Author: Eileen Peters

LESS than 11 days to the handing over to the Governor-elect, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, by the outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the State Accountant General, Mr. Julius O. Anelu, and four other officials said to be signatories to the state government accounts. It was gathered that the five state government officials, reportedly arrested on Thursday, were being held at the Benin office of the agency. It was also gathered that the officials were arrested apparently to forestall last minute withdrawal from the state account following thee budget allegedly approved by the Edo…

THE Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says its team has located the wreckage of the helicopter that crashed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This is according to the NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance Bimbo Oladeji. “The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announces that the allied team and partners leading the charge for the search and recovery efforts of the ditched Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, have located its wreckage,” she said late Thursday statement. “The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, carried eight individuals onboard and ditched in the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima on October 24,…

THE Rivers State government has debunked a social media report that Governor Siminalayi Fubara shut down the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and other oil companies in the state. In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, the Rivers government said the report is not only false but a concocted propaganda. The statement reads, “The attention of Rivers State Government has been drawn to a spurious news item circulating on social media on “Gov. Siminalayi Fubara shutting down NNPCL and all oil companies in Rivers State”. “The report was not only false, but…

THE federal government through the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has sounded the alarm on a ‘cartel’ manipulating market prices nationwide, inflating costs for goods and services despite government stabilisation efforts. Addressing stakeholders during a one-day engagement on exploitative pricing in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, FCCPC Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tunji Bello, revealed that the commission’s investigations in major cities have uncovered troubling practices. In the poultry sector, Bello highlighted how influential players are dictating prices, severely impacting smaller producers. “Small poultry owners previously sold a day-old chick for between N480 and N590 and still made a profit. However,…

THE Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed the recovery of five bodies following the helicopter crash last Thursday. “NSIB has mobilised two vessels equipped with side-scan sonar to broaden the search range. Four additional side-scan sonar units are en route from Port Harcourt and will be deployed tomorrow morning to enhance search coverage,” NSIB spokesperson, Bimbo Oladeji, said in a statement on Wednesday. “A total of five bodies have been recovered so far, though the fifth body recovered today requires specialised handling due to its decomposed state before being transported to the morgue.” The Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, carrying oil…

JUSTICE Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court Abuja has stopped the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from further releasing monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State Government. Justice Abdulmalik held that the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January this year by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was a breach of the Constitution and an aberration that must not be allowed to continue. The judge held that the presentation of the 2024 budget by Fubara before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision. Justice Abdulmalik specifically said that the governor’s action…

THE United Nations Association of Africa (UNAA) says it is proud to announce the First Africa Peace and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Dinner in recognition of the contributions of leading Africans to peace and the realisation of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. The event is billed to hold in Abuja on Saturday 7th December 2024 at Frazer Suites, Central Area, Abuja. A statement signed by the Chairman Board of Directors of the association Amb. Emmanuel Nkweke said  the  momentous event will bring together leaders, peace advocates, and stakeholders committed to fostering peace and advancing sustainable development across…

THE Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has summoned judges involved in conflicting rulings on political cases in Rivers State. A panel of the national judicial council will probe the judges, just as the CJN has ordered that the report be submitted this week. The panel will be headed by a former court of appeal justice and two heads of courts. A panel of the national judicial council will probe the judges, just as the CJN has ordered that the report be submitted this week. The panel will be headed by a former court of appeal justice and two…

THE Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the post-election violence that led to the bomb attack of some local government secretariats in the state has summoned some allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to appear before it. This was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Justice I. R. Minakiri, in Port Harcourt on Monday and sent to newsmen. Among those summoned by the Justice Minakiri-led panel are the immediate past Chairman of Ikwerre local government area, Dr Samuel Nwanosike, as well as his counterparts in Eleme and Ahoada…

THE Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) on Sunday said the fourth body of the Port Harcourt crash victim has been recovered. NSIB spokesperson Bimbo Oladeji, in a statement on Sunday, said, “A floating body was retrieved from the water and was escorted by the Cameroonian Navy to NUIMS Antan, for safe transit through their territorial waters. “Field operations identified the body by confirming the T-shirt worn matched the description provided. Although it took time, photographic evidence confirmed the identity as the fourth victim.” The aircraft, with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was engaged by the Nigerian National…

A NIGER Delta militia group, the Niger Delta Development Force, has threatened to shut down oil installations in the Niger Delta region. The group stated it would destroy the facilities if President Bola Tinubu fails to caution the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over alleged attempts to undermine the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State. In a statement signed on Sunday by its spokesman, Justin Alabraba and made available to News Point Nigeria, the group expressed particular anger over an alleged plan by Wike to use a friendly judge to secure a ruling in his…

NO additional bodies have been found at the site of Thursday’s crash involving the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This is according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). In its latest update on Sunday, the NNPCL spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, said search and rescue operations by the relevant authorities at the site, continue. Soneye, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, said about five bodies are still missing. “The NNPC Ltd wishes to announce that beyond the three bodies found in the ill-fated helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation that crashed on Thursday in Port Harcourt, no other…

GOVERNOR of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has approved the sum of ₦80,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the state’s civil service with effect from November 1, 2024. Governor Diri also approved an increase in the monthly pension of retired workers as well as ₦7 billion to reduce outstanding gratuity liabilities. His spokesperson, Daniel Alabrah, who disclosed these in a statement, said the Bayelsa governor acknowledged the challenging times workers face in the state due to the rise in the cost of living. The statement read: “To address the harsh times and in line with the National…

THE Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says two more bodies have been recovered from the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter that crashed in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Three persons were confirmed dead following the crash on Thursday. Eight persons (six passengers and two crew members) were on board the aircraft when the incident happened. Barely a day after the crash, the NSIB said more bodies have been recovered while three more persons remain unaccounted for. “We have recovered two more bodies, making it a total of five. There are three more down there that hopefully will be recovered today,” NSIB…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has directed an intensification of search and rescue for passengers of the ill-fated helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic near Bonny Finima on Thursday in Port-Harcourt. The helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation and registered as 5NBQG, was hired by NNPC Limited to ferry some contract staff to the NNPCL facility FPSO—NUIMS ANTAN. Three persons were confirmed dead in the crash. The accident occurred at 11:22 a.m. along the waterways in Port Harcourt when the helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, took off from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to…

THREE persons have been confirmed dead in a helicopter crash that occurred in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Thursday. The accident occurred at 11:22 a.m. along the waterways in Port Harcourt when the helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was en route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the Nuimantan oil rig. A total of eight persons were confirmed on board, said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi. The aircraft ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, the authorities said…

A FORMER minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy Ohanenye has thanked President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians for the opportunity to serve the country. President Tinubu sacked her among other persons in his cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday. Hours after her ouster, the former minister described her over one-year service to the nation as a “privilege”. LETTER OF APPRECIATION I write to express my sincere gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It has been an honor and a privilege to contribute to the development of our Nation. I…

THE NNPC Limited – Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture (NNPC-CNL JV) has made a significant near-field oil discovery with the successful drilling of the Meji NW-1 well, located in Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) 49 within the shallow offshore area of the Western Niger Delta. The area, recently converted to the PIA 2021 terms, is a critical part of Nigeria’s energy production landscape. Chevron’s General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs, Olusoga Oduselu, disclosed this in a Friday statement titled, “NNPC-CNL Joint Venture successfully drills the Meji NW-1 Well.” According to the statement, the well was spud on September 2, 2024,…

THE Rivers State Government has approved a minimum wage of N85,000 for civil servants in the state. The Head of Service of the state, George Nwaeke, announced that the approval was granted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara during a closed-door meeting with labour leaders and senior government officials. Following the meeting, Nwaeke confirmed that the implementation of the new minimum wage will take effect immediately. On their part, the Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Team, Chukwu Emecheta praised Governor Fubara for meeting the expectations of Rivers State workers. He expressed appreciation for the Governor’s commitment to the workforce. Also speaking, the…

TRAGEDY struck Thursday morning in Benin City, the Edo State Capital following the explosion of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered vehicle at NIPCO filling station located at Aduwawa along the Benin-Auchi Expressway. In a viral video making round on social media, the vehicle was vividly scattered while people around the vicinity ran for dear lives as the loud sound from the explosion created panic among residents in the vicinity. Three persons were said to have sustained various degrees of injuries and have been rushed to a private hospital for medical attention. The explosion is coming on the heels of…