Niger Delta
Stakeholders, NNPCL Synergise On Investigative Journalism, Advocacy In Bayelsa
Media stakeholders in Bayelsa State have indicated willingness to partner the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for effective and balanced reportage.
The Tide gathered this in Yenagoa, the state capital, during a recent media parley with a group, “Media friends of the NNPCL”.
Stating the rationale behind the parley, one of the conveners, Mr. Solomon Oseagah, a media practitioner and player in the oil and gas industry, called on Journalists to fact-check information as it relates to NNPCL before reportage, noting that media ethics were against unverified and misinforming publications.
According to him, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the NNPCL, Engr. Mele Kolo Kyari, has shown cause that the company is no longer an opaque one, as it has opened its financial records to the public.
“Since the formation of the NNPC, this is first of its kind the GCEO has opened the firm’s financial records”, he said.
Oseagah noted that the company has arrested over 1800 suspected vandals of its assets, and others who committed economic sabotage on its facilities.
He, however, expressed regret that the firm has not been successful in its quest to prosecute these suspects despite all evidences presented before the courts.
Also speaking, the Akwa Ibom Sate Public Relations Officer of the National Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), Ekerete Friday, revealed that in his Command, the NNPCL has reduced oil bunkering across the waters by 90 percent and same has also been achieved in Bayelsa State.
The conveners outlined the many achievements of the GCEO of NNPCL, which include a command room where all operations and assets of the company is viewed real time.
They promised to have journalists visit the NNPCL towers to have a first-hand experience of it and take the message back to the people through their reportage.
Speaking against the backdrop of the delay in the repairs and commencement of production by the Port Harcourt refinery, Oseagah stated that the refinery is already producing a product, while PMS will be rolled out before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Journalists at the parley called on the NNPCL to maintain the partnership with the media through continuous provision of first-hand information instead of keeping mum while things go wrong in areas concerning them in the worsening energy crisis and others.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.
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