CSR: President Tinubu commissions Tantita Sponsored Projects at Kaduna’s Central Mosque

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday commissioned a set of modern facilities at the historic Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna, sponsored by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).

The projects include a state-of-the-art ablution centre, 50 restrooms with VIP sections, and a 300,000-litre overhead water tank to serve both worshippers and the surrounding Ungwan Sarki community.

Tinubu, who was in Kaduna for the wedding of former Zamfara Governor Abdul’Aziz Yari’s son, described the intervention as a testimony to unity and corporate social responsibility across Nigeria’s regions.

Before the intervention, the mosque relied on a small ablution facility that was grossly inadequate for the large number of worshippers, particularly during the Friday Juma’at prayers.

The new ablution centre can now serve up to 300 worshippers at the same time, while the overhead tank guarantees uninterrupted water supply for both the mosque and the host community.

Tantita Security Services, chaired by ex-militant leader Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, is primarily engaged in oil pipeline surveillance in the Niger Delta.

Explaining the scope of the project, the site engineer, Abba Mubashir, said the works were executed to the highest standards. “From the foundation to finishing, everything was fully completed. The ablution area is spacious, and the 300,000-litre tank now supplies water to the mosque and the community,” he stated.

Mubashir also disclosed that the firm extended similar gestures to other parts of Kaduna. “There is an Islamic school built in Ambushia and a Christian school in Sabo, both sponsored by Tantita, as part of its corporate social responsibility,” he added.

The Chief Ladan of Sultan Bello Mosque, Malam Abdurrahman Abdulhamid, expressed gratitude to the company for reviving and completing the stalled project.

“Alhamdulillah, this project was initially started by Mr. Jack Rich, but it was abandoned for over three to four years. Tantita came in and completed it. Now, 300 people can perform ablution at once, with 50 toilets including VIPs, and the 300,000-litre tank will serve the mosque and the community,” he said.

He prayed for God’s blessings upon Tantita and urged the company to sustain its community-driven initiatives.

Residents of Ungwan Sarki described the project as timely, noting that it has eased the pressure of water shortage in the neighbourhood.

The commissioning ceremony added colour to President Tinubu’s visit to Kaduna, further underscoring the growing role of private sector actors in bridging infrastructure gaps across the country.

We don’t want crisis again in Warri -Chief Gbenekama declares

By: Ella Akpa

The Fiyewei (Spokesman) of ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, High Chief Godspower Gbenekama JP on Wednesday September 17, said they don’t want any form of crisis again in Warri, the commercial nerve centre of Delta State.

Chief Gbenekama made this declaration Wednesday, noting that four(4) Ijaw youths were allegedly shot and injured in Warri by their Itsekiri counterpart during the crisis that erupted on Tuesday September 16. Chief Gbenekama stated this in an interview with Our Correspondent in Warri.

Warri as the main status of Delta State economy and Nigeria will crumble. If there’s crisis “We the Ijaw, Urhobo leaders and a few Itsekiri leaders don’t want crisis. Itsekiris should know what happened during the crisis.”

“Chief Gbenekama noted that the Ijaws surrendered their arms and ammunition after the crisis and embraced Amnesty in the State. “Guns more than what they can gather. We have decided not to do that because crisis does not pay or do anyone good.”

“Chief Gbenekama condemned yesterday’s incident wherein security agencies particularly the police were used by the Police by suspected Itsekiri youths and leaders to remove the banners of the Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, HRM Monbene III who was celebrating his 10th coronation anniversary is an act of aggression against the Ogbe-Ijoh people.

“He said it’s worrisome because security agencies who are supposed to keep the peace, maintain law and order are the ones who now fester crisis saying,”they have sold themselves to the whims and caprices to crisis. They’re crisis entrepreneurs. There are a lot of crisis entrepreneurs who want to cause crisis in Warri Federal Constituency.”

“Chief Gbenekama recalled that in 1952, the late Obafemi Awolowo wrongly gave the title of the Olu of Warri to Itsekiri Monarch. According to him,”The Ijaws and Urhobos protested. True to his kind of person, and may have been advised and he used the legislative structures to exclude the powers of the Olu on/from the land of Gbaramatu, Isaba, Ogbe-Ijoh,Egbema Kingdoms and others.”

“Chief Gbenekama who reacted to a video making the rounds by an Itsekiri youth he described as an “idiot” said the fellow is bent on fermenting trouble. He said the Gbaramatu King was given Staff of Office.”

Chief Gbenekama however said,”Thank God the title of the Pere of Gbaramatu did not change to an identity that does not exist.

Chief Gbenekama said bloggers who peddle wrong news/information on social media platforms do not read and are or professionals. “They don’t know their right from their left.”

Chief Gbenekama stressed that Tuesday September 16 incident in Warri was allegedly caused by the Police prompted by the suspected Itsekiri youths and leaders.

He said during the days of former Governor of Delta State,Chief James Onanefe Ibori, the Ijaws, Itsekiris would have been called to settle their dispute but instead the current Governor of the State, Sheriff Oborevwori have kept silence and allowed the two tribes to destroy themselves. “It’s a surprise that NPA water front where the Ijaws dominate Army truck(Armoured Personnel Carrier,APC)was stationed there and the area condoned.”

According to him,”Government know those people have arms and allowed them to walk freely and attack Ogbe-Ijoh people. If the Police has been bought over,is the Army bought over? You condoned Warri water front, why not also condone Itsekiri areas?

While noting that,” Ijaw people are capable of defending themselves”, Chief Gbenekama said it’s not this “clandestine arrangement where nothing is being done or said about the matter on ground by Delta State Government led by Sheriff Oborevwori. Not those things from his stooges we hear or read about.”

Chief Gbenekama beat his hands on his chest and said he had no appointment from the State and Federal Government saying,”am a traditionalist. I am the Fiyewei of Gbaramatu Kingdom.”

He asked,”why protect the Itsekiris against the Ijaws? Why Invite us with DSS?

He warned,”Let the government know that our peaceful disposition of not carrying arms is because we don’t want crisis in Warri Federal Constituency.

He pointed out that the Itsekiri wants a renewed crisis so that the delineation by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC cannot be done.

He called on the Federal Government and all its agencies dabbling their hands into the INEC process to remove their hands otherwise, they will cause the crisis which they’ve been avoiding.

He also said the delays being caused by INEC on the delineation exercise is causing more harm than good.

“Anyone you see in a village, let him register and vote there. It has nothing to do with who gets what.”

Chief Gbenekama said the fact that some Hausa indigenes in Igbudu market area vote at a polling unit there does not mean they own the land.

“INEC issues has nothing to do with land ownership. Itsekiris have turned themselves to boundary adjustment agencies/commissions.”

Chief Gbenekama said the member representing the people of Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon.(Chief) Thomas Ereyitomi, a friend and brother of Ijaw people is being dragged into issues by the Itsekiris with aim to rubbish his name and discredit his person despite his sincerity, ability and struggle to ensure that the crisis does not come up. “They want Ijaw people to be angry with him, Chief Dr. Ereyitomi is from Ijaw land paternally. He is also an Itsekiri man.

“When we are bereaved/sick, Hon. Chief Thomas Ereyitomi privately send money to those people. Is that kind of person you cannot protect.

Chief Ayiri Emami and Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, the people of Itsekiri don’t like them. Chief Ayiri, the people don’t like him. Yet, he wants to die there.”

Chief Gbenekama used the opportunity to call on persons with Ijaw blood to come home to their fatherland.

“I also want to call on the Federal Government and Delta State Government to call the DPO “A” Division to order or else, we will protest until he is removed. I will lead the protest until he is removed. What he did is unwarranted, callous and uncalled for.”

Chief Gbenekama enjoined Sheriff Oborevwori to learn from the Odidigboigbo of Africa, Chief James Onanefe Ibori who made sure the crisis did not fester during his reign.

Chief Gbenekama said rather than ensure the peace of the land, Oborevwori is concerned with Federal roads so that he can go and collect money from the Federal Government why the State roads inside Warri are impassable.

“Only gullible people cannot talk. His appointees are gullible. Gbaramatu people are not gullible. I am not gullible. I speak out. He should not use Warri Federal Constituency as business for security votes collection.

“Warri is owned by everybody. It’s not owned by Itsekiris. They cannot come at will to attack the Ijaw people. The Ijaws are better positioned to look for arms.

“Army leave our people alone. If you to condone anywhere, you should condone Itsekiri lands. Your condoning our area makes us looks as aggressors. We are afraid.

“Federal Government direct Delta State Government on what to do because it appears Sheriff Oborevwori does not know what he is doing..”

Chief Gbenekama also appealed to Ijaw and Urhobo Youths to calm down and not allow their Itsekiris counterparts provoke them into any form of crisis that will stop the delineation exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in the interest of peace. He said they should maintain the cool and be in peace because the aim of the Itsekiris is to stop the delineation exercise and make it look as if they’re the troublesome people in Warri Federal Constituency.

Mulade Calls on Gov. Oborevwori to Intervene over tension in Warri

**Appeals to Stakeholders to Embrace Peace

A renowned peace, justice and environmental advocate, Comrade (Chief) Sheriff Mulade, PhD, has called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State to act swiftly in addressing the current tension among the three ethnic nationalities of Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw in the Warri Federal Constituency before the tension degenerates into a full blown crisis.

Mulade’s call comes on the heels of recent reports of heightened tension between Itsekiri and Ijaw youths over the alleged removal by the former, of the 10th coronation anniversary banners of the Pere Ama-Okosuwei of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Monbene III, from strategic locations in Warri Metropolis on Tuesday.

The United Nation’s peace ambassador, who noted that the recent tension in the Warri constituency resulted from the recent ward delineation exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), called on the Governor to initiate a dialogue to foster peace and unity in Warri Area.

He also charged the security agencies of government to rise up to the occasion, to be professional in their duties and not allow themselves to be used by those who do not mean well for the growth and development of the State, particularly Warri and its environs.

He said, “I call on the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori-led administration to act swiftly to tackle this brewing tension before it escalates to a full blown crisis,” and added, “The government is for all. So Governor Oborevwori should, if there is need, come down to Warri and have a town hall meeting with all relevant stakeholders in the communities in Warri, to interact with the traditional rulers and other major stakeholders.”

“I call on the security agencies of the state and the federal government to move in swiftly to nip the tension in the bud so that it doesn’t escalate. The relevant security agencies, especially the Nigerian Police, need to be professional, should not create a wrong impression that people can use them to perpetrate their selfish interests,” he cautioned.

Speaking further, he said, “The traditional rulers in the area should also call their subjects to order irrespective of every provocative actions. Peace is better than violence and at this moment, what we want is peace and unity for the sake of development,” he noted.

Mulade, who is the Ibe-Serimowei of the Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, cautioned the youths to refrain from acts that could jeopardize the investment efforts of Delta State, as well as government’s infrastructural strides. He also charged the INEC to finally resolve the pending Ward delineation issues relating to the Warri Federal Constituency.

“There has been relative peace all this while, and that is why we are able to talk of infrastructural development so that investors and more companies carry on their projects. But if there is crisis, those constructions, all the State Government projects will be halted, and we don’t need that,” he said.

“Therefore the youths should not give room to violence or be used to foment crisis in the state. They should know at this stage that peace is more golden than conflicts,” Mulade stressed.

“Lastly I urge INEC to close out this Warri ward delineation because that is the root cause of this fresh phase of ethnic violence that is breeding in the area of recent. So, the INEC and the federal government must be neutral and comply in line with the Supreme Court judgment and close out these issues so that we can put them behind us,” Mulade advised.

Harmonious living is key to development, Rep Ereyitomi tells Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo Youths

**Urges security agents to maintain peace, law, and order

***Condemns extrajudicial killing of Ogunbayo in Warri

By: Celestine Ukah 

The member representing Warri Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Abuja, Hon. Chief Dr. Thomas Ereyitomi JP, says harmonious living is key to development and attraction of investors in the area.

Chief Ereyitomi, who was reacting to the recent misunderstanding between some Ijaw of Ogbe-Ijoh and some Itsekiri of Ugbori and Ekurede, Tuesday September 16, appealed to both sides to sheath their swords and maintain peace in Warri.

He appealed to security agents and other law enforcement agencies to increase their patrol of the affected areas in order for law and order to be maintained.

Rep Ereyitomi pointed out that as a federal lawmaker representing Warri Federal Constituency, peaceful coexistence among the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo will be of utmost importance because he represents the three Warri LGAs and others in the area.

The Warri Federal lawmaker said it’s more beneficial to dwell together than to have a crisis that will never produce any good result, assuring that peaceful coexistence among the people shall be pivotally promoted at all times.

Rep Ereyitomi, however, condemned in strong terms the extrajudicial killing of Dele Ogunbayo at his home in the wee hours of Thursday, September 18, unprovoked, allegedly by men of the Nigerian Army who stormed his residence at the Pessu area of Warri.

Rt. Hon. Ereyitomi further enjoined the military to fish out such bloodthirsty, heartless personnel in their midst and made to face the law. While he commiserates with the family of Ogunbayo over the unfortunate incident, he reaffirms his support for justice for the victim.

Chief Ereyitomi reiterated his commitment to ensuring the security of lives and property through his representation at the House of Representatives, as well as sustaining and attracting meaningful development and empowerment to Warri Federal Constituents.

**Urges Labour, Civil Servants to dialogue on peaceful resolution

The Director General of Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has appealed to the State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to dialogue with the state government for the attainment of peaceful resolution of alleged grey areas in the official dress code for civil servants.

Oghenesivbe’s appeal is contained in a statement on Wednesday, and made available to newsmen in Asaba, the state capital, urging labour not to be confrontational, but to take reasonable steps to expand the scope of peaceful dialogue with the state government.

He noted that labour and civil servants in the state have played significant roles in the progress and development of Delta State, and have also worked harmoniously with the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

Oghenesivbe, said governor Oborevwori has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the welfare and prosperity of civil servants and pensioners in Delta State, adding that t’s on record that the governor cleared all promotion areas of civil servants, and paid the backlog of pensioners entitlements, first of its kind since the creation of Delta State.

The Bureau Chief passionately appealed to the leadership of NLC in the state, and the civil servants to consider and sustain peaceful dialogue, while emphasizing the need for decent dressing, noting that the state government neither stated or indicated the cost and quality of clothes or materials for the dress code.

Dr Oghenesivbe, further stated that materials or clothes for the dress code may not necessarily be expensive, pointing out that the emphasis has been on “proper and decent dressing code for male and female civil servants” as against indecent and seductive dressing that could totally erode moral discipline in the physical appearances of civil servants at work places, and during official hours.

“The State Bureau for Communications and Orientation commends the leadership of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Civil Servants in the State, for their cordial working relationships with the State Government, particularly with His Excellency, the governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, since he assumed office on May 29, 2023, and counting.

“The grey areas pointed out by labour on behalf of civil servants can be peacefully resolved without any form of confrontation or negative actions or inactions.

“The Bureau is appealing to labour to consider further dialogue at its emergency meeting scheduled for Wednesday (today) in Asaba

“It’s the considered option of the State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, that proper and decent dressing code as indicated in the service rules should be encouraged by labour and civil servants, while engaging in dialogue with government to resolve all alleged grey areas.

“Labour and the civil servants are super partners in governance, and governor Oborevwori has demonstrated unwavering commitment towards the welfare and prosperity of civil and public servants in Delta State, and he’s ready to do more.

“It’s on record that the governor cleared all promotion areas of civil servants, and have also paid the backlog of pensioners entitlements, first of its kind since the creation of Delta State.

“In the light of the above, the Bureau urges NLC and Civil Servants in the state to embrace peaceful dialogue, and to sustain the cordial working relationships with the State Government, and His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori,” Oghenesivbe said.