Nation
Group demands appointment of Ekpeye people into NDDC …Berates oil multinational on security

A group known as Ekpeye Oil and Gas (EOG) Pipelines Host Families Association has held it’s Annual Celebration and Sensitization Programme for the year, 2023 with a call for federal government to include ekpeye sons and daughters in to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
The event which was held on Tuesday at the National Secretariat of the Association along Omoku Road in Ahaoda East local government area of Rivers State attracted the cream of personality from the Ekpeye kingdom
Speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the Organization- Comrade Dogini Chidi, noted that Ekpeye is one of the biggest contributors to the wealth of the Nation ,stressing that it host about Six Oil Multinationals with about Eight to Nine Licensed Oil Mining Fields.
He name some of the oil field being hosted in the area as OML 21, OML 22, OML 27, OML 28, OML 54, OML 58, OML 60, and OML 61. adding that Ekpeye Ethnic Nation also a host other major Crude Export Lines that holds the wealth of the Nation.
He wonder why the Ekpeyes are never considered for appointments or benefits noting that other groups are benefiting from juicy appointments than the Ekpeyes” the divide and rule tactics adopted by oil Multinationals was responsible for the unending crisis in the land, and has put the people down, and on a disadvantaged position.”
“As a way forward to having a better industrial relationship between Ekpeye people and the Oil Multinationals operating in the area, the Multinationals should give Ekpeye people the opportunity of being employed into various positions and be awarded contracts to, as rightly provided by the Local Content Act, to ameliorate their sufferings.”
The EOG National Chairman berated oil Multinationals on the for the underdevelopment of their Host Communities and lack of social infrastructures and other entitlements, especially, as contained in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) that has since been signed into law.
“The Multinationals being referred to here, includes the following: Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), Total Energies, Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Aradei Holdings Plc (Former Niger Delta Petroleum Resources), Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG), Power gas Nigeria Limited and Chevron. ”
” Federal Government to consider an Ekpeye Son or Daughter for appointment into the NDDC Board, in view of the quantum of contribution Ekpeye Ethnic Nation has made to the National Earnings.
what is good for the Goose is also good for the Gander, and that it will be a disservice to the people if the Federal Government would continue to treat the Ekpeye people like a subservient group and second class citizens.”
Speaking further when asked about the issue of security concerns often raised by the Oil Multinationals, Comrade Dogini said, that was the purpose and essence of the sensitization; to continue to concientize the youths on the need to stay away from artesinal refining, illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalization, and other related vices.
The EOG Boss condemn the unwilling attitude of Oil Multinationals to supporting the Association in carrying out it’s Quarterly Sensitization Programmes. Expressing his chagrin dismay, the EOG Boss said, “I doubt the sincerity of the Companies to curb or end insecurity and Pipeline sabotage in our area. There are several evidences of our communication towards reducing insecurity, pipeline sabotage and oil theft in the land without meaningful response.
I strongly believe there are benefits that accrue to the IOCs by hoisting insecurity in their Host Communities in a bid to extract their Oil without meaningful development and benefit to the people; that must stop”.
He called on the Federal Government and other Regulatory Authorities to impress it upon the Multinational Oil Companies to support programmes aimed at ending insecurity, pipeline sabotage and oil theft in their Host Communities.
The EOG Boss used the opportunity to call on Oil surveillance Contractors to be Community friendly, noting that the “carrot and stick” approach remains a major challenges in the Host Communities.
used as cash cow and settlements for friends and cronies.
Other speakers who spoke at the event include Hon. Ibezhim Green Ogbuleka, Alhaji Abdulrazaak Philip Echeya, Dr. Captain Ogbuewe and Rt. Hon. (Engr) Mc Sunday Ugwu were of the opinion that non violent approach was the way to go in seeking for a better deal for the Ekpeye People.
By: Akujobi Amadi
Nation
Rivers Judiciary Denise Media Reports On Issuing Judgement Sacking SOLAD
The Rivers State Judiciary has denied claims of media reports circulating online that a judge of its High Court issued a ruling in favour of Governor Siminalayi Fubara against former Governor Nyesom Wike and President Bola Tinubu, there by sacking the sole Administrator of the state, vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd).
A statement signed by the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi yesterday in Port Harcourt, described the purported report as false and misleading, particularly for linking a judge of the State High Court, Justice Boma Diepirii, to a ruling that reportedly came from a Federal High Court.
According to the statement, Justice Boma Diepirii is a Judge of the Rivers State High Court and not of the Federal High Court and currently on Easter Vacation, which commenced on Monday, 14th April.
The Chief Registrar further clarified that the Federal High Court and the State High Court are separate entities, stressing that “the inclusion of Justice Diepiri’s name in the fabricated report underscores the crass ignorance of the author.”
“The attention of the Rivers State Judiciary has been drawn to a fake news report alleging that His Lordship, Hon. Justice Boma Diepiri, delivered a judgment sacking the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. This is false in its entirety,” the statement read.
“Justice Diepiri is a judge of the High Court of Rivers State, not of the Federal High Court as was falsely reported”.
” Additionally, His Lordship is currently on Easter vacation which began on Monday, April 14, 2025, Ihua-Maduenyi stated.
The statement however advised the general public and members of the media to always cross checked information concerning the judiciary before publishing and as well disregard the said report in its entirety as its an embodiment of falsehood and fabricated story.
Nation
Senate Passes Bill For Establishment Of University In Abia
The Senate yesterday approved the bills for the establishment of Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences and College of Education, Bende at its plenary session.
The two bills sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon . Benjamin Kalu came to the Senate for concurrence after the approvals from the House of Representatives.
The Deputy Leader of the Senate, Sen. Lola Ashiru in the absence of the Majority Leader presented the recommendations of the Lower Chamber for consideration and Concurrence .
The Bill for an Act to establish Federal College of Education, Bende in Abia State seeks to provide full-time courses, training in technology, applied sciences, commerce, social sciences, arts and humanities among others.
Kalu had in his lead debate stated that Bende has remained undivided since its creation in 1976, even though with the size of four local government areas as found in comparative federal constituencies.
“Despite its strategic location in Abia and sharing a border with Akwa Ibom, with a growing population and landmass, there is no tertiary institution in the Federal Constituency operated either by Federal or State Government. Bende deserves to have the presence of a tertiary institution to serve the education need of the teeming youthful population, especially now that the need for well-trained educationists has risen. This is accompanied by the need to fill the gaps created by both the consequences of brain drain and the lack of qualified educationists to provide quality training at all levels of education,” he said.
For the bill seeking the establishment of Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Bende, Abia State, he said when it becomes law, the university will be charged with the responsibility to, among other things, offer full-time training leading to the award of degrees in medical and health sciences.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi
Nation
South East Caucus Kicks As Senate Rejects Nwosu’s Immortalisation
South East Caucus of the Senate has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immorttalise late Professor Humphrey Nwosu considering his commitment to achieving a practical democracy for Nigerian.
The Senators visibly angered by the Senate’s rejection of the need to immortalise the late National Electoral umpire who stood for democracy through the turbulent 1993 elections stormed out of the Senate Chambers and spoke to the press .
The Chairman of the South East Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe ( Abia South), as he did in plenary on Wednesday, presented a motion for immortalisation of Humphrey Nwosu by naming the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) , after him , for laying the foundation in 1993 and conducting the freest and fairest Presidential election in the country .
The late Professor Nwosu was the National Chairman of the National Electoral Commission ( NEC) , now known as Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) , who through option A4, conducted the June 12, 19993 presidential election , adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the country.
Abaribe in the motion co – sponsored by 15 other Senators , said late Humphrey Nwosu deserved to be immortalised like other heroes of the June 12 , 1993 presidential election .
He also urged the Federal Government to honour the late former electoral umpire with post humous national honours .
But Abaribe’s request , seconded by Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) and supported by Senators from the South East including forner Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi ( Kebbi North) , was roundly rejected by other Senators who said the deceased deserved no immortalization .
Specifically , Senator Adams Oshiomhole ( Edo North) , in his contribution to the debate said the motion to him, was nothing but an attempt to manipulate and rewrite history.
“ Professor Humphrey Nwosu as NEC Chairman in 1993, failed to deliver on the June 12 , 1993 Presidential Election for lack of Courage
“ He who is not ready to die for something , will die for nothing
“ If he was afraid of the gun from announcing the election results and winner in 1993 , he cannot be rewarded now , more so, when many Nigerians died for what he inadvertently created “, he said .
Nneka Amaechi -Nnadi
-
News1 day ago
unpaid salaries: Abia teachers to begin strike Thursday
-
Education16 hours ago
Rivers Poly Matriculates 1, 882 Fresh Students
-
News1 day ago
IAWPA Honours Rivers NSCDC Commandant
-
Niger Delta1 day ago
Tompolo, N’Delta’s Distinguished Son – Oborevwori
-
Politics1 day ago
FG Reaffirms Commitment To Enduring Democracy
-
News1 day ago
SERAP Sues NBC Over Ban On ‘Tell Your Papa’ Song
-
Maritime16 hours ago
Racketeering: TTP Trains Customs Agents, Freight Forwarders On Eto APP
-
News1 day ago
HYPREP Moves To Complete Ongoing Projects This Year