Ijaw Reps in DESOPADEC meets Ijaw Traditional Rulers, calls for Synergy

Ijaw Reps in DESOPADEC meets Ijaw Traditional Rulers, calls for Synergy 

Warri _____ Following the inauguration of the new Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, the Executive Director of Social Services, Chief Favour Izoukumor and Commissioner representing Ijaw Nationality, Hon. Spencer Okubo Okpoye, have paid a familiarization visited to the Ijaw Traditional Rulers' Council in Warri on the 8th August, 2023.

According to the board members, the visit was to familiarize with the Ijaw Traditional Rulers' Council led by His Royal Majesty, Elder Capt. Joseph I. Timiyan, the Ebenanawei of Ogulagha Kingdom.

However, the board conveyed its heartfelt appreciation to Ijaw Forum of Traditional Rulers for its unalloyed support towards the electoral victory of the governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori in the 2023 governorship election.

The executive director, Izoukumor and the Ijaw commissioner, Okpoye seek for unity and working collaboration of stakeholders for effective performance of the commission.

The executive director of social services, chief Izoukumor while responding to questions on payment of contractors of the commission stated, "Of course all of us know that paucity of fund is not only synonymous to DESOPADEC interventionist agency and that is why we are praying that Delta State should have more 13 percent derivation and that can only be possible with unhindered productions of crude oil from various oil producing communities. 

He said, "To my best of knowledge the commission has tried, though am aware that it is not enough, not that the commission is not paying contractors at all. Our approach by God grace, we will try our best to see that payment of contractors will be prioritised because if contractors are not encouraged by payment, the execution of contract  which is the primary mandate of the commission will be defeated. So we will do everything to see that once funds are available we will prioritise payment of contractors".

The Ijaw representatives in the DESOPADEC board,  Izoukumor and Okpoye commended the Royal Fathers for their immense contributions toward the development of Ijaw Nation in Delta, adding that their contributions birthed interventionist agencies like DESOPADEC, NDDC and others at the regional level.

In the address of the ED – Social Services DESOPADEC and Commissioner, Ijaw Nationality had pledged their loyalty and readiness to work in synergy with the traditional rulers and others with  laudable ideas that would help build capacity in the commission.

The board further seek royal blessings and advice to help them discharge their duties effectively while in office.

In response,  the Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum chaired by HRM Elder Capt. Joseph I. Timiyan, The Ebenanawei of Ogulagha Kingdom, HRM ST Luke – Kalanama Viii, The Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom, Vice Chairman, Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum and other traditional rulers also commended the Ijaw representatives for the timely visit.

The traditional rulers urged the Ijaw representatives to go round in consultation with leaders of mandate areas on the kind of infrastructures the people may need before awarding projects that may not most crucial to such communities.

Meanwhile, the royal fathers stressed on the need for awarding contracts to capable contractors and proper monitoring of projects to the stage of completion.

The statement reads, "this appeal is as a result of the too many abandoned projects in the oil producing communities with reasons not too far from negligence on the part of the commission in questioning and monitoring of contractors or issues of funding.

The Ijaw traditional rulers called for regular interface as to build confidence and address salient issues of the development of Ijaw Nation, regarding the oil producing communities in Delta State.

The Ijaw nationality commissioner Okpoye who gave vote of thanks, pledged to provide the best services to the mandate areas and stakeholders, leaders and traditional rulers.

The traditional rulers who were present at the visit were, HRM, Elder (Capt.) Joseph Timiyan , PhD.

The Ebenana-owei of Ogulagha Kingdom and Chiarman, Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum, HRM. Pere S.P Luke Kalanama VIII – The Pere of Akugbene Mein- Kingdom – 1st Vice Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council,  HRM – Pere Charles Ayemibotu – OFR – Paramount Ruler and Pere, Seimbiri Kingdom, HRM Couple Oromoni Mobene II – Pere Amakoso of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, HRM Johnbull Polokowei, Ongolo 1st – Pere of Ogbolubiri Kingdom.

Others were, HRM , Jackson Foubiriowei Angalabiri Egbain II – The Ebenana-owei of Kunbowei Kingdom, HRM, Dr. Ekioemi Oweiagbe – The Ebenana-owei of Oporomo Kingdom, HRM , Pere (Amb) Meshack E.A Ubabiri – The Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom, Bini Pere IV, HRM. Dr. Danladi Owuopere, Agulu 1st

Ebenana-owei of Tariki Kingdom and HRM (Barr). Erebulu Aduo III – The Pere of Kabowei Kingdom – Secretary, Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum and other leaders and traditional chiefs too numerous to mention.

Jonathan condoles with family of former Bayelsa chief judge, late Abiri

Jonathan condoles with family of former Bayelsa chief judge, late Abiri

Yenagoa _____ Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR has commiserated with the family of the immediate-past Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Hon. Kate Abiri, who passed away at the age of 65, on Thursday, August 3, 2023, after a brief illness.

The former president of Nigeria who was at the residence of the late Chief Judge on Friday, August 4, 2023, in Yenagoa, the state capital, showered praises on the deceased for her stance in upholding justice without compromising ethical standards of her profession.

Ex-President Jonathan, who made a post of his visit to the bereaved family of the deceased on his official social media handles, noted that the death of the deceased is a big loss to the family, to Bayelsa State, and to her legal profession. 

Part of his condolence message reads: "Justice Abiri was a jurist with an enviable track record of honesty, integrity and steadfastness in the pursuit of truth and justice.

"She was an incorruptible judge, a symbol of courage, hope and inspiration to many across the country.

"As a member of the bench, she was a dedicated servant in the temple of justice, known for her piety and total commitment to upholding the rule of law.

"Her death is a big loss to  her family, Bayelsa and members of the legal profession. I urge them to find solace in her notable strides and the fulling life that she lived.

"She will be missed by many Nigerians across the country; I pray that God grants all the bereaved the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss," GEJ prayed.

The late CJ Abiri, who was the first female chief judge in Nigeria’s history to swear-in the highest number of state chief executives even beyond her state, was appointed chief judge by former Governor Timipre Sylva in 2008 after a protracted battle, led by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa branch, and retired from the state judiciary on 13 January, 2023, after serving as chief judge for 15 years and clocking the mandatory retirement age of 65.

Tantita Releases Press Statement on MT PRAISEL Vessel lntercepted

Tantita Releases Press Statement on MT PRAISEL Vessel lntercepted 

 

PRESS RELEASE BY TANTITA SECURITY SERVICES NIGERIA LIMITED:

On the 3rd of August 2023, news of a vessel the MT PRAISEL intercepted by Tantita broke on a news channel, while investigation were still ongoing, contrary to our corporate practices as would be noted, no official statement from Tantita or any of her directors or top management accompanied the

news story.

While Tantita was investigating the source of the news, on the 4th of August 2023, Naval Headquarters issued a press statement.

We at Tantita have continued our investigation undeterred by press reports, careful not to jeopardize our investigations while conscious of our responsibilities to the public.

The fight against oil theft has been grueling but successful in the last one year and the biggest secret of that success is the extent of collaboration between the community based private surveillance companies particularly, TANTITA and the Government Security Agencies.

Therefore, this is to affirm the partnership with hundreds and thousands of Government Security Agents, officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps as well as the intelligence agencies who have put their lives at risk in the service of the nation.

For example, barely three weeks ago there was an ambush by oil thieves along the Ahoada axis of

Rivers State where private surveillance personnel and GSAs came under deadly fire and a Nigerian

Army soldier paid the ultimate price, amidst frantic efforts by our private security operations to rush him to medical care. This goes to show the close working relationship between private surveillance operatives and the security agencies.

However on the 1st of August 2023, Tantita received credible intelligence that a vessel which had obtained NMDPRA approval to deliver HPFO from Koko to LAGOS OFFSHORE would be proceeding in the opposite direction. On the 2nd of August 2023 Tantita operatives approached the MT PRAISEL as it made its way through a creek in Delta State off Benin River. On board the vessel were naval personnel, while the Tantita inspection crew included officers and men from the Operation Delta Safe (the inter service task force for fighting crude oil theft, amongst other things in the Niger delta).

The intelligence suggested that the vessel ought to be sailing to Lagos, but the Master of the vessel indicated he was sailing to Bonny.

Tantita requested for the naval clearance and the documentation showed by the Master of the vessel indicated Koko as port of discharge for storage only, there was nothing indicating Bonny as port of discharge in that document. In line with standard procedure, Tantita requested for further clarification from the crew as to the discrepancy between NMDPRA

permit and the naval clearance and permission to take samples of cargo on board. Understandably,

this infuriated the naval personnel on board who requested Tantita personnel to immediately disembark from the vessel. Tantita had no option but to escalate the issue to higher authorities who mandated that the vessel be anchored off Escravos roads for further investigation.

Tantita dispatched her personnel to collect samples from the vessel on the 3rd of August 2023.

Those present at the Dme of collection on the 3rd of August 2023 were the Nigerian Navy, Tantita and the NSCDC. Tantita personnel were still on board the vessel collecting samples when the news broke in the media.

The following day Tantita woke up to the Naval Headquarters’ press statement which appears to indicate that the NMDPRA gave approval to the MT PRAISEL to proceed to Bonny for discharge. We are yet to see that documentation, and as we noted above the Nigerian Navy clearance we saw did not also state Bonny as port of discharge. There are many vessels plying this area but Tantita does not board them, intelligence has to be credible.

In the circumstances, there were reasonable grounds to be suspicious of the movement of MT PRAISEL in the opposite direction from the NMDPRA clearance seen. Contrary to the Naval Headquarters’ press release on the issue of who was present on Thursday the 3rd of August 2023, it was on Friday the 4th of August 2023 that a staff of NMDPRA first came on board to take samples from the cargo holds for laboratory analysis.

While it is our honest belief that the Naval Headquarters’ press statement was actuated by the best moves, clearly there are questions which beg for answers. For example, why is NMDPRA approved port of discharge (Lagos Offshore) different from the Navy clearance (Koko as storage) and why are both different from the port of discharge indicated in the Naval press statement (Bonny)?

In the course of several joint meetngs we have consistently asked for a single clearing house for all approvals so that each agency of government can see what the other is approving/has approved.

We are all aware that unscrupulous elements can take advantage of existng gaps in procedures to clandestinely transport and sell stolen crude and illegally refined products. For example, a truck can load legitimate products at a licensed depot and pass on its papers and license plates to another truck carrying illegal products at a side road and if we rely on the papers alone the illegal cargo with the legitimate papers would beat the system. Same for motor tanker vessels.

At Tantita, it is our resolve that we will not allow a situation where the small fish is chased out of the illegal business only for the big fish to remain in business. A single 10 tonner vessel will do more damage to our economy in a single voyage than 1000 dugout canoes carrying jerrycans. And while the illegality with the dugout canoe is a crime of need, the illegality with the 10 tonner vessel is a crime of greed. Please find attached,

(1) NMDPRA Approval

(2) Naval Clearance.

SIGNED MANAGEMENT

TANTITA SECURITY SERVICES NIGERIA LIMITED

Hon. Godwin celebrates Omo-Agege at 60, calls him a leader per excellence

Hon. Godwin celebrates Omo-Agege at 60, calls him a leader per excellence

According to the Tunteri-owei elect of Ngbilebiri Mein Kingdom, Burutu LGA Delta State, Hon. Chief. Godwin Masah said:

" His Excellency,  Senator Ovie Omo-Agege is an embodiment of the sum total of the wishes and aspirations of Deltans as regards leadership and good governance.

The Orogun born politician cum legal icon is the Future Deltans await.

The Renewed Hope of a forlorn Delta State. He is the bridge between the old and the new era.

The Mentorship tactician of the New political era of Delta State. He is indeed the new tsunamic wave of the APC sweeping through Delta State.

Because of his performance as a Senator, his capacity and political sagacity APC today has become the political bride in Delta State.

A leader per excellence and a promise keeper. He is the Recipe for the politically oppressed in Delta State.

Your Excellency, Sen. Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege sir, I add my voice to so many others and to join the host of Heaven to acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate you for your infallible imprint in the annals of history with your selfless services to mankind and for the many lives you have impacted and raised positively.

Today I’m highly honoured and privileged to be a part of your history as you clock 60 and to also congratulate you in advance for you are the Man destined to give Deltans a Néw lease of Life and the stolen Mandate will surely Return. Happy birthday sir.

Signed:

Hon. Godwin Masah,

Chairman Ijaw National Congress (INC) Ngbilebiri Mein Clan/ The Pere Tunteriowei-Elect of

Ngbilebiri Mein Kingdom.

Just-ln: Tantita security intercepts vessel with suspected stolen crude in Delta

Just-ln: Tantita security intercepts vessel with suspected stolen crude in Delta 

      

Warri _____ Operatives of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has intercepted a vessel carrying suspected stolen crude in the waters of Delta State.

The interception happened on Wednesday while the 1, 117 tons vessel carrying about 8,100 barrels of crude, was being escorted by some naval officers.

Tanita Security outfit is a private security company owned by Government Ekpemupolo, popularly called Tompolo, an ex-Niger Delta agitator who recently got a contract from the Federal Government to protect oil pipelines.

Operatives of the Tanita Security say the vessel, tagged MT Praisel, was flying a Togolese flag and was being escorted by a Navy boat led by a senior naval commander.

The Tanita operatives said they were met with resistance from the navy boat escorting the vessel and that the naval commander threatened to deal decisively with them. But the private operatives said they refused to back down.

But they eventually contacted the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and the Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla who authorised them to inspect the vessel.

Upon entrance into the ship, the security company says they noticed that the vessel was authorised to carry products by the navy but did not have any approvals from Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the authority responsible for the regulation of the midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria, for this said voyage.

The incident comes on the heels of the outcry by the Federal Government that the illegal trade of stolen crude oil inflicts significant economic losses on Nigeria to the tune of N2.3 trillion in 12 months.

It is a loss experts say could impact up to 25% of the nation’s crude oil production. The recent removal of the petrol subsidy has caused nationwide demonstrations by workers’ unions.

Recently, another ex-Niger Delta agitator Asari Dokubo told journalists at the State House after meeting with President Bola Tinubu that some corrupt military officers are involved in the stealing of Nigeria’s crude.

King Pereama appreciate ljaw nation, Dumatun-Ogbo on late Ebizimo Anniversary

King Pereama appreciate ljaw nation, Dumatun-Ogbo on late Ebizimo Anniversary

Francis Tayor

Yenagoa_____ Numupere ll of lzon-lbe owigiri highlife music, King Pereama Freetown JP, has expressed gratitude to ljaw nation and the Dumatun-Ogbo of lzon-lbe on the occasion of the successful hosting of the 9th Anniversary of late King (Dr.) Robert Ebizimor of blessed memory at Angalabiri Community on the 31st of July, 2023.

King Pereama in a statement released on Wednesday at Yenagoa, specially appreciated everyone who spent time and resources to honour the fallen music lroko, late King Robert Ebizimor after Nine years in death.

He said the legacies left behind by late. King Dr. Robert Ebizimor positively affects the lives of every ljaw musician in particular, and ljaw nation at large, adding that such is the enigma of our departed father and hero in the ljaw owigiri highlife music entertainment industry. 

 

King Pereama particularly thanked Angalabiri Community and the immediate family of late King Robert Ebizimor for providing enabling environment. 

He further appreciated members of the Dumatun-Ogbo of lzon-lbe, especially

King Pius Fezena

Alabini

Kelvin Duduku

Capt. Ebis Sibe

king Allen Alabor

Sir Chief Abraham Young

Commander Tika Bebekala

Triple Chief Kennedy Duduku

Alfred lzon-ebi Jking 

Ferebon aka king pikin

Capt. Abel Igunisuobai

King Karinto Fokite

Eyoro-Ere

Mr Power

Eniye Egole

FC Story Teller and everyone who sacrifice their time to graced the occasion. 

He pray God in His infinite mercies to bless, protect and keep everyone till the next celebration in Jesus Mighty name, Amen, the statement added.

N/Delta freedom fighter, Sunny Clark is dead, to be buried August 4, in Delta

N/Delta freedom fighter, Sunny Clark is dead, to be buried August 4, in Delta

By Cletus Opukeme

Warri _____ A renowned Niger Delta ex-agitator, Commander Sunny Clark is confirmed dead.

In a brief statement by the pioneer National President of the Meinbutus and also an ex-war lord, Comrade Ebis Moni, said '' Today is a sad day for Ijaw nation, INC, IYC and the Meinbutus as one of our hero, Commander Sunny Clark is dead. He died on 23rd July, 2023 after a brief illness in a private hospital in Warri. We missed him so much as his  contributions towards the progress and development of Niger Delta region and Ijaw nation is unforgettable.

"Late Commander Sunny Clark was among the Ijaw warriors who fought and brought about the establishment of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Niger Delta Ministry (NDM), l ex-president Jonathan Goodluck presidency and a lot more which hundreds of Ijaw youths laid down their lives and communities bombed during gun battle with federal troops. That late Sunny Clark was a hero'' he eulogized.

Sunny Clark was the pioneer spokesman of Meinbutus, a armed group that initiated the armed struggle of Niger Delta Emancipation in Niger Delta in the late 90s after the era of Late Isaac Boro. He hailed from Enekorogha community in Burutu LGA of Delta state, untill his death, he was survived by a wife and children.

According to the statement, late ex-commander Sunny Clark will be given final heroic burial rites in his home town on the 4th of August, 2023 in grand style with all honours and rituals of a former Ijaw warrior.