Connect with us

community

Rivers Police Investigate DPO’s Alleged Ownership of Illegal Refinery

Published

on

Share

From Titus Eze, Port Harcourt

Following the the cloud of soot traced to illegal petroleum products refiners, which has polluted the environment  of the entire Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike took the bull by the horn and stormed illegal camps where the Illegal business were going on in creeks of Emohua Local Government Area in the state.

The governor in his combat blue jeans ordered the distruction of no fewer than nine camps and arrested seven men alleged to members of illegal camps.

 He further ordered the 23 LGA’s chairmen in the state to within 48-hours identify illegal camps in their localities and name all the perpetrators, promising N2million for each arrest pointing out that their activities of the illegal refiners have brought untold hazards to the state residents.

He maintained that no stone will left unturned to save Rivers people from the dangers from illegal petroleum product refiners. Declaring nine persons wanted and naming a divisional Police  Officer attached to Rumuji Police Station as one of the owners of illegal refining camps, the State Police  Command set up an investigative panel to investigate the Divisional Police Officer in charge over his alleged involvement in illegal refining activities.

In a statement by the acting spokesperson of the command DSP Grace Iringe-Koko, the command said the DPO has been redeployed as a panel headed by Assistant commissioner of police had been inaugurated.

The statement said the outcome would be made public and the officer punished appropriately if the allegations are confirmed and reiterated  the commitment  of the command to support the state government in its war against illegal oil bunkering.

The Acting PPRO  assured the public that  the command will not spare any indicted person no matter how highly placed and  called on any one with useful information not to hesitate in passing it to the security agencies or local government chairmen. According to Iringe-Koko, “The Rivers State Police  Command, received with concern, the news making the rounds that a Divisional Police Officer in the state, is involved in illegal bunkering activities. 

The officer was immediately redeployed and a panel headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, inaugurated to investigate the matter. The outcome shall be made public and the officer punished appropriately if the allegations are confirmed. 
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police CP Eboka Friday, wishes to reiterate the commitment of the command to support the state Government in its war against illegal oil bunkering and assures the public that  the command will not spare any indicted person no matter how highly placed he or she may be. He is using this medium too to call on any one with useful information not to hesitate in passing it to the security Agencies or the Local.”

community

Poultry Farmers Decry High Cost of Feeds, Low Patronage

Published

on

Share

Some poultry farmers in Bwari Area Council of the FCT, on Monday in Abuja, decried the incessant rise in the cost of poultry feeds, while also groaning over low patronage in the sale of birds in the market.

The farmers expressed their concerns in separate interviews in Abuja on Monday, while calling on producers and suppliers to consider a reasonable intervention.

One of the farmers, Mrs Joy Felix, said that although poultry farming was a profitable business that involved a lot of capital, it had, however, suffered set backs at the point of sales.

“You spend so much in setting up and most importantly the cost of feed hardly comes down once it goes up. Sometimes it suffers artificial scarcity and then a hike in price when it resurfaces.

“Once it is the fourth quarter of the year when a lot of people keep birds for either personal or commercial purposes during the Christmas season, the rush that comes with it gives the producers of these feeds a high advantage to make money and at the end of the day, you spend so much feeding these birds and then buyers bargain for less.

“It is somewhat frustrating. At the end, you may have to sell at a give-away price so you do not loose.”

Felix added that the cost of drugs for the birds was another challenge to the farmers, who are forced to use organic methods to treat diseases in birds.

“We sometimes use medicinal plants like bitter leaves and pawpaw leaves to either treat minor infections or boost their feeding, except when the situation is severe and in dire need of a veterinarian,” she said.

She urged various farmers’ associations, as well as other stakeholders to intervene and assist in finding a lasting solution to the challenges, with the hope to ease the plight of the farmers.

Similarly, Mr Ayo Bamidele, another poultry farmer, said that the cost of chicken feeds is so high, ranging from N10,000 to N14,000 per 50kg bag in the last one month, depending on the brand and location of farm.

According to Bamidele, a lot of farmers find it difficult to sell their birds during the festivities because, there is usually more supply of the birds than demands for it.

He said: “The cost of feeds has made farmers to put high price on the birds yet, buyers do not have that kind of money to buy them.

“Some of us actually made good breeds grow well enough for the price we put but the buyers don’t know this, they have no idea what it takes to feed and make  the birds gain weight.

“Also, with the economic situation, people want to buy but they don’t have the money. It is unfortunate. I wish we all can just help each other make things easy for ourselves.”

He, however, said that he was optimistic that he would make profitable sells against all odds, during and after the yuletide.

Mr Elimah Jacob, a distributor of poultry feeds in Bwari town, said that the high cost of feed was not new but a challenge that usually came with the period of mass poultry farming, especially before December.

He also said that the increase in prices of the feeds was usually from companies that produce the goods, whom, he added, also complained about either scarcity or shortage of raw materials for sufficient production.

Jacob also attributed the challenge to cost of transportation from the suppliers to the distributors, which has risen a great deal.

“We pay for bags of feeds in millions and the transportation, which may be in one or more trailer vehicles, cost a fortune also.

“Most times, you pay in full, yet, it takes several weeks before your supplies arrive because, the demand may be high at that moment and it takes turns to service distributors.

“By the time it finally gets to the point of sale, there is usually a rush for it.”

He noted that the prices, though not constant, may go lower after the Christmas celebration. (NAN)

Continue Reading

community

UniAbuja Researchers Win N3bn Grant

Published

on

Share

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) says its researchers have won over N3 billion grants in 2023 following their applications to donor agencies for research grants.

The Vice Chancellor, UniAbuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’allah, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during the award ceremony for researchers and authors.

Na’allah said that the 2023 grant of over N3 billion was a significant improvement compared to the N1 billion that was won in 2022.

The vice-chancellor urged those leading in research to share their experiences with others, adding that they should support one another in order to bring in more researchers.

“When you hear information on grant, share it around so more people can participate, this will help the university produce more grant winning researchers.

“There is no world class university if there are no world scholars; we must continue to show this nation that a world class university is achievable and we have achieved it.

“We have made over N3 billion in research grants this year; we are making a mark and we are determined as a university that whatever it will take we must move forward.’’

He said there was need for scholars to invest in research because as they were the things needed to solve the problems facing the nation today.

The vice chancellor urged more scholars to apply for grants.

“What gives you joy as a scholar is research grants you get from outside; you have to keep working on getting a grant until you succeed,’’ he said.

Na’allah called on scholars to think of how to solve the problems of Nigeria such as insecurity, bad leadership among others through their research work.

He said that the university was taking the lead in resolving the problem of leadership, adding that the university would soon establish youth leadership clinic.

He said that this clinic would help to train young people and prepare them to take over the leadership of Nigeria.

The don assured the researchers that the university would not disappoint them as they continue to put the university on the map through this research grant.

He advised authors to ensure that originality was their main focus, adding that they should be innovative and create new words in their works.

Reports that under the researchers’ cadre, seven persons won gold, two silver and 45 bronze while in the authors cadre, eight persons won gold, nine silver and 27 bronze.

Earlier, the Director, UniAbuja Centre for Sponsored Projects (CSP), Prof. Obiageli Nnodu, said the centre was introduced in 2020 by the vice chancellor.

Nnodu, while appreciating the vice chancellor, said that the centre which started small, had grown into something big.

She said the researcher category was bringing extra income, adding that researcher income was adding significantly to the revenue of the university.

One of the awardees, Dr Dike Orji, on behalf of other awardees, appreciated the vice chancellor and the university for their support to all scholars and researchers.

Orji said the recipients would continue to put in their best to see that the university grew in terms of research. (NAN)

Continue Reading

community

Abuja Residents Express Mixed Feelings over `Fura da Nono’ Consumption

Published

on

Share

A cross section of Abuja residents have expressed mixed feelings over the consumption of Fura da Nono.

The residents in separate interviews on Thursday in Abuja, said the unhygienic nature in the preparation of fura da nono put them away from it.

While others are of the views that they don’t mind the preparation process, they enjoy the milk because of its numerous benefits.

Reports says that fura da nono is fermented milk-cereal mix locally.

It is highly nutritious beverage which is a two-in-one product.

Consisting of a cereal, ‘fura’ made from millet and ‘nono’ fermented cow-milk product similar to yoghurt.

Mr Adam Ibrahim, a shop keeper at Area 10, Garki said he takes nono because of it nutritional benefit adding that it was a natural drink.

“ I take nono because it is natural, no preservatives and not refined,’’ he said.

He, however, advised that cleanliness must be the watch word when consuming fura da nono, adding that he buys the product from a clean and a reliable vendor.

“There is a lady that packages fura da nono in containers to sell rather than patronising those who carry it in bowls with flies following around,’’ he said.

Tope Faseun, a cosmetologist at the Nyanya market said that nono is healthy and good to be consumed fresh.

She said that taking nono helps to improve the sperm cells of a male reproductive organ.

Mrs Agada Grace, a roasted plantain and corn seller in Garki, said that   fura da nono  helps to cool her body after staying close to the fire all day.

“Nono is a good drink that refreshes your body after a hard day. For me, the drink helps me to sleep well because it relaxes my body,’’ she said.

Mr Kolade Akin, a cobbler in Garki said that the extraction method, environment and sometimes the unhygienic nature of the persons extracting the milk makes it unhealthy for me.

“The process of extracting nono and also the preparatory method of it, is likely to expose the drink to bacterial and can lead to food burn diseases,’’ he said.

Wale Ridwan, a corps member said that fura da nono irritates him due to the unhygienic method of the extraction and preparation.

“Fura da nono irritates me because of the extraction of the milk and the preparation of the millet which are done manually.

“It is not processed, can be contaminated and can pose a great health challenge to individuals who consume the milk meal and drink,’’ he said.

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS8 hours ago

FCT HOS: Why President Tinubu Extends Atang’s Tenure By 6 Months

ShareBy Laide Akinboade, AbujaPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the extension of Atang Udo Samuel, as the the Head of...

NEWS8 hours ago

FGGC Benin Emerges Winner of 2023 National Senior Secondary Schools’ Debate

ShareBy Tony Obiechina, AbujaThe Federal Government Girls College, Benin has emerged overall winner of the 2023 National Senior Secondary Schools’...

NEWS8 hours ago

We’re Meeting Our Targets on Airport -Kuje Road Construction – Wike

ShareBy Laide Akinboade, AbujaThe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, haom Wednesday,  expressed satisfaction with the...

NEWS8 hours ago

Osun to Partner FG on Culture, Tourism Development

ShareFrom Kunle IdowuGovernor Ademola Adeleke has secured a partnership deal with the Ministry of Tourism on the development of tourism...

POLITICS9 hours ago

I Didn’t Call for Ganduje’s Resignation – Alia

ShareFrom Attah Ede, MakurdiGovernor Hyacinth Alia of Benue has denied calling for the resignation of Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the All...

POLITICS9 hours ago

Mutfwang Meets PDP North Central Leadership Calls for Unity among Officials

ShareFrom Jude Dangwam, JosThe Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has called for unity a purpose among...

POLITICS9 hours ago

FG Seeks Swedish Govt Support on Technical Education

ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja The Federal Government is seeking the support of the Swedish Government to help drive its ongoing...

Metro9 hours ago

FG Declares March 29, April 1, Public Holiday to Mark Easter Celebration

ShareThe Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1, as public holidays to mark the Easter celebration.This...

NEWS9 hours ago

Nigeria Prepared to Expedite Sustainable Dev’t in Collaboration with Partners — Tinubu

SharePresident Bola Tinubu yesterday said his administration is committed to deepening democracy by ensuring adherence to the rule of law...

NEWS9 hours ago

Police Engage Bandits in Gun Battle, Kill two, Arrest One in Benue

ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi Men of the Benue State Police Command yesterday engaged bandits in gun duel in Mba-Mtsar village,...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc