Local operators query government’s sincerity on establishment of modular refineries (Read full details)

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local refineries

• Monarch averts shutdown of oil facility by protesters in Delta
• Community gives firm 21-day ultimatum to address issue of neglect

Operators of illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region have queried the sincerity of the Federal Government in implementing its promise of establishing modular refineries in the region.The local refinery operators noted that the continuous destruction of their facilities might hamper the potential project.

However, an oil expert Chika Onuegbu, has advised the illegal refinery operators to remain calm and be patient with the Federal Government, adding that their activities were not just illegal but failed to comply with any environmental law.

He said that before the boys would be engaged, they would need to undergo training, stressing that the establishment of the modular refineries is not what should be done in a hurry, but a process that requires experts’ handling to ensure sustainability.

One of the youth leaders, Mr. Jolomi Kpokpobe, said the boys had resolved not to go back to the creeks for illegal refining, but stressed that the act of the military destroying their equipment brings to doubt the sincerity in the declaration of the Acting President.

Kpokpobe said: “To show that they are serious with what they are saying, they should call the military men to stop the destruction of this Kpo-fire refineries to help in building that confidence that we will now see in the statement that the Federal Government is ready to partner with us in building modular refineries.”

In another development, the traditional ruler of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HRM Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe Agadagba, at the weekend averted plan by aggrieved protesters from Kunukunuma Federated community in Warri South-West Local Council of Delta State to shut down the Odidi flow-station, one of the few functioning oil platforms operated by the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

The community had planned to storm the NPDC platform at Odidi and shut it down over alleged neglect, but the monarch, who recently hosted Acting President Yemi Osinbajo in his palace, sent emissaries to the community, promising to resolve the impasse within a few days.

But rather than shut down the oil platform, the community instead issued a 21-day ultimatum to the NPDC, urging it to address the myriad of neglects or risk shutdown of the facilities after the expiration of the grace period.

According to their leaders, including Chief Clement Aruwei, Yokuare Ejoor, Captain Friday Denkeden and Pena Okrika, the community had been neglected to the level where their rights as host community had been totally lost. They said that all the benefits that used to accrue to the community in the past had all gone.

The chairman of the community, Chief Clement Aruwei, said: “Kunukunuma federated community was recognised by SPDC as one of the hosts and has been giving host-benefits in terms rights and privileges. The community enjoyed both post-primary and post-secondary school scholarship benefits from the SPDC over the years during the period the company was operating OML 42 on behalf of NNPC.”

The youths leader, Pena Okrika, who led the placard-carrying protesters, including women, men, youths and the aged, issued a 21-day ultimatum for the NPDC to right the wrongs and for the monarch, who asked them to sheath their swords, to intervene.

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Troops kill two female suicide bombers, one other (Read full details)

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Two teenage female suicide bombers in explosive vests were shot dead by troops

• Civil society coalition chides Amnesty International over attacks on army
• Saraki seeks Germany’s support to rebuild north east

Two teenage female suicide bombers in explosive vests were shot dead by troops as they made an attempt to sneak into Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

The civilian Joint Task Force sighted the girls in Ummarari village, along Mulai axis of Maiduguri-Damboa road in the outskirts of Maiduguri at the weekend but refused to stop when ordered to do so. They instead attempted to detonate their explosives, before the security operatives, also in the area, took them down.

Hours before the interception of the suicide bombers, soldiers had gunned down a Boko Haram kingpin during an operation that led to the rescue of 211 civilian captives from a Boko Haram den.

The spokesperson of the Nigeria Army, Sani Usman, confirmed the development in a statement he sent to the media.Meanwhile, the Coalition of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Good Governance in Nigeria, COCMEGG, has called for an end to criticisms of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The civil society organizations and media executives from across the country, said after a meeting at the weekend that there was urgent need to halt the attack of the Nigerian Army by Amnesty International (AI) over the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram and attempts to divide the country.

President of COCMEGG, Kenneth Aigbegbele, said the AI report smacks of bias, capable of undermining the hard fought war by the army against the insurgents and could demoralise its personnel in their constitutional roles of defending the territorial integrity of the nation.

COCMEGG said AI’s commentaries were unnecessary, distractive, unfair, and do not represent the true situation in the prosecution of the war against the insurgents by the Nigerian Army.

COCMEGG said AI strangely did not mention in its report nor suggest ways of providing support for the internally displaced persons (IDPs), nor proffer ways of rebuilding the devastated northeast or how to promote peace and tranquility in the country.

In a related development, Senate President Bukola Saraki has solicited the support of Germany in rebuilding north east, Nigeria.A statement by the Special Assistant to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu sent to The Guardian at the weekend, explained that the lawmakers discussed how to forge strong economic co-operation, rebuild the insurgency-ravaged north-east.

Saraki, accompanied by Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Naallah, Senators Enyinaya Abaribe, Monsurat Sunmonu and Abubakar Kyari, had meetings with the Vice President of the lower chamber of the German Parliament, the Bundestag, Mr. Johannes Singhammer, top officials of the think-tank group, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and others.

Similarly, the President of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, has said the easiest way for government to permanently defeat insurgence and militancy in the country was to introduce subsidy in education sector.

Obasi spoke yesterday when he led the NANS to a thanksgiving service at the Faith Miracle International Church, Abuja, following the conclusion of its three-day prayer on the quick recovery and safe return of the president.

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Ortom warns against rejection of NYSC members (Read full details)

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Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2016 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 cheering during their swearing-in and opening of the Orientation Course at Kubwa in Abuja on January 26, 2017. PHOTO: NAN

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has directed government agencies not to reject members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posted to the state.

The governor gave the order while receiving the state Coordinator of the corps, Mrs. Eno Herbert Awakessien at the Government House, Makurdi.He directed the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), Prof. Tony Ijoho, to issue a circular to all government agencies to stop further rejection of corps members.

He said such practice negates the state’s commitment to the building of youths for future challenges.Ortom also urged his Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Titus Zam, to ensure that the sole administrators of local councils provide adequate security for corps members deployed in the state.

The governor stressed that corps members were contributing to the country’s development and deserve to be protected wherever they were posted to.
As part of measures to ensure their comfort, the governor further directed the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. David Olofu, to ensure that the multipurpose hall and other structures at the NYSC Orientation Camp at Wannune were renovated within a short time.

He said all issues surrounding the award of contracts for the renovation have been resolved to ensure that the contractors are mobilised to site immediately.

Ortom stressed that he inherited huge debts from his predecessor and stated that over N69 billion was being owed to workers and pensioners in the state.

He explained that his administration is facing the challenge of over-bloated civil service and a salary wage bill of N7.8 billion.The NYSC state coordinator commended the governor for extending water supply to the orientation camp and promised to collaborate with him to ensure that the state fulfills its dream of rapid development.

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Black actors triumph at very political Oscars…Read full details

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Actress Viola Davis poses with the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in the press room, during the 89th Oscars on February 26, 2017, in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / FREDERIC J. BROWN

Actor Mahershala Ali, winner of Best Supporting Actor for 'Moonlight' poses in the press room during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images/AFP

Two black film stars took the early acting honours at the 89th Oscars on Sunday, which began with a salvo of jokes by host Jimmy Kimmel targeting US President Donald Trump.

won the best-supporting-actor prize for his turn as a drug dealer with a heart in coming of age drama “Moonlight” while Viola Davis took the supporting actress statuette for her work in the family drama “Fences.”

Justin Timberlake opened the gala night — expected to be dominated by musical “La La Land” — with some upbeat music, and Kimmel then wasted no time putting the A-list audience in a political state of mind.

“This broadcast is being watched live by millions of Americans and around the world in more than 225 countries that now hate us,” joked the 49-year-old Kimmel.

The late-night comedian quipped that Trump, who pulled off a political upset win with his campaign that targeted immigration, had taken the heat off Hollywood and its annual gala.

“I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? That’s gone, thanks to him,” Kimmel said.

This year’s nominees have reflected a push by the Academy to reward diversity after the #OscarsSoWhite controversy of the past two years that prompted calls for a boycott of the annual bash.

Ali was a first-time nominee along with “Moonlight” co-star Naomie Harris, while Davis and her co-star Denzel Washington are both old hands, with 11 nominations between them and — including Davis’s triumph — three wins.

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Blondie plans star guests for new album…Read full details

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(FILES) This file photo taken on August 11, 2016 shows singer Debbie Harry arrives for the premiere of "The Get Down" at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in Bronx, New York. New Wave pioneers Blondie on February 1, 2017 announced a new album that will bring in stars from across generations including Sia and Joan Jett. Entitled "Pollinator," the album will come out on May 5 and mark the first release in three years by the New York band fronted by 71-year-old Debbie Harry. The band released the album's first track, "Fun," which harks back to the disco era but with more contemporary electronic beats.<br />ANGELA WEISS / AFP

New Wave pioneers Blondie on Wednesday announced a new album that will bring in stars from across generations including Sia and Joan Jett.

Entitled “Pollinator,” the album will come out on May 5 and mark the first release in three years by the New York band fronted by 71-year-old Debbie Harry. The band released the album’s first track, “Fun,” which harks back to the disco era but with more contemporary electronic beats.

Blondie, which also features guitarist and co-writer Chris Stein, teamed up for the album with a diverse range of artists including groundbreaking female hard rocker Jett, prolific pop songwriter Sia and young electropop star Charli XCX.

Guitar collaborators include Johnny Marr of The Smiths, the defining 1980s alternative band highly influenced by Blondie, and Nick Valensi of The Strokes, which led a revival of New York post-punk in the 2000s.

The album also features the experimental rock composer Laurie Anderson and is produced by John Congleton, who has worked with some of the most critically acclaimed names in contemporary rock, including Sigur Ros and St. Vincent.

Blondie was at the forefront of the New Wave scene that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, expanding the energy of punk rock to bring in elements of dance music and reggae.

Harry pursued a solo career through much of the 1980s and 1990s before Blondie returned.

Blondie — whose best-known songs include “Heart of Glass,” “Call Me” and “One Way or Another” — plans a global tour in 2017 starting with Australia and New Zealand in April.

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Mr Eazi Ft. Big Lean – In The Morning [Mp3 + Lyrics]

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Off Mr Eazi‘s Mixtape “Life is Eazi – Accra To Lagos” here is our pick titled “In The Morning” featuring Big Lean. Download, share and dont forget to drop your comments below…

DOWNLOAD

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