News

Protest: Demand For Implementation Of PAI Our Legitimate Right, Itsekiri Chiefs Declare

Published

2 years ago

September 7, 2023

A cross section of Warri Chiefs with the Ologbotsere of Warri, Chief, Engr, Oma Eyewuoma at the middle

…Commend Iwere Sons, Daughters For Resilience, Sacrifices

The Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom, Chief Oma Eyewuoma has said, the agitation by Itsekiris in demanding for the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is their legitimate right.

Chief Eyewuoma disclosed this in Warri when he and the Warri Council of Chiefs stormed the venue of the ongoing peaceful protest by the Itsekiri sons and daughters at the office of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulation Commission, Warri,( NNPC ) Zonal office to appreciate the protesters.

He commended the Iwere sons and daughters for their resilient and peaceful conduct on the day three of the protest for the non compliance and implementation of the Petroleum industry act (PIA).

While speaking, the Ologbotsere who spoke in unison with the other chiefs lauded the protesters for their sacrifices and resilience under the rain and the sun.

The chiefs who took turns to commend the protesters and to also pray for the progress in Warri Kingdom, spoke with one voice that, Itsekiris have been shortchanged for too long hence, it is pertinent to give all the necessary support to His Majesty, Ogiame, Atuwatse III (CFR) for the development of iwere land.

According to him, the on going struggle is not just for them, but for the future generations, therefore, there is need to for perseverance.

He said: “We are only demanding what is rightfully ours as Itsekiris and we should be given. The land is blessed with oil and should be for all and not for a few handful of people. The monarch has taken the step for everyone to benefit from the largesse of our God-given wealth. They were so many lies and falsehoods told before now and decision would have been taken if not for this protest as we say enough is enough”

He added, “The world should hear, listen and sympathize with us so when justice is given, others will benefit and Nigeria will move forward and develop as itsekiri will show the light through the leadership of our monarch”

Also speaking, Chief Francis Omatseye, while lauding them for their support and commitment, said the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) was applicable in the past but today is the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) which is of more important and meets the needs of the people.

“Itsekiris should move forward in oneness and solidarity, Itsekiri cannot and will not fight war against themselves, it’s a peaceful protest”

He said the Monarch cannot be confined to the palace, according to some school of thoughts, adding that if an individual feels he has a right to speak concerning what affects Itsekiri people, the Olu who is the overall lordship is not in contention, therefore has the right to speak on issues that affect his Kingdom by playing the leadership role.

They called on Shell and Chevron Nigeria limited to respect the constituted authority, while saying that there is only one King in Warri and should be accorded the maximum respect if they want to enjoy the peace of the land.

Chief Brown Mene, Chief Solomon Areyenke, Chief (Mrs) Esther Okotie-Eboh were amongst those present.

News

Why I Won’t Attend Gaza Summit In Egypt — Netanyahu

Published

1 hour ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not attend Monday’s Gaza summit in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh because it coincides with a Jewish holiday, his office said.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu was invited by US President Donald Trump to attend a conference in Egypt today,” his office said in a statement.

“The prime minister thanked President Trump for the invitation but said he would be unable to attend due to the timing coinciding with the start of the holiday” of Simhat Torah, which begins Monday evening and continues until sunset Tuesday.

Earlier, Egypt’s presidency said Netanyahu had been invited to attend following a call between US President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and the Israeli premier.

AFP

News

Fubara Names New Rivers SSG

Published

1 hour ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the appointment of Benibo Anabraba as the new Secretary to the State Government.

The appointment was confirmed on Monday in a statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the release, Anabraba is scheduled to be sworn in today, Monday, October 13, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.

The statement said, “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has approved the appointment of Hon. Benibo Anabraba as Secretary to the Rivers State Government.

“The new SSG will be sworn in today, Monday, October 13, 2025, by 4:00 PM at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.”

The appointment follows Fubara’s recent reinstatement to office after a period of political and legal turbulence that led to his suspension under emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu had, on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly. He cited the prolonged political crisis between Fubara and his predecessor and political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, as the reason.

In Fubara’s place, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator, with a mandate to restore political stability.

Recall that the immediate past administrator, upon assumption of office during the emergency rule imposed suspended all commissioners, special advisers, and assistants appointed by Fubara.

Ibas also dissolved boards and suspended heads of parastatals he met in office.

Since Ibas exited the state on September 18, the fate of Fubara’s appointees had remained uncertain. The Rivers State House of Assembly, at its first sitting after the lifting of the emergency rule, had called on the governor to submit a fresh list of commissioner-nominees for screening, alongside the 2025 budget for passage.

His return to the governorship has coincided with a flurry of administrative changes as the governor consolidates his team.

News

FG To Disburse ₦6.3bn Interest-free Loans To 21,000 Flood Victims

Published

1 hour ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government is set to disburse ₦6.3 billion in interest-free loans to 21,000 Nigerians affected by recent flood disasters across the country.

Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Sununu, made this known on Monday in Abuja during a roundtable marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Sununu said the initiative aims to cushion the impact of flooding and enhance food security nationwide, Channels reports.

“In the next few weeks, 21,000 Nigerians will receive interest-free, collateral-free loans of ₦300,000 each.

“This intervention is designed to support farmers and strengthen communities affected by flooding,” he said.

The minister further revealed that the Federal Government, through the National Social Investment Programme, has reached over 8.1 million households with more than ₦300 billion in Conditional Cash Transfers.

“This support has improved the resilience, health, and education of many vulnerable households. The process will continue under the Hope Agenda of Mr. President,” Sununu added.

He also announced plans to empower internally displaced persons through a scheme that guarantees a market for their produce.

“Under our new collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, IDPs will retain 30% of their produce while the government will off-take 70%, providing direct cash payments to the participants,” he explained.

In her remarks, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, highlighted the growing threat of climate-related disasters and called for stronger preventive measures.

Umar noted that Nigeria faces increasing risks from climate change, conflicts, pandemics, and technological hazards, stressing that disaster management must shift from reactive to proactive approaches.

She also announced the launch of two key policy frameworks — the NEMA Strategic Plan (2025–2029) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2025–2030) to guide future disaster preparedness and resilience-building efforts.

“These frameworks promote innovation in financing, institutional collaboration, and risk-informed development,” she said, adding that NEMA is developing a National Risk Monitoring and Information Platform to enhance early warning and data-driven decision-making.

She further called for innovative financing options, including catastrophe bonds, climate funds, and blended finance models, to sustain disaster prevention and recovery initiatives.

The event, which focused on building resilience against climate-related disasters, was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, lawmakers, and international partners.

The PUNCH reports that 238 persons have lost their lives, while 135,764 others have been displaced following floods that swept through parts of the country as of October 10, 2025, according to figures obtained from the National Emergency Management Agency’s 2025 Flood Dashboard on Saturday.

NEMA reports that at least 409,714 people have been affected so far, with 826 sustaining various degrees of injuries and 115 reported missing across the country.

Flood-related deaths were recorded in multiple states, bringing the nationwide death toll to 238.