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Group To IGP, DSS: Arrest Sponsors Of Protests Against Otuaro, Tompolo, Pondi In US, UK
Group known as Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI) has urged the Inspector General of Police and the director of the State Security Services, DSS to track down those sponsoring protests against the administrator of the presidential Amnesty (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro; High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, and Engr Kestin Pondi, the Managing Director , Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in the UK and US.
The group, in a statement by its national president, Comrade Ozobo Austin alleged that individuals who are eyeing the seat of the presidential Amnesty administrator are behind protest with the intent of spreading falsehood against Dr Otuaro.
IPDI added that on Tompolo and Pondi, oil thieves who were responsible for destruction of oil pipelines are the ones spreading falsehood against the duo in the UK and US.
The IPDI expressed concerns over the negative impact these false claims could have on the reputation and integrity of the involved individuals and the wider Niger Delta region if not timely checked.
READ ALSO: PAP: Your Reforms In One Year Laudable – IPF To Otuaro
The emphasised the need for a thorough investigation to identify those responsible for disseminating these baseless allegations and to ensure that appropriate legal measures are taken against them.
The IPDI, while stating that Otuaro has done well as administrator of the presidential Amnesty programme in just one year in office, added that every well-meaning leader, stakeholder and youth should give him total support to do more for the Niger Delta and ex-agitators.
The IPDI president who argued that Otuaro’s appointment has greatly contributed to the current peace enjoyed by his (Tinubu) administration, noted that the PAP administrator did well to calm tension in the Niger Delta especially during the #EndBadGovernance protests and in the face of the ongoing provocation regarding the rivers political crisis.
According to the IPDI, Otuaro’s appointment as PAP administrator was a square peg in a square hole, and was celebrated by all in Niger Delta.
READ ALSO: We’re Adding Value To PAP Beyond N65k Monthly Stipend, Says Otuaro
On Tompolo and Pondi, Ozobo said They have helped to restore the once bastardised Niger Delta environment, stopped once prevalence oil thieves menace and boost the country’s oil production to over two million (2m) barrels per day.
Ozobo said Tompolo and Pondi are great leaders that have empowered thousands of youths, stakeholders and women, and that they need to be appreciated for their good leaderships.
He, therefore, urged president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ignore falsehood peddled against the trio, adding that conquered oil thieves and those who lost out for the race for the administrator of the presidential Amnesty program are spreading falsehood against Dr Otuaro Tompolo and Pondi.
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JUST IN: Ooni Visits Olubadan-designate Ladoja In Ibadan
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, on Sunday, paid a visit to the Olubadan designate, Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The PUNCH reports that Oba Ladoja will be installed as the 44th Olubadan on Friday, September 26, 2025, following the demise of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who joined his ancestors on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 90 years.
READ ALSO:Ladoja Coronation Date As 44th Olubadan Revealed
The two paramount rulers are currently exchanging pleasantries.
Details later…
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JUST IN: FG Revokes 1,263 Mineral Licenses Over Unpaid Fees
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has announced a fresh revocation of not less than 1,263 mineral licenses.
These licenses, which will now be deleted from the Electronic Mining Cadastral System portal of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases.
The minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, gave the revocation announcement in a statement issued by his special assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Sunday in Abuja.
The minister explained that the directive was issued due to the companies’ failure to comply with the requirement of paying their annual service fees.
The latest revocation brings the total mineral titles revoked under the current administration to 3, 794 including,619 mineral titles revoked for defaulting in paying annual service fees and 912 for dormancy last year.
READ ALSO:FG Introduces Chinese Language Into School Curriculum
By opening up the areas formerly covered by these licenses, the revocation is expected to spur fresh applications by investors looking for fresh opportunities.
The statement read, “Not less than 1,263 mineral licenses will be deleted from the portal of the Electronic Mining Cadastral system of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, MCO, following their revocation by the Federal Government.
“These include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases.”
Approving the revocation following the recommendation of the MCO, the Minister said applying the law to keep speculators and unserious investors away from the mining sector would make way for diligent investors and grow the sector.
“The era of obtaining licences and keeping them in drawers for the highest bidder, while financially capable and industrious businessmen are complaining of access to good sites, is over.
READ ALSO:FG Gives Mining Firms Deadline For Community Agreements
“The annual service fee is the minimum evidence that you are interested in mining. You don’t have to wait for us to revoke the license because the law allows you to return the license if you change your mind,” the minister said.
He warned that the revocation does not mean the Federal Government has pardoned the annual service debt owed by licensees, adding that the list will be forwarded to the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission to ensure that debtors pay or face the wrath of the law.
“This is to encourage due diligence and emphasise the consequences of inundating the license application processes with speculative activities.”
In the recommendation to the minister, the Director-General of the MCO, Simon Nkom, disclosed that there were 1,957 initial defaulters when the MCO published the intention to revoke licences in the Federal Government Gazette on June 19, 2025.
He informed the minister that the gazette was distributed to MCO offices nationwide to sensitise licencees and encourage them to comply within 30 days in compliance with the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and relevant regulations.
READ ALSO:FG Gazettes New Tax Reform Laws
He observed that the delay in the final recommendation was due to complaints of several licensees who claimed to have paid to the Federal Government through Remita and had to be reconciled.
Earlier this month, the DG MCO had hinted that more mining licences would be revoked as part of ongoing efforts to sanitise the solid minerals sector and protect investors from fraudsters.
According to Nkom, the clean-up exercise, which covers expired, speculative, and inactive titles, is necessary to make room for genuine investors and ensure compliance with the law.
This is part of ongoing efforts at sanitising the sector since the inception of the Tinubu administration, and the salutary effects of the reforms are massive and manifest despite the attempts to push back by defaulters and their agents.
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