News
NAF pledges regular air operations to end oil theft, insurgency
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has pledged increased air support to sister security agencies combating oil theft and insurgency across the country.
Abubakar gave this assurance on Monday at a luncheon with troops of air component of Operation Delta Safe (ODS) at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) base in Port Harcourt, Rivers.
He said that President Bola Tinubu had mandated the military to adopt results-driven approach to addressing insecurity in the country.
“The Nigeria Air Force is resolute and determined to preserve the territorial integrity of a united Nigeria as well as prevent economic sabotage.
“It is heartwarming to note that the NAF has continued to execute its mandate through the conduct of operations to deter criminal elements from sabotaging our dear nation.
“Recently, the air force carried out series of air missions in support of surface forces for enhanced operational effectiveness.”
Abubakar, who was represented by the Commander of NAF’s 115 Special Operations Group, Commander Ali Idris, outlined various air operations, including air interdiction, armed reconnaissance and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Others are casualty/medical evacuation, tactical airlifts and logistics resupply, psychological operations and combat search and rescue missions, among others.
“The NAF, supported by sister services, has rejuvenated the multifaceted contributions of airpower in fighting the prevailing security challenges across the country.
“The impact of airpower employed in the theatre of operations has yielded positive results in decimating oil thieves and their capabilities.
“These air interdiction missions conducted in the past three months have significantly crippled criminal activities and disrupted their logistics hubs, denying them freedom in the Niger Delta,” he said.
The air chief commended Tinubu’s backing of security forces and assured the troop’s commitment to actualising their mandate.
Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers expressed gratitude to the military for its selfless sacrifice in protecting the state and the nation from both foreign and domestic threats.
He said that the country had recorded significant reduction in insecurity and attributed the improved security situation to the commitment of security personnel.
“The armed forces personnel understand the true meaning of sacrifice and have shown this by standing strong to defend Rivers state and the country at large.
“The success recorded in combating insecurity is not only a clear indication of ongoing efforts to defend Nigeria but a testimony that the mission of NAF is yielding positive results.
“Therefore, we owe it a duty to reflect and pray for our fallen heroes who paid the supreme price protecting the territorial integrity of our dear nation,” he said.
Fubara reiterated his government’s support for the air force operations against illegal bunkering and other unlawful activities in the state.
By Umar Akilu Majeri Dutse
As students returned to campus for the new semester, a devastating rainstorm and heavy winds struck the College of Health Technology Jahun, destroying buildings and properties worth millions of Naira.
The environmental demonstration ground and MDGs classes, constructed by Senator Alhaji Babangida Hussain kazaure, were among the major buildings affected.
The MDGs classes, used by dental students, were completely blown off, leaving the students without a place to learn.
The destruction has left the college community in a state of disarray, with students and staff struggling to come to terms with the loss.
Other affected building include the generator house which is the power house was also blown off and all the solar panel attached at the power house have been destroyed.
Investigation indicate that the main class rooms complex which has the capacity of containing over 3000 students and is the major classes in the college have also been blew off which need urgent attention. Of the jigawa state government to take pro active measure
One of the residents in the schools name withheld told our reporter that the incident happened for the past three week and already the management of the schools has informed the ministry the issue but yet no action was taken .
Explained further that must of students toilet both female and male students ware completely unhygienic as it name the college of health it is very unfortunate, lamenting that due lack of good toilet a situation which force many of the female student to influence in practicing open defecation behind their hostel due pear of Infection sclycocus
Adding that other affected places include physic laboratory ,biology laboratory and chemistry lab for students practical which all ware attached with the students complex building.
Others building include BME studio and office of the HOD Dental, HOD Medical lab and Director medical lab, bio medical, Enginearing workshop, bio medical lab and demonstration rooms for students practical all became inhabitant.
Adding that even the main adminstration office whare the provost office is was also blew off by wind.
When contacted the provost of the college Malam Abdullahi Abubakar to balance the story he Confirmed that the heavy winds and rainstorms has destroyed several building including the adminstration office whare his office is located but they used their little resources to repair those that they could be manage but the major palaces beyond their power the management has forwarded it to the ministry for proper handling.
Malam Abdullahi explained that the affected building include the ICT library section , class room complex, female and male hostel, MDGs building, Generator house, administration building and destruction of Sola panel.
Explained further that photography of all the effected building including those repaired by the college has been sent to the state ministry for necessary action we are now waiting for their actions which already the ministry has send a deligation who quantified the damage and, I assure you that the jigawa state government will do every thing possible to assist us to address the problem, he stated.
He than call on the state government to assist the college by providing Sola street light in the school which will improved the security situation in the college.
The provost has also appealed to the state government to provide additional solar panels and solar-powered pumps to improve the college’s water system. Currently, the college faces water challenges due to the destruction of their solar panels by a recent windstorm.
Furthermore, he explained that returning students are struggling with a major issue: the lack of lecture halls because the main student complex was destroyed by the wind. Urgently, he called on the government to repair the main student complex, which has a capacity to accommodate over 3000 students at once.
He assured that plans are underway to protect the college from annual wind threats by planting approximately 3000 tree seedlings around the perimeter, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture providing the seeds.
Additionally, he appealed to the Ministry of Health to urgently provide more toilets for both female and male student hostels to prevent open defecation.
Axxela Limited, sub-Saharan Africa’s leading gas and power portfolio company, has announced another impressive safety milestone.
The company has now achieved 8 million man-hours with no lost time injury (LTI), surpassing the previous 7 million man-hours LTI milestone achieved in 2023.
The landmark achievement further affirms its strict adherence to best practices and safety standards across its assets management, operations, and people practices.
Commenting on this milestone achievement, Bolaji Osunsanya, the Chief Executive Officer of Axxela Limited, expressed his satisfaction with this recent achievement, “We are proud of this significant safety milestone, which underscores our deliberate focus on maintaining the highest standards in our environmental, health, safety, and quality management system. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our entire team, who continuously strive to create a safe and secure working environment for everyone.”
Osunsanya continued, “Achieving 8 million LTI-free manhours is not just a statistical feat, but a reflection of our unwavering commitment to operational excellence and the well-being of our direct and indirect workforce. It reinforces our position as a leader in our industry and motivates us to aim even higher, ensuring that safety remains at the core of our operations. We make good to say it propels us forward with renewed vigor and confidence in our journey towards sustainable growth and excellence.”
John Okoro, Head of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Quality (EHSQ) in his remarks, “Maintaining a safe working environment is not merely a priority for us; it is a core part of our corporate culture that has been embedded into all our processes. This achievement also echoes the effectiveness of our safety protocols, training programmes, and effective oversight of our project management. We are not resting on our laurels but will remain dedicated to our cause to uphold stringent standards of safety performance and ensure that every service provider, partner, employee, and other stakeholders return home safely to their loved ones.”
Axxela remains ever-alert to reducing the risks within its operations. The company views the health and safety of employees, contractors, and the environment as a top priority as governed by its water-tight Environmental, Health, Safety, and Quality (EHSQ) management system. It continues to subscribe to national and global standards while embracing innovative strategies to help staff live safer and fuller lives at work and beyond.
About Axxela
Axxela Limited (Axxela) is the pioneer private sector developer of natural gas solutions and captive power development in Nigeria; a company co-owned by Helios Investment Partners LLP and Sojitz Corporation. Axxela is a designated natural gas shipper on the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), and a member of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), delivering natural gas to about 200 industrial and commercial customers via a vast network of natural gas infrastructure.
With over 360km in natural gas pipeline infrastructure built, Axxela provides unique energy solutions primarily through its subsidiaries: Gaslink Nigeria Limited, Gas Network Services Limited, Central Horizon Gas Company Limited, and Transit Gas Nigeria Limited.
By Matthew Denis
All is now set for the commencement of the Orientation Course programme for 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream One set of Corps Members.
The prospective Corps Members are to access their call-up letters on their dashboards today.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Prospective Corps Members are to report to their various Orientation camps between Wednesday, 26th and Monday, 1st July, 2024 while the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to hold on Tuesday 2nd July, 2024.
In addition to the above, the Director General, Brigadier General YB Ahmed advised all the Prospective Corps Members to be security conscious as they travel to their Orientation Camps. He also appealed to all parents and guardians to ensure that their wards do not travel at night.
The Director General wishes all the Prospective Corps Members and other camp officials journey mercy to the Orientation Camps.
Jigawa: Rainstorm wrecks havoc at CHSTJAHUN, properties worth millions lost
Axxela records 8 million man-hours with no lost time injury
