NEWS
Host Communities Commend PINL on Fight Against Illegal Oil Bunkering
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Rumuekpe Trans Niger Pipelines Host Communities have commended Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) for its effective fight against illegal oil bunkering activities in the area.
The Host Communities made the commendation during a media briefing on Wednesday, at the community Hall in Emouha local government area of Rivers State.
Chairman of the Council of Chiefs and Youth President, Chief Onyeagwala Okwudu and Hon Gaius S.
Ajuru and others respectively, reaffirmed its authenticity as the duly authorized/elected representatives which covers pipeline right of ways.“We are happy with Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) and commend the excellent performance of “PINL” in carrying the Host Communities along by awarding surveillance contracts to indigenous companies, which was achieved through demonstrated commitments, compassion, transparency and integrity in partnering with the Host Communities in the fight against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.
“We condemn the activities of illegal oil bunkering in our communities due to its negative impact and resolved to fully commit to the fight against the menace in collaboration with PINL”they stated.
They urged the NNPCL leadership to be vigilant to enable it identify those it described as ‘desperate oil thieves’, who were bent on fighting back through blackmail, dissemination of bogus claims and campaign of calumny.
According to them, violence and name calling were the trade marks of such groups and appealed that PINL be encouraged to completely eradicate pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.
The Rumuekpe TNP Host Communities was reacting to a petition allegedly written by a group known as Association of Niger Delta Upland Communities, which accused some individuals of the Riverine area of high jacking pipeline surveillance contract in the upland areas of the Niger Delta region.
The petition, which was addressed to the Senate President, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio and signed by one Hon Isah Mohammed Obiri, President and others, named Hon Faraah Dagogo, His Royal Highness, Ateke Tom and Asari Dokubo as those behind its inability to be captured in the pipeline surveillance contract.
The Rumuekpe TNP Host Communities thanked PINL for engaging army of youths, traditional rulers and other stakeholders from Rumuekpe in the pipeline surveillance job.
Meanwhile, an indigenous contractor engaged by PINL, Hon Celestine Woruka has faulted the claims of the petitioners. Woruka described the petition as unfounded, frivolous and aimed at causing distraction.
He insisted that illegal oil bunkering has become a thing of the past through concerted efforts of PINL and critical stakeholders in the area, challenged the petitioners to come up with other unknown antics of distraction and blackmail.
NEWS
Ohanaeze Ndigbo President Iwuanyanwu for Burial Nov. 1
By David Torough, Abuja
The remains of elder statesman and President General of the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, have been slated for burial on November 1.
Chairman of the burial committee, Senator Ben Obi, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Alongside with the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb Okey Emuchay and burial sub-committee chairmen, Senator Osita Izunaso, Gen.
Azubuike Ihejirika (retd) and others, Obi unveiled a series of activities culminating into the actual burial ceremony.“Our message today is to convey the dates for the burial of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Lagos day of tributes, Wednesday 16th October 2024 at Eko Hotels and Convention Centre.
“Abuja Day of Tributes Friday 18th October, 2024 at the National Ecumenical Centre.
“Enugu Day of tributes, Saturday 26th October with a brief stop at Ohanaeze headquarters, 7 Parkland GRA Enugu while the main event will be held at the Okpara Square.
“Owerri Service of Songs Tuesday 29th October 2024. Commendation Service on 1st November in Owerri and Imo day of burial on Friday, 1st November 2024,” he said.
He added that further details will be communicated in due course.
On whether the Federal Government would participate in the burial, Senator Obi said the committee will visit President Bola Tinubu to intimate him about the transition of the statesman and details of his burial.
“We will be visiting President Tinubu to formally announce to him details of this transition and I am sure the President knows all that Chief Iwuanyanwu had done and he will do the needful,” he said.
Asked whether the late newspaper publisher had regrets about his inability to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and ensure the realization of a restructure federation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo scribe said Chief Iwuanyanwu died a fulfilled man because he never shies away from doing his best in the circumstance.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu and I visited Kanu in jail and I think that was his last official assignment before his demise.
“Prior to that, he had never missed any opportunity to call for the release of Kanu.
“On restructuring, he never minced his words on equity, fairness and justice and he knew that he couldn’t do it alone.
“So he operated with the South-South PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and Afenifere. He asked for parity in the number of states in each geopolitical zone.
“We in Ohanaeze will continue to pursue these issues that were very dear to his heart and we want to give the assurances that we will not fail,” Obi said.
NEWS
Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to UNGA
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)NEWS
NECO Releases 2024 SSCE Results
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)