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Tag: Port Harcourt

  • 487 Nigerian returnees arrive Port Harcourt from Libya

    487 Nigerian returnees arrive Port Harcourt from Libya

    The second batch of 487 Nigerian returnees from Libya arrived Port Harcourt International Airport at about 10.43 p.m. on Monday in Max Air.

    On Friday, the Federal Government announced the establishment of a reception centre in  Port Harcourt for 5,037 Nigerians being evacuated from Libya.

    The returnees were received by officials of National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ), led representatives from other Federal Government agencies.

    NEMA officials conveyed the returnees to Haji camp where they were profiled and fed.

    Officials were on ground to check the returnees’ body temperature and also gave immediate first aid to those in need.

    Read also: 1,295 Nigerians returned from Libya in November

    Officials also said that 487 returnees are expected to be transported back to their states of origin within few days.

    The Federal Government on Monday said it has so far evacuated 1,030 stranded Nigerian migrants from Libya between January 7 and January 8.

    Mustapha Maihaja, the Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency, disclosed this at a joint news conference by the Federal Government delegation to Libya.

    Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, had on January 5 led a delegation on fact finding mission to Libya to secure the release of Nigerian migrants stranded in that country.

    Onyeama said the Nigerian mission in Libya was coordinating the identification of the Nigerian migrants with the support of International Organisation for Migration.

    According to him, they are being joined by a technical team comprising representatives from NEMA, Immigration and other relevant Nigerian government agencies.

    The minister said that the political and security challenges in that country made it difficult to secure the evacuation of some Nigerians back home.

    He added that “there are different centres of power in that country.

    The central government recognised by the UN and AU do not have full control of the territories controlled by rebels.”

    He pointed out that there were over 50 detention camps in Libya, many of them under the control of rebels and militia groups.

    NAN

  • Onyeama receives 491 Nigerian returnees from Libya

    Onyeama receives 491 Nigerian returnees from Libya

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, has reassured Federal Government’s commitment to return all stranded Nigerians from Libya.

    Onyeama gave the assurance when he received 491 Nigerian returnees from Libya at Port Harcourt International Airport, alongside Rivers Government officials.

    The minister said there were stories of exploitation and suffering by stranded Nigerians in Libya, which compelled Federal Government to act decisively.

    He added that “we made it clear to the Libyan Government that we want to see all Nigerians there. We insisted that we should see all of them, instead of hearing from them.

    “We made it clear that they ( Libyans ) are signatories to international conventions and we expected them to have control of those who guard our children.

    “They cooperated with us because of respect for Mr President, there were people who were making money from these children and did not want them to return home.

    “We carried out rigorous outreach to ensure that we have everybody back.”

    The minister noted that the programme was a continuous process that would return all stranded Nigerians from Libya.

    The minister explained that “the Libyan Government got the message that as far as they are Nigerians, we have zero tolerance for molestation.”

    The Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Sir Kenneth Kobani, who led the state delegation, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for making efforts in returning the stranded Nigerians.

    He said “as a state government, we had no choice really, let me say that the Rivers State Governor made it clear to me that  we should  do everything possible to make sure that this exercise was handled smoothly.

    “The  Rivers State Government would do everything in its power to assist federal agencies handling this programme, because above everything else, we are all Nigerians and this programme is a clear indication that when we work together, we can achieve anything.

    “What you are seeing here today clearly shows that our governor and indeed the President feel same about this issue.

    “On behalf of the Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, I will like to thank President Muhammadu  Buhari, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his team who worked tirelessly to make the return of our brothers and sisters successful.”

    Reports say that all the returnees were profiled at designated booths at the airport.

    The minister was accompanied by officials from the Nigerian Immigration Service, NEMA NAPTIP and military personnel.

    NAN

  • Ikpeazu gives condition for re-election in 2019

    Ikpeazu gives condition for re-election in 2019

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, says he would only seek re-election in 2019, after successful completion of projects initiated by his administration across the state.

    Ikpeazu disclosed this while speaking in a political programme “Osinachi”, at the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia monitored in Aba on Friday.

    “There are a few things which I am saying if we are able to finish by the grace of God, in the future I would think that we can answer the call to seek for re-election in 2019,’’ he said.

    He named some of the ongoing projects as the construction of Ifeobara basin, the reconstruction of Arochukwu road, the Osisioma interchange as well as the revival of the School of Nursing in Aba.

    Read also: Abia makes N1.3b from Made-in-Aba campaign, says Ikpeazu

    Ikpeazu said that since leadership is linked to achievements in office, he can be sure of matching any other candidate after completing the projects.

    He said that government had so far invested about N325 million towards upgrading facilities at the Enyimba Stadium with a view to making it “world class’’.

    Ikpeazu said two billion naira had been released to Setraco Construction Company for the reconstruction of the Aba-Port Harcourt road, adding that his administration had also done well in promoting made-in-Abia goods by patronising the products.

    He said that his administration had also recorded successes in its agricultural projects especially in Aba which was aimed at improving the life of the people.

    NAN

  • Police arrest suspected killers of oil firm manager in Rivers

    Police arrest suspected killers of oil firm manager in Rivers

    The police have arrested seven suspects who allegedly kidnapped and murdered a 64-year-old man, Mr Ubani Onyema, after collecting N10 million ransom.

    Team Commander, Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team ( IRT ), Abba Kyari, confirmed the arrest  on Wednesday in Lagos.

    Kyari, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said the victim, a production manager in Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Ltd., was kidnapped by gunmen in Woji area of Port Harcourt on October 16.

    He said that a ransom call was made to the hostage’s company demanding N100 million.

    “Eventually, the ransom was negotiated down to N10 million, which was paid to the kidnappers despite not getting a proof of life.

    “IRT operatives deployed to Port Harcourt by IGP Ibrahim Idris swung into action as the hostage was not released after the ransom was paid as negotiated and agreed.

    “Unrelenting follow up by the IRT eventually led to the arrest of seven of the kidnappers. Suspects confessed to various roles each played in the kidnap.

    “They admitted that the victim died on the very day of his kidnap as a result of gunshot wounds he sustained during the incident.

    “They still went ahead to collect a ransom of N10 million,” Kyari said.

    Read also: Police arrest suspected armed robbers in Jigawa

    He said that the arrested suspects, including the gang leader, allegedly confessed to the crime.

    According to him, the gang leader organised the kidnap and recruited the hostage keepers who brought the two cars used while his deputy purchased the pre-registered SIM used in negotiating and picking up the ransom.

    Among the kidnap masterminds were three men who worked in the same company with the victim and a cultist who provided the arms.

    “Items recovered from the gang include one AK-47 rifle and two vehicles used in the kidnap.

    “Effort is ongoing to arrest other fleeing gang members, recover arms and the body of the victim which they confessed to have dumped into a river,” Kyari said.

    NAN

  • FG issues provisional licences to six new private universities

    FG issues provisional licences to six new private universities

    The Federal Ministry of Education on Tuesday issued provisional licences to the six newly established private universities.

    The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, gave the provisional licences to the institutions in Abuja.

    The institutions are Admiralty University Ibusa in Delta, Spiritan University Neochi, Abia, Precious Cornerstone University in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Pamo University of Medica Sciences, Port Harcourt.

    Others are Atiba University in Oyo, Oyo State and Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences, Ijaniki, Lagos State.

    Adamu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Sonny Echono said the Federal Executive Council approved the take-off of the universities on December 6.

    He said that the approvals were given to the universities to provide quality education in Nigeria.

    He said the approval had increased the number of private universities in the country to 74.

    “The problems of access to quality education in Nigeria has poised serious challenges and therefore required serious efforts to address them.

    “The approval of the universities tends to address the issue of access to university education.

    Read also: FEC approves six private universities

    “Private universities in Nigeria have contributed and will continue to contribute to the development of education in the country.

    “The competition of private universities has contributed to healthy delivery within the system.

    He called on the institutions’ administrators to ensure highest standard of best practices to achieve academic excellence in their programmes.

    Earlier, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission ( NUC ), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said quality control must be strictly adhered to.

    “ With about two million candidates applying for admission into universities annually, the university system is only able to accommodate about 500,000 students yearly.

    “ And so, there is need to licence more universities to help deal with the challenge of access to education.’’

    Also, Former head of state, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar called on Nigerians to maintain peace in the country to ensure educational development.

    Abubakar also urged universities to maintain and ensure quality education for the betterment of all Nigerians.

    He said with a total of 160 universities in Nigeria out of which 74 are private universities, 46 states and 40 federal universities, there was need to ensure peace to achieve educational development.

    He called for the engagement of the youths educationally, adding that the universities should be adequately equipped for meaningful development.

    NAN

  • SARS: ‘crime rate has dropped in Rivers upland region’

    SARS: ‘crime rate has dropped in Rivers upland region’

    Mr Akin Fakorode, the Commander of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS ) in Rivers, says crime rate has dropped to the barest minimum in the upland region of the state.

    Fakorode disclosed this in an interview on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

    He assured the people of the state that the Squad would continue to tackle insecurity in the riverside region until peace was permanently restored following its collaboration with the Marine Police, Navy and other relevant security agencies.

    He disagreed with those clamouring for the withdrawal of SARS from the state,saying the call had no good intention for the residents.

    Fakorede urged members of the public to lodge their complaints about  any misdemeanour on the part of SARS operatives for appropriate sanctions.

    He said that SARS had been able to identify those fomenting trouble and their hideouts, adding that trouble makers would not be given breathing space under his watch.

    “We have increased our presence and we have also strengthened surveillance on the state’s waterways to block the entry points of criminals to the riverside communities.

    “ This measure is to ensure that there is no safe Haven for criminals even in the creeks.

    “I urge the public to enjoy the best Christmas celebration in terms of security as we have positioned our officers and men to ensure security of lives and property in the state,” he said.

    The commander said the presence of SARS in Rivers had brought a sigh of relief to the residents who hitherto were unsafe owing to incessant  kidnappings and cult activities.

    Read also: SARS: Wike, other campaigners are crime beneficiaries, says Peterside

    Fakorode called for more public cooperation,saying  that SARS operations in the state had also  reduced incidents of senseless killings.

    “We remain grateful to those who came in solidarity to identify with the noble objectives of SARS in Rivers because we cannot talk about policing without public collaboration.

    “At several fora, we have asked the public to make official reports of misconduct by our men to the Inspector-General of Police and top police officers.

    “We made this request because some persons may have been negatively affected by some SARS operatives.

    “I can assure Rivers people that any complaint would be duly investigated and if any officer is found wanting he shall not go unpunished,” he said.

    NAN

  • Abe mourns ex-mayor of Port Harcourt

    The lawmaker representing Rivers Southeast, Senator Magnus Abe, has mourned ex-Mayor of Port Harcourt Chief Nnamdi Wokekoro.

    Wokekoro, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), died on Tuesday, of an unknown ailment, at Kesley Harrison Hospital, Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt.

    The senator said he worked with the deceased  as chairman of the then Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority and described him as a hardworking and committed public servant.

    Abe, in a statement in Port Harcourt by his spokesperson, Parry Saroh Benson, said: “I received with shock, the news of the call to eternal glory of my friend and brother, Chief Nnamdi Wokekoro aka Ikwerre 1.

    “Words cannot describe how I feel. Sometimes life appears cruel and unpredictable, but we all know that only the mountains stand forever, only the rivers flow forever.

    “A man is born, he lives for his time and in the end he dies. Chief Wokekoro has lived for his time and we give God the glory for life, for we are here today and gone tomorrow. Farewell, my dear brother, till we meet again.”

  • Arik Air resumes flights from Abuja to Calabar, Uyo

    Arik Air resumes flights from Abuja to Calabar, Uyo

    Arik Air on Tuesday announced that it was resuming flight operations on the Abuja-Calabar and Abuja-Uyo routes from December 15.

    Its Communications Manager, Mr Ola Adebanji, disclosed this in Lagos in a statement.

    Adebanji said the airline was increasing its capacity ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations to enable customers celebrate the season with their families and friends.

    He said: “The capacity increase which will boost our key domestic routes, especially in the South East and South-South zones, takes effect from December 15 to run through January 14, 2018.

    “The main highlights of the new schedule are the resumption of Abuja to Calabar and Abuja to Uyo routes which were suspended earlier in the year.

    Read also: Arik air resumes Abuja-Accra flights July 17, says CEO

    “Arik Air will be flying daily from Abuja to Uyo and five times a week from Abuja to Calabar.

    “Similarly, the airline has increased its frequencies between Lagos to Calabar, Lagos to Uyo, Lagos to Enugu, Lagos to Owerri, Abuja to Enugu to daily flights.

    “It will operate the Lagos to Asaba route five times weekly during the period.”

    According to him, customers that want to fly Arik Air on the Lagos-Port Harcourt route now have an early morning ( 7 a.m. ) departure from Port Harcourt and late evening ( 5 p.m. ) flight from Lagos.

    Arik Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu,  said the airline came up with the new schedules because of its love for its intending passengers.

    He said that Arik Air was aware that many Nigerians would like to seize the opportunity it offered to celebrate the Yuletide with their loved ones across the country.

    “As a caring airline, we have put measures in place to fly customers to their respective destinations during this festive season,” he said.

    NAN

  • Supply shortfall cause of fuel scarcity – Kachikwu

    Supply shortfall cause of fuel scarcity – Kachikwu

    Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, says the major cause of the fuel scarcity currently being witnessed across the country is shortfall in supply of petroleum products.

    Kachikwu, who stated this in a news briefing on Thursday in Abuja, however, said that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC ) was making efforts to ensure that queues at filling stations disappeared in a couple of days.

    “Presently, queues in Lagos have reduced. We know that Lagos, Abuja, Benue, Port Harcourt were among the worst-hit areas.

    “Benue has been dealt with; Port Harcourt is quite moderated. Apart from these areas, other places in the country are probably liquid.

    “The major problem is the gap in terms of volume, because NNPC is the only one importing the product to the country,” he said.

    The minister assured that there was adequate storage facility for imported products, adding that emergency measures were in place to ensure that the products were available during the Yuletide and post-January.

    He said that four vessels laden with petroleum products would “berth in a few days and a total of 20 cargoes are also expected with petroleum products’’.

    Kachikwu said that the NNPC had, as at Wednesday, discharged products at its depots, adding that emergency supply, quick truck delivery and stricter monitoring were measures adopted to ensure that queues disappeared.

    He added that NNPC would use additional trucking to major cities using strategic reserves from Suleja, Minna, Gusau and Gombe.

    This, he said, would help to service Abuja, Kano and Sokoto axis to feed the North-West, North-East.

    “I have asked the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency to ensure stricter sanctions on any station that refuses to abide by the rules.

    “They need to take a firm action to ensure that we get quick results,’’ he said.

    Kachikwu further assured that the market would be flooded with more products to cushion effects of over-subscription through Kaduna refinery production, adding that Port Harcourt was expected to start producing 2.1 million litres of petrol per day.

    He said that it was expected that with the adopted strategies, the queues would “slide down’’ in one week.

    On long-term strategy, he said that ultimate result would come when the refineries resumed optimal production.

    The minister said that work would commence effectively in the refineries in January.

    Executive Secretary of DPR, Mr Modecai Ladan, said that many sanctions awaited filling stations found compromising the dispensing process, warning that the stations would be shut down or charged N275 per litre.

    He said that any station found hoarding products would either be sealed or its product auctioned or dispensed free-of-charge to consumers.

    Ladan added that depending on the offence, defaulters may be shut down for six months or blacklisted.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a drive round Abuja metropolis and highways revealed that only a few filling stations were opened for operation, serving long queues.

    NAN

  • Nigeria Customs seizes contraband worth N93m

    Nigeria Customs seizes contraband worth N93m

    The Compliance Team of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ) said it has seized contraband with Duty Paid Value ( DPV ) of N93.7 million in the course of its operations.

    The Coordinator of the Compliance Team, Ahmed Azarema, made this known while displaying the seized contraband to news men in Owerri on Tuesday at the Imo/Abia Command of the service.

    Azarema said the compliance team, attached to the office of the Comptroller-General of Customs, confiscated 1,028bags of 20 kg foreign rice with a DPV of N8.22 million concealed with motor spare parts.

    He said 1,258 bags of 50kg of foreign rice with a DPV of N74.8 million and 111 bales of second hand clothing with a DPV of N10.65 million was also seized by the team.

    Read also: Customs destroys smuggled goods

    He said all the items were seized along Aba/Umuahia/Port Harcourt axis adding that two suspects were arrested in connection with the seized goods.

    Azarema observed that because of the Yuletide season, smugglers are more desperate and always want to skim their way through but would always fail because of the dedication and ingenuity of the customs personnel.

    He, therefore, charged Nigerians against ferrying contraband in and across the country, but to engage in legitimate businesses to avoid their goods being confiscated.

    According to the compliance team coordinator, locally produced rice is more nutritious, better and cheaper than foreign rice which are preserved with chemicals.

    He said that patronising locally made goods would help boost the country’s foreign exchange and provide jobs to the teeming unemployed youths in the country.

    Azarema also urged Nigerians to desist from buying foreign rice to encourage the local producers.

    NAN