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Mayhem as Fubara, Wike’s supporters clash in Rivers

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Mayhem as Fubara, Wike’s supporters clash in Rivers

A baby was reportedly tear-gassed and became unconscious on Wednesday as supporters of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, clashed with the loyalists of ex-governor Nyesom Wike in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the clash happened during a government medical outreach in the  Eliozu community, Obio/Akpor LGA.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that trouble started when officials of the state Ministry of Health were carrying out a medical outreach for women at the Eliozu Health Centre.

It was gathered that no sooner had the programme started than some supporters allegedly loyal to the factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, arrived at the venue to find out the reason for the gathering.

The venue is said to be near the residence of  Amaewhule, who is the leader of the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike.

But supporters of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Chijioke Ihunwo, loyal to Fubara, who were at the venue allegedly stopped them from accessing the venue, leading to a heated argument and subsequent clash.

Following the fisticuffs, stones were pelted from several directions, as the medical outreach was disrupted abruptly.

A few minutes later, a team of anti-riot policemen arrived at the scene, firing teargas to disperse the opposing groups and quell the situation from getting out of hand.

It was gathered that a child was tear-gassed during the mayhem and became unconscious.

The situation led to the relocation of the medical outreach to a state-owned medical facility at the Waterlines axis of Port Harcourt where the programme was launched.

Reacting to the incident, the Obio/Akpor CTC Chairman, Chijioke Ihunwo, accused Amaewhule, of leading policemen to disrupt the outreach.

Ihunwo stated, “This morning there was an incident at the Eliozu Health Centre where the former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, led some security men to disrupt a programme by the Ministry of Health.

“A few minutes later, some policemen came and started beating up our women, shooting tear gas at pregnant women who were at the Health Centre.

“We want to say that Obio/Akpor Local Government Area will not be under siege. We want to call on the President, Bola Tinubu that the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of the FCT are tarnishing the image of your government.

“We are calling on you to rein them in so that Rivers State can have peace. Let the FCT Minister concentrate on his job in Abuja and leave our dear governor alone.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.

Iringe-Koko, in a short message to our correspondent, said the police responded to a distress call over the scenario, adding that the investigation was ongoing.

She stated, “A distress call was received from the health centre in the Eliozu community today, 24th July 2024, where supporters of two separate political factions were engaged in a fight.

“The police responded by sending operatives to the scene to restore law and order.

“The police deployed anti-riot tactics, including the use of canisters, to disperse the crowds. An investigation into the matter has been initiated.”

Terminal operators pledge support for Dantsoho

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Terminal operators pledge support for Dantsoho

The Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria has said that the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has all it takes to reposition the agency for improved efficiency and increased revenue generation.

The group disclosed this in a congratulatory message to the new NPA boss on Tuesday, signed by its chairman, Vicky Haastrup.

Haastrup lauded President Bola Tinubu for appointing a professional from within NPA to head the agency.

“On behalf of the STOAN, we extend our warmest congratulations to Dr Abubakar Dantsoho on his well-deserved appointment as the MD of NPA,” Haastrup said.

She said that the appointment was a testament to his hard work, dedication, and expertise in the industry.

“I do not doubt that he will excel in leading the NPA to greater heights. His leadership and vision would undoubtedly have a profound impact on the agency and the industry as a whole,” she said.

Dantsoho was appointed as NPA managing director by President Bola Tinubu on July 12, 2024, to succeed Mohammed Bello-Koko.

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Construction begins at Midoil refinery

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Construction begins at Midoil refinery

Midoil Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited has finally performed the turning of sod ceremony, marking the commencement of construction activities in Lagos.

The turning of the sod took place at Shekungba, Ikosi/Ejinrin Local Council Development Area of Lagos State recently.

 The Executive Chairman of Midoil, Mrs Elizabeth-Omolara Akintonde, led dignitaries to the large expanse of land spanning various communities at Ikosi/Ejinrin Local Council Development Area.

Akintonde assured leaders and members of the communities that the refinery would transform their areas by bringing immediate development, creating both direct and indirect jobs.

She commended the village heads for refusing to be misled by some individuals who tried to bribe them to renege on their agreements.

Akintonde, whose 74th birthday coincided with the turning of the sod, stated that the Midoil refinery would boost Nigeria’s energy landscape with a refining capacity of 100,000 barrels per day.

“All these bushes you see today, in the next couple of months, you will see them no more,” Akintonde stated, assuring the people of her determination to see the project to reality.

 One of the Directors of Midoil and Chairman of Serenecity Staff Housing Estate, Hajia Amina Abdullahi, expressed joy that the project had finally commenced after over a decade delay.

“We have faith in God that we will witness the inauguration of the refinery. We know this is a big project that will go through many processes, but with the turning of the sod today, we have taken the right step,” she stated.

A founding member of the proposed refinery, retired Justice Olusola Hunponu-Wusu, opined that the country needed more refineries to boost its refining capacity and stop fuel importation.

Hunponu-Wusu advised the country to ramp up its current low oil production, expressing confidence that feedstock would not be a setback when the Midoil refinery finally comes on board.

While performing the turning of the sod, the Bishop of Lagos Anglican Communion, Ifedola Okupevi, prayed for the completion of the project at the right time.

 The According recalls that the Chairman of Midoil, on March 17, 2024, signed agreements with the representatives of Shekungba, Arogbo and Ererufu, presenting cheques to the host communities.

She explained that a large expanse of land was acquired from the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, stating that the land allocation letter was received from the Lagos State Government on April 24, 2014.

“Subsequently, on January 24, 2017, we got the licenses to establish the refinery from then Department of Petroleum Resources,” she remarked.

Akintonde said: “It has taken Midoil 10 years to secure interested investors that are willing to invest in Nigeria and our project. But to the glory of God Almighty, we now have three consortiums of investors willing to invest $5bn with us.

 “The sourcing of the required funding from overseas has been the major reason for the delay.”

Lagos plans e-registration of interstate motor parks

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Lagos plans e-registration of interstate motor parks

The Lagos State Government has disclosed its plan to introduce the digital registration of interstate motor parks across the state as part of measures to ensure the security of citizens.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists which was organised by the ministry at Ikeja GRA on Tuesday evening.

Osiyemi said, “We all know the importance of creating a safe environment for our people, so to this end, we will soon begin the digitalisation of interstate transportation. Lagos is the new London; people ‘japa’ from different states to Lagos and the influx of the people in the state necessitates that we get complete data of people that come in and go out of buses at our interstate parks.

“So, we are in partnership with consultants who are working with us on all our interstate parks whereby there will be a standardisation of these parks. We will have the numbers of the state parks in the ministry, so we will classify each park into grades and they will be labelled and registered with the ministry.

“Anyone that uses that park will have their details taken electronically and we will know those that go in and come out of Lagos. This is to ensure collective security, proper planning and efficient transport structures in place.”

Also speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, noted that the activities of fake traffic enforcement officers extorting motorists had been reported to the ministry.

“Unfortunately, these fake traffic enforcement officials play on the people’s intelligence. But once we get a report, we will act. We already have a standing army that is dedicated to addressing this issue but the problem is we don’t always receive complaints on time because people would rather go on social media to report rather than report to us,” he stated.

Last week, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olawale Musa, promised to arrest and prosecute illegal personnel who hid under the pretext of enforcing traffic laws to extort money from motorists across the metropolis.

Shareholders decry attack on Dangote refinery

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Shareholders decry attack on Dangote refinery

The Progressives Shareholders Association of Nigeria have slammed the attempts to demarket the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals built by Africa’s foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote.

In a statement made available to The According on Wednesday, the National Coordinator of PSAN, Bisi Bakare, expressed dismay over recent allegations from the petroleum regulatory agency regarding the quality of diesel produced by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority Farouk Ahmed, came under fire recently for comments on the Dangote Refinery, with many Nigerians demanding his resignation.

Even the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend Ahmed pending the conclusion of the investigations of allegations against what it called the unguarded statement by the CEO.

In the statement from the shareholders on Wednesday, Bakare commended Dangote for his visionary approach to establishing one of the world’s foremost refineries in Nigeria. She highlighted Dangote’s commitment to national development, stressing his patriotism and resolute character through substantial investments like the refinery.

“Dangote has ensured that the bulk of his business investments are local, contributing significantly to economic development through tax payments, extensive job creation, and consistent returns for shareholders, “Bakare stated.

She went on to condemn what she termed as “unwarranted efforts to demarket the refinery” by regulatory bodies and cautioned that such actions could deter both local and international investors and undermine government efforts to stabilise fuel prices and ensure availability.

“We must rally around Dangote Refinery,” Mrs Bakare urged, “to provide crucial support such as crude oil allocation, cooperation from international oil companies, and regulatory agency collaboration.”

She stressed the refinery’s potential to save Nigeria significant foreign exchange currently spent on offshore refining, which could alleviate the country’s foreign exchange challenges.

“As shareholders,” Mrs Bakare affirmed, “we remain steadfast in our support of Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s vision to bolster the nation’s economy and create more opportunities for our citizens.”

PSAN has become the latest to join the list of Nigerians rallying support for Dangote in the ongoing spat between it and the authorities.

Individuals and associations such as the President of the African Development Bank Group Akinwumi Adesina; billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola; federal lawmakers; former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar; former Anambra state governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture; and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria have all voiced their support for Dangote Refinery.

Bakare emphasised that Dangote’s efforts are crucial in providing local solutions to Nigeria’s refining needs and reducing dependence on imports.

She also highlighted the potential positive impacts on job creation and economic stability that the Dangote Refinery represents, reiterating the importance of supporting local industries.

OPay recommits to safekeeping customers’ funds

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OPay recommits to safekeeping customers’ funds

Leading financial technology company, OPay, has reiterated its commitment to keeping customers’ funds safe.

This was disclosed on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the media managers of OPay, Bracken Media Solutions to the Head Office of According Newspapers in Ogun State.

OPay’s Public Relations Manager at Bracken Media, Ayobami Ajenipa, said that while the company’s drive for financial inclusion was ongoing, it was determined to keep customers’ funds safe.

“For being the leader in the market, we boast of a large number; we cannot avoid that there would be complaints. Our competitors would have complaints too but by us being a major player, ours would inevitably be pronounced and somewhat blown out of proportion by the demarketing antics of our competitors.

“However, we have been releasing features that can help to secure their funds. These features are being released like the Nightguard. There is another security feature, we just released the USSD code, and these are very novel innovations that even our competitors are not yet offering. It is very novel in the space with more to come.

“For this year, OPay is focusing on security. We have a whole campaign called the Security series through which we want to reassure our customers that ‘OPay is secure, you can trust OPay’and these are what we have put in place to ensure that our customers are safe.”

Speaking further on efforts to keep customers’ funds safe, the Business Development Manager at Bracken Media, Godswill Okwuchi, said the efforts are already being made to resolve complaints as soon as possible.

On the nightguard feature, Okwuchi said “It was an algorithm push because it has been discovered that at night, a lot of funds get ‘missing’ so the ‘Nightguard’ helps a customer to double check if they want to do a transaction. We had instances of complaints both online and offline, first of all, to address the grassroots, you have to have physical offices to allow customers to see and reach us which helps to build a sense of trust and bring solutions closer to the grassroots.”

The According had earlier reported that the Managing Director of OPay, Mr Dauda Gotring, said that customers’ fund security was of great concern to the company.

“At OPay, users’ financial security is our top priority. By combining comprehensive regulatory compliance, innovative security features, and ongoing user education, we are building a digital banking ecosystem where users can transact with confidence,” he said.

During the visit, the General Manager of Digital and Publications of According Nigeria Limited, Mr Ademola Oni, maintained that the newspaper would continue to uphold professional ethics as it carries out its duties.

“We do not pander to anybody. We do not spew sentiments when we know the truth and that is why we are still standing,” he said.

Also present at the meeting were the Editor of The According, Mr Oyetunji Abioye and the Head of Digital Advert, Mrs Mary Stanley-Ubani.

INEC absence didn’t invalidate LP convention – Abure

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INEC absence didn’t invalidate LP convention – Abure

The leadership of the Labour Party has defended the validity of its March 27, 2024 convention, saying that the absence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission at the event does not in any way invalidate the election that returned its National Chairman, Julius Abure and members of the National Working Committee to office.

This was stated on Wednesday by the National Legal Adviser of the LP, Kehinde Edun, at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

Edun’s statement came three days after the electoral commission announced that none of its officials attended or monitored proceedings at the disputed convention held at Nnewi, Anambra State.

In the past four months, Abure had been at loggerheads with the Nigeria Labour Congress over the legitimacy of his re-election.

The party’s internal rift remained unresolved as the NLC and its stakeholders continued to distance themselves from the current NWC of the party.

The situation escalated further when the INEC responded to a request by a lawyer for a Certified True Copy of its report on the convention and the party’s constitution.

In the letter referenced INEC/DEPM/LP/CTC/885/1, dated July 18 and signed by the Acting Secretary, Haliru Aminu, the commission declared that it could not report on the convention because it did not monitor it.

The letter, which was sighted by The According, partly read: “The commission has received your request for the Certified True Copy of the monitored report of the Labour Party convention at Nnewi, Anambra State, held on the 27th of March 2024, and the Labour Party constitution.

“The Certified True Copy of the Labour Party Constitution has been forwarded to your firm earlier.

“Regrettably, the commission did not monitor the Labour Party convention of 27th March 2024 and cannot, therefore, report on the convention.”

The position of the electoral umpire had since led to a chain reaction, with the NLC insisting that it had been vindicated.

But, addressing newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, Edun said the INEC letter was wrongly interpreted.

According to the national legal adviser, the presence or absence of INEC officials did not in any way affect the legitimacy of the national convention.

He said, “On the deliberate misinterpretation of the INEC’s reply to an application by Messr Steve Adehi, SAN & Co, this letter is very clear and unambiguous and shouldn’t have been the subject of any argument.

“However, not finding anything to hold against us, they went to import what is not contained in the letter into it.

“The applicant (an agent of the NLC) requested for CTC of the INEC-monitored report of the Labour Party convention 2024 and the constitution. Though the applicant and his principal were dishonest, mischievous, dubious and manipulative, INEC’s response was accurate and unpretentious.

“How on earth could there be an INEC-monitored report when we have made it clear that INEC did not attend, a position also confirmed by INEC and is in the public domain? The NLC and its cronies, including the applicant, knew INEC didn’t attend. Why then ask for the INEC report and what is their business with it?

“In paragraph 3 of the INEC’s response, the commission expressed regret that it did not monitor the convention and could, therefore, not have an INEC-monitored report. Now, did the non-attendance of INEC invalidate the convention? The answer is capital no and INEC never said so.

“The law did not make it mandatory for INEC to attend any party’s convention. INEC knew they were at liberty to come or not. What the law requires is proper notice. Take note that the law did not say the failure of INEC to attend shall render the convention invalid. What then is the essence of the dishonest, dubious and misconceived hue and cry by the NLC?”

The party’s legal counsel said it would not be intimidated or cowed by any external aggressor to fold its hands and watch the party being hijacked.

Govt warns against repeat of #ENDSARS experience

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Govt warns against repeat of #ENDSARS experience

The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, has urged residents to avoid violent protests that could lead to the destruction of public property, as seen during the 2020 #EndSARS protests. The SSG gave this advice on Tuesday while speaking to journalists after a routine security meeting with the secretaries to the local governments

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Kano banker, three others nabbed for currency fraud

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Kano banker, three others nabbed for currency fraud

A banker, Kamaluddeen Lawal, and three businessmen have been arrested in Kano, over their fraudulent engagement in recycling and manipulating the specific amount of cash deposited in the bank for savings.

The three alleged accomplices include Ismail Ibrahim Ilu, Lamido Bala and Abba Mohammed, who had been arrested by operatives of the Kano Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, over their shady bank transactions.

The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, who confirmed the arrest in a statement late Tuesday night, disclosed that the suspects were nabbed on Unity Road, Kantin Kwari Market, Kano, following credible intelligence on the activities of some individuals, suspected to be trafficking huge sums of money in cash.

The suspects, according to the statement, specialised in sourcing mutilated naira notes from different banks to remove a few notes from each bundle and deposit them in their bank accounts, with a particular bank where their banker accomplice would receive the money as the original amount.

“The suspects were perpetrating the fraud by going to their respective banks, requesting a certain denomination (in this case N200 notes) and carefully removing a few notes from each bundle. Thereafter,  they would hand them over to their accomplice at the bank.

“The accomplice will collect the money and make entries as filled in the tellers without counting them on the agreement that they would later give him his share of the money they removed,” Oyewale said.

According to the statement, a total sum of N7.5m was recovered from the suspects as of the time of their arrest.

The EFCC spokesperson said as soon as investigations were completed, the anti-graft agency would charge the suspects in court.

FG deploys reinforced concrete tech on East-West Road project

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FG deploys reinforced concrete tech on East-West Road project

The Federal Government has announced that it is deploying reinforced concrete technology on the long-delayed East-West road, which spans the South-south region of Nigeria.

This move comes after threats of protests from the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People and former agitators in the Niger Delta over the uncompleted axis of the road.

In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by the spokesperson to the Minister of Works, Uchenna Orji, the government stated it was committed to ensuring that the segments of the road would not fail again.

He explained that the use of reinforced concrete technology would end pavement failures and years of infrastructural neglect on the highway.

MOSOP, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Imeabe Saviour, said the non-completion of the road had led to a series of accidents, resulting in loss of lives.

The group earlier in July said, “It is worrisome to mention that despite the substantial revenue generated within the Ogoni ethnic nationality, the stretch of the East-West road in our area has remained in its worst state, dilapidated and a nightmare to travellers and a death trap to the Ogoni people.

“It suffices to state that the East-West road, hyped as completed, still stands as an abandoned project today.”

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, had visited sections of the road, including the Kaiama-Ahoada section in Rivers/Bayelsa states, and commended the contractors handling the relief culverts for their commitment to the intervention.

He also lauded the quality of work being done on the kilometre 15 section 3A of the East-West Road.

The minister assured MOSOP that a permanent solution was underway, with the project being procured to raise the road above the flood level, while reinforced concrete of 12 inches would be used to do the overlay.

“We are encouraging many more local contractors to come and work because there’s so much to work. And so our directive is that the contractor shouldn’t open more relief culverts. Let us contain the floods by working with the Niger Delta Development Commission,” he added.

He also urged patience from road users, stating that the project was expected to be completed by December.

The government’s move to fortify the road is seen as a step in the right direction towards addressing the infrastructure deficits in the region.

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