand, five hundred and fifty four naira fifty kobo (₦36, 223, 554.50K) within the period under review even as he envisaged that with the efforts his command has put in place, the result would continue to translate to positive outcome, noting that his Command was hoping to record steady rise in the Command’s revenue in the coming months.
According to the statement,Ojike highlighted the activities of the operation Whirlwind team saying “at this point, I will want to talk about ‘whirlwind Team’, which is a special team created by the CGC and tasked with the sole responsibility of curbing the menace of petroleum products smuggling. Of course, we all know the implications of smuggling our petroleum products outside the shores of the country. Scarcity of these product is created here when these miscreant have their way.”
“But this special team, whirlwind, has since swung into action and has successfully within the short period of their stay here reduced the menace of petroleum product smuggling in the state. They are a team that thrives on intelligence, and the results of their efforts speak for them”,he said.
“Here,we showcase some of their seizures of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) they have made. And they are working very hard to ensure that incidences of scarcity of the products are not experienced in the state.
“Our Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) and of course the federal Government are very passionate in seeing that our petroleum products are well utilized within our stores.We are all well aware what inconveniences and distress we experience during fuel scarcity, and the spiraling effect it has on costs of other items. Hence, the need to root out the menace”
On anti smuggling,he said a lot of successes has been achieved through a concerted efforts of the officers and men of the Command who are striving hard to root out smuggling activities within Kebbi.
He hinted that five suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures above and that they have been granted administrative bail in compliance with the provision of the constitution pending further investigation and proper trial of their case.
On the amount of the seized items, he said, “The Duty Paid Value of the seized items is three hundred and twenty three million, sixty five thousand five and sixty seven naira (₦323, 065, 567).”
“The above seizures were possible with the combined efforts of the outfield officers, our intelligence Unit, Patrol team leaders, other relevant units, sister agencies and well-meaning Nigerians who provided intelligence.”
He reiterated the resolve of his command to continue to act within the policy thrust of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi which anchors on consolidation, innovation and collaboration,adding that the Command would shortly hand over one hundred and eighty (180) pieces of donkey skin and seventy four (74) cartons of different medicaments to Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) respectively.
He warned smugglers and their syndicates that his officers and men were well positioned and equipped to scuttle all their activities, urging them to abstain from their nefarious act as Kebbi State must be free from any smuggling activities.
We’ll Use Technology To Improve Agriculture In Niger Delta-NDDC
Mohammed Shosanya
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, says the Commission will continue to leverage evolving technology to improve agricultural productivity in its mandate states.
He spoke in New York,United States,at the opening session of the NDDC Food Security Innovation and Investment Summit,where he also said the Commission was committed to creating an enabling environment for investors by streamlining processes and providing incentives for those who wish to invest in the agricultural sector.
A statement signed by Seledi Thompson-Wakama,Director, Corporate Affairs,quoted Ogbuku as explaining that in seeking innovative solutions to address food security in the Niger Delta, the Commission would always explore partnerships and collaborations with governments, private sectors, and research institutions aimed at creating an ecosystem that supports innovation in agriculture.
Ogbuku,who was represented by the NDDC Executive Director,Projects,Sir Victor Antai,highlighted adopting modern and innovative farming techniques, investing in biotechnology for crop resilience, and utilising data analytics for better resource management as sure approaches to achieving desired results.
He said:“We understand the importance of healthy investment in transforming our agricultural landscape. We believe that with adequate investment in infrastructure, such as storage and preservation facilities, and irrigation systems, we can significantly reduce post-harvest losses and enhance food distribution networks in the Niger Delta and beyond.
“In addition to investments, we are exploring support from grant funders and international organisations that offer substantial funding for projects to enhance food security. The support from funding and technical expertise of Non-governmental and philanthropic organisations are also critical for scaling up food security in the Niger Delta.”
He added that challenges in the Niger Delta region were magnified by environmental degradation, climate change, and socio-economic disparities, maintaining that innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture development was key to overcoming these challenges.
He said: “This Summit is also about building relations that would foster capacity building, research and development and policy support. We seek Public-Private Partnerships and collaborations that will lead to innovative solutions for food security in the Niger Delta.
Speaking on NDDC collaborative efforts across borders,he stated: “We have chosen to make our pitch here in the financial capital of the world as a unique platform to communicate and engage globally. We will learn from successes and failures by sharing knowledge and best practices from different regions worldwide and across sectors. We must build networks that transcend geographical boundaries as we can tackle food insecurity more effectively”.
He urged participants and stakeholders at the summit, including government representatives, NGOs, and private investors, to commit not just words but actions towards achieving food security in the Niger Delta.
“Let us work collaboratively towards innovative solutions that will empower farmers, support local economies, and ensure no one goes hungry. Remember that our efforts here today are not merely about addressing immediate needs but laying down a foundation for future generations”.
He stressed: “Our mission in NDDC is to develop the Niger Delta into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative, and politically peaceful. Our mandate includes formulating policies and guidelines, planning and implementing projects, and developing key infrastructure to promote economic diversification and productivity, amongst others.”