News

Wigwe: Rivers Reps, Ogbakor Ikwerre Seek Probe Of Helicopter Crash

Published

7 months ago

February 14, 2024

The Rivers State caucus in the House of Representatives has called on the United States Government and its relevant agencies to thoroughly investigate the cause of the helicopter crash that killed the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son.
Also, the Rivers House of Representatives members called on the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies in the country to join in the investigation.
Wigwe, alongside his wife and son died in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, US, last Friday.
Leader of the caucus, Dunamenne Dekor, made the call in a statement he made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital on Monday.
The statement read, “Our hearts are heavy with sorrow as we extend our deepest condolences to the Wigwe family and loved ones during this distressing time.
“Dr Herbert Wigwe played a prominent role in the financial banking community, education and welfare.
“His leadership at Access Holdings Plc has left an indelible mark on the industry.
“As we mourn the loss of our son; a nationalist, lover of Rivers State, and visionary and compassionate leader, we take solace in the very remarkable impact he made in the financial sector, education, and particularly his philanthropic lifestyle and belief that the well-being of a people is the only thing that has intrinsic value.
“The Caucus is calling on the United States of America and its relevant agencies, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and all relevant institutions and agencies of government to thoroughly investigate the cause of this ill-fated helicopter crash in California and make public its findings.
“We fervently hope that the authorities will successfully locate and provide the necessary support to the families of the victims of this devastating incident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wigwe family and all those who have been impacted by this tragic event.”
Similarly, the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization Worldwide, Eze Godspower Onuekwa, has threatened that the United States Government must unravel the actual cause of the death of erudite banker, businessman, Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Holdings Plc, Dr. Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe, who passed on in an helicopter crash in the United States on Friday night.
Onuekwa said the US Government must explain to Ikwerre people how and why Herbert Wigwe died with his wife and son in a chopper crash enroute Nevada from California.
Speaking at the Palace of the Paramount Ruler and Nye Nwe Ali Isiokpo, Eze Blessing Wagor, on Monday, Onuekwa assured Isiokpo people that Ogbakor Ikwerre was behind them.
He said there must be an autopsy to verify the actual cause of his death, adding that Ikwerre people would not sleep until the actual cause of Herbert Wigwe’s death was made known.
Onuekwa also said that a day would be fixed for all Ikwerre sons and daughters to march the streets of Ikwerre land with black clothes, with all shops and offices closed.
He stated that after that, Ikwerre people would visit the governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and ask him the next line of action before writing to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
In his response, the Paramount Ruler and Nye Nwe Ali Isiokpo, Eze Blessing Wagor, thanked members of Ogbakor Ikwerre for the condolence visit, saying that they would be involved in his burial plans.
He also permitted them to take any action that would benefit the entire Ikwerre ethnic nationality as regards the cause of death of the late businessman.
He prayed God to bless them for this noble step and grant them journey mercies back to their various destinations.
In the entourage of the Ogbakor Ikwerre delegation to Isiokpo are members of the National Executive Committee of Ogbakor Ikwerre, Chapter representatives, the President of Ikwerre People’s Association (IPA), High Chief Monday Wehere, the President of Iwhuruohna Progressive Organization (IPO), Mr. Okachikwu Dibia, who was represented by Onyeche Igwe, and other well-meaning individuals of Ikwerre extraction.

News

Nigeria’s Rail Transport Generated N1.69bn In Q2 -NBS report

Published

3 days ago

September 20, 2024

The Tide

The Nigerian rail system generated N1.69billionn in revenue from passengers in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting a 53.14 per cent increase compared to the N1.10billion recorded in the same period of 2023.
This data was disclosed by the National Bureau of Statistics in its report released yesterday.
According to the report, a total of 689,263 passengers travelled by rail in Q2, representing a growth rate of 45.38 per cent compared to 474,117 passengers in the corresponding quarter of 2023.
The volume of goods transported via rail also saw a significant increase, with 143,759 tons moved in Q2 2024, up from 56,936 tons in Q2 2023. Additionally, the Nigerian Railway Corporation reported a volume of 5,940 tons of goods transported through pipelines in Q2 2024, an increase from the 2,856 tons recorded in the same period of the previous year.
Revenue from goods conveyed via rail stood at N537.36m in Q2 2024, a remarkable increase of 206.68 per cent compared to N175.22m in Q2 2023. The movement of goods through pipelines also contributed to revenue generation, with N42.08m collected in Q2 2024, compared to N12.81million in Q2 2023.
Other revenue receipts amounted to N994.68million in Q2 2024, representing a staggering increase of 5,206.68 per cent from the N18.74m recorded in the corresponding period of last year.
In the first quarter, of 2024, The Tide source reported that Nigeria spent more on servicing the debt incurred for building its railways than the revenue generated by its railway system. The country spent 2,470 per cent more on railway debt servicing than it made from revenue from rail services in the first quarter of 2024.

News

NDDC Unveils Initiative To Enhance Food Security In N’Delta

Published

3 days ago

September 20, 2024

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is committed to advancing projects and programmes that enhance food security and sustainable growth in the region.
Chief Monday Igbuya, the Delta State representative on the NDDC Board, made this pledge in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, yesterday by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
Igbuya spoke at the inauguration of a training and empowerment programme for women and youths in livestock and agro processing in Amukpe, Sapele area of Delta.
He stated that the NDDC was prioritising livestock training in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“NDDC is focussed on implementing programmes to ensure food security and agricultural growth in multi sectors, aiming to improve living standards.
“It is our belief that for socio-economic development to take place, there is need to develop manpower in the agricultural sector,” he said.
Igbuya expressed confidence that training farmers would enhance livestock production, create jobs, and alleviate poverty in the Niger Delta.
Mrs Winifred Madume, NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, said that training farmers and entrepreneurs was essential for improving productivity and market access.
“The commission has been promoting research and development through various institutions and providing farming techniques to beneficiaries,” she said.
The Project Consultant, Dr Simon Akhaine, said that 200 women and youths had registered for the livestock and agro-business skill acquisition programme.
According to him, the programme aims to equip them with the essential knowledge and skills for self-sufficiency in livestock farming, thereby boosting regional food security.

News

Tinubu Shelves UNGA79 Trip To Address National Challenges

Published

3 days ago

September 20, 2024

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this year.
In his stead, Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual summit.
Tinubu “wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding,” a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed yesterday.
The statement is titled ‘Vice President Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to the 79th United Nations General Assembly.’
It reads, “President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this year.
“Therefore, the President has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.”
Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trips to China and the United Kingdom, “wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding,” said Onanuga.
At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.
The high-level General Debate, with the theme “Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations,” will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024.