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Why We Called For Lokpobiri’s Redeployment -IYC
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has clarified that the reason it called for the redeployment of the Minister for State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri, was not borne out of parochial sentiment, but out of genuine desire to address issues bedeviling the petroleum sector.
The IYC in a statement signed by Maobuye Nangi Obu, the IYC Secretary-General; Comrade Miracle Iyaye, National Women Leader; Tamunotonye David Altraide, National Legal Adviser and Comrade Abiye Bob-Manuel, National Deputy Director of Mobilisation, said since the emergence of Dr. Lokpobiri as the portfolio’s minister, there had been unresolved issues from his office, threatening the country’s economy.
The council insisted that Lokpobiri’s continuous stay in the office, where he lacked the expertise, was making life difficult for Niger Delta people and the country.
The council frowned at the negative insinuations its earlier statement generated and insisted that there was no time it called for the removal of Lokpobiri as a minister.
The IYC executive members observed with dismay that instead of addressing their concerns, some persons were already reaching out to the minister to milk him financially with a promise that they would tame us.
The IYC officials said contrary to the position of the IYC Spokesman that the council passed a vote of confidence in Lokpobiri, there was no time a meeting was called for such purpose, insisting that no confidence vote on the minister was passed by the council.
They clarified that only the Secretary-General of IYC reserved the right to convene the meeting of council to deliberate on issues such as confidence votes.
They further added that instead of addressing issues they raised in their statement, the Minister had resorted to using his younger brother, Jonathan Lokpobiri, who is the President of IYC to attack and try to intimidate them.
The officials said: “We are not attacking the personality of the Minister and we are not saying that he is not an illustrious son of the Ijaw nation.
“All we are saying is that the Minister is occupying an office he knows nothing about and that he lacked the knowledge to confront the issues bedeviling the oil subsector of the petroleum industry. His lack of capacity and technical know-how is eroding the gains of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Our observations have been confirmed by the President of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOST COM) High Chief Benjamin Tamaranebi, when he led members of his organisation to visit the Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, at the weekend.
“Instead of embarking on a witch-hunt against us, we advise the Minister to sit up and address issues causing hardship for Nigerians and giving President Tinubu’s administration a bad name”.
The council said it only wanted the minister to be posted to a ministry where he could utilise his experience and recalled that Lokpobiri performed better when he was the Minister of State for Agriculture.
The executive officials, however, said Lokpobiri could begin to exert himself as the minister of Petroleum, oil, by explaining the current crisis in the petroleum sector and circumstances surrounding the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.
The council insisted that in developed countries, ministers, who discovered that there were forces stopping them from discharging their duties either sought redeployments or resign their offices.
The officials said being a Minister in a critical subsector like oil, which is the nucleus of the Nigerian economy, without having the powers to call the shots, would continue to give the occupant of such office a bad name.
The IYC officials said: “Our statement was not borne out of any parochial sentiment. We have highest regard for the Minister having served in different capacities. But what we are saying is that his continuous stay in the Ministry is making things more difficult for people of the Niger Delta and Nigerians.
“What we expected was for the issues we raised to be addressed. But sadly, political jobbers, disgruntled elements and some expired politicians have jumped in to catch on the issue and milk the Minister dry. They want to milk him with the assurance of taming us. He should be weary of them.
“We also want to restate that we didn’t call for his sack as some people have been saying. We only ask for his redeployment which is not out of place. He did far better as Minister of State for Agriculture so if this current position is overwhelming then he should be moved to another ministry.
“We have said that we will not support a non-Bayelsan or ijaw to occupy that office. So, even if he is redeployed we are advocating for his replacement to come from the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
“Those attributing out position to be a declaration of war between the Eastern and Central zone are missing the point. We will not condescend to their absurd level of reasoning and thinking.
“We want to be personal, there are too many things before us that we will unleash but we don’t want to go there. We call on the Honorable Minister to explain to Nigerians what is going on with the Port Harcourt and Warri Refinery and also tell those around him not to aggravate issues”.
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has announced a N100 billion annual education support programme aimed at keeping financially vulnerable Nigerian students in school.
Speaking at the launch of the national scholarship scheme in Lagos, yesterday, Dangote said too many brilliant young people were being forced out of classrooms because of poverty.
He described education as the “strongest engine of social mobility” and a critical foundation for national development.
The initiative, funded by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, will run for ten years beginning in 2026, costing over N1 trillion in total.
Dangote said the scheme would support 45,000 scholars each year at inception, expanding to 155,000 beneficiaries annually by its fourth year, and maintaining that level for the rest of the decade.
By 2036, he said, the programme is expected to have reached at least 1,325,000 students.
“We cannot allow financial hardship to silence the dreams of our young people, not when the future of our nation depends on their skills, resilience and leadership,” he added.
A major component of the fund is the Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars programme, which will provide annual scholarships for 30,000 undergraduate students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics in public universities and polytechnics.
Each beneficiary will receive tuition support aligned with the fees of their institution and course of study. Dangote said the goal is to expand access to higher education, empower innovation, and give young Nigerians the tools to compete globally.
“STEM drives development. If Nigeria must compete globally, our young minds must have the tools to learn, imagine and innovate,” he said.
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