News

25 Years After Ken Saro-Wiwa’s Demise, Niger Delta Still Groan Under Environmental Despoilation, Uyi Ojo Laments

Published

5 years ago

November 11, 2020

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has advocated for a United Nations legally binding treaty that will hold multinational companies operating in the Niger Delta region accountable for their human rights violations.

The ERA/FoEN stated that when put in place, such treaty should also ensure access to justice and remedy that is currently a major challenge in developing countries Nigeria inclusive, in their attempt to bring multinational companies to justice.

Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo, Executive Director, ERA/FoEN, made the call in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the killing of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his Ogoni eight activists (sic) who were fighting for environmental justice.

Dr Uyi lamented that 25 years after Ken Saro-Wiwa and his Ogoni eight activists died in the course of fight for environmental justice, the Niger Delta environment still groan under the severe weight of environmental despoilation, stressing that poverty remains widespread with little or no change on the welfare and livelihoods of the people.

“The systematic failure of oil companies and the Nigerian government to clean up has left hundreds of thousands of Ogoni people facing serious health risks, struggling to access safe drinking water and unable to earn a decent living.

“The commemoration provides the opportunity to highlight the ecological disaster and human rights violations that the entire Niger Delta is still facing even after 25 years Ken Saro-Wiewa was executed, along with 8 other Ogoni leaders for standing up to Shell’s operations in Nigeria.

“In this regard, we
call for a United Nations legally binding treaty to hold multinational companies accountable for their human rights violations.

“This treaty will also ensure access to justice and remedy that is currently a major challenge in developing countries in their attempt to bring multinational companies to justice,” the Executive Director noted.

While stating that Shell and other oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region must be accountable for their human rights violations and the clean up of the pollution in the area, Dr Ojo said the slow clean up of Ogoniland by Nigerian HYPREP was unacceptable.

He emphasised the need for Nigeria to key into the unprecedented momentum for leaving the fossil fuel age behind and embrace a post-petroleum economy devoid of environmental degradation and destruction of lives and property.

“For the Nigerian state, the Hydrocarbon Remediation Project (HYPREP) slow pace of clean up is unacceptable and require improved capcity and restructuring to properly clean up Ogoniland.

“Nigeria should key into the unprecedented momentum for leaving the fossil fuel age behind ushence the need to embrace decentralized energy democracy model that allows people driven off-grid and mini-grid solar systems for energy access for all,” he said.

On the need for the entire Niger Delta to unite even as the region marks the 25th years of Ken Saro-Wiwa’s demise, Dr Uyi said: “it is time for sober reflections. It is time for forgiveness, healing and unity among the Ogonis especially all the martyrs of the environmental justice struggle. Surely, the collective will of the people shall never be broken.”

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.