News
End oil theft before May 29, FG tells security forces
The Federal Government has asked security agencies to end crude oil theft before the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration ends on May 29.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Silva, gave the charge while addressing troops under Operation Delta Safe during his visit to military formations in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister visited Nigeria Air Force 97 Special Operations Group and Nigeria Navy Ship Pathfinder to re-assess the ongoing fight against oil theft.
The minister said that the president was committed to the total eradication of oil theft before leaving office on May 29.
He said, “We were here a few months ago with a charge and mandate from President Buhari to ensure complete eradication of oil theft in the Niger Delta.
“Since then, we have seen a significant improvement, meaning that you (military and other security outfits) took the charge and mandate of the president very seriously.
“Therefore, Mr President sent us here with a message of commendation to you for your gallantry in the fight against oil theft,” he said.
Silva said that Buhari had declared total war against those stealing national assets, thereby depriving the people of the benefits of such assets.
He commended the Armed Forces and other security outfits for the reduction in crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the country.
The minister said, “I am happy to announce that there is a significant improvement in crude oil production, with both Nigerians and the international community acknowledging the improvement.
“However, we should not rest on our oars but we must ensure that stealing of crude oil is 100 per cent eradicated in the country.
“So, we urge you to redouble your efforts in completing the job of ending oil theft in the Niger Delta.”
Also speaking, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, attributed the increased oil production and export to the sustained fight by the military and sister security agencies, with support from the government.
He said that before the president gave the military the marching order to tackle crude oil theft, production was very low.
“Currently, crude oil theft is on a steady decline, indicating that we are on the right path.
“The reduction also indicates that there is the need for everyone to put their hands on the plough through collective efforts,” added.
On his part, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, attributed the crude oil theft reduction to the improved synergy between the navy and sister security agencies.
He said that the recent arrest of a foreign merchant ship, MT Heroic Idun, suspected to be involved in crude oil theft showed was an indication that the fight against oil theft was real.
He said, “The arrest of MT Heroic Idun will serve as a deterrent to those who are stealing our crude.
“On January 10, the vessel and its crew will be arraigned at the High Court here in Port Harcourt.”
News
Edo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name
Edo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has directed the immediate freezing of all state-owned bank accounts.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor stated that the accounts would remain frozen until further notice.
He instructed commercial banks, ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to comply with the order immediately or face severe consequences.
The statement reads: “All state bank accounts with commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with this order and ensure that not a single naira is withdrawn from government coffers until further notice.
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“Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies must ensure full compliance without delay.
“Following necessary investigations and reconciliations, the governor will take appropriate action and decide on the way forward. For now, this order remains in effect.”
Okpebholo also directed relevant agencies to revert the name of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to its previous title, the Ministry of Works, a change made during the Godwin Obaseki administration.
“It is odd to name a government institution the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, especially when not a single bridge was built by the previous administration — not even a pedestrian bridge.
“In the coming days, we will examine further actions taken by the previous administration and make decisions that serve the best interests of the state,” the statement added.
Edo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name
News
Israel-Palestinian conflict: Two-state solution is a deception, says Gumi
Israel-Palestinian conflict: Two-state solution is a deception, says Gumi
Prominent Islamic scholar Dr. Ahmad Mahmud Gumi has criticized the widely discussed two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict, calling it a “deception.”
His remarks followed a recent summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Riyadh, where President Bola Tinubu and other leaders condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and urged an end to hostilities.
In an interview with Daily Trust at his Kaduna residence, Gumi argued, “This Two-State Solution is a deception. No Israeli will allow a Palestinian to survive, and Palestinians will never allow Israel to survive.
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The only solution is to dissolve the two states and create a democratically electable region.”
Gumi commended the OIC’s support for Palestine, noting that Muslims and Arabs worldwide increasingly see the treatment of Palestinians as “genocide” and accuse Israel of human rights abuses.
He also called for a return to the pre-1948 structure, where Palestinians, Jews, and Christians lived together, suggesting a single, inclusive state that allows peaceful coexistence.
“When I hear people talking about Two-State Solutions, I know they are just deceiving themselves,” Gumi added, advocating for a unified region where people of all faiths can live together, similar to the multi-faith coexistence seen in countries like the United States.
Israel-Palestinian conflict: Two-state solution is a deception, says Gumi
News
Court sacks Ondo LP candidate, two days to governorship poll
Court sacks Ondo LP candidate, two days to governorship poll
The Labour Party candidature of Olusola Ebiseni for the upcoming gubernatorial election in Ondo State has been nullified.
The nullification follows the sacking of Ebiseni by the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday.
The governorship election of the southwest State will hold on Saturday, 16 November 2024.
The judgement disqualifying Ebiseni was unanimously delivered by the three members of the panel and read out by the chairman of the panel, Justice Adebukola Banjoko.
The judgment granted the prayer of the Labour Party who preferred the case against Ebiseni.
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Justice Banjoko held that, “the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024 brought by the Labour Party against Chief Olusola Ebiseni and two others is allowed.”
Justice Banjoko further stated that the Certified True Copy of the judgment would be provided to the parties involved in the appeal as soon as possible for their review.
Recall that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to accept and recognize Olusola Ebiseni and Ezekiel Awude as the Labour Party’s governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the November 16 Ondo State governorship elections.
Justice Nwite confirmed that the second primary election conducted by the Labour Party, which resulted in Ebiseni and Awude being selected as candidates, was valid and should be upheld by INEC.
However, the appellate court has now overturned the judgment of the trial court’s judgment.
Court sacks Ondo LP candidate, two days to governorship poll
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