Dons EzeGOVERNOR APPOINTS DAUGHTER ACTING FIRST LADY
GOVERNOR APPOINTS DAUGHTER ACTING FIRST LADY Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has appointed his daughter, Helen Eno-Obareki, as the Acting First Lady of the state. This comes weeks after losing his wife, Pastor Patience Eno. The governor made the announcement during a condolence visit by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and other dignitaries in Uyo, the state capital on Friday, October 4. Eno stated that his daughter would take on the duties of the First Lady, ensuring continuity of the office and the projects initiated by his late wife. “To maintain the Office of the First Lady and carry forward my late wife’s work, I present our daughter, Helen, to continue the duties of the office. She will work closely with the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare,” the governor said He expressed his confidence in his daughter’s ability to uphold the values and vision of her late mother, affirming his commitment to sustaining the projects initiated through the First Lady’s office. Governor Umo Eno, in his remarks, reflected on his deep bond with his late wife. “I married her when she was 19, and I was 22. I called her Oluwa-Kemi because she was truly a gift from God, a source of comfort and succour,” he said. “We went through many challenges together, and we shared in both victories and losses. Her passing is an irreplaceable loss for me. She was my embodiment of the biblical virtuous woman, my greatest supporter, and also my toughest critic. Her absence will be felt for the rest of my life.” Addressing rumours of him taking a second wife, Governor Eno made light of the situation during a separate condolence visit from Senate President Godswill Akpabio. “I’m not considering remarrying anytime soon,” he said, joking that he doesn’t have the money to pay another bride price. He emphasized that the vacancy left by his late wife cannot be filled. “Her legacy will live on in our hearts. She initiated several projects, and that’s why I introduced our daughter, Helen, to the First Lady. She will step in to coordinate the work, ensuring that the Office of the First Lady continues the programs my wife started.”
FIVE TIMES TINUBU’S GOVT PROMISED TO KICKSTART PH REFINERY
FIVE TIMES TINUBU’S GOVT PROMISED TO KICKSTART PH REFINERYSixteen months into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, sworn in May 29, 2023, the hope of Nigeria’s refineries returning to life, as promised, is fast becoming a mirage.Before the 2023 general elections, the president had, among other things, promised to make the state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna operational. Not only that, the then Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) also allayed the fear of Nigerians over possible hikes in fuel prices, assuring that his government, if elected, would ‘bring it down’.While none of these has been achieved, the Group Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, threw a subtle jab at the Nigerian government on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024, when he described the official rollout of PMS, also known as petrol, from his refinery as history made for the country after decades of not producing a single litre of gasoline.Before Dangote’s announcement of his company’s milestone, NNPCL had earlier quashed the fading hope of Nigerians buying petrol below N500 per litre again since President Bola Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy in May 2023. Amidst scarcity and persistent long queues, Tribune Online reports that the nation’s oil company increased the pump price from N617 to N865 per litre nationwide.The joy of an Indigenous refinery, Dangote, commencing production of petroleum products was shortlived. Nigerians’ hope, seemingly resting on the shoulders of the billionaire businessman, was clouded by uncertainties, especially on pricing and the back-and-forth that trailed the announcement of the NNPCL as the sole off-taker from the private refinery.Many had expected that, with an indigenous refinery now operational, the price of petrol would drop, given that the cost of exporting crude oil abroad for refining would no longer be a factor. However, this is far from the reality, as there is no guarantee that the commencement of the Dangote refinery will reduce fuel prices.Bearing this in mind, conversations are beginning to shift back to the nation’s oil refineries. Many Nigerians are asking questions about the state of things after many assurances of bringing the national assets back to life. Don’t forget the NNPCL recently announced its readiness to hand over Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries to private companies to run.In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at five different times Tinubu’s government has promised to kickstart the Port Harcourt refinery to no avail.During Tinubu’s Meeting with Labour Leaders in August 2023On 2nd August 2023, President Bola Tinubu assured that the Port Harcourt refinery would start production by December 2023, following the completion of the ongoing rehabilitation contract between the NNPCL and the Italian firm, Maire Tecnimont SpA.According to a statement by Dele Alake, the then Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, the assurance was given after Tinubu’s discussions with Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).The promise was part of the President’s efforts to end nationwide protests by the unions following the government’s removal of the petrol subsidy.Minister of State for Petroleum’s Visit to the Refinery in August 2023On 25th August 2023, during a visit to the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Ltd. plant in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, announced that the refinery would commence operations by December 2023.He noted that the $1.5 billion rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery was part of Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to end the importation of petroleum products. He added that the Warri and Kaduna refineries would also be operational by 2024.After Mele Kyari’s Meeting with the Senate Ad-hoc Committee in March 2024On 14th March 2024, the Tinubu administration again promised to kickstart the refinery. The Group Chief…
POLICE, SHI’TE CLASH IN ABUJA, TWO POLICEMEN DEAD, TWO UNCONSCIOUS
POLICE, SHI’ITE CLASH IN ABUJA: TWO POLICEMEN DEAD, THREE UNCONSCIOUS The Nigerian Police Force has claimed that two of its officer were killed and three other fatally wounded during a clash with the Muslim Shi’te religious sect on Sunday in Abuja.According to a statement signed by FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Supritendent of Police Josephine Adeh, “The FCT police command wishes to confirm an unprovoked attack by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as the ‘Shi’ite’ group, on some personnel of the Nigeria Police Force attached to FCT command at Wuse Junction by traffic light, where two (2) police personnel were killed, three left unconscious in the hospital, and three (3) Police patrol vehicles set ablaze. “The proscribed organisation attacked the police checkpoint unprovoked, wielding machetes, improvised explosive devices (locally made bombs in bottles with kerosene), and knives. “While several arrests have been effected, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, Psc. mni. Condemns the unprovoked attack on Police officers. He promises to bring those involved to book.The situation is presently under control and normalcy restored. “,Further development will be communicated in due course. SP Josephine Adeh, AniprPolice Public Relations OfficerFor: the commissioner of police, FCT, Abuja.25/08/2024