News
Insecurity: Navy, PAP Partner On Job Creation In N’Delta
The Nigerian Navy and the Office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) have concluded partnership plans to secure and develop the Niger Delta region through a programme on job creation.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, said such development was possible through a special skill acquisition programme to reduce tension caused by unemployment.
Gambo spoke at the weekend when PAP’s Interim Administrator, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), led a delegation to pay him a courtesy visit at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters in Abuja.
A statement signed by Dikio’s Special Adviser on Media, Neotaobase Egbe, said the interim administrator congratulated the Naval chief on his appointment and reiterated his commitment to repositioning the PAP.
Dikio said the programme would, henceforth, train and prepare the ex-agitators to apply the skills they acquired in their area of comparative advantage such as maritime, transport and security.
He said the programme would give serious attention to farming to enhance food security.
Dikio said, “We will like a synergy with the Nigerian Navy to further strengthen the security in the region as the ex-agitators are largely domiciled there and have pledged to help end kidnappings and sea piracy in the region”.
The amnesty boss noted that security would be enhanced when agencies work with committed inhabitants through meaningful engagements.
He further expressed the need for security agencies to develop “vertical and horizontal” relationships with traditional rulers, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ministries of Environment and Niger Delta, state governments and other bodies involved in the delivery of the amnesty package to keep the region together.
While acknowledging the need for the partnership, Gambo said that skill acquisition and job creation were necessary for the development of the region and would go a long way to ease unemployment-related tension.
He further commended Dikio for his good work and said that the Nigerian Navy would provide personnel support to operationalize the pledge of the ex-agitators to boost the security on the waterways.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme is focused on its mission to successfully reintegrate its 30,000 ex-agitators into the society through its Train-Employ-Mentor empowerment model.
The model is designed to ensure that ex-agitators are meaningfully engaged; maintain the peace and security in the region while reducing their dependence on monthly stipends.
News
Kano Gov Congratulates NUJ At 70

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has congratulated the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on its 70th anniversary.
The governor acknowledged the NUJ’s vital role in strengthening democracy and promoting accountability in governance.
This is contained in a statement by the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa in Kano, yesterday.
The governor lauded the NUJ for its unwavering commitment to ethical journalism and nation building.
He commended the union’s leadership, led by Mr Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, for advancing press freedom and advocating for journalists’ welfare.
“The NUJ has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s narrative, promoting democracy and ensuring accountability in governance.
”The Kano state government recognises the critical role of the media in our democracy and will continue to support and collaborate with the NUJ to uphold a free and independent press,” he stated.
Yusuf urged journalists to continue to uphold professionalism, integrity and objectivity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering a strong partnership with the union, while ensuring that the media remained a pillar of democracy in the state and the country at large.
“Once again, congratulations to the NUJ on this remarkable achievement. May the next 70 years bring even greater successes and accomplishments for the union and its members,” he stated.
News
Monarch Lauds Fubara On Enduring Peace, Installs Three Chiefs In Ngo

The Village Head of Ngo in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, King Dogood Ngere, has commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his peaceful disposition and leadership qualities in the State.
King Ngere has also appealed to the governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to resolve their differences and work together for the interest of peace and development of the State.
The monarch stressed the need for the two leaders to put Rivers State interest above personal interest and reconcile their differences.
He said Fubara’s decision to implement the Supreme Court judgement shows that he is a man of peace and appealed to the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Rt Martin Amaewhule to work with the Executive to move the State forward.
The traditional ruler stated this shortly after he installed three chiefs at his palace in Ngo Town.
The three chiefs are Chief Daniel Dimkpa Nelson of Ebirien Ngere family, Chief John Biboh John of Ngor Egbesi family, and Awajimotumu Ukot Idawaji as chief of Ida Awaji family.
Addressing the new chiefs after their installation, King Ngere charged them to see themselves as role models for their individual families, stressing that as chiefs, it behoves them to be exemplary in their conducts.
According to the traditional ruler, the new chiefs must not only work for the peace of their families but Ngo community in general.
King Ngere also advised members of the three families to give their chiefs the desired respect while also supporting them to succeed.
He commended Governor Fubara for his numerous developmental projects in Andoni, particularly the ongoing Ngo/Oyorokoto Road, saying that when completed, the road will open up economic opportunities in the area.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Secretary of the Egweoke Council of Chiefs, Chief Awajiokan Mbosowo Ukumor, described the installation ceremony as a big success.
He said the three chiefs fulfilled all the conditions for their installation and are therefore admitted as members of the Ngo Council of Chiefs.
The ceremony was attended by people from various walks of life.
News
NDLEA Seizes Large Consignments Of Skunk, Heroin Across Six States, FCT

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized large consignments of skunk, heroin, and other opioids in raids across Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.
Babafemi said that in Kano, a total of 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg were recovered from a 40-year-old suspect.
According to him, the suspect was arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the Chalawa area of the state on March 12.
He added that no fewer than 58,300 pills of tramadol were also intercepted along Kabba-Obajana highway, Kogi, in a commercial bus coming from Lagos, enroute Abuja on March 11.
He added that raid operations in Kachia, in Kaduna on March 13, led to the arrest of a 21 year-old suspect, with 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg seized from him.
Babafemi said that a similar exercise in the Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North Local Government Area (LGA) on March 14, also resulted in the arrest of another 25-year-old suspect.
According to Babafemi, 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg was also recovered from him.
“A total of 40,200 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered from the duo of Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan along Ilorin – Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu, Kwara, on Friday, March 14.
“The NDLEA operatives equally seized 21,700 capsules of same opioid from a suspect, along Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin on Thursday, March 13.
“Also, in Taraba, NDLEA officers on Friday, March 14, another 30-year-old suspect, at Bente Road, Kurmi LGA, with 15.77kg of skunk,” he stated.
Speaking further, he noted that agency operatives had also on March 13 in Osun, intercepted a commercial bus with registration number, SGB 564 YS coming from Idumota, Lagos Island.
According to him, the NDLEA operatives recovered a total of 48.7kg Ghanaian Loud, Colorado and Canadian Loud, all strains of cannabis.
“Not less than nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow up operations.
“A 58-year-old suspect was on March 11, arrested along Gwagwalada expressway, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, with 27,800 pills of tramadol 225mg.
“Another 26 year old suspect sold was nabbed same day with various quantities of skunk and cocaine at Wuse zone 3 area of Abuja.
“In Abia, NDLEA operatives had also on March 15, raided the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, where a 34-year-old suspect was arrested.
“Operatives recovered from him, 274grams of heroin, 141grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, four grams of cocaine and N753,015 monetary exhibit,” he said.
-
News5 hours ago
Navy Seizes 13,800 Litres Of Petrol, 71 Foreign Rice Bags In Lagos
-
Business8 hours ago
Nigeria, Brazil Strengthen Bilateral Relations Through Agric, Others
-
Rivers4 hours ago
MOSIEND Urges RSHA To Reconcile Differences With Gov
-
Maritime8 hours ago
Customs Intercepts Undeclared $1.1m At Kano Airport
-
News4 hours ago
Tinubu’s Wife Wins ‘Woman Of The Year’ Award
-
Opinion9 hours ago
Effects Of Smuggling Of Petrolum Products In Nigeria
-
News5 hours ago
SERAP Sues Akpabio Over Natasha’s Suspension
-
Business8 hours ago
W’Bank Likely To Grant Nigeria’s $1.1bn Loan Request