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Defence/Security

Navy chief tasks officers on physical, mental fitness

Navy chief tasks officers on physical, mental fitness

Fitness

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Dec. 17, 2022 (NAN) Rear Adm. Ibrahim Dewu, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Saturday urged naval personnel to keep fit for optimal performance in their duties.

Dewu gave the advice while inaugurating some renovated facilities at the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder Base in Port Harcourt.

The facilities are a multipurpose sports complex, hall for events and meetings and a memorial naval boat.

He said mental and physical fitness were a key factor during naval operations, both on land and in the creeks of Niger Delta.

“We (navy personnel) must be physically fit at all times, considering the security situation in the country.

“Our operations warrant that we are fit always, to enable us to expertly and efficiently deliver on our mandate.

“So, aside from the newly renovated boat and hall nicknamed ‘Rivers Hall,’ the multipurpose sports complex will be used to keep officers and men of NNS Pathfinder and ENC fit,” he said.

Dewu said the sports facility would also be used by personnel to train and prepare for the forthcoming Nigeria Navy Games in 2023.

According to him, the Eastern Naval Command will continue to work hard to defend the trophy it won in the last edition of the games in August.

“So, ENC being the reigning champion of the games must utilise this sports complex to keep personnel fit, to enable  them to retain our trophy at the next competition.

“Also, as military personnel, we are supposed to be fit, especially as our operation in the ENC is mostly inside the creeks.

“Therefore, sports play a vital role in keeping our personnel in shape to be able to do our job effectively,” he added.

The navy officer lauded the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Suleiman Ibrahim, for rehabilitating the sports complex, and called for maintenance of the facilities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DES/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

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08036694557

Defence/Security

NSCDC warns against stockpiling petrol

NSCDC warns against stockpiling petrol

Petrol

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Dec. 15, 2022 (NAN) The Rivers Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned against storing petroleum products in homes to avoid fire outbreaks.

The Commandant, Michael Ogar, gave the warning in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesman, DSC Olufemi Ayodele, in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

Ogar made the remark during the signing of a partnership agreement between the command and Federal Fire Service to train NSCDC personnel on fire fighting.

“There is a need for members of the public to rise up and take responsibility for their actions, especially during the Yuletide and harmattan season.

“People must understand that prevention is better than cure, and so must stop storing fuel in their houses and vehicles to avert fire outbreaks,” he said.

The commandant also warned that the corps would come down heavily on those diverting the product to create artificial scarcity.

On the training, Ogar said it was to enable personnel acquire basic skills required to effectively respond to fire incidents.

“The command in its readiness to forestall incidents of fire disasters has procured about 25 fire extinguishers and 15 fire protectors in the event of possible outbreaks.

“Some of the fire extinguishers have been positioned at our Iriebe and Ogbogoro Exhibit Yards while others would be stationed at the command’s headquarters for emergency response.

“People must apply caution considering that lives and properties worth millions have been lost to fire disasters as a result of carelessness and negligence,” he added.

The NSCDC commandant called on owners of schools, shopping malls and residential apartments among others to install fire fighting equipment for quick response in the event of fire emergencies.

According to him, the command will clampdown filling stations selling petroleum products above approved pump price and those hoarding the product.

In his speech, the Commander, Federal Fire Service (FFS) in Rivers, Abdullahi Alfa, said the partnership would be mutually beneficial to both security agencies.

Alfa, represented by Ihia Juliet, said that the NSCDC would provide security for firefighters during emergencies.

“Fire prevention is much better than fire fighting,” he said, and advised Nigerians to embrace the culture of installing fire fighting equipment.

“It is a punishable offence for drivers to travel without fire extinguishers installed in their vehicles,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DES/MZA

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

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General news

Secure your products from counterfeiters, SON tells business owners

Counterfeiters
By Desmond Ejibas
Port Harcourt, Dec. 13, 2022 (NAN) Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has called on business owners in the country to make their products impossible to be counterfeited by criminal elements.

SON Director-General, Mallam Farouk Salim, stated this during the organisation’s 50th anniversary celebrations, organised for staff members in the South South, in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

He said that business owners must take actionable steps to ensure that their brands and products were not compromised and sold to innocent consumers.

Salim said that the global index for substandard and falsified industry products stood at $4.3 trillion in 2021.

“This overwhelming figure justifies the need for a robust collaboration between SON and the industrial sector to fight the scourge in the country.

“The industry must make substantial investment in brand protection activities to safeguard their intellectual property and associated brands.

“They must do this to protect their brands against counterfeiters, copyright pirates and producers of substandard products,” he said.

Salim assured of the organisation’s full commitment to ridding the nation’s marketplace of fake and substandard products.

“To this end, we have prioritised the provision of solutions to the needs of our stakeholders, with our South- South operations developing a ‘Stop-Shop model’ that handles enquiries and complaints.

“The model handles the services that we provide, such as product registration, consumer complaint resolution, laboratory services and training.

“We have received positive feedbacks from several stakeholders, who expressed satisfaction because they no longer travel to our Abuja or Lagos headquarters to get solutions to their challenges,” he added.

The organisation, Salim said, had also expanded its operations in the South-South zone with the opening of a new office in Bayelsa, adding that it had also upgraded its Rivers office and completed a regional laboratory in Akwa Ibom.

The director-general said that the organisation was currently working on three critical areas to enhance its operations and add value to its mandate of protecting consumers.

He called on SON’s partners to support the organisation with vehicles and testing equipment, to enable it further increase its presence across the zone.

Managing Director of La Sien Bottling Company, Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs, lauded SON for that ensuring consumers were provided with the best quality standard of products across the country.

She said that the organisation had, in the last two years, fulfilled its mandate of ensuring that only quality products were imported into the country as well as assisting businesses deliver quality products and services.

“No wonder the company had, in the last two years, ranked number one in ease of doing business in the country,” she added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Salim presented the organisation’s Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) Certification to 20 companies whose products met the requirements of Nigeria Industrial Standard. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
DES/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

General news

SON raises alarm over importation of substandard goods into Nigeria

SON raises alarm over importation of substandard goods into Nigeria

Importation

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Dec. 13, 2022 (NAN) The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says it is worried over the illegal importation of fake and substandard goods by suspected smugglers into the country.

Malam Farouk Salim, the SON Director-General, expressed the concern at his meeting with Heads of security agencies in Onne Port, Rivers, on Tuesday.

He said the National Assembly should come up with stiffer punishment for illicit importers who smuggle fake and substandard goods into the country.

He said “Smuggling fake and substandard goods into the country is the biggest threat to our national security.

“The more substandard goods come into the country, the fewer our industries will produce and employ our children – resulting in less tax and revenue for the government.

“We feel that after seven years, the Standard Organisation Act 2015 needs to be rejigged and improved, considering that N1 million in 2015 is not the same value today.

Salim said the organisation would soon approach the National Assembly to seek amendment to the law guiding the organisation.

“So, we are going to ask for stiffer punishment in terms of mandatory jail sentences for individuals and their collaborators who import substandard and life endangering goods into Nigeria.

“I want to impress it on the lawmakers to realise that importation of substandard goods into the country is an act of economic sabotage against the nation’s economy.

“We are fighting the importation of substandard goods as a government because we want to save our country and the lives of our people,” he added.

He said investigation showed that some of the importers of substandard goods use the proceeds from their imports to finance separatist agitations, banditry and terrorism in the country.

Salim commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCoS) and other sister agencies operating at the Onne Port for cooperating with SON to rid the nation of fake and substandard products.

“We have successfully intercepted a lot of substandard goods because of the full cooperation we are getting in this area. But we want more,” he appealed.

Speaking, the Customs Controller of, Area II Command, Onne Port, Comptroller Auwal Mohammed, assured the commitment of NCoS to further collaborate with SON to tackle the influx of substandard goods into the country.

According to him, the custom’s collaboration with SON had led to several seizures of fake and substandard goods in the port.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Salim also visited and inspected the quality of gas produced at Greenville Liquefied Natural Gas Company in Rumuji, Rivers. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DES/VAO

Edited by Vincent Obi

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08036694557

Education

JAMB sets Jan. 1 deadline for digital platform migration

 

JAMB

By Desmond Ejibas

ort Harcourt, Dec. 12, 2020 (NAN) The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), says registration into its Central Processing System (CAPS) and Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS) by tertiary institutions would end in Jan. 1.

JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede said this in Port Harcourt on Monday at the training of 270 admission officers of tertiary institutions across the South South.

He said on expiration of the deadline that JAMB would cease to communicate with regulatory agencies, universities, polytechnics and colleges, among others via paper mails and electronic mail.

According to him, the board will interact with the institutions only via its digital platform after expiration of the deadline.

“So, we are here to interact with Vice Chancellors, Provosts, Rectors, Registrars, Admission Officers and officials responsible for implementation of admission in their various institutions.

“We have come up with a digitised automation platform primarily to improve efficiency, keep records and save time in our admission processes.

“The digital platform will become mandatory from Jan. 1, meaning that communications on admission and curriculum to tertiary institutions will only be done through the platform,” he said.

Oloyede said the digital platform could be used by prospective students to choose their subjects and course of study as well as to process their admission.

He said the platform would also serve as a communication channel between JAMB, National Universities Commission (NUC), National Commission for College of Education (NCCE), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and all tertiary institutions.

“Essentially, we want to address the challenges of documentation as well as build capacity to archive all information processes.

“In the past, officials from tertiary institutions travel to Abuja up to five times every year for admission purposes, but now they can sit in their offices and conduct admission.

“So, the platform does this by extending communication on the programme, and modifying the new programme in a smooth, meaningful and permanent manner,” he said.

The JAMB registrar said the training was held simultaneously in the six geo-political zones with about 1,678 officials of various tertiary institutions participating in the workshop.

He said that 270 participants were slated for Rivers, Benin 475, Enugu 282, Kaduna 292, Bauchi 195, while 256 education officials participated in Abuja.

“We organised the training because the tertiary institutions requested practical hands-on, so, there won’t be any excuse why higher institutions will not register on the platform,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DES/EEE
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Defence/Security

NSCDC, DSS arrest 6 Naira traders in sting operation

 

Arrest

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Dec. 9, 2022 (NAN) Six suspected vendors who specialised in illicit trading of Naira notes for profit have been arrested by security operatives in a sting operation in Port Harcourt.

Mr Michael Ogar, the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers, briefed newsmen on the suspected illicit naira dealers in Port Harcourt on Friday.

He said the suspects were arrested in a joint operation involving NSCDC, Department of State Security (DSS) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“The suspects, five females and one male, aged between 20 years and 58 years old were picked up from their tents around Garrison and Mile One Park in Port Harcourt.

“The sting operation carried out by NSCDC, DSS and CBN is aimed at forestalling illicit sales of the nation’s currency notes, the naira.

“A total sum of N1.779 million in various denominations were recovered from the suspects – with investigation partly focusing on the source of the mint notes,” he said.

Ogar said sale and hawking of naira notes, as well as writing, squeezing and spraying of naira notes at both social and corporate ceremonies was unlawful and punishable by law.

“This practice contravenes Section 20 and 21 of the CBN Act 2007 that prescribes punishment for any person or group of persons who buy, sell and trade the naira currency.

“We will continue the clampdown of perpetrators of this offence which attracts a minimum six months jail time or a fine of not less than N50,000 or both.

“It is a crime for people to go to the banks; collect mints, and then come out and sell those mints to Nigerians,” he added.

Ogar said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation into the matter was concluded.

The NSCDC Commandant said the operation would continue with operatives covertly visiting birthday parties, burial and wedding ceremonies among others, to arrest defaulters.

He warned members of the public to desist from carrying out acts capable of defacing the naira, adding that anyone found culpable would be arrested and charged to court. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DES/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

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08036694557

Defence/Security

NSCDC secures 21 convictions in 6 months in Rivers – Commandant  

NSCDC secures 21 convictions in 6 months in Rivers – Commandant

NSCDC

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Dec. 8, 2022 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers has secured 21 convictions within six months out of 37 cases before various courts in the state.

Mr Michael Ogar, the state Commandant, made the disclosure in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Olufemi Ayodele, in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

According to the statement, Ogar gave the figure while addressing participants of Course 31 of National Defence College (NDC) who visited the command headquarters in Port Harcourt.

“The command is actively carrying its mandate of effective protection of all critical national assets and infrastructures in Rivers.

“On my assumption of duty in July, we went all out to effect series of arrests of suspects involved in oil theft, illegal dealing in petroleum products and other criminal offences.

“In a short period, our renewed efforts led to the arrest of 88 suspects for various offences – with 37 cases charged to court and the command securing 21 convictions,” Ogar said.

He also said that the command had from the beginning of the year successfully secured about 34 forfeitures, including petroleum products and sea vessels to the Federal Government.

“The command under my watch will not relent in stemming the spate of crimes and criminalities in Rivers.

“The focus of NDC Course 31 participants on the topic: Building Socio-Economic Resilience in a Contemporary Security Environment is an indication that security is key for businesses to thrive.

“So, the current peace in Rivers is as a result of the existing harmonious relationship between security agencies and other critical stakeholders in the state,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DES/MZA

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

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Defence/Security

NSCDC raids kidnappers’ camp, uncovers arms cache

 

Raid

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Dec. 7, 2022 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)  has recovered a cache of ammunition after  raiding a kidnappers’ hideout in Okuru-Ama Waterside in Port Harcourt.

Mr Micheal Ogar, the Commandant of NSCDC in Rivers, presented the 53 recovered assorted ammunition to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

He said that the kidnappers’ camp was raided following intelligence reports of their activities in an uncompleted building in Okuru-Ama Waterside, used by the kidnappers to hold their victims for ransom taking.

“So, after carrying out intelligence on a kidnap syndicate’s hideout, our Anti-Vandal Squad swung into action and engaged the suspects in a gunfire that lasted about 25 minutes.

“The kidnappers after enduring our superior firing power  escaped through the adjoining waterways.

“However, our operatives recovered 43 Tavor K2 ammunition, six AK 47 rifle magazines, three Tavor gun magazines and one Breech block,” he said.

Ogar said other items recovered include: charms, animal horns; a watch and an empty bag.

“Our men will continue to patrol the area as we enjoin the public to provide the command with credible information that will lead to the arrest of the fleeing abductors.

“Our goal is to make businesses thrive in an environment devoid of mayem, chaos and breakdown of law and  order,” he added.

Ogar also paraded 25 suspects accused of engaging  in various crimes  in Rivers.

He said that 19 of the suspects were arrested for illegal dealings in petroleum products, conspiracy, fraud, illegal possession of firearm and attempted vandalism of a pipeline belonging to the  Nigeria Agip Oil Company.

According to him, the arrests were made during a joint operation by the NSCDC, the military; the Police and the  Department of State Security.

“The 19 suspects were apprehended along with a Toyota Sequoia Jeep SR 5 with registration number: Abuja RSH 645 KZ conveying illegally refined diesel.

“Others include: 100 litres of suspected adulterated diesel concealed inside a Honda Accord with Kaduna plate number: AH 978 MKK and a Toyota Camry with registration number: Lagos ET 441 LSR.

“Also impounded were: a Toyota Sequoia V8 SUV; one hard saw blade, one pump action rifle and two cartridges,” he said.

Ogar said that the command’s anti-vandal marine team during a routine patrol of the creeks seized a wooden boat laden  with unspecified quantity of diesel – with the suspects escaping arrest.

“In another separate operation, four suspects were picked up for selling pre-registered SIM cards while one Akpan Daniel was arrested for advanced fee fraud of N3million,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DES/PAD
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Edited by Peter Dada 

Education

UNIPORT graduates 19,526 students, 161 bag first class

UNIPORT graduates 19,526 students, 161 bag first class

Graduation

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Dec. 1, 2023 (NAN) The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) will on Saturday graduate 19,526 students with 161 bagging First Class degrees.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday, in Port Harcourt as part of programmes to mark the 33rd combined convocation of the institution.

Georgewill said the conferment of degrees, higher degrees, diplomas, certificates and prizes would be held at the university from Dec.1 to Dec.3.

According to him, the convocation was mainly for students who finished their academic programmes for the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 academic sessions.

“The convocation was delayed due to COVID-19 and the eight months industrial  action by different unions in the university.

“So, in the undergraduate category, we are expecting to graduate about 9,536 first degrees with 161 students out of the figure obtaining first class degrees.

He said the university would also graduate about 9,699 students with postgraduate degrees and diplomas.

“Out of this figure, about 1,028 will receive Doctor of Philosophy degrees (PhD); 3,745 will obtain Master degrees while about 4,926 will receive their Postgraduate Diplomas.

“The university has taken time to prepare for this convocation, and has also set up various committees to ensure a successful convocation,” he added.

Georgewill described convocation as a period of harvest that the university uses to rate the progress of the institution.

He said the university under his leadership had achieved remarkable milestones in the areas of infrastructure development, administration and Research and Development (R&D).

“Since we came onboard in July 2021, we have done all we could to ensure UNIPORT delivers its mandate of teaching, learning, R&D, community service and recently added entrepreneurship.

“Some of the things we introduced are “This Week in Retrospect,” where we provide our staff, students and stakeholders with in-depth weekly information to be abreast of happenings in the university.

“We have also strengthened our professional promotion which faced challenges owing to delays, while also improving the career structure of some staff members of the university,” he said.

The vice chancellor said that UNIPORT had partnered both local and international institutions to establish an institute in the university to tackle climate change, partly responsible for recent flooding in the country.

On infrastructure, Georgewill said he had completed some of the newly initiated projects while works were in progress to complete other projects he met on ground.

“The projects we initiated when we came onboard that have been completed include faculty buildings, auditoriums as well as equipping our laboratories, among others.

“On research and development, we have signed several Memoranda of Understanding with several local and international institutions and universities because research is key to meeting industrial and societal needs.

He said lectures had commenced fully in the university with year one students concluding their second semester examinations recently.

The vice chancellor thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, Federal Ministry of Education, TetFund and Gov. Nyesom Wike for their support to UNIPORT. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DES/IAA

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

 

Defence/Security

NOWA donate palliatives to widows of fallen naval officers in Rivers

 

Donation

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Nov. 30, 2022 (NAN) The Naval Officers Wives Association (NOWA), on Wednesday donated food stuff and cash to widows of naval officers who died in the course of duty.

NOWA National President, Hajiya Nana Gambo inaugurated the exercise tagged: “2022 Annual Widows and Orphans Programme”, organised by the association in Port Harcourt.

She said that the palliatives distributed were part of activities marking its 57th anniversary celebration of the Navy.

According to her, many widows in the country have been abandoned by the society their late husbands served and laid their lives to protect.

“So, the importance of a programme like this cannot be overemphasised, especially as widows are historically left unseen, unsupported and unmeasured by the society.

“Therefore, we organised this programme to show them kindness and solidarity as well as provide them and their families with succour in line with the association’s responsibilities.

“NOWA has sustained this programme of supporting widows considering that majority of the widow’s circumstances happened in the line of duty of serving their fatherland,” she said.

The NOWA president, who is the wife of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo said recent United Nations statistics showed there were more than 258 million widows around the world.

She said armed with this figure, the association decided to extend its hand of fellowship to widows in Rivers; having done same severally to widows of deceased naval officers in Lagos.

“So, upon my assumption of leadership of the association, I made it mandatory that the programme must be carried out in all Zones where NOWA has presence.

“The decision was taken to ensure that widows and orphans in other parts of the country also benefit from this programme.

“This is so, because their late husbands paid the ultimate price for the country,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gambo presented food stufs and undisclosed stipend to about 30 widows at the event.

Also speaking, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Gambo commended NOWA for its numerous humanitarian services that targeted widows and the less privilege in the country.

Represented by the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Shipyard Limited, Port Harcourt, Rear Adm. John Oyegade, Gambo said the association had been of immense support to the Nigeria Navy.

“NOWA has been a bridge that has been supporting the efforts of the navy toward alleviating the challenges faced by wives of naval personnel both retired and serving.

“The support from the association over the years has immensely impacted on the lives of widows and orphans who are facing untold hardship.

“One of my goals is to keep encouraging NOWA to continue with such programmes that directly impact on the lives of disadvantaged persons, including our retirees,” he said.

Mrs Nkechinyere Abi-Kalio, who spoke on behalf of her fellow widows thanked the association and called for more support, especially in the face of rising cost of living in the country.  (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DES/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams