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Just In: Another Fresh Tragedy Hits Nigerian Army As Col, Six Soldiers Die In Boko Haram Ambush

A Lieutenant Colonel and six soldiers have lost their lives in an ambush along Biu-Buni Yadi road, Borno state.

The soldiers died exactly a week after the military personnel who were murdered while on a peace mission in Delta State were laid to rest at National Military Cemetery in Abuja.

Daily Trust gathered that Boko Haram insurgent ambushed the soldiers at Kamuya, a village close to Buratai, home town of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd).

A security source said the soldiers paid a supreme price on their way to Damaturu to buy fuel.

“It’s very sad; they were soldiers of 135 Special Force BN FOB in Buratai. They were ambushed on their way to Damaturu, Yobe state, to buy fuel.”

“Unfortunately, we lost an officer, a driver, gunner and four other escorts, while the wounded are in the hospital responding to treatment,” he said.

A local source, who escaped the incident by whiskers, said while on his way to the neighboring Yadi town, hometown of Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, he ran into the scene.

“I can’t describe the kind of gun battle that ensued, the insurgents who were in large number overwhelmed the soldiers. It’s by God grace that I survived,” he said.

Ministries, Departments in Delta Should pay for News Items- Information Commissioner, Osuoza insists

**Receives a rousing welcome at DBS Warri as Oteri, other staff hail his appointment, present working challenge to him

By: Celestine Ukah

The Commissioner for Information in Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza has insisted that the state government Ministries, Department and agencies should pay for their news items brought to Delta Broadcasting Service Warri and Asaba adding that without revenue the station can’t survive easily.

A Cross Section of DBS Warri staffers during Osuoza’s visit 

Dr. Osuoza made this declaration Friday April 5, 2024 in Warri, during his official visit to the establishment after his appointment as Commissioner in charge of the Ministry by the State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

The Delta Information Commissioner Boss noted that some staff feel that government officials shouldn’t pay for their news, lamenting that the subventions that comes to the station is nothing to hold on to as well as the IGR which he said is not enough to run the station hence the revenue drive to carry on.

When this Newspaper asked about the station connecting to Gotv and Dstv, channels Dr. Osuoza assured that the government will focus on fixing back the terrestrial transmission of DBS Warri for all to be receiving the signal in all nooks and cronies of the area, adding that they will look at better way to hookup DBS Warri into GOTV and DSTV.

Commissioner Osuoza assured the Management and Staff of Governor Oborevwori’s readiness in uplifting DBS Warri to better positioning in the broadcasting pathway.

While addressing the workers, Dr. Osuoza who is also the immediate past Board Chairman of DBS Warri Management Board reechoed Rt. Hon. Oborevwori’s keenness in making DBS Warri function effectively as well address their working challenges noting that the government is focusing on its M.O.R.E agenda to transform the state in all sectors.

Board Chairman DBS Warri, Chief Moses Odibo commended Dr. Osuoza for the visit and assured him of working in synergy to make DBS Warri better as they continue beaming signals of unity.

General Manager DBS Warri, Pst. Malcolm Oteri and other top management staff of the broadcasting station gave Dr. Osuoza a rousing  welcome to DBS Warri, PST. Oteri commended the Information Commissioner for his visit to interact with staff and see things himself and to also help proffer solution to their critical areas of need, among others.

PST. Oteri while welcoming the Honourable Information Commissioner, urged the workers to present their challenges to him to hear directly and address them appropriately.

The two Union Chairmen, NUJ DBS Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade John Glover and RATTAWU, Faith Umukoro both respectively highlighted some of their working challenges to include lack of electricity supply, solar as an alternative source of energy to power the broadcasting equipment, provision of buses and other vehicles for logistics to convey staff both for official engagement and for welfare as well as promote those due for level 17 to attain the height.

From right: PST. Oteri, Dr. Osuoza, Chief Odibo & others at DBS Warri

There’s no public holidays in My Ministry Izeze declares, embarks on Projects inspection

**As Otovwodo community commends Oborevwori’s massive road construction, development programmes 

Otovwodo community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State have commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on the massive ring roads construction at the popular Otovwodo Junction, Ughelli.

The road construction involving concrete pavement and asphalt overlay of Uduere Road popularly known as Ovie Palace Road with side drains; Okogbe Road road leading to the Ughelli Port Harcourt highway as well as Oyakemeagbegha street off Ughelli/Patani Express and Ohre Street off Ughelli/Asaba Expressway, opposite the Ughelli stadium and the Construction of Edo street and Rehabilitation of Royal Avenue/Agbarha road was meant to decongest traffic from Otovwodo junction.

Speaking during an inspection of the projects, immediate past President-General of Otovwodo community, Duke Shokare thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for initiating the roads.

He said that Otovwodo community was grateful to Governor Oborevwori for the massive expansion of roads in the community noting that when completed it will enhance free flow of traffic in the busy community.

Shokare further said the roads would help open up more vistas for development with the expected expansion for the community.

“We are grateful to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for remembering Otovwodo community with the ring road project. This is very good and laudable and we can’t thank him enough.

“Commuters and residents of Otovwodo had continued to suffer from perennial traffic jam at the busy junction over the years and the ring road construction creating various bypass and diversions from the ever busy junction is indeed a great relief.

“This idea of the Governor is novel and we appreciate him for his kind gesture even though we look forward to the construction of a flyover at the Otovwodo junction as a permanent solution to the traffic menace.”

The community leader also lauded the State Commissioner for Works Highways and Urban Roads, Comrade Reuben Izeze for his prompt response to some complaints raised on the road construction assuring that the community would continue to give necessary cooperation to the contractors to deliver the jobs seamlessly and to the best of quality.

As for Comrade Izeze, when asked why he decided to embark on a site inspection visit considering that the day was a public holiday?
He responded that there were no public holidays in his ministry.

Delta Health Insurance; Foundation purchases 100 Health Insurance premiums for its indigenes in Aniocha North

Executives of the Oganishu Umu Ogbekenu Foundation in Onicha Olona, an agrarian community in Aniocha North local government area, purchased 100 health insurance premiums for its indigenes, under the auspices of the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission.

The executives of the Foundation were presented with the identity cards issued to the enrollees, for onward transmission to the recipients, by the Director-General of the commission, Olorogun Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, in Onicha Olona, a rural community nestled in Aniocha North local government area of the state.

It was an auspicious moment when the Director-General of the Foundation, Mr. Anthony Chukwugozi, received the cards from Dr. Isaac Akpoveta.

Dr. Akpoveta who was greatly excited at the addition of the 100 persons to the scheme as strategies to extend the healthcare initiative to the local people, told the Foundation Executives in the community that the scheme which was initiated by former governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, is aimed at reaching all Deltans and as a result, save as many lives as possible.

In a speech delivered at the community ground, Dr. Akpoveta told the people that the Oganishu Foundation has set a shining example for all other communities to follow, by keying into the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative of the commission.

He said the purchase of the health insurance premium for 100 community members was in response to the commission’s call to all people of goodwill to key into the initiative and rescue vulnerable members of the society.

The Director General noted that the action of the Foundation is a demonstration of profound empathy and tangible commitment to the well-being of “our people”.

He added that the initiative aims to ensure that every resident of the state, regardless of socio-economic status, has access to quality healthcare. He said it is heartwarming to see the spirit of solidarity and community support exemplified by the Foundation, whose good gesture will provide essential health services to people who need them most.

The DG noted that healthcare is not a luxury but a fundamental human right that must be guaranteed to all, irrespective of socio-economic and political status in society.

Dr. Akpoveta explained that since the establishment of the commission in 2016 by the former governor, it has made remarkable progress in fulfilling its mandate. He added that the scheme has implemented various programs aimed at improving access to quality healthcare across the state.

He listed some other programs he introduced since he assumed office to include; the Tertiary Institution Social Health Insurance Program (TISHIP) and the Artisan Enrollee Inducement Initiative.

He said as at the end of March 2024, “our enrollee statistics stands close to 2 million insured”. He noted that the figure is a testament to the trust and confidence that the people of Delta have placed in the commission.

The Director-General of the Oganishu foundation, Mr. Anthony Chukwugozi Mondugwe, said the plan of the foundation is to register 1000 individual community members but the 100 persons registered is to test the commission and see the fulfillment of its promises.

He said for the chairman of the board of Delta State Contribuory Commission, Dr. Austin Obidi, the Director-General with his directors and staff to abandon easter celebration and visit the Onicha Olona community is a show of commitment to their duty.

He added that their people in the Diaspora are ready to assist the less privileged in the community, saying “paying N7000 for one person is less expensive than buying cows for burial ceremonies”.

Earlier, chairman of the governing board of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr. Austin Obidi, said the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori means more access to better healthcare to all Deltans. He said in conjunction with the hospitals management board, the commission agreed that enrollees satisfaction should be on the front burner.

Some members of the community including men and women, who spoke to journalists, commened the State Government and the management of Delta State Contribution Health Commission for the laudable Initiatives.

Dangote crashes Diesel  price, sells at N1,225 per litre, to begin  supplies of  petrol next month

The pump price of Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, has dropped from about N1,700/litre which it sold for a few weeks ago, to around N1,350/litre in some locations across the country following the sale of the commodity by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Punch  gathered on Tuesday that the $20bn worth refinery started pumping out diesel to the domestic market last Wednesday.

It sold a minimum of one million litres to each registered oil marketer that got the product from the plant since it commenced diesel sale.

Officials of the multi-billion dollar plant and oil dealers confirmed that the product was dispensed to marketers at between N1,225/litre and N1,300/litre depending on the volume of purchase.

This came as it was also gathered that the refinery would start releasing Premium Motor Spirit to the domestic market in May this year 2024.

“They started pumping out diesel to marketers since last week. They also promised to sell aviation fuel soon. Some of my members confirmed this to me after making the purchase,” the National President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Maigandi, told one of our correspondents.

He added, “So some of our marketers have started getting the product, but as an association we have not got the product yet, because we want to get the actual rate that it will be sold to us when we buy in bulk. However, they have started selling diesel because some of our marketers have started buying.

N1,225/litre

“They are selling at N1,225/litre and the minimum volume they are giving is one million litres per marketer. Also, they assured us that they will release more products, but for now this (diesel) iis what they are starting with. So we are expecting them to release PMS anytime from now.”

Maigandi said the move by Dangote would definitely lead to a crash in diesel price, as the commodity rose to a high of about N1,700/litre recently.

“The price of diesel is going to fall because of the release of products from Dangote refinery. In fact, it is already coming down in Lagos,” Maigandi stated.

Another oil marketer, who is the Chief Executive, AF Ralph Oil and Gas Ventures, Dr Ralph Arokoyo, confirmed that the refinery had started the sale of diesel to dealers, adding that the plant started dispensing the product last Wednesday.

Asked if Dangote refinery had started supplying diesel to the market, Arokoyo replied, “Yes they have started. They started diesel sales last Wednesday and they have sold to many marketers including members of IPMAN and MEMAN (Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria), as well as other private registered independent dealers.”

Price drops

When also asked about the minimum volume being sold to dealers and at what rate, Arokoyo said, “One million litres is the minimum and the rate is okay considering what other major tank farms are selling, which is why people are trooping to the refinery now.

“The price ranges between N1,250/litre and N1,300/litre depending on the volume you are buying. This is good news for Nigerians because in the last few weeks the price of diesel hovered between N1,600 and N1,700/litre.

“But in many locations across the federation, the prices are beginning to drop due to the emergence of products from that refinery and as the products are being dispatched since last Wednesday. Now you can get AGO (diesel) in some stations at N1,400/litre.

“Some are even doing N1,350/litre now and I want to believe that in a couple of weeks to come, we should see more reduction in the price of the product as more products from the plant hit the market and spread very well across the country.”

On whether the company informed dealers when it would start releasing petrol into the market, Arokoyo replied in the affirmative.

“They (Dangote refinery) said it (petrol) will be available between now and May, which is next month. We are optimistic about this, because PMS is largely used by Nigerians,” the oil marketer stated.

A senior official at Dangote refinery confirmed the sale of diesel to marketers, as the source noted that Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, would soon be released to the market.

“The product (diesel) is everywhere and they (marketers) are accessing it with ease. The product has been on sale to marketers since last week and the transactions have been better.

“The price of the product in various locations of the country will come down, and it is already coming down in many parts of Lagos since we started releasing products to marketers,” the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, stated.

The Dangote refinery has faced a series of hurdles as it strives to release refined products into the market after it was officially inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May last year.

Recall that on February 8, 2024, The PUNCH reported that indications emerged that lingering regulatory approvals stalled Dangote Petrochemical Refinery’s plan to release aviation fuel (Jet A1) and diesel for sale in the Nigerian market in January.

The report had stated that weeks after the January 31 timeline set by the management of Africa’s largest refinery to begin sale of its petroleum product in the local market, the refinery was still battling to cross the hurdles of the several layers of regulatory approvals.

It stated that the development came after the refinery began the production of refined petroleum products at the expansive facility..

Aganbi to Olu of Warri on his Birthday: You have served as source of strength, inspiration to many within and outside Warri Kingdom

Business Mogul, Felix Aganbi, on Tuesday commended the Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse 111 for demonstrating exemplary leadership, living above board and serving as a source of strength and inspiration for many within and outside Warri Kingdom.

“His Royal Majesty, Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse 111, is an intelligent, straight forward, courageous, selfless, amiable and committed patriot”

He also praised the Warri monarch for playing significant roles in the promotion of harmony, socio-cultural cooperation, communal living and peaceful co-existence among diverse people.

“The current peace, progress and prosperity in the Warri Kingdom can be attributed to his wise and benevolent leadership”

Aganbi in a statement in Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area, praised Ogiame Atuwatse 111 for serving the kingdom with unerring grace, dignity and decency.

Aganbi, Chief Executive Officer of Akogate Water and Ajimele Oil, lauded the monarch for stimulating harmony and development in Delta State, keeping Itsekiri firmly on the road to development and uplifting the fortune of Warri Kingdom.

Particularly, he lauded His Royal Majesty for utilizing his boundless energy, robust intellect, uncommon courage and tenacity of purpose to motivate members of the traditional council and prominent leaders in Nigeria and abroad for the highest ideals of governance, unity and development in Warri Kingdom.

“Ogiame Atuwatse 111, CFR, is a man of impeccable character, dignity, wisdom and compassion”.

The statement highlighted the Monarch’s visionary leadership and selfless service to humanity..

” May the Good Lord, who has blessed the Warri Kingdom, grant you good health, wisdom and strength”

Ending the statement, Aganbi said” please accept the assurances of my highest esteem and warmest congratulations on the occasion of your birthday”.