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Delta Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated Major-General Leo Irabor on his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, Okowa said that the sacrifices of the new Defence chief towards peace and progress of the nation, especially his acknowledged gallantry at assignments, were outstanding.

He thanked Buhari for appointing an illustrious son of Delta into the exalted position of Chief of Defence Staff, and said that it was an elevated responsibility given to a deserving officer.

According to him, Irabor, who hails from Agbor in Delta, has the requisite experience for his new job having served as Theatre Commander “Operation Lafiya Doyle”, Force Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), combating Boko Haram; Chief of Training and Operations, Defence Headquarters and Commander, Training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army, TRADOC.

Okowa urged Irabor to ensure that under his watch, Nigeria would record improvement in military-civil relations and that he should continue to uphold the territorial integrity of the nation.

He lauded the new CDS for the successes recorded at the many army formations where he served across the country, which according to him, contributed in strengthening Nigerian Army’s capacity for its constitutional role.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate a fine military officer and gentleman, Maj.-Gen. Leo Irabor, on his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff.

“With his core competences in strong leadership and professional skills, Gen. Irabor had brought his wealth of experience to bear on all his assignments in the Army, especially in the war against terrorism and insurgency.

“He has had remarkable impact, working very hard for the people of Nigeria, particularly in the Nigerian Army where he rose through the ranks to become a Major-General in 2014.

“Over the years, Irabor had by dint of hard work and discipline, established himself with an unblemished leadership style laced with team-player spirit and this has endeared him to the men and officers of the Nigerian Army.

“As you prepare to take over the mantle of leadership of our nation’s military firmament as new Chief of Defence Staff, your family and indeed, your colleagues in the military and admirers have cause to be grateful to Almighty God for having granted you a life of great accomplishments.

“We are proud of you and we know that you will continue to be a great ambassador of a our great State,” the governor stated.

Buhari has appointed new persons to replace fired service chiefs.

Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, broke the news on Tuesday afternoon.
The new service chiefs are Leo Irabor, a major-general of the Nigerian army; I Attahiru, chief of army staff; A Z Gambo, chief of naval staff; I O Alao, chief of air staff

The Delta State Government has presented its position on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the National Assembly where it sorts for legislations that will give more participation to host communities in the nation’s oil and gas industry.

State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emman Amgbaduba made the presentation at the ongoing public hearing on PIB before the Senate Joint Committee on Petroleum Upstream and Downstream on Monday in Abuja.

The government position was contained in a 30-page document which the commissioner presented on behalf of the government.

Amgbaduba told the committee to ensure there are legislations that encourage host communities’ participation in the industry in the interest of peace and justice.

He said the current smooth and peaceful operations by oil multinationals in the state is due to the peaceful disposition of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who constantly engage host communities in meaningful dialogue.

According to him, Delta State Government supports the position of placing oil host communities in charge of protection of pipelines and other facilities domiciled in their communities and be allowed the privilege of having such contracts.

He remarked that it was unreasonable to bring in outsiders as contractors to protect pipelines that are in the host communities when the people have capacity to provide such protection.

He averred in a 30-page document emphasised on the need for host communities to be carried along in the PIB for a peaceful oil production process.

Amgbaduba said the state recognises the need for a conducive atmosphere for both host communities and International Oil Companies operating in the state to get along and open opportunities for employment, increase in production of oil and implementation of corporate social responsibilities to host communities.

“As a major oil and gas stakeholder in the Niger Delta, we have firsthand experience as to what is required to ensure a smooth co-existence between the host communities and oil companies.

“We also emphasized that the host communities should be allowed to provide the executive of the various boards

“We also frown at the practice where pipeline security and protection were given to outsiders whereas the various host communities have capacity to secure the pipelines. It is therefore unreasonable to bring in outsiders to secure pipelines and other facilities when the host communities have the capacity to provide such services locally.

“We also asked for the issues of tenants, percentage and dispute resolutions as it concerns the oil and gas sector.

“We have asked the National Assembly to incorporate these suggestions and many more into the PIB Bill and we believe that presentation made by the Delta State Government in the 30-page document if implemented carefully will create the needed conducive atmosphere for free and fair operations of the oil and gas sector,” he stated.

Responding, Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream) Senator Sabo Mohammed Nakudu, commended Delta for its presentation and recommendations.

He assured that the Committee will take into consideration the recommendations made by Delta State in the final passage of the bill.

Association of traditional leaders/Obas of the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has rejected the quit order given to Fulani herders by the Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to vacate forest reserves in the state.

Rather, the association has advised the governor to fish out the criminals involved in kidnapping and allied crimes in the state and treat them squarely, based on their criminal activities, instead of criminalising the whole Fulani herders, many of who, the group stated, have been living peacefully for decades all over the state and Nigeria generally.

In a statement signed by the secretary-general of the association, His Highness Oba (Dr) Alani Kolawole Adeyemi, which was made available to newsmen in Abuja, the monarchs said the menace of kidnapping and allied crimes, which have become a nightmare to Nigerians, require a broad based approach.

Oba Adeyemi, who is also the Sarkin Yoruba of Guyaku district in Adamawa State, stated that the Ondo State governor, who is a seasoned administrator, a nationalist and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), needs not to be tutored on the security implications of the quit orders, adding that the Fulani herders are also an integral part of his subjects, whose welfare and well-being are part of his responsibilities.

The statement advised that concerted efforts should be made so that both the security apparatus of the state, the leader of Fulani herders in the state and national level, as well as all well-meaning Nigerians work towards bringing amicable resolution to the crisis.

While stating that the Fulani herders have the inalienable constitutional rights to live and work peacefully in any part of the country, the association also appealed to revered paramount traditional rulers across the country to immediately wade into the matter.