News

Activists Condemn Nigeria’s Natural Resources Exploitation, Finger Govt

Published

2 months ago

July 23, 2025

Environmental activists have criticized multinational corporations for massively exploiting Nigeria’s natural resources under the guise of investment.

They also criticized Nigerian government for giving the multinational corporations to exploit Nigeria’s natural resources at the detriment of the communities.

The activists made their views known in Tuesday at a Forest Carbon Dialogue held in Benin, and attended by civil society organizations, community leaders and other stakeholders.

The event was organized by Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Network—a coalition of African civil society organisations, grassroots movements, activists, and individuals committed to environmental justice across the continent.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), criticised several Nigerian state governments for carelessly signing away forest reserves to foreign interests without due consideration for the long-term environmental and socio-cultural consequences.

He alleged that grown interest of multinational corporations in Africa’s forests is largely driven by the global carbon credit market.

“Carbon credits allow corporations to continue emitting greenhouse gases elsewhere while claiming to offset those emissions through conservation efforts in the Global South.

“Nigeria’s forests are under heavy assault. About 90% of our forests have already been degraded. Even our protected forest areas are not spared—they’re being targeted by illegal miners, loggers, and other exploitative actors,” Dr. Bassey lamented.

He emphasized that forest ecosystems are far more than just trees.

“Each tree supports its own micro-ecosystem. Cutting down a single tree disrupts an entire web of life. Unfortunately, many governments and corporations now view forests not as life-giving ecosystems but merely as carbon stockpiles to trade for profit.”

Dr. Bassey revealed that in Niger State alone, 750,000 hectares have been signed away for carbon trading, while a Brazilian company has acquired 1.2 million hectares for meat production—actions he said amount to massive deforestation and displacement of local communities.

He added that similar deals are being pursued in Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States, where governments are promoting such arrangements as investments and signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with foreign firms.

“These are not investments; they are systematic handovers of our territories to corporations interested only in carbon. Carbon trading is a false solution. It does not address the root causes of the climate crisis,” he asserted.

Dr. Bassey advocated for forest governance led by indigenous communities, arguing that they are the true custodians of biodiversity and holders of valuable ecological knowledge.

He condemned the trend of converting forests into monoculture plantations, describing it as a colonial legacy that undermines biodiversity and depletes ecological resilience.

He called for heightened public consciousness and vigilance to resist the commodification of Nigeria’s forests by multinationals and complicit state actors.

In her presentation titled “Community Science as Real Solutions – Why We Must Say No to REDD”, Interim Administrator, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Rita Uwaka, echoed the call for grassroots mobilisation.

She urged communities to resist efforts to erode their traditional knowledge and cultural identities through schemes that convert forests into commercial plantations.

“Forests are more than trees. They are cultural landscapes. Community protection of forests is key to safeguarding biodiversity and climate resilience,” Uwaka noted.

In his contribution during question & answer session, Omobude Agho, Coordinator General, Edo Civil Society Organisation called all and sundry to rise against every activity work against nature.

The dialogue also featured a panel session that emphasized the need for indigenous integration in global climate solutions.

News

Tinubu Unveils Plan To Restart Oil Production In Ogoniland

Published

9 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has moved to restart oil production in Ogoniland in Rivers State.

The president disclosed this on Wednesday when he conferred posthumous national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, on the late Ogoni four; Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage.

Conferring the honours at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu urged the Ogoni people to embrace reconciliation and unity after decades of division.

He assured them of his administration’s support for peace, environmental remediation, and economic revival in the land.

“I am encouraged by the overwhelming consensus of the Ogoni communities to welcome the resumption of oil production.

“The government will deploy every resource to support your people in this march towards shared prosperity,” he said.

The president directed the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to begin engagements between Ogoni communities, NNPCL, and other stakeholders to finalise modalities for restarting operations.

Earlier in his report, the NSA stated that the consultations engaged all four Ogoni zones and the diaspora, capturing demands for structured participation in oil production, accelerated cleanup, and sustainable development.

News

Former Oyo Police Commissioner Is Dead

Published

10 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

A Former Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abiodun Odude is dead.

The shocking news of his death was shared by the Chairman, Ibadan branch of Government College, GCI Old Boys Association, Akin Orowale on the Association’s platform.

Abiodun Odude, an old boy of GCI, served as Oyo CP between 2017 and 2019.

In the meantime, reactions have continued to trail the death of Odude.

A former Director General, Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA), and GCI OBA stalwart, Dr Yinka Adepoju posted this on platform.

“Hmmm, another deep cut in the GCI Old Boys Association and Boys of 71 Set in particular!

“May the Soul of Biodun rest in peace as l pray that the Lord comforts all members of this Great 71Set and his entire family members, ‘Yinka Adepoju @71, 2356# Grierson”

“So sad to lose such a personality NOW. But what can we do? Nothing absolutely than to wish him eternal rest and divine consolation to the loved ones left behind, particularly his immediate family and GCIOBA,” another old boy, who is an Ibadan based politician, Mr Adeniyi Adeoti said.

The late Odude served in the Intelligence Department, Zone 2, Lagos State as Deputy Commissioner of Police, CID, Panti, Yaba; he was Commissioner of Police, Administration; Department of Finance and Admin., Force Headquarters, Abuja.

News

Lagos Govt Gives Computer Village Traders Ultimatum To Relocate To Katangowa

Published

15 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has given traders at the popular Computer Village in Ikeja an 18-month deadline to move to a new permanent site at Katangowa, in the Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement with market leaders and traders on Tuesday.

According to him, the state government has provided the necessary infrastructure and facilities at the Katangowa site to ensure a conducive business environment once the relocation takes effect.

“The government wants your cooperation to ensure the relocation comes to pass. The time is now. We have to make the project a reality. The relocation period is 18 months,” Oki said.

He explained that Computer Village currently sits on land originally designated as a residential area, which over time was converted into a bustling commercial hub without formal approval from the government.

Oki also revealed that plans to move traders from Ikeja to Katangowa have been in the works since 2006 but were stalled due to delays in completing the new site.

Emphasizing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to inclusive governance, he noted that the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to carry traders along in the government’s plans.

“The governor is passionate about infrastructure development and the welfare of Lagosians. Katangowa has been designated as the permanent site for this market. It sits on 15 hectares of land, well-planned and strategically located near essential resources for your businesses.

“The present location in Ikeja was never meant to serve as a trading hub. What we are offering at Katangowa is a structured market environment that supports growth while addressing environmental and urban planning concerns. We want to work with you and jointly plan this relocation,” Oki said.