The operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB), have once again made a significant breakthrough in the continuous fight against oil theft, illegal bunkering and economic sabotage.
The milestone achievement was marked after the operatives, in collaboration with the department of operations, Rivers State Command, on 12th September 2024, discovered a storage facility in Trans Amadi, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, used in dealing and processing illegally acquired crude oil.
A statement by the Police Force Relations Officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi on Friday, said the operation had led to the arrest of four suspects namely; Emmanuel Nwachi ‘m’ 58 years; Adamu Bala ‘m’ 35years; Nura Musa ‘m’ 22 years; Bashir Abubakar ‘m’ 28 years, and the recovery of 40,000 Litres of petroleum products, stored in 67 white storage tanks.
The team, however, destroyed the site and recovered the equipment and machines used in committing these crimes.
While commenting on the development, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun reemphasised the commitment of the force to tackling every form of crime, criminality and corruption, extending to those involved in this economic sabotage.
The force said it remained unyielding and will continue to bring these perpetrators to book.
Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, has confirmed his release after his arrest at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos.
The activist was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services upon his return to Nigeria by security operatives.
Confirming his release, Sowore said the Nigerian Immigration Service released his passport to him.
He posted on X: “I have just been released by the Nigerian Immigration after a brief detention and my passport, released back to me. #RevolutionNow”
On Saturday, the activist had raised an alarm over a plot by security agencies to pick him up and frame him.
Sowore had said, “Yeah! All around in my home town, they’re tryin’ to track me down, yeah! They say they want to bring me in guilty.
No fewer than forty people were reported to have lost their lives in a boat mishap in Gummi town, Zamfara State.
According to a local, Musa Ahmed, the deceased were going to their farms in the early hours of Saturday when the boat they were in capsized and sank into the river.
He said the Emir of Gummi, Justice Lawal Hassan, (rtd) had sent a condolence message to the families of the boat mishap victims. Ahmed said there were 53 farmers and children in the boat and only 12 were rescued alive including the captain of the boat and the remaining forty-one reported dead.
“When the boat capsized today Saturday morning, I was one of those who were present near the river close to Gummi town.
“Immediately the boat capsized, it sank into the river with all the passengers.
“We did our best to rescue them but unfortunately we were only able to bring out 12 persons alive including the captain of the boat.
“The bodies of the other 41 passengers were evaluated out of the water.”
He told newsmen on phone that the Sole Administrator of Gummi local government area, Na’Allah Musa said the boat was overloaded.
He said the captain of the boat told the passengers that some of them must come down but all of them refused to listen.
“There were many people on the boat and the captain did all he could to reduce the number but nobody wanted to be left behind.
“When he did all he could to reduce the number but failed, he was left with no option but to start going.
“As he moved forward, the boat capsized and sank into the river due to overloading.
“Only four of the passengers were able to swim out of the river while the rescue operators were able to save others.
“There were many casualties but actually, I can’t exactly tell you how many of them have died because we are still looking for other missing passengers,” said the Sole Administrator.
President Bola Tinubu returned to Abuja from the United Kingdom and his China trip on Sunday. The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday night.
Tinubu went on an official visit to China and his short stay in the United Kingdom,” Onanuga said.
President Tinubu left Abuja for Beijing, China, on 29 August. He began his official visit on Tuesday, September 2, with a meeting with President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People. “While in China, President Tinubu was warmly received by his host with 21-gun salute and a guard of honour was mounted for his inspection.
“During bilateral meeting with President Jinping, five Memoranda of understanding were signed between Nigeria and China.”
Tinubu also held another round of bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
In China, Onanuga stated that Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, hosted Tinubu at the Welcoming Banquet and Cultural Gala Performance on the eve of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.
Among the MOUs signed are the Cooperation Plan between Nigeria and China.
The visit, according to the presidential aide, was to promote the Belt and Road Initiative, the peaceful application of nuclear energy, and cooperation on human resource development under the Global Development Initiative.
Others are on Media Exchange and Cooperation between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority.
Nigeria also signed an MoU with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to build the 68 km Lagos Green rail line, designed to run from the Lekki Free Zone to the Marina and connect with the Blue Line.
“A memorandum of understanding for the 1 billion dollar iron ore-to-steel project planned for Kogi State was also signed between Chart and Capstone Integrated Limited of Nigeria and Sinomach-He of China.
“Before attending the opening of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, President Tinubu visited two Chinese companies: Huawei and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).
“At FOCAC, President Tinubu, as chairman of ECOWAS, delivered a paper on global peace, stressing multilateralism and cooperation as essential ingredients for international peace,” Onanuga stated.
DCE Maurice Jonas Wood being assisted by Nana Ahenema to commission the DRIP equipment
Nana Asare Bediako, chief of Akrofuom, and the residents have commended the government following the presentation of District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) equipment to improve their road networks.
Nana Ahenemahene, on behalf of Nana Bediako, at the inaugural ceremony at the forecourt of the Assembly, commended the government for implementing the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP).
He noted that the initiative has come at a time when the residents have been complaining about the poor nature of their roads, resulting in post-harvest losses for farmers and affecting businesses.
Nana Ahenemahene said the assembly of such equipment is unprecedented and commended the president for such a bold initiative.
According to him, the initiative is the first of its kind in the country and he assured that the traditional authorities in the district would liaise with the Assembly and the committee in charge of supervising the operations of the equipment to ensure that they are well maintained and used for the intended purpose.
The Akrofuom district had six pieces of road maintenance equipment, which include a grader, wheel loader, water bowser, tipper truck, backhoe and roller.
Mr. Maurice Jonas Wooden, the Chief Executive of the Akrofuom district, mentioned that most of the roads in the district are unmotorable and a source of worry for political leaders and residents alike.
According to him, work will begin in earnest to give a facelift to the deplorable nature of the roads in the community while contractors move to the site to work on the Akrofuom to Obuasi stretch, which has received condemnation from residents because of its poor state.
The DCE called on residents to reward the NPP government with a resounding victory in the 2024 general elections for more to be done when the mandate of the government is renewed.
Mr. Alexander Blankson, Member of Parliament for the Akrofuom constituency, said the bad nature of roads in the Akrofuom constituency has caused him sleepless nights, stressing that he spends a chunk of his Common Fund on repairing deplorable roads in the constituency.
He disclosed that his office would make sure the equipment is used for their intended purpose for the benefit of the constituency.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has urged women to seek prompt medical attention for breast cancer treatment when they notice changes in their breasts.According to him, breast cancer surgery can be less expensive when the problem is identified early and treated.
Professor Nana Mensah Bonsu, Asakyihene, gave the advice when she represented the Asantehene at the opening ceremony of the International Center for the Study of Breast Cancer Subtypes (ICSBCS), 8th Annual International Symposium by Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM), Cornell Medicine Breast Surgery, and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
The theme was: “Improving Breast and Gynecological Cancers Management and Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC), while the theme for the ICSBCS 20th Anniversary Celebrations was: “20 Years of Excellent Collaborative Breast Cancer Research and Management.”
The Asantehene urged traditional healers and herbalists to refer women with new breast symptoms to the teaching hospitals and breast clinics when they notice the disease, believing that it could save lives and keep our families intact.
Dele Lisa A. Newman of the New York Presbyterian Hospital, on behalf of the Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), said they seek to achieve the goal through robust multi-disciplinary discussion and interaction, as well as through enhanced collaboration between the Oncology professionals that are affiliated with the ICSBCS network.
He noted that the mission of the ICSBCS is to reduce the global breast and gynecological cancer burden through advances in research and delivery of care to diverse populations worldwide.
Prof. Otchere Addai-Mensah, the Chief Executive Officer of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), disclosed that gender discrimination, stigma, violence, and cultural taboos combine to limit women’s choices in seeking care even where available.
According to him, the recent research conducted proved that there are patterns of breast cancer known as triple-negative breast cancer that are more dangerous among women in West Africa as compared to European and white American women.
Pix: The participants pose with Prof. Nana Mensah Bonsu, Asakyihene, at the ICSBCS 8th Annual International Symposium
In a significant move to improve maternal healthcare in Accra, Newmont’s Africa Business Unit has donated essential medical equipment worth One Hundred and Thirty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢130,000.00)to the Osu Government Maternity Home, one of the oldest maternity facilities in the Greater Accra region.
The donation is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to support local health institutions and strengthen maternal and child health services.
The Osu Government Maternity Home, which has been providing critical care to mothers and newborns for over 90 years, is a cornerstone of the Korle Klottey Municipality.
It serves over 22,000 people in the municipality. However, like many public healthcare facilities, it faces challenges in accessing modern medical equipment.
Data from the World Bank shows that Ghana’s maternal mortality rate remains high at 263 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Causes of maternal mortality include postpartum hemorrhage, sepsis, hypertensive disorder, and other socioeconomic factors such as poor access to healthcare and a lack of skilled birth attendants.
Recognising this gap in maternal healthcare delivery, Newmont’s Women and Allies Business Resource Group, an employee-led group that works to empower women and advocate for equal opportunities among female employees, launched a charity project aimed at providing direct support to the Osu Government Maternity Home.
Through generous and voluntary efforts, Newmont’s workforce raised funds to support the facility. In support of the initiative, the company matched the contributions, resulting in the purchase of the equipment and items worth GH¢130,000.
These funds were used to procure and deliver essential medical equipment to the maternity home, including an ultrasound machine, delivery beds, examination trays, forceps, blood pressure apparatus, lamps, and writing tables, among others.
At the handover ceremony, Ms. Amma Benneh-Amponsah, the Head of People for Newmont’s Africa Business Unit, emphasised the importance of supporting healthcare in the community. “We are honoured to support the Osu Government Maternity Home, a place that has done so much for generations. We hope these items will provide a level of support to the amazing team here, so that you can continue to deliver the essential services that every mother who walks through your doors with their babies so dearly requires.
“This initiative is a testament to what we can achieve when a group of people come together with a shared purpose. It reflects Newmont’s purpose of creating value and improving lives, as well as some of the values we hold dear, such as safety, responsibility and inclusion.” Ms. Benneh-Amponsah added.
For the dedicated staff of the maternity home, this donation could not have come at a better time. The facility has been operating with limited resources for years, and this boost from Newmont is expected to significantly improve the experience for patients and healthcare workers alike.
President Akufo-Addo speaking at the commissioning
In a historic moment for the coastal community of Jamestown, Accra, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo officially commissioned the long-awaited Jamestown Fishing Harbour on Friday, September 13, 2024.
A group photograph
The completion of this significant project, which has been in the making for decades, represents the fulfilment of a promise made by the Akufo-Addo government to revitalise Ghana’s fishing industry and improve the livelihoods of local fisher folks.
The Jamestown Fishing Harbour, a state-of-the-art facility, has been eagerly anticipated since the 1960s, when discussions of constructing a modern fishing port for the area first began.
For years, these plans remained unrealised, leaving the people of Jamestown and the broader Ga community with unmet expectations.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the President emphasised the symbolic and practical importance of the new facility.
“This moment is the culmination of years of effort and the realisation of a long-held dream that began as far back as 1965. Promises were made, hopes were raised, but no substantial action was taken—until now. Today, we move beyond rhetoric to action,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo, who has personal ties to the Jamestown area, having grown up in the nearby Korle Wokon, expressed his deep satisfaction in bringing this project to fruition.
He recalled the day in December 2018, when he cut the sod for the project and the naysayers who doubted the port’s completion.
“In October 2020, I returned to inspect the progress and today, here we stand together, as witnesses to the fulfilment of that commitment,” he noted with pride.
The newly constructed fishing harbour is expected to transform the local economy, generating employment, improving the lives of fisher folks and boosting domestic fish production.
Front view of the James Town Fishing Harbour
The President highlighted the socio-economic significance of the project, stating “This port is a symbol of hope, proof of the resilience and determination of our people and a concrete manifestation of what we can achieve when we work together for the common good.”
The harbour, which is equipped with a range of modern facilities, is designed to address some of the long-standing challenges faced by Ghana’s artisanal fishing sector.
These include the safe launching and landing of canoes, improved fish handling and enhanced storage capacities.
Notable features of the port include; a 200-capacity fish market, a 60-tonne ice-making plant, a 200-tonne cold store and market stalls, among others.
A Daycare centre has also been included to support women traders, allowing them to conduct their business with peace of mind, knowing their children are safe.
“This is not just a building, it is an investment in the future of this community. The inclusion of Daycare centres demonstrates a governance of compassion, one that empowers women and strengthens families,” President Akufo-Addo remarked.
The commissioning of the Jamestown Fishing Harbour follows the successful completion of the Elmina Fishing Port in May 2023 another landmark project under the Akufo-Addo administration, aimed at transforming Ghana’s fishing industry.
The President underscored his government’s understanding of the critical role agriculture and fisheries play in Ghana’s economy, noting that the fishing sector supports over 2.6 million livelihoods and contributed US$263.2 million to the nation’s GDP in 2020.
“This harbour is not just a monument to progress, it is a vital lifeline for socio-economic empowerment, job creation and improved livelihoods. We are investing in superior infrastructure to reduce post-catch losses, improve fish catches and reduce our dependence on imported fish,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
During the construction phase of the Jamestown Fishing Harbour, some 500 direct jobs were created, with expectations for more, as the facility becomes fully operational.
The harbour’s completion is also expected to revitalise the entire community, sparking economic activity and growth in the region.
In his speech, President Akufo-Addo extended his gratitude to the Ga Mantse, the chiefs, and the people of Jamestown for their unwavering faith in his government. He also acknowledged the support of the People’s Republic of China, particularly President Xi Jinping, for their contributions to the project. Additionally, the President commended Ambassador Edward Boateng and former High Commissioner Isaac Osei for their instrumental roles in bringing the project to life.
The Jamestown Fishing Harbour is a landmark achievement in President Akufo-Addo’s broader agenda of infrastructural development aimed at improving Ghana’s socio-economic landscape. As the people of Jamestown celebrate the fulfilment of this long-standing promise, the harbour stands as a beacon of hope, progress and prosperity for the future.
Pop star Justin Timberlake was handed a sentence of community service on Friday after he changed his plea to guilty following his arrest for drunk driving, US media reported. On June 18, the 43-year-old entertainer was pulled over in the town of Sag Harbor, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of New York City, after police observed his BMW go through a stop sign and struggle to stay within road lanes.
Sag Harbor Village Justice Court justice Carl Irace handed Timberlake a community service sentence and ordered the star to make a public statement after the singer pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while alcohol impaired, broadcaster NBC reported.
The charge is a traffic violation that carries a fine between $300 to $500 and a 90-day license suspension.
Timberlake told Irace that he would be willing to perform between 25 and 40 hours of community service to settle the case, NBC reported.
“I try to hold myself to a very high standard for myself. This was not that. I found myself in a position where I could have made a different decision,” Timberlake said outside the court.
“Even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car, there’s so many alternatives,” added Timberlake, who wore a dark cardigan and a pearl necklace.
“I grew up in a small town so I can appreciate and understand the strain, or unique nature, of what this must have been for the people of Sag Harbor… I’m very grateful and I thank them.”
Sag Harbor is an upmarket community in the exclusive Hamptons, notorious for its decadent parties and a favorite destination for the rich and famous, many of whom have summer houses on Long Island.
The officer who pulled over the “Selfish” singer said he was in no fit state to drive, although Timberlake has always insisted he had only one martini at the American Hotel during an evening with friends.
“His eyes were bloodshot and glassy, a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from his breath, he was unable to divide attention, he had slowed speech, he was unsteady afoot, and he performed poorly on all standardized field sobriety tests,” the police report said.
Timberlake’s lawyer, Edward Burke Jr, said that the star was respectful during his encounter with police.
An iconic night of rap artistry awaits Hip-Hop fanatics on October 11. E.L. will be capping off the success of his recently released “BAR 7” mixtape with a blockbuster show.
For a record seventh time, the award-winning rapper, singer, and producer will bring fans together for an unforgettable experience.
“It’s about that time again. I’m excited to announce that the BAR experience is going live again. I can’t wait to kick it with the fans once more,” E.L says.
Fans got the memo with a classy video that captured E.L. as the titular BAR man. The BAR 7 concert will go down at the Alliance Française d’Accra, from 6 pm to 11pm.
This year’s edition will be powered by MX24 and presented by Skillions Global and V.O Nation, with partners including 3Music, Alliance Française d’Accra, Elite PR, Veetickets, YFM, and Tieme Music.
Since debuting in 2014, the BAR concert has become a platform to celebrate Hip-Hop in Ghana. This year, all eyes turn to “BAR 7,” which dropped in July.
Its release marked 10 years of pure bliss, heralded by singles ‘BAR 7 (Intro)’ and ‘Chakido,’ both landing critical acclaim.
At the handover ceremony, Ms. Amma Benneh-Amponsah, the Head of People for Newmont’s Africa Business Unit, emphasised the importance of supporting healthcare in the community. “We are honoured to support the Osu Government Maternity Home, a place that has done so much for generations. We hope these items will provide a level of support to the amazing team here, so that you can continue to deliver the essential services that every mother who walks through your doors with their babies so dearly requires.
“This harbour is not just a monument to progress, it is a vital lifeline for socio-economic empowerment, job creation and improved livelihoods. We are investing in superior infrastructure to reduce post-catch losses, improve fish catches and reduce our dependence on imported fish,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
