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Troops Destroy ’20 Illegal Refineries, Recover 90,000 Litres Of Stolen Crude’ In Niger Delta

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The 6 division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers state, announced that it has destroyed 20,000 illegal refining sites and recovered 90,000 stolen petroleum products in the Niger Delta.

In a statement on Sunday, Jonah Danjuma, the division’s assistant director of public relations, revealed that the military also arrested several suspects.

He explained that the raids were conducted in partnership with other security agencies in Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta states.

“Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, have sustained the onslaught against economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta region,” the statement reads.

“This effort led to the dismantling of 20 illegal refining sites, the arrest of eight suspected oil thieves, and the deactivation of 21 boats used in criminal activities.

“Additionally, over 90,000 litres of stolen products were recovered during the ongoing anti-bunkering operations in the region.”

Danjuma stated that, acting on intelligence regarding illegal activities around Buguma in Asari-Toru LGA, troops swiftly responded, uncovering a tarpaulin storage reservoir and a wooden boat containing over 37,000 litres of stolen condensates.

“At the Ogajiama axis of the Buguma/Bakana general area, also in Asari-Toru LGA, troops engaged in a gun duel with criminal elements who fled due to superior firepower,” he said.

“An illegal refining site, one large pot, and a receiver containing 9,000 litres of illegally refined dual-purpose kerosene were appropriately dismantled.

“This was in addition to three locally made boats intercepted while attempting to load crude from an abandoned wellhead. Three suspected oil thieves were arrested during the operations.

“In a related development, around the Krakrama Community in Degema LGA, troops intercepted two illegal refining sites, four fibre boats, three wooden boats, and approximately 2,000 litres of stolen crude.

“At Gbede in Omoku, one illegal refining site, 27 locally made ovens, and 31 sacks containing over 2,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.

“Further operations at Odagwa-Imo Riverside in Etche LGA of Rivers State led to the recovery of one illegal refining site, two drum pots, a wooden boat, and over 3,500 litres of stolen products.

“Similarly, at the fringes of the Imo River, seven illegal refining sites, six boats, 122 drum pots, 49 drum receivers, and over 10,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.”

Danjuma mentioned that at Biseni forest in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa state, one illegal refining site was dismantled, and about 8,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.

He also reported that troops foiled an attempt to vandalise an inactive Shell Petroleum Development Company flowline at well 20 in the Opukushi general area of Ekeremor LGA.

In Akwa Ibom, troops intercepted eleven 280-litre drums containing approximately 3,080 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS) at Enwang II in Mbo LGA.

He stated that a follow-up operation traced the source of the product to a loading point at Dazele Filling station, Ibaka, where an additional 31 drums of PMS, estimated at 8,680 litres, were intercepted.

Danjuma added that preliminary investigations revealed that the products were allegedly intended for smuggling to a neighbouring country.

In Delta state, Danjuma mentioned that both kinetic and non-kinetic operations were conducted, “effectively denying criminal elements freedom of action in the area.”

BIG STORY

President Tinubu Orders Reintroduction Of History In Basic School Curriculum

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Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, says President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that “history” should and will be reintroduced as a subject in Nigeria’s basic schools.

“History,” reports indicate, was removed from Nigeria’s basic school curriculum in 2007, eliciting sharp criticism that spanned years.

In many cases from then on, historical topics were taught with little depth as part of “social studies.”

In 2018, the federal government ordered the nationwide re-introduction of “history” as an independent subject in the curriculum of primary and junior secondary schools in the country.

Adamu Adamu, the then minister of education, had stated that the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council (NERDC) would need to first carry out a disarticulation of “history” from the social studies curriculum.

He said a curriculum would be designed with topics to help students appreciate “history” as a national integration and nation-building tool.

The ex-minister said a total of 3,700 “history” teachers were shortlisted for the first round of training to enhance the teaching of “history.”

Education ministries at the state level, including those of Lagos and Taraba, have since been moving to implement the federal policy.

Tunji Alausa spoke on a Tuesday Channels TV show where he expressed concern that Nigeria’s youth are disconnected from its “history.”

“Let me go to basic education, the curriculum is good. What has been missing in the past is Nigerian “history.” We now have people of 30 years disconnected from our “history.” It doesn’t happen in any part of the world,” the minister said.

“President Bola Tinubu has mandated that we put that back in our curriculum and that is back. From 2025 our students in primary and secondary schools will have that as part of their studies.”

While validating the federal policy of re-introducing “history” as a basic school subject, the former minister Adamu Adamu argued that its absence had led to declining morals, erosion of civic values, and a disconnection of the citizenry from the country’s past.

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BIG STORY

2025: President Tinubu’s Reforms Will Unlock Nigeria’s Potentials — First Lady To Nigerians

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The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed optimism about the nation’s future, describing 2025 as a year of “prosperity and abundance.”

In a New Year message to Nigerians posted on X on Wednesday, she called for unity and renewed efforts toward building a thriving nation.

Tinubu emphasised the need for collective investment in rebuilding societal bonds and fostering inclusivity across all regions and demographics.

She urged Nigerians to rise above divisions and work toward mutual respect and understanding.

“As we journey through 2025, let us rise above our differences and rebuild the bridges that connect us—bridges of love, respect, and understanding.”

“It is a year to invest in one another; to nurture our youth and protect the dignity of our elders; to create a country where every Nigerian can thrive, regardless of where they are born, what they believe, or what language they speak,” she said.

The First Lady highlighted the administration’s commitment to ongoing economic reforms aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s vast potential under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

She stated, “I assure you all that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is truly committed to and is already undertaking deepening reforms that will unlock our nation’s economic potentials.”

Senator Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to stand together and support one another, pledging that the government remains steadfast in its vision for a prosperous nation.

“Together, we can build the Nigeria we all desire. Together, we will. Happy New Year, Nigeria,” she added.

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Federal Government To Establish Credit Guarantee Company, Targets 15% Inflation In 2025

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President Bola Tinubu says his administration will establish a National Credit Guarantee Company before the end of the second quarter (Q2) of 2025.

Tinubu spoke on Wednesday during his New Year speech.

The president said his administration would consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output.

“In 2025, our government is committed to intensifying efforts to lower these costs by boosting “food production” and promoting local manufacturing of essential “drugs” and other “medical supplies,” he said.

“We are resolute in our ambition to reduce inflation from its current high of 34.6% to 15%. With diligent work and God’s help, we will achieve this goal and provide relief to all our people.

“In this new year, my administration will further consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output.

“To achieve this, the federal government will establish the National Credit Guarantee Company to expand risk-sharing instruments for financial institutions and enterprises.

“The company—expected to start operations before the end of the second quarter—is a partnership of government institutions, such as the Bank of Industry, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency, and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, the private sector, and multilateral institutions.”

Tinubu said the initiative would strengthen the confidence of the financial system, expand credit access, and support underserved groups such as “women” and “youth.”

The president also said the company would drive growth, reindustrialisation, and better living standards for Nigerians.

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