Day: June 29, 2023

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom Council, has barred its members from covering the activities of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly with immediate effect.

The directive is contained in a communique issued at the end of its Wednesday’s state Congress held at its Secretariat on Information Drive, Uyo.

The communique was signed by the council Chairman, Amos Etuk, Secretary, Dominic Akpan, Chairman and Secretary, Communique Drafting Committee, Iniobong Ekponta and Dianime Uko, and member, Emem Okon.

The council hinged its action on the appointment of a non-journalist, Mr Nkereuwem Udom, as the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr Udeme Otong.

According to the communique, the union warned that any member that defaults the congress will face servere sanctions.

It also called on the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency to take immediate action to end the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the Atiku Abubakar Way.

It maintained that the unhealthy act was blocking the drainage and causing flooding in the area.

It further called on the Federal Road Safety Corps and other agencies involved in traffic management in the state to henceforth enforce the law, arrest and prosecute drivers, who drive against traffic.

It contended that the illegal practice always caused road crashes.

The communique further called on the state Police Command and other security agencies in the state to step up their surveillance and come up with measures to arrest the increasing cases of cell phone theft in Uyo metropolis.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Navy says it has reshuffled the appointments of some top senior officers comprising 56 Rear Admirals and a Commodore to reinvigorate the service towards efficiency.

The Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Ayo-Vaughan said the recent shake-up saw Rear Adm. Olusanya Bankole formerly the Director of Logistics, Defence Space Administration, appointed as the Chief of Communications and Information Technology, Naval Headquarters while Rear Adm. Alexander Bingel, formerly Director, Combat Policy and Tactics, now appointed Director of Logistics, Defence Headquarters.

He said that Rear Adm. Ibrahim Dewu becomes the Chief of Defence, Civil-Military Cooperation, Defence Headquarters, while Rear Adm. Kennedy Ezete resumes as the Chief of Administration, and Rear Adm. Livingstone Izu becomes new Chief of Logistics.

Other appointments, he said, are Rear Adm. Musa Madugu, now Admiral Superintendent, Naval Ordinance Depot; Rear Adm. Daupreye Matthew appointed Director of Training, Defence Headquarters while Rear Adm. Zakariya Muhammad appointed Chief of Training and Operations.

“Rear Adm. Emmanuel Nmoyem has been reappointed Director, Human Rights Desks at the Defence Headquarters, while Rear Adm. Ibrahim Shettima, formerly Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, moves to Defence Headquarters as Director of Plans.

“The former Director of Plans, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Monday Unurhiere has been appointed the Chief of Defence Administration, while Rear Adm. Hamza Kaoje, former Director, Equipment Standardisation and Harmonisation, Defence Headquarters has been appointed Group Managing Director, Navy Holdings Limited.

“Rear Adm. Sulaiman El-ladan, erstwhile Chief of Naval Engineering, is now at the Defence Research and Development Bureau at Defence Headquarters as the Director, Marine Research, while Rear Adm. Idi Abbas has been appointed Chief of Naval Safety and Standards,” he said.

According to Ayo-Vaughn, Rear Adm. Mohammed Abdullahi takes over as the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, while Rear Adm. Saheed Akinwande formerly the Commandant, Naval War College Nigeria, has been appointed Director, Operations, Naval Headquarters.

Ayo-Vaughan said that Rear Adm. Istifanus Albara had been redeployed from the ECOWAS Maritime Security Coordination Centre, Abidjan to Naval Headquarters as Navy Secretary, while Rear Adm. Clement Atebi, was reappointed to Naval Headquarters as the Director, Audit.

He added that Rear Adm. Samson Bura had become Director of Logistics at the Defence Intelligence Agency, while Rear Adm. Umar Chugali, formerly Director, Cyber at Defence Space Administration, would take over as the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command.

He explained that those reappointed included Rear Adm. Oluwole Fadeyi, Director, Record Returns and Analysis; Rear Adm. Olusola Oluwagbire was reappointed Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command and Rear Adm. Eugenio Ferreira was reappointed Commander, Operation DELTA SAFE.

According to him, Rear Adm. Mustapha Hassan has been redeployed to Naval War College Nigeria, Calabar, as the Commandant, while Rear Adm. Baratuaipri Iyalla has been appointed Flag Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Oghara.

Ayo-Vaughn added that Rear Adm. Kohath Levi would take over as the Chief of Naval Engineering, while Rear Adm. Bashir Mohammed, former Chief of Logistics, had been appointed as the Director, Project Monitoring, DHQ, and Rear Adm. Julius Nwagu, now appointed Commandant, Defence Intelligence College.

“Meanwhile, Rear Adm. Patrick Nwatu has been reappointed Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command, while Rear Adm. Mike Oamen, who was the Director, Veterans Affairs, Naval Headquarters is now the Chief of Naval Transformation.

“Also, Rear Adm. James Okosun has been reappointed Commandant, Nigerian Navy Engineering College, Sapele; Rear Adm. Ayodeji Olugbode formerly Managing Director, Admiralty Maritime Services Limited, takes over as Hydrographer of the Nigerian Navy.

“While Rear Adm. Abolaji Orederu formerly Director of Ships Design and Acquisition at the Naval Headquarters has been appointed as the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“The immediate past Commander, Naval Drafting, Rear Adm. Habilla Zakaria resumes to the Headquarters Naval Doctrine Command as the Flag Officer Commanding, while Rear Adm. Suleiman Abdullahi, formerly Managing Director, Navy Exchange Limited, is now the Director of Logistics, Defence Space Administration at the Defence Headquarters.

“The erstwhile Chief of Accounts and Budget, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Kasimu Bushi has been appointed Managing Director, Navy Hotels and Suites Limited, while the immediate past Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Joseph Akpan resumes at the Naval Headquarters as the Chief of Policy and Plans.

“Rear Adm. Abdulmajid Ibrahim has been appointed Director, Defence Transformation; Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu takes over as the Commandant, National Defence College; while Rear Adm. Ibrahim Shehu is appointed Managing Director, Navy Building and Construction Company Limited, and Rear Adm. Abdullahi Ahmed has been appointed Deputy Chief of Defence, Space Administration.

“Rear Adm Fredrick Damtong resumes as the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Shipyard Limited; Rear Adm. Abdul-Rasheed Haruna has been reappointed as the Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Eastern Naval Command while Rear Adm. Hamza Ibrahim has been appointed Managing Director, Admiralty Marine Services Limited,” he added.

The Naval spokesman said that Rear Adm. Sunday Oyegade had been appointed Director, Project Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation, while Rear Adm. John Mamman was reappointed Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Western Naval Command and Rear Adm. John Okeke was reappointed Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Central Naval Command.

He added that Rear Adm. Olatunde Olodude, the former Fleet Commander, Western Fleet would resume at the Naval Headquarters as the Director of Plans, while Rear Adm. Peter Zakaria had been appointed Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Logistics Command and Rear Adm. Sunday Atakpa reappointed Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Naval Training Command.

“Rear Adm. Abdul-hamid Baba-Inna is now Director of Administration; Rear Adm. Patrick Effah is now Director of Naval Intelligence and Rear Adm. Abubakar Mustapha assumes office as the Director of Training, Naval Headquarters while Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie takes over as the Deputy Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.

“Rear Adm. Olusegun Soyemi is appointed Director of Policy while Rear Adm. Abraham Zipelle, formerly Commandant Defence Intelligence College now moves to Naval Headquarters as the Director of Manning.

“Furthermore, Commodore Omotola Olukoya who was the Commander, Central Pay Office resumes as the new Chief of Accounts and Budget, Naval Headquarters,” Ayo-Vaughn said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has advised Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice and extend love for one another irrespective of tribe, religion and political affiliations.

Mohammed, who is one of the 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims currently performing Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Muna, Makkah, on Thursday.

The governor emphasised the need for Nigerian pilgrims to use the opportunity of this year’s pilgrimage to pray for the country to overcome security and economic challenges confronting the nation.

“So we need to pray for our leaders, pray for unity and guidance, especially for all our new and old leaders. We should pray for development, peace, and unity, we should pray against insecurity and of course bad governance.

“We should be ready to sacrifice and extend love for one another in respective of tribe, religion and political association. We must always remember that we are all one as humanity.

“You see the beauty and the commonality. Hajj is so excellent that it has shown the universality of mankind. And so my message is that we should tolerate one another and love each other.

“We should wish the best for each one of us so that together we can build a nation that will be the pride of everybody. We should pray for each other and pray for our leaders, and for the entire country,” he urged.

Besides, the governor called on leaders at all levels to shun greediness and promote good governance.

Mohammed said: “Some of us that have been given leadership, definitely have our shortcomings, limitations and our inadequacies. Some of our shortcomings are bothered by greediness. May God make us overcome all these challenges and limitations.

“May we have security, and may our economy be good so that we can take care of the vulnerable and the disadvantaged, the teeming youths and women that are looking for self-actualisation.

“Of course, is a new beginning and Nigeria needs a lot of prayers, African continent requires prayer, we need to see beyond our country. Because there is a lot of hope on Nigeria and we cannot afford to disappoint.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Managing Director, LadyBenz Auto-Mechanic Ltd., Joy Obi, has attributed the short life span of vehicles in Nigeria to poor maintenance culture.

Obi spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of a seminar organised by the Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) in Lagos.

The theme of the seminar was, “Vehicle Maintenance (Routine and Major Maintenance)’’.

She that it was important for vehicles to be properly maintained to enhance their aesthetics and guarantee optimal performance.

She said that lack of vehicle maintenance was one of the major causes of accidents on Nigerian roads.

Obi said that, unfortunately, many vehicle owners and commercial drivers use engines without adhering to manufacturers’ maintenance instructions, adding that an average Nigerian does not pay attention to such details.

According to the auto-mechanic, most vehicle manufacturers specify the type of oil suitable for most engines, but to manage cost most people go for cheap oil, which can damage the engine.

“Regularly performing oil change as part of your vehicle maintenance routine helps keep the engine properly lubricated, reduces frictions and wears.

“Routine maintenance ensures that your vehicle operates at its optimal level, minimising breakdowns and maximising reliability.

“It helps prevent issues that could lead to unexpected and costly repairs, keeping you on the road with confidence.

“It’s also essential to maintain components such as brakes, tyres, and suspension systems for road safety,” Obi said.

She added that by addressing minor issues early and adhering to recommended service intervals, one could extend the life of the vehicle.

The auto mechanic stressed the need for vehicle owners to pay attention to the check engine light, also known as the malfunction indicator light (MIL), noting that it was one of the most common diagnosis lights found in vehicles.

According to her, it illuminates when the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system detects an issue with the engine or emission control system.

Obi added that it was also necessary to pay attention to small details such as the front and rear glasses, brake light, the colour of the smoke from the exhaust pipe and the plugs.

She said that all these work harmoniously to ensure the efficiency of any vehicle.

The auto-mechanic also urged vehicle owners and commercial drivers to do regular car tyre pressure checks.

She noted that this would make the vehicle balanced, as well as make the tyres to wear off evenly.

Obi stressed that incorrect tyre pressure could lead to break failure, unstable movement of vehicles, as well as other problems that could lead to accidents.

She said that most motorists are equally ignorant when it came to changing brake pads, adding that some waited till the brake was worn out before changing it.

Obi urged vehicle owners and commercial drivers to imbibe the culture of regular vehicle maintenance to avoid break downs on highways.

She also noted that considering the high rate of inflation in the country it was necessary to pay attention to vehicle maintenance to avoid spending so much money to repair it.

Earlier, Chairman of NATE, Mr Kayode Ibidapo, said that poorly maintained vehicles were likely to consume more fuel.

Ibidapo said that it was advisable for car owners to maintain their vehicles routinely to avoid spending so much money on buying fuel.

He said that this was proactive thinking for vehicle owners, considering the current price of fuel.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria