NEWS
Akpabio Hails Navy’s Stride in Combating Crude Oil Theft
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has lauded the Nigerian Navy over improved security in the maritime environment and increased onslaught against crude oil theft in the country.
Akpabio gave the commendation on Friday at the Regimental Dinner organised by the Nigerian Navy in honour of its retired senior officers of Flag Rank in Abuja.
He commended the efforts of the officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy in curbing crude oil theft.
Akpabio said that the endeavour has reduced illegal bunkering, illegal refining sites, smuggling of goods and narcotics, adding that it has also increased oil production.
He said that the feat was achieved through the tireless efforts of the navy in combatting the nefarious activities undermining Nigeria’s economy.
He, however, challenge the Navy to persevere and redouble its efforts in safeguarding the Nigerian maritime environment.
“The nation looks up to you and expects nothing short of professionalism which you have exhibited thus far.
“Be assured that the National Assembly will support you with all processes needed to succeed,” he said.
The Senate president thanked the retired senior officers for devoting themselves to the defence of the nation, adding that it had been volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.
He said their selfless services had left an indelible mark in the Nigerian navy, the armed forces as a whole, and the nation in general.
“Nonetheless, we are assured that you will continue to contribute towards the development of the Nigerian Navy and the country at large.
“My speech will, however, not be complete without remembering your colleagues who lost their lives in the line of maritime operations and the service of our dear country,” he said.
Earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, said that the retired officers had exhibited honour, courage and commitment during their careers.
He said their expertise and experience were also instrumental to shaping the Nigerian navy towards enhanced operational readiness in fulfilment of its mandate.
The CNS gave assurance that the Nigerian navy would remain professional and ethical in fulfilment of national security objectives, adding that the navy had recorded some modest achievements since he assumed command.
“I must add that the Nigerian navy has rejigged her operations particularly by launching Operation DELTA SANITY to curb crude oil theft.
“This has led to the dismantling of several illegal oil refining sites in the Niger Delta region.
“According to Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, crude oil production rose from 1.08 million barrels per day in July 2023 to 1.427 million barrels per day in January 2024.
“This represents an increase of 319,000 barrels within the last six months.
“This is a testament to the positive outcome of the renewed drive by the Nigerian navy towards ensuring that oil contributes optimally to national development,” he said.
Ogalla thanked President Bola Tinubu for his continuous support to the navy and the welfare of the veterans.
Reports says that Regimental Dinner is part of military tradition aimed at promoting regimentation and honouring deserving officers and men on special occasions.
The event had in attendance the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, some members of the National Assembly, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa and other top military officers.(NAN)
The Lagos State High Court will begin its annual vacation on July 21 to end the 2024/2025 legal year of the state judiciary.This is contained in a notice dated June 5 and signed by the State Chief Registrar, Mr Tajudeen Elias.According to the notice, the vacation will end on Sept.
12.Elias stated that the State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, approved the annual vacation pursuant to Order 49, Rule 4(D) of the High Court of Lagos Civil Procedure Rules, 2019. However, he noted that the Criminal Division of the High Court would continue to sit during the vacation.Elias said: “Notwithstanding the long vacation, the Criminal Division of the High Court of Lagos State may sit throughout the period of the vacation.“Where a judge of a criminal division is on vacation, a vacation judge may be assigned to deal with all pending criminal cases in that court.“Notwithstanding the long vacation, any case or matter may be heard by a judge during the period of vacation (except on a Sunday or public holiday).“Where such case or matter is urgent, a judge will, at the consent of all parties concerned, agree to hear it.”The chief registrar said that any application for an urgent hearing could be made by summons in chambers before the vacation judge or the judge before whom the substantive case was pending.He also stated that the 2025/2026 legal year of the state judiciary would begin on Sept.15, while the new legal year service would take place on Sept. 22. (NAN)Two clerics, Bishop Charles Ighele and Prof. Amidu Sanni, on Monday faulted calls for establishment of federal ministry of religion.They said that establishment of such a ministry would stir disharmony among religious groups and create other problems.Ighele, a Christian cleric, and Sanni, a Muslim cleric, spoke in interviews on Monday in Lagos.
They reacted to calls in some quarters for establishment of the ministry to support religious affairs more. Ighele, the General Superintendent of Holy Spirit Mission, Ikeja, said that establishment of the ministry would not contribute to the much-needed human capital development.“I do not see any need for the ministry. I do not see how this will contribute to human capital development and other forms of development.“Instead, it will increase the already over-bloated cost of governance.“The first area of major dispute is likely to be whether a Christian or a Muslim or a traditional worshiper should be the first minister,” he said.Ighele told NAN that disputes over unequal representation of different religions in the hiring of personnel for the ministry would likely have no end.“The energy needed for national development will be diverted into endless disagreements,” he said.Sanni, the Chief Imam of Lagos State University, said that there was no need to contemplate establishing such a ministry.According to him, dedicating a ministry to religion will fuel religious intolerance.“There are intra and inter-religious disharmony already retarding national progress. Creating the ministry will cause more problems.“The first major problem will be in the leadership and personnel.“Will it be headed by a Muslim, a Christian, a traditionalist, or an atheist?“As a matter of fact, government should hands off all matters of religion and limit its involvement only to enablement of pilgrimage to Saudi Arabian, Rome and Israel,” he said.He said that religious education in schools should be encouraged with proper curriculum and personnel to enhance religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence. (NAN)
A philanthropist and businessman, Mr Mtom Aondona, has donated a Hilux van and five motorcycles for security surveillance in Aondoana Community, Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue.Handing over the items to the security agencies and the community leaders in Aondoana on Monday, he said security was everybody’s business.
Aondona said the government alone cannot address the growing insecurity in the country and urged prominent Nigerians, especially politicians, to contribute their quota to achieve peace. He said, as a philanthropist, he could not watch and allow his own community to continue to experience such devastating attacks and sleep well.The philanthropist explained that he was only reaching out to his community in times of need, adding that it was not for any political purposes.“We cannot all continue to wait for the government to do everything for us. Let us do the parts we can do for our people.“We need to do our best to support the security agencies to succeed. As I do my little part here, I plead that other privileged individuals in other communities should do the same.“Let us help ourselves to protect ourselves and communities. I do not have any political ambition, and I am not contesting any position.“These things I bring today, I know, are not enough but are just a stepping stone to our collective recovery as a people,” he said.The philanthropist said his aim was to support the Aondoana community and its environment to overcome the growing insecurity.While he donated the Hilux and motorcycles for the effective patrol of the security agencies, he also laid the foundation for a new police station and quarters in the area.He also donated 100 bags of rice, cartons of seasoning, bags of salt, gallons of groundnut oil, mattresses, among other things, to the security agencies.Receiving the items, the traditional ruler of Gwer West LGA, Ter Naggi, Chief Daniel Abomtse, commended the philanthropist for remembering his people at the critical time.Represented by the Kindred Head of Bunaka, Chief Jen Ukura, Abomtse cautioned against spreading fake security alerts.He said the people must be conscious and investigate and verify every piece of information before spreading it.Also speaking at the event, the new Gwer West Divisional Police Officer, SP Charles Gadzama, commiserated with the people over their losses and urged them to support the police to end the attacks.Report says that the Aondoana community was among other communities in Gwer West LG that came under heavy attacks recently. (NAN)
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