society

NIGERIA’S FIRST OIL & GAS TRAINING, RESEARCH CENTRE OPENS IN UYO

Published

6 years ago

June 26, 2018

_By Umoh-Obong Kingsley_

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has commended Halliburton for partnering with the state for its training and research programmes in the oil and gas sector.

Gov. Emmanuel who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem,during the inauguration ceremony of the Akwa Ibom Oil and Gas Training and Research Centre at the Ibom E-Library on Tuesday, expressed satisfaction that the programme was in line with his job creation and wealth creation as hinged in his 5-point agenda.

Mr Emmanuel said he is committed to taking the youths off the streets by equipping them with the necessary tools in the market place, to develop expertise locally and increase the rapid response preparedness to develop the critical mass of manpower in order to work and drive the economy.

“This facility is a great addition to our region and will help boost our state’s revenue and tourism potentials because oil companies can now train their employees within Nigeria rather than sending them out of the country for the latest education in oil and gas development.”

In his welcome address, the Area Vice President/Managing Director of Halliburton Nigeria, Mr Henry Oki, thanked the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, for his support and partnership to set up the first of its kind research and training hub in Nigeria.

He expressed delight for the collaboration with the State government, stating that Halliburton has been working alongside the Akwa Ibom State Government to inaugurate and open Nigeria’s first oil and gas training centre.

“With this facility, Akwa Ibom State, which is Nigeria’s largest crude oil producer, can provide a robust range of oil and gas development courses to local students and employees. We believe Nigeria has great oil and gas potential, and the country will play a key role in the global energy industry within the next decade.”

According to him the Akwa Ibom Oil and Gas Training and Research centre is expected to support more than 3000 students annually and will offer more than 50 courses in oil and gas development, and will provide courses in field development, drilling and completions engineering, well intervention solutions and digital technologies to local energy employees and students, as well as offer the training curriculum, instructors, software, workstations and tools to be used in the classroom.

The Group Managing Director, Hobark Group of Companies, Engr. Obi Okoroafor, in his goodwill message, said that Hobark is delighted to associate with a visionary leader like Governor Udom Emmanuel who is committed to developing human capacity.

Chief Operating Officer, NNPC Upstream, Mr Bello Rabiu, in his opening remarks, lauded the Governor for the collaboration between the state government and Halliburton to build and foster human capacity development in the oil and gas sector.

Halliburton was founded in 1919, and has approximately 50,000 employees, representing 140 nationalities in approximately 70 countries. The company helps its customers maximize value throughout the lifecycle of the reservoir – from locating hydrocarbons and managing geological data, to drilling and formation evaluation, well construction and completion, and optimizing production throughout the life of the asset.

society

Deadly Stampedes Spark NASRE Outcry: ‘End Poverty, Save Lives'”

Published

3 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Deadly Stampedes Spark NASRE Outcry: 'End Poverty, Save Lives'"

NASRE Demands Action as Food Stampede Tragedies Expose Systemic Failures”

The Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE) has condemned the rising death toll from food queue stampedes, which claimed 67 lives across Nigeria in just four days, labeling it a “heartbreaking reflection of systemic failures.”

In a statement on Monday, NASRE’s Media Director, Lateef Owodunni, described the tragedies as a grim consequence of worsening poverty and the government’s inability to protect its citizens.

The group first mourned the victims of a December 18 stampede at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan, where 35 children tragically lost their lives.

“This horrific incident highlights the dire need for better planning and safety measures at public events, especially those involving children,” Owodunni stated.

NASRE also expressed sorrow over the deaths of 10 people, including children, during a food aid distribution at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja. Offering condolences to affected families, the group described the incident as a “wake-up call for the nation’s conscience.”

The association further decried the fatal stampede at a rice distribution event in Anambra that killed 22 people and injured 32 others, calling for immediate reforms in the management of relief efforts.

“These tragedies paint a grim picture of a nation plagued by poverty and failing social support systems. Acts of charity should not lead to preventable deaths. The government must revamp its approach to palliative distribution to prioritize safety and dignity,” Owodunni emphasized.

NASRE stressed that the root cause of such tragedies is deep-seated poverty and urged the government and private organizations to implement sustainable solutions.

“No Nigerian should lose their life in the pursuit of food or assistance. This is a national disgrace and a call to action for all stakeholders to safeguard the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens,” the statement concluded

society

Family Accuses Kwara Police of Torturing Man to Death Over Debt, Investigation Underway

Published

9 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Family Accuses Kwara Police of Torturing Man to Death Over Debt, Investigation Underway

The death of 35-year-old Jimoh AbdulQodir Tunji in the custody of the Kwara State Police Command has left his family and the local community in shock, with accusations of police brutality emerging after the man’s tragic passing.

Tunji, a poultry farmer, was allegedly arrested on Friday, December 20, following a petition filed by his employer over an unpaid debt of N220,000. His family has accused police officers of torturing him to death while in custody, a claim that has sparked widespread outrage.

A heartbreaking video surfaced online on Sunday, showing Tunji’s grieving mother and relatives accusing the police of causing his death. In the emotional footage, his mother tearfully cried out, “My son did not kill anyone. He only owed someone. They have killed my son. Please, come to my aid. The police at the headquarters have killed my son. His name was Kadri. He was a good boy in the community. They beat him to death in police custody. They didn’t allow us to see him. Blood was gushing out of his nose.”

In response to the allegations, the Kwara State Police Command released a statement confirming the incident. The police spokesperson, Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, stated that Tunji had been invited by the police on charges of obtaining money by “false pretence” and confirmed that an investigation had already begun to determine the cause of death.

“The Kwara State Police Command is aware of an unfortunate incident that led to the tragic loss of one Mr. Jimoh AbdulQodir, which occurred on December 20, 2024,” the statement read. “The deceased was invited on an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence to the sum of N220,000. Discreet investigations into this incident have commenced to ascertain the cause. Further developments on the outcome will be communicated as it progresses, as no stone will be left unturned.”

The case has drawn significant attention, as it marks the third time in under five months that the Kwara State Police have been implicated in the death of a suspect. Earlier this year, police officers were accused of causing the deaths of 27-year-old Suleiman Olayinka, an asthmatic patient, and Kwara State Polytechnic student Ishola Abdulqoyum, who was allegedly fatally shot by officers in September.

In a bid to ensure accountability, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, instructed the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to take over the investigation into Tunji’s death. The IGP expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and reassured the public of a thorough and impartial investigation.

During a meeting with the family on Sunday, the IGP said, “The IGP has ordered the FCID to handle the case with utmost diligence and ensure a conclusive and impartial investigation. He further reassured the family and the general public that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to upholding the highest standards of accountability, professionalism, and respect for human rights.”

The case has reignited concerns about police brutality in Kwara, as the region grapples with rising incidents of alleged police violence. As the investigation unfolds, the family and the public are closely watching to see if justice will be served.

society

Seven Dead in Light Aircraft Crash in Jalisco, Mexico

Published

9 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Seven Dead in Light Aircraft Crash in Jalisco, Mexico

At least seven people have died following the crash of a light aircraft in a remote, heavily forested area of Jalisco, western Mexico, local authorities confirmed on Sunday.

The aircraft, a Cessna 207, was en route from La Parota in the neighboring state of Michoacan when it went down. Jalisco Civil Protection reported the crash site was in an area difficult to access, complicating rescue and recovery operations.

In a statement on social media, Civil Protection confirmed that “preliminary reports” from the scene indicated that seven people had died. Their identities have not yet been released, and authorities are working to confirm further details.

The agency also mentioned that a fire at the crash site was extinguished, and risk mitigation efforts were carried out to prevent additional damage. “We are waiting for forensic investigators to arrive to remove the bodies and rule out the presence of other victims,” the statement added.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with authorities working to gather more information on the incident.