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By Amos Odhe IPC’s Centre for Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ) has said that it is “extremely dismayed and frowns at the reported police invasion of ABN TV and forced arrest of a guest during a live programme in Umuahia on Tuesday, 16th January, 2024.” In a release made available to our correspondent, I-CSPJ said that its field monitor reveals that, “At about 2.40pm on Tuesday, January 16, 2023, the policemen invaded the station during a live programme, Youth Rendezvous, to arrest a guest, Mr. Udensi Donald during a programme. “The police claimed a senior brother of the guest…

By Mandy Tina A leading humanitarian and Human Rights organization in Nigeria, Relief International Africa, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the decision to revisit the perpetual injunction obtained by the former Governor Peter Odili-led administration in Rivers State. The humanitarian organisation described the decision as a commendable move towards ensuring justice and proper utilization of public funds. While noting that it is a step towards the pursuit of accountability and transparency in governance. Speaking on the issue, the executive director, Relief International Africa, and secretary general, Civil Rights Council Nigeria, Green Isaac, expresses the group’s…

By Amos Odhe The first meeting in 2024 of the governors of oil and gas rich South South region, under the auspices of the BRACED Commission, in this current dispensation held on Thursday January 18, 2023 under the leadership of the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, who double as chairman of the commission’s Governing Council. Director General of the BRACED Commission, Ambassador Joe Keshi, said he has confidence in the governors of the south-south region rejuvenating the BRACED Commission. He is appealing to well-meaning South South indigenes and cooperate bodies not to be deluded over the challenges the commission had…

By Amos Odhe Osun State Government has frowned at incessant encroachment on government properties by land grabbers and estate developers. The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Sunday Oroniyi, made this known during his visit to Owalla Dam in Oba- Oke, Osun State, where Federal Groups had invaded and bulldozed the area without authorization. The construction of Owala dam was completed in the year 1988 purposely for potable water production to about 12 LGAs of the state and it’s being achieved through the construction of the New Ede Headworks. The specific maximum depth and length…

By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa There was mild drama at the magistrate sitting in Yenagoa Magisteria district of Bayelsa following the whisking away of a 45-year old trader, Esther Maduka who was brought to court to be arraigned on charges of alleged breach of peace and malicious damage. Esther Maduka, who is a trader at the popular Swali market, was arrested by the policemen attached to the Azikoro divisional Police Command on a two count charge of alleged breach of peace and unlawful and malicious damage against one Osigwe Jude. The charge sheet numbered YMC/13c/2024 and marked Commissioner of Police versus…

By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa The Bayelsa State Government on Tuesday decried the comparatively low level of tax compliance in the state, which has been responsible for the poor internally generated revenue (IGR) profile of the state. The deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made this known when the Yenagoa and District Society of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Yenagoa. Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who frowned at the poor attitude of corporate and private citizens in the state towards tax payment, said the state government had been grappling with the issue of…

… Meets Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Plateau, Yobe Comptrollers, Flags off ‘Operation Secured Border’ By Our Correspondent The immediate past Comptroller of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in Rivers State, ACG Sunday James, has assumed duty as the zonal coordinator in the North East and Plateau with headquarters in Bauchi State. Assistant Comptroller General Sunday James, on assumption of office, met with comptrollers of the catchment states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Plateau and Yobe states, signaling a new dawn in the operations of the operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service in the North East and Plateau. At the meeting,…

By Mandy Tina The Commissioner of Police Rivers State, CP Olatunji Disu, has promised to fish out the murderers of Ndidi Livingstone, the Community Development Committee (CDC) chairman of Mgbuoshimini who was shot dead in front of his church by unknown assailants in Port Harcourt. CP Disu gave the assurance when he visited the deceased’s family accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Agip Police Division, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) and other senior officers. He was received by Godspower Livingstone, elder brother of the slain CDC chairman, the deceased’s widow, Mrs Patience Ndidi Livingstone, her children and other…

By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) focused on environmental rights advocacy have demanded that Shell UK addressed ecological impact of its operations before sale of its onshore business in Nigeria. Shell Plc UK, parent company to Shell companies in Nigeria on January 16 announced its decision to sell its Nigerian onshore subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). It was learnt that SPDC’s parent company agreed to sell the onshore operations in Niger Delta to a consortium of four domestic and one international oil company. The acquisition is for $2.8 billion, subject to the approval of the Federal…

By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa Journalists in Bayelsa State at the weekend mourned the death of veteran broadcaster, Mr. Benaebi Eselemo. Eselemo died on December 15, 2023, after a prolonged illness. He died at the age of 76 years. Eselemo worked with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Benin City, Edo State for 27 years, between 1976 and 2003, and was later moved to Bayelsa State as manager, News between 2003 and 2009. He also worked with the Federal Polytechnic, Ekeowe as Public Relations Officer in 2010. Eselemo, popularly known as ‘Cycle,’ won laurels and accolades from his contributions to journalism…