News
Anambra East Local Govt Council commends Umueri PG Metchie, for ‘quality service to community’
Photo caption: PG Amb. John Metchie on red cap, his wife Lolo Princess Linda Metchie and others at a recent function
ThePresident General of Umueri General Assembly (UGA), Amb John Chukwudi Metchie, has been commended for his exceptional leadership qualities which has attracted numerous developmental projects as well as engendered peace within Umueri and its neighbours.
This was contained in a ‘Letter of Recognition and Commendation’ dated Thursday, July 27, 2023 and signed by Dr. Anslem Onuorah, Chairman, Anambra East Local Government.
The letter said it has ‘become necessary to specifically acknowledge you for the extraordinary work you are doing in Umueri. Since your emergence as President General, Umueri General Assembly, you have engineered initiatives and strategic projects that have led to an unprecedented improvement in the lives of the people.
The local government chairman went further to list some of the achievements of Dr. Metchie. He said- 1. Your Light-Up Umueri Campaign is an extraordinary initiative aimed at providing solar powered-light packages to the most disadvantaged in the community and it is highly impressive that over 102 households have already received these FREE Solar Light Packages.
“2. You recently installed an imposing signage at the Anambra International Passengers & Cargo Airport, thereby giving it a more prestigious appearance that will also help passengers & visitors identify the location of the facility.
“3. In your quest to foster peace amongst communities you purchased and donated a Sienna Bus to the Umueri- Aguleri Joint Peace Movement to help the movement of the peace keeping personnel along the borders.
“4. Immediately you assumed office, you quickly initiated and personally funded the Johnny Metchie Empowerment Scheme which trained over 500 women, youth and the physically challenged in skills like make-up artistry, soap making, fashion design, beading, barbing etc. the purpose of the workshop was to equip them with means of generating income.
“5. You also painstakingly brought to the knowledge of the present administration the need to renovate & expand the abandoned Umueri General hospital. This has now been upgraded with new equipment, an improved professional workforce including a new chief medical director. You also donated & mounted a detailed sign post of the hospital and its services which was installed at the major entrance. The people are now enjoying the fully functional hospital with the added dental clinic department.
“6. Your community wide installation of CCTV surveillance cameras and solar lights on many roads & strategic locations remains a first of its kind in Nigeria. This has digitalized security in the community and has made surveillance far more effective. Interestingly this measure is now being adopted by other communities and even state governments.
“7. The restructuring of the security architecture of both the vigilante groups and the NHFSS by donating security gadgets including walkie-talkies, security vehicles and erection of security towers at strategic locations has brought about a drastic reduction in crime rate and improved peace & calm in the community.
“8. The provision of a 24/7 responsive security hotline & installation of street gates in certain parts has helped in restricting crime activities.
“9. You personally made a cash donation of N1m and palliatives including food & provision to IDP camps during the Anambra East flood disaster and also installed solar lights to illuminate the camp at night. You also started an awareness campaign that saw more people donate cash & relief materials to this cause.
“10. Seeing that quality healthcare is beyond the reach of some, your leadership ensured that 14 aged elders in the community received state insurance health cards guaranteeing that they are able to get medical attention at practically zero cost.
“11. To bolster education in the community, you singlehandedly paid for 93 students to write the 2022 WAEC Exams. You have also given scholarships to students in Primary, Secondary and Taertiary institutions.
“12. Under your stewardship the construction of the Ikenga New Ultra-Modern Market is progressing at a remarkable pace. The facility boasts of 600 lock-up shops, access roads and drainages, toilets, car park, police station etc. This is a major boost to trading & commercial activities in the community. “13. You also oversaw the rehabilitation of the Umueri Civic Center which is a key monument & generational asset of the community.”
Apart from the numerous community development projects and personal charity initiatives, Dr. Anselem Onuorah also commended Metchie for his leadership attributes, saying- “These landmark achievements and many more in such a short period of time is a clear testimony of your desire for growth and development of Umueri. Your leadership is exemplary and it is no wonder that you are enjoying immense support from the people.
“I want to use this medium to encourage you to please keep up the good work and to assure you of our support in the pursuit of your vision for a greater Umueri,” the Chairman stated.
News
Gov Alex Otti visits Nnamdi Kanu in Sokoto prison
Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor, on Sunday paid a visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
The governor was accompanied by officials of the Sokoto State Government during the closed-door visit.
Nnamdi Kanu was recently moved to Sokoto after he was convicted on terrorism-related charges and handed a life sentence by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Governor Otti had earlier promised to pursue every lawful and political avenue to ensure that Kanu gets justice. Sunday’s visit is seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Abia State Government regarding his case.
Details of the meeting were not made public as of the time of this report.
News
Terrorists abduct bride, bridesmaids in Sokoto attack
Armed terrorists have abducted a bride-to-be, her bridesmaid, and eight other residents from Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State
The Sokoto abduction occurred around 1:30 a.m., according to residents, when the attackers stormed the village. Most of the victims were women, with only one man also taken.
One resident sustained injuries and is receiving medical treatment. Villagers told reporters that the bride was preparing for her wedding scheduled for later that morning when the raid struck, plunging the community into shock and mourning.
A community member described the attack as “tragic,” noting the delay in security response. “Security operatives were alerted immediately, but they only arrived about an hour after the bandits had fled,” he said, expressing frustration.
Business
Dangote Refinery to supply 1.5bn litres of petrol monthly
….Writes NMDPRA, Engages Marketers to Stabilise Fuel Market
Photo caption: L R: Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Vishwajit Sinha; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird; President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced plans to supply one billion five hundred million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) monthly to the Nigerian market in December 2025 and January 2026, a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted nationwide fuel availability through the festive season and into the New Year.
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, disclosed the plans at the weekend, noting that the refinery will make available 50 million litres of PMS daily beginning December 1.
“In line with our commitment to national wellbeing, and consistent with our track record of ensuring a holiday season free of fuel scarcity, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will supply 1.5 billion litres of PMS to the Nigerian market this month. This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment. We will supply another 1.5 billion litres in January and increase to 1.7 billion litres in February, which translates to about 60 million litres per day,” Dangote said.
Photo caption: L R: President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Speaking during a visit by the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to the refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser complex, he stated that the facility currently has adequate stock and is producing between 40 and 45 million litres of PMS daily. He added that the daily supply of 50 million litres should dispel long-standing claims that domestic refineries lack the capacity to meet national demand.
Dangote also revealed ongoing engagement with petroleum marketers to strengthen distribution systems, including expanding the use of CNG-powered haulage.
“Our priority is to ensure Nigeria receives the products it needs. This is not driven by profit motives; it is about guaranteeing the availability of essential energy products. It is similar to the transformation we delivered in the cement sector,” he added.
He further noted that the refinery is progressing with its expansion plan to reach a capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day. More than 100,000 workers are expected to be involved in the expansion of both the refinery and the fertiliser complex. Dangote emphasised that the Group remains committed to its vision, driven by the strong public support for the company’s role in shaping Nigeria’s economic development.
During the visit, the Managing Director of SSDC, Usoro Offiong Akpabio, commended Dangote’s leadership and his continued contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capability, national energy security and long-term economic competitiveness.
She described the South-South region as Nigeria’s natural energy corridor, with vast crude oil reserves, gas infrastructure, maritime assets, agro-industrial activity and emerging industrial clusters. She noted that deeper collaboration between the region and the Dangote Group could unlock opportunities in product distribution, CNG infrastructure, petrochemicals, agriculture, and employment creation.
Akpabio added that such partnerships would advance the Federal Government’s energy stability agenda and position the South-South as a strategic growth hub for the Dangote Group.
“As the statutory development body for the South-South, SSDC is mandated to drive regional economic development, infrastructure integration, human capital advancement, and private-sector–led growth. In this regard, we stand prepared to support State-level policy and regulatory support for Ease-of-doing-business across our six states. Enabling environments for Dangote Group’s expansion into strategic sectors such as gas processing, agro-industrial value chains, renewable energy, logistics, and export-oriented manufacturing,” she said.
In a letter from the refinery’s Managing Director, David Bird, to the Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, the company reaffirmed its readiness to host NMDPRA officials onsite at the refinery from December 1st to verify and publish its daily supply volumes. The refinery also sought the Authority’s support to ensure unhindered importation of crude, feedstocks and blending components, as well as smooth vessel loading for product evacuation.
“In the spirit of full transparency to the public we are willing to publish our daily production and stock volumes (online and print media),” Bird stated. “We seek the full support of NMDPRA to allow Dangote refinery to import our crude, feedstocks and blending components unhindered as well as support the lifting of our products by vessel. We continue to experience delays in vessel clearance which impacts not only the refinery operations but also our customers, adding unnecessary costs and inefficiencies”.
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