IYC, Bayelsa Elders forum blast Gov. Diri for calling for the scrapping of private pipelines surveillance security outfits in Niger Delta

**As they describe Diri”s call as unpatriotic and betrayal of Ijaw Nation

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide and the Bayelsa Elders Forum have taken a swipe at the Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Sen. Duoye Diri, for calling for the scrapping of private pipelines surveillance security outfits in the Niger Delta region, describing the call as unpatriotic and a betrayal of the Ijaw Nation.

They said since the introduction of private pipelines surveillance security firms like Tantita and others who contracted by the Federal Government to support the nation’s security personnel to secure the nation’s critical assets, oil production has tremendously increased thereby making Nigeria more economically viable.

The groups in separate press statements dissociated themselves from Governor Diri’s endorsement of the Navy as the soul protector of Nigeria’s oil pipelines.

The IYC in a statement by its Spokesman, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill, stated that they saw Gov Diri’s comment as highly unpatriotic and purely against the self determination and resource control agenda of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) as contained in the Kaiama Declaration of 1998.

They added that the Council had to come out to correct the wrong impression created before the Federal Government of Nigeria and to Nigerians in general because the statement was “coming out from the Governor general of Ijaw Nation that is supposed to at all time protect the interests of our people in the Nigerian State.”

The statement reads in part: “The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), the apex youth body in Ijaw and Niger Delta is using this medium to commend the Federal Government of Nigeria for engaging private firms for the protection of oil and gas facilities in the region. To us, this is one of the best decision taken so far by the Federal Government of Nigeria in recent times as it is in-line with the local content laws of the country.

“While the Ijaw Youth Council will continue to agitate for resource control and more participation in the oil and gas industry, we want to State that the private firms, particularly Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and other firms handling the surveillance job are all doing great professionally in collaboration with other security agencies.

“The NNPCL, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the entire Nigerian populace is aware that since Tantita and other private firms took over the surveillance contract to secure the nation’s critical assets, oil production has tremendously increased thereby making Nigeria more economically viable.

“Apart from the increased oil production in Nigeria following the engagement of these private firms, they have also created massive employment for thousands of Niger Delta Youths into these companies in curbing oil theft. The level of employment created by these private firms in the Niger Delta region is unprecedented. The IYC is fully in support of this initiative of the Federal Government. We should be aware that even Countries around the World with notable best security architecture still employs the services of non State actors like what the Federal Government of Nigeria is doing now.

“Meanwhile, the Ijaw people in the Niger Delta region is particularly lauding the private firms for effectively handling the pipelines surveillance contract as Council have full confidence in them to continue to carry out their duties.

“Finally, it is also our call as a council that while the Federal Government of Nigeria is on the right track for engaging these private firms, we are also stating that the Ijaws deserved more than mere pipelines surveillance contract as our people must be given the opportunity to participate heavily in the oil and gas sector and proper political inclusion of our people in the Government.”

On their part, the Bayelsa Elders Forum in their statement signed by Chief Joel Eradiri-Amangala and Chief Goodnews Victor-Ben, President and Chairman, Board of Trustees respectively, accused Governor Diri of allegedly working with oil thieves in the country.

They added that stakeholders and industry observers think his change of mind was a vendatta against political foes who are involved in the civil security surveillance of oil pipelines.

They wondered why Governor Diri was endorsing the Nigeria Navy now when only last week, one of the private security firms in charge of pipelines surveillance, Tantita Security Services Limited, TSSL, was reported to have apprehended an ocean going vessel, MT Kali, with IMO No. 8782800, caught siphoning crude oil from one of the several platforms located in the Pennington Oil Field about 50 square kilometers in Bayelsa State, precisely to the west of Furopa, Ezeotu, Bilabiri and Letugbene.

The Bayelsa Elders said that the governor’s call for the sack of private security outfits from oil pipelines surveillance few days after a successful operation in his backyard by Tantita security services defies all logic.

They stated that Governor Diri has been a member of the National Economic Council (NEC) of the nation for almost 4 years and is privy to the circumstances that led the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to resort to hiring private security companies to provide surveillance for oil pipelines in the region.

The group however, noted that they believed that there are other reasons behind Governor Diri’s change of heart, stating that in the wake of the onslaught against crude theft in the region, many of the brains behind the illegal bunkering and local oil refining in the creeks, were chased out of business by the emergence of the private security companies.

“These criminals, apart from engaging in crude refining, were also enmeshed in oil siphoning for sales to foreign racketeers, with the local 18, ABULABIRI-FANGBE ROAD, YENAGOA political elites in Bayelsa state, providing them protection from the law.

“The question therefore, is: With the latest feat and many others before it, recorded by the private security providers right on the nose of Governor Douye Diri in Bayelsa state, can any right thinking man write off and advocate the sack of the same private security providers in the prevailing circumstances?

“Besides, it smacks of double standard and deceit that while Governor Douye Diri promotes, projects and canvasses support for the Nigerian Navy in the day time, he nocturnally sabotage same agency by giving tacit, approval, encouragement and support to some rabble-rousers in the corridor of power in Bayelsa state, indulging in illicit crude oil deals. This Governor can’t be taken seriously by any rational human being.

“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, sees more than he betrays. He will not buy into the shenanigans of Governor Douye Diri.

“Accepting Governor Diri’s proposition of excusing the private security providers from being part of the efforts to secure the nation’s oil and gas assets is tantamount to shooting the nation in the foot.

“Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, is aware of all the monkey business that would be the order of the day if Diri’s self-seeking postulation is allowed to fly.

“It is best to ignore Governor Douye Diri’s ill conceived endorsement. Nigeria must move forward, but not with shackles.

“Relieving the private security providers of the present good services they afforded the nation would be an economic miscalculation and a self sabotage of the nation’s fortunes,” the Bayelsa Elders Forum stated.

PIA: “My loyalty to His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III CFR, the Olu of Warri, the Palace of the Olu of Warri, has not changed and will not change”- Oboroegbeyi

*Says current HCDTs were established by Host communities

A legal practitioner and critical stakeholder in Ugborodo an oil rich community in Warri South-West LGA, Delta State, Barr. Augustine Oboroegbeyi says his loyalty to His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III CFR, the Olu of Warri and the Palace of the Olu of Warri, has not changed and will not change.

Barr. Oboroegbeyi made this known Wednesday January 17, 2024 via an electronic terse to Www.areanewsng.com in his response to an earlier publication made by Mr. Alex Eyengho on the outcome of a tripartite meeting convened by the NUPRC at Abuja Tuesday January 16,;2024 between the Commission, Chevron Nigeria Limited and its Itsekiri host communities.

According to the response terse content by Barr Oboroegbeyi current Host Communities Development Trusts, HCDTs, were established by the communities and that the PIA is rooted in host communities who are at liberty to select their representatives.

Barr. Augustine Oboroegbeyi reply reads thus:

“MY RESPONSE TO A BREAKING NEWS

“My attention was drawn to the Breaking News titled: “PIA: AUGUSTINE OBOROEGBEYI DUMPS PALACE HCDTs”, in which it was stated that in a tripartite meeting in Abuja on Tuesday January 16, 2024, Augustine Oboroegbeyi opted out of HCDTs put together in the Palace of the Olu of Warri, changed his hitherto loyalty to the Olu’s Palace on the matter.

“Undeniably, the creator of the so-called “Breaking News” seems to harbor an agenda that extends beyond the issues addressed in the mentioned tripartite meeting. Typically, I would choose not to engage with such smear campaign, but I find it necessary to respond to ensure the truth is not distorted. Here’s my perspective on the matter:

“My loyalty to His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III CFR, the Olu of Warri and the Palace of the Olu of Warri, has not changed and will not change.

“Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, didn’t create any HCDT. His palace merely catalyzed the Chevron Warri Kingdom Coastal and Onshore HCDTs, and the SPDC Iwereland HCDT. Myself, and majority Itsekiri people, continue to support these initiatives.

“The PIA is rooted in host communities who are at liberty to select their representatives. Current HCDTs were established by these communities.

“I stress that the notion of ‘the more the merrier’ isn’t limited to the number of HCDTs given to us by the settlors or regulators. Nonetheless, we uphold our faith in the strength of a composite single HCDTs.

Barr. Augustine N. Oboroegbeyi”.

Desist from Sinful Lifestyle, GKS President, Adedokun cautions people across the world

By: Odeya Ogbetuo

The president of the God’s Kingdom Society (GKS), Brother Felix Ekundayo Adedokun has warned people from all nations of the world to desist from sinful and wicked practices initiated by Satan the Devil which God has appointed a date to destroy with all its agents and followers unless they repent.

The GKS president who gave this warning during the 2023 Christian Feast of Tabernacles said that a lot of people have been deceived to follow Satan to engage in sinful acts and crookedly acquire material things of this world against their salvation which only Jesus Christ could guarantee.

In his address entitled: ‘The Issue of Supremacy of God Almighty Will Soon Be Permanently Decided’ to round-off the 2023 Christian Feast of Tabernacles at Salem City (GKS Headquarters), Warri, Delta State, the GKS president said that human being should acknowledge the supremacy of God the Creator of heaven and earth and worship Him only so that they won’t be destroyed along with Satan, stressing that several people who were held captives by demons could only be freed by Jesus Christ.

He noted that Satan along with his angels that fell with him, is responsible for such practices as spiritism, sorcery, divination, enchantment, witchcraft, necromancy, unnatural sexual practices, hatred, greed, covetousness which have created confusion, wars and death across the world today.

According to him “After the killing of Satan the Devil at the Battle of the Great Day death will be no more and the supremacy of God Almighty would then be clear for all to see. It was for this purpose of bringing death to an end that Jesus was sent to this world. And to deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. The power of God Almighty was clearly revealed and demonstrated in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The GKS president affirmed that Jesus Christ is above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.

He clearly stated that there was prophetic instruction by God Almighty through Zachariah the prophet to all peoples and nations of the world in these last days should celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, irrespective of nationality, ethnicity, colour or creed.

The GKS president urged the feast celebrants to fear God, and pray fervently for His love, mercy, protection, provision, blessing as they ushered into 2024.

Various gospel ministers of the GKS were mandated by the GKS president to handle and deliver sermons on crucial spiritual and enlightening topics to equip the celebrants on God’s word and love for mankind.

Brother Adedokun who quoted several bible passages urged mankind to totally repent from all forms of wickedness, evil practices, cultism, rituals, greed, wanton destruction of lives and property and all forms of abominable things and plead for God’s forgiveness.

“Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil, he added.”

He pointed out that GKS was established by God Almighty through St. Gideon Meriodere Urhobo to evangelize to the world with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ to bring peace and salvation to mankind.

The eight days spiritually filled festival was rounded-off with special thanksgiving service.

New Year Palliative: I Shared Rice from OUK Foundation, Not Senate – Orji Uzor Kalu 

    Abuja: Emmanuel Odoemelam 

The Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has confirmed that the rice which he shared to his people of Abia State at his country home, Igbere, on January 1-13 2024, were from OUK Foundation, and not from the Nigerian Senate.

He reconfirmed this via his official Facebook page on Sunday where he stated that the he did it out of his own volition and love he has for the people and less privileged in the society.

While speaking to OUK Media team, Kalu further stated that the kind gesture started when he has not joined politics and has lasted for 38 years from 1986 till date.

Answering questions, the former governor of Abia State, Said;

“I can re-confirm that to you that the rice shared in Igbere carrying my picture is the normal rice from Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation, I have been sharing to people since 1986 and we used to share to the whole state, Abia North, Central and South and we also share to the less privileged in other parts of the country.

“So, it’s not rice from the Nigerian Senate. Today is 14th January, 2024, if we will collect rice for December, 2023, I don’t know, unless we are collecting it tomorrow, for now, I haven’t collected any rice from the 10th Senate as at now.

“If the senate will bring rice, maybe it will still come, tomorrow or next tomorrow. So, I want to re-confirm to you and to the people of our constituency that the rice is not from Federal Government. We have shared to some communities what National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) gave to them and it’s different ball game, separate from what I have shared. The rice shared with my pictures are written OUK MOVEMENT NIGERIA. That’s what I have shared to all the communities, some parts of my constituency and major parts of Abia State.

Thank you very much and God bless you,” he said.

You will recall that the former Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Orji Kalu, shared over 30,000 bags of rice, 10,000 bags of beans, and 10,000 bags of garri within the said period.

Kalu also gave out four Hilux Vans to Police and Vigilante in Isuikwuato, Ohafia and Igbere LGAs in Abia North zone for effective security surveillance of his constituents.

PIA: Oboroegbeyi Dumps Palace HCDTs, Supports Decentralisation Of HCDTs In Itsekiriland

Former Chairman of the Ugborodo Community Trust (UCT), Augustine Oboroegbeyi, Esq., has opted out of the Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) put together in the Palace of the Olu of Warri, which he had vigorously supported before now.

However, at a tripartite meeting held in Abuja, Tuesday, January 16, 2024, between Chevron, host communities (Ugborodo Community, Deghele Community, Ugbegugun Community, Olero field Communities, Dibi field Communities) and presided over by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to resolve the lingering issue of non implementation and operationalization of the PIA in Itsekiriland, Oboroegbeyi changed his hitherto loyalty to the Olu’s Palace on the matter and opted for the decentralisation of the HCDTs in Itsekiriland in the overall interest and benefits of the host communities.

It is instructive to note that the issue of decentralisation has been central to the agitations of those opposed to the Palace HCDTs for Chevron and Shell.

Deltans should commend Oborevwori for reducing Delta’s domestic debt by over 93 Billion Naira Says Warri South Chairmanship Aspirant Dr. Agbolaya

By: Celestine Ukah 

A Foremost Chairmanship aspirant for the office of the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Amb. Dr. Toyin Orighomisan Agbolaya says Deltans should commend the Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for his ability to drastically reduce the State domestic debt by over 93 Billion Naira within a short spell of in office.

Amb. Agbolaya said before the Governor took over governance of the state May 29, 2023 the state domestic debt was up before he deployed his prudent capacity in financial management by helping to make the domestic debt decline tremendously within the period under review according to the DMO recent statistics released that praised Delta as the best in domestic debt servicing.

The Warri South front line Chairmanship hopeful Dr. Agbolaya stressed that what Gov. Oborevwori has achieved deserve a lot of commendation as it is unique of him that his administration thinks more of the growth and development of Delta state, adding that going forward if he emerges as the next Chairman of Warri South, critical areas of need shall be addressed in support of the state government effort in tackling infrastructure development across Warri south LGA in order to consolidate on the Gov. Oborevwori foresight administration M O R.O agenda.

According to Dr. Agbolaya the State recorded the highest decline in terms of nominal value, as it dropped by N93.92 billion from N465.4 billion recorded in the previous quarter before the coming of Rt. Hon. Oborevwori making Delta State number one state among the Nine Oil producing States to have the highest in debt decline based on the data analysis by the Debt Management Office DMO, he expressed optimism that the state will experience more advancement in all sectors with Governor Oborevwori.

Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Tidi proffers ways of immortalizing efforts of heroes, heroines

**As legionnaires appeals to Dr Tidi . to provide office for them in  Warri South Council Main Secretariat

The Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi, says the demonstration of the spirit of peaceful co-existence and tolerance, sustenance of the democratic governance as well as embracing dialogue, are very important ways of immortalizing the efforts of heroes and heroines, who paid the supreme price for Nigeria to remain united.

This Newspaper can report that Dr. Tidi, made the suggestion, Monday January 15, at the Warri South Council Main Secretariat in Warri, Delta State, during the grand finale of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.

According to the Warri South Local Government Boss, veteran soldiers who laid down their lives while in the service of their fatherland during the first and second world wars, the Nigerian civil war, regional and International Peacekeeping operations in various parts of the world and lately the fight against terrorism, exhibited the highest level of patriotism and loyalty to the country by their supreme sacrifice.

Whilst calling on Nigerians to use the opportunity of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day to show heartfelt appreciation to the great sacrifices and indeed altruism of the veteran soldiers, Dr. Tidi, stated: “A crisis situation anywhere and anytime in the world, has never added to human value. It is therefore important for us to sustain the democratic governance which has provided for amicable and organized means of resolving our differences.

“We should embrace dialogue as a means of resolving our differences. Those of us who are living witness to any civil unrest will attest that violence is an evil wind that has blown no society any good. Instead, it leaves a lasting scar of wanton destruction, human waste, increased widowhood and orphans and a period of untold hardship.

“I, therefore call on all persons present to imbibe the spirit of peace through dialogue, consultation and inter-ethnic harmony rather than conflict. We should ensure that the unity of the nation is placed above all other interest, so that our veteran soldiers who died in the course of fighting for the unity of Nigeria may not have done so in vain.

“I wish to seize this opportunity to call on us to contribute generously towards the Appeal Fund. May I reiterate that the purpose of the Appeal Fund is to raise funds for the upkeep of the orphans and widows of the departed soldiers and the surviving but disabled veterans. I assure you that the funds being raised would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for the well-being of the dependents of the fallen heroes and disable soldiers.

“I would like to state that this celebration calls for sober reflection and a high sense of tolerance and sacrifice by all and sundry. Today’s gathering is another opportunity for you to contribute towards this noble course.

Permit me to particularly thank our Royal Fathers for contributing to this fund year after year. I must not fail to mention our church leaders, who have always ensured that prayers and collections are made towards this noble course.”

The Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Warri South Chapter, Major Pius Unurhiere (Rtd.) in his opening remarks, appreciated Dr. Michael Tidi and his team, “for the marvelous work of bringing the ‘Unknown Soldier’ to where it can be recognized (Warri South Council Main Secretariat).”

Major Unurhiere, appealed to the Dr. Tidi administration, to provide an office for the legion at the Warri South Council Main Secretariat, “to make our presence (felt) around the cenotaph.”

Highpoints of the colourful ceremony, were the parade by Legionaries, youth corps members as well as the laying of wreath at the cenotaph, by Dr. Michael Tidi, Major Pius Unurhiere (Rtd.), Security Chiefs, representatives of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Orosuen of Okere -Urhobo Kingdom, HRM Morris Ochuko Eyekpimi, Owhotemu II, the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Warri South Local Government, Mr. Johnson Agbeyegbe and Warri South Council Head of Personnel Management, Mr. Augustine Akaeze.

Crude Oil Theft: Our Boss Lured Crew Into illicit deal, We Have Loaded Some Tonnes Of Crude Before Arrest—- Adeboye confesses

**Those Fighting Private Security Providers Are Criminals, Enemies Of Our Nation— TANTITA

The Captain of the ill-fated ocean-going Vessel, MT Kali impounded over crude oil theft in Bayelsa State, on Thursday David Adeboye, has disclosed that 119 tonnes of crude oil have been siphoned into the vessel before they ran out of luck.

He revealed that 119 tonnes of crude oil have been siphoned into one of the manifolds of the vessel, MT Kali before they were nabbed by the security team.

Adeboye and the engineer attached to the vessel, Promise Eze, were paraded before newsmen, on Sunday.

Our Correspondent reports that selected journalists were at Oporoza, Headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta state, on Sunday , on a fact-finding mission where the vessel was anchored.

Our Correspondent further reports that the police were scrutinising relevant documents in the vessel and profiling the crew during the visit.

Findings revealed that the vessel was arrested by a combined team of personnel of a private surveillance security provider, Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), operated by a former militant commander in the Niger Delta, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo and men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at Pennington oil field, belonging to Anglo-Dutch energy giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company(SPDC) in Bayelsa state.

The Captain of the Vessel alleged that his boss, whom he refused to name, lured the crew into the illicit deal on the pretense that they were heading for Bayelsa state to load Automative Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel.

According to Adeboye; “When we set out from Lagos, the boat has been in Lagos for more than a year. They were doing some maintenance on it.
So when we came out, we were instructed to test run the engine for like 10 miles and thereafter if we are satisfied that it can go as far as Bayelsa state, then we should proceed
to Bayelsa state to bring AGO (diesel) to Lagos.

“That was the instruction given to us.
So when I got there (Pennington oil field) , I dropped the anchor and spoke with the agent. So, at what point AGO now turned to crude oil, that was what I am still battling with up till now.

“Currently now, we have 119 tonnes of crude inside the vessel.”

He claimed that due to poor network in the areas, he could not contact his boss that the agent was loading crude oil instead of AGO into the vessel.

The Executive Director of TSSL, Captain Warriedi Enisuoh, who was on ground to conduct newsmen round the impounded vessel, disclosed that his company had been on the trail of the vessel over a long time.

According to him, the vessel was notoriously involved in crude oil theft in the country over time, saying that the discovery led to the decision of his organisation to track it.

He rained heavy knocks on those opposed to the inclusion of private security providers in oil pipelines surveillance.

In a veiled response to the outbursts by Bayelsa state Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who canvassed that the Nigerian Navy be solely responsible for the security of the nation’s maritime oil and gas assets, Captain Enisuoh described those opposed to the involvement of private security firms in pipelines surveillance as “oil bunkerers.”

While commending the security agencies, especially NSCDC for the synergy with TSSL to end the menace of crude oil theft, Captain Enisuoh said, “We want to seize this opportunity to let Nigerians know that those campaigning against the private security companies in participating in this fight are oil bunkerers.

“Take it from here that I said so. They can continue but we will not relent, we will not resist our efforts towards fighting this.

“We will continue to be resilient and we will definitely assist the country in resolving this. We will assist also the Nigerian security forces, which are happy to participate in securing our assets to do this job.”