By George Mgbeleke

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has hailed the Nigerian Army over its efforts in combating pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering, saying the efforts are yielding positive results.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi,Governor Fubara gave the commendation on Friday, when the chief of Army Staff ( COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt. The COAS, accompanied by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah and other senior officers of the Nigerian Army were on the visit as part of activities heralding the 163rd Nigerian Army Day celebration holding in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

In his welcome remarks, Governor Fubara said that the efforts of the military in curbing disruptions in oil production has resulted in the production of higher quantum of crude oil and more revenue to the country. He noted that the operations of the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt has also helped Rivers State in terms of security of lives and property.

Governor Fubara congratulated the COAS on his appointment, stating that a lot of positive things have happened in the security sector within the short period he ( Shaibu) has been on the saddle.
“I’m commendng you because within the short period that you’ve been appointed, I can conveniently say that there are a lot of positive things that our state has recorded in terms of security.
I wish that your tenure will record a lot more positive improvements for the Nigerian Army.
“I want to also say that we are really happy that in the face of everything, you chose Rivers State for this very wonderful celebration. This is significant for us. It speaks to two things: that Rivers State is peaceful and Rivers State is worth securing,” he said..

Governor Fubara pledged more support for the Nigerian Army, stressing that Rivers State will continue to work with the military to ensure that its personnel operating in the state receive maximum cooperation to do their jobs.
“You’re doing this work and everyone of us is enjoying the positive effects.We owe you our support.We are not going to rest on our oars in ensuring that we do whatever we need to do to make you succeed,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Waidi Shaibu told Governor Fubara that he was in the state to attend the
163rd Anniversary of the Nigerian Army taking place in Rivers State.
He expressed profound gratitude to the
Rivers State Government for always providing support to the 6th Division to conduct its operations.
“I want to specifically thank you for the support you have rendered us especially the infrastructure, the stadium that you have put at our disposal for hosting the event and other things that you have done at the Divisional HQ as part of your own contributions to ensure the success of the celebration,” he said.
According to the COAS, it is a week-long programme featuring various activities that will impact positively on the various communities, as part of the Civil – Military relations to win the hearts and minds of the people.

By David Owei

Former Member of the Federal House of Representative, RT.Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli has described as ” opposition failed attempts to score political point” the recent criticism following comments made by the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, during the 50th birthday celebration of the wife of Hon. Leke Abejide.

According to Sunny Goli, despite the cry by some members of the opposition, the Chief of Staff’s message was one of steadfastness and encouraging a high-performing lawmaker to maintain the integrity of the platform he has toiled to build and to resist external interference.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, during the 50th birthday celebration of the wife of Hon. Leke Abejide had urged Hon. Abejide—the sole elected member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the National Assembly—to remain steadfast within his party and charged him to fight and scatter those against him.

Gbajabiamila also encouraged him to fight and hold unto his party as he claimed the Presidency like what he is doing within the ADC and the comment sparked criticism.

But Rt. Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, who is a Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and a leading Senatorial Aspirant in Bayelsà State, stated in a statement on Tuesday that ​while critics have attempted to frame these comments as a move to fuel acrimony within the opposition or as an overreach into partisan politics, it is essential to provide a clear and objective context to this exchange.

He said “​Politics, by its very nature, is a game of deft maneuvering with the primary objective of attaining and sustaining power. It is not the obligation of any political leader, regardless of their position, to manage the internal affairs or resolve the internal friction of opposing parties.”

“It is, therefore, unrealistic to expect the President’s Chief of Staff to invite divergent interests within the ADC—or any other party—to a roundtable for amicable resolution.”
​
“​Rather than pillorying Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila for his remarks, they should be viewed as a rallying cry for political resilience.”

,” By encouraging Hon. Abejide to “hold on” to his party, the Chief of Staff was advocating for the protection of smaller party structures against hostile takeovers by political interlopers.”

” In an era where smaller parties face the existential threat of being subsumed by larger entities, this charge serves as an endorsement of a robust, multi-party democracy.”

“​The attempt by certain interests to sensationalise this innocuous statement is a transparent effort to score cheap political points.”

“The Chief of Staff’s message was one of steadfastness: encouraging a high-performing lawmaker to maintain the integrity of the platform he has toiled to build and to resist external interference.”
​
“​I implore the public and political commentators to look beyond the “hullabaloo” and recognise the statement for what it truly is: an acknowledgment of political tenacity and a call for leaders to remain loyal to their mandates and party structures.”
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By David Owei, Bayelsa

Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has awarded scholarships to 600 host community students in Bayelsa State, as the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) called for deepened collaboration between communities and the surveillance firm to sustain the security of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).

Both announcements were made at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by PINL for host communities in Bayelsa, amid ongoing calls by some stakeholders for the decentralisation of pipeline surveillance contracts — a position NNPCL’s presence at the meeting appeared to counter.

PINL is the private security firm responsible for the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and the Eastern Gas Network (EGN).

Speaking at the meeting, Engr. Akponime Omojevwe, Head of Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office, NNPCL, said the corporation is pleased with the relationship that has developed between PINL and Bayelsa communities, and urged all parties to consolidate on the progress made.

“I’m usually delighted because the bond in Bayelsa between the communities and PINL is a very strong one. The collaboration is a hundred percent and we don’t want that rating to drop because they have tried so much,” he said.

“Anytime I come here, I’m always happy because I see the collaboration, I see the unity. You can imagine the words of the royal fathers just now — that they are in support of PINL,” Omojevwe added.
He commended stakeholders for their commitment to securing the TNP and called for a complete end to pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering activities.
At the same event, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations at PINL, presented scholarships to 600 host community students — covering both undergraduate and postgraduate beneficiaries — and announced the commencement of disbursement for women empowerment and youth skill acquisition programmes.

Mezeh said the gesture reflects the value the company places on education and human capital development within its host communities.
“In Bayelsa, we have granted scholarships to 600 students of higher institutions in our host communities, giving them between N500,000 and N1,000,000 each to aid their studies,” he said.
“The granting of scholarships to students of our host communities is a sign that we are committed to their education and human capital development,” he added.
Beneficiaries welcomed the grants, saying the support would ease the financial burden of their studies and sharpen their focus.

One of the beneficiaries
Canus Samuel, a civil engineering student at Niger Delta University (NDU), said: “I can now concentrate well on my studies and make the company and my community proud. I will do my very best to come out with a good CGPA and become a good engineer.”
Mr. Albert, also a postgraduate student at NDU, struck a note that captured the broader spirit of the occasion. “I’m so happy for this privilege because it will enhance our performance in school — most of us don’t have better sources of raising funds. It is a real leverage for us,” he said, before adding: “We are making a commitment to continue to protect our pipeline so that there will be no vandalism and their operations will go smoothly.”