News

Compel Shell To Stop Ongoing Eco-Terrorism In Gbarantoru, ERA Tells FG

Published

2 years ago

March 4, 2024

Editor

…frowns at FG turning blind eyes to abuse of rights of locals to safe environment

…urges Bayelsa Environment Ministry to make formal complaint to federal authorities concerned

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria [ERA/FoEN] has called on the Federal Government to compel Shell to stop the flares in Gbarantoru community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

ERA/FoEN call comes in the wake of a visit to the community by a team from the Yenagoa office of the organisation led by Program Manager and Head of the Niger Delta Resource Center in Bayelsa, Comrade Alagoa Morris, on the 1st March, 2024.

A statement signed and made available to INFO DAILY electronically by Communication Officer, ERA/FoEN, Elvira Jordan said the visit came after a distress call by members of the community who feared for their lives and their environment, due to the flares.

INFO DAILY reports that Gbarantoru in Ekpetiama kingdom of Yenagoa LGA is a relatively large community and densely populated.

According to the statement, ERA/FoEN monitors observed the gas flare from Shell facility furiously blasting away during the visit.

ERA/FoEN also observed that very high pressure liquid suspected to be water was being sprayed into the air in the direction of the huge Flare.

The sprayed water might be technically viewed as reducing heat produced by the flame or have some chemical reaction with the noxious gases so released.

According to the statement, not only was the horizontally flared gas so huge and menacingly noisy, the threat to buildings in the community was obvious as they continued to vibrate rhythmically.

The statement added that due to flare and its consequent noise, a school within the vicinity was forced to shut as a direct result of the impact of the flares.

The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama kingdom, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada 1V likened the ongoing gas flaring in the community to pumping in toxic and harmful gas into the body system of the people. According to him, the people of the community may die from the harmful substances that have been released into the air.

Also, an indigene of Gbarantoru and former Councilor in Yenagoa LGA, Seiyefa Saiyou Jones, expressed his regret at the attitude of disdain and lack of concern for the people displayed by Shell.

He stated that the community has become unbearable to live as the peace, health and safety of the people are under threat due to the vicious gas flaring by Shell.

“In the night, there is no way to sleep. Due to the noise from the raging gas flare, the children cannot sleep in the room anymore. The entire building is vibrating. I am directly affected. Besides the light [from the flare], the vibration of the house is so alarming. This is about the fourth day since they put on the gas flare. It is so alarming in the night, I can’t sleep; my children can’t sleep. We all remain vigilant, awake all through the night…

“This is happening in the heart of the community. They are supposed to relocate those to be affected and compensate them. You can hear the noise. This is even more than the sound of aeroplane landing at the airport. Due to this gas flare, the primary school was forced to go on vacation. How can they learn under this atmosphere?,” He asked.

Reacting, the Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Chima Williams said that Shell’s action prompting victims to cry out is nothing but Eco-Terrorism, adding that the vegetation, lives and property of victims are under attack by this horizontal emission of noxious gases

Williams added that the flares negate the principle behind Article 24 of African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right.

He frowned at the Nigerian government for turning a blind eye to the obvious abuse of the rights of the locals to a safe environment to thrive at a time when countries and leaders are initiating better policies to safeguard the health and safety of the environment.

Williams called on the Federal Ministries of Petroleum and Environment to prevail on Shell to Stop the ongoing Eco-Terrorism by Shell in Gbarantoru.

He also urged the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment to bridge the gap with formal complaint to the Federal Authorities concerning the unacceptable.

News

YULETIDE: Edo Sports Commission Boss Preaches Unity, Peace

Published

2 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has extended warm Christmas greetings to athletes, coaches, sports administrators, journalists, and the people of Edo State, urging them to uphold the enduring values of love, peace, and unity that define the festive season.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Hon. Enabulele described Christmas as a period of reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment to collective progress and shared responsibility.

“I sincerely appreciate all stakeholders in the sports sector for their cooperation, resilience, and unwavering support throughout the year. Your contributions have been instrumental to the growth and success of sports in Edo State,” he said.

He further commended Edo athletes for their dedication and discipline, noting that their consistent performances have continued to bring pride and recognition to the state at both national and international levels.

According to him, the Commission remains committed to athletes’ welfare, grassroots sports development, and the creation of opportunities that will enable talents to flourish.

Enabulele also called on residents of the state to celebrate responsibly and show compassion to one another, particularly the less privileged, emphasizing that unity and peaceful coexistence are vital for sustainable development.

He reaffirmed the Edo State Sports Commission’s resolve to strengthen collaboration with partners and stakeholders in the coming year, with increased focus on excellence, transparency, and inclusive sports development.

The Sports Commission boss concluded by wishing everyone a joyous Christmas celebration and a prosperous New Year filled with hope, good health, and greater achievements.

News

MOWAA: Okpehbolo Receives Edo Assembly Resolution Indicting Obaseki

Published

13 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, received report and resolutions of the Edo State House of Assembly which indicted former Governor Godwin Obaseki on the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and the Radisson Hotel projects.

Recall that the Edo Assembly raised a five-man committee to investigate funding and ownership of both projects following a request by Governor Okpebholo.

Okpebholo, who spoke after receiving the report said its findings and recommendations would be fully implemented.

Okpebholo said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would be invited to further examine issues raised in the recommendations.

According to him, the Edo State Government has significant stakes in the MOWAA and Radisson Blu hotel having invested ₦3.8bn respectively in both projects.

He said changes in the structure and nomenclature of the MOWAA project made the investigation unavoidable.

Okpebholo said it was unacceptable to suggest Edo State has only 10 per cent stake in the Radisson Blu hotem despite investing over ₦28bn.

“Edo State has spent over ₦3.8 billion on this project, yet some people are saying the state has no stake in it. That is totally unacceptable. I will work with your recommendations and forward them to the relevant authorities to investigate what truly happened. We will also involve the EFCC.

“Our investment in this project is over ₦28 billion. We must invite the EFCC to step in and determine if this is how businesses are conducted in Nigeria,” he said.

In its recommendations passed by the Assembly, the five-man committee headed by Hon Addeh Isibor, urged the Edo State Government to take possession of both projects.

It asked Governor Okpebholo to contract competent hands to complete renovation of the Hotel and take all steps to put the Hotel to use.

The recommendations urged the Edo State Government to revoke “the fraudulent Certificate of Occupancy to the property issued in the name of Hospitality Investment and Management Company Limited and revert same to the Edo State Government that purchased the property.

“That the Edo State Government initiate legal action and work with relevant Anti-graft Agencies to retrieve both the complete statement of account and the balance of the Seventeen Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira (N17,500,000,000.00) Bond proceeds still in the possession of the Escrow Agents. Meristen Trustees Limited and Emerging Africa Trustees Limited.

“The title to the MOWAA Property having never been revoked, same remains the property of the Central Hospital, Benin City

“That the Edo State Government immediately takes all necessary step to put the property to good use in the best and overriding public interest of the people of Edo State.”

Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, said the facts about MOWAA and Radisson Blu Hotel were now clearly documented in resolutions and outcomes.

News

Sheikh Gummi Sues Two Over Alleged False Facebook Publication

Published

15 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gummi, has approached the Chief Magistrate Court in Kaduna, seeking the issuance of a criminal direct complainant summons against two Facebook users over alleged criminal conspiracy, attempt to cause public disturbance and criminal defamation.

The application, filed at the Chief Magistrate Court sitting on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna, listed the defendants as George Udom and Bello Isiaka.

According to him, the defendants allegedly published a “Breaking News” statement on their respective Facebook pages on December 23, 2025, between 7:00 am and 10:00 am, attributed to him, threatening that the family of the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, would be eliminated if military operations against bandits were not stopped.

Gummi alleged that the publication was falsely attributed to him, as his photograph was allegedly used alongside the statement, giving the impression that he issued the threat against the Defence Minister.

The Islamic scholar stated that following the publication, he received numerous phone calls from concerned members of the public who believed he authored the statement and was attempting to intimidate the Minister of Defence in the discharge of his official duties.

He further maintained that the publication portrayed him as a troublemaker and a threat to public peace, despite his long-standing reputation as a cleric known for preaching peace and harmony within and outside Nigeria.

The complainant argued that the alleged publication was capable of inciting public disorder in Kaduna State, particularly Southern Kaduna, and could expose him to danger by presenting him as a prime suspect in the event of any attack on the Defence Minister’s family.

He also contended that the actions of the defendants amounted to an attempt to cause public disturbance and criminal defamation of his character.

Dr Gummi told the court that the alleged acts contravened Sections 59, 57, 372, 116 and 117 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.

The application, dated December 24, 2025, was filed by a team of lawyers led by Suleiman Danlami Lere, with the complainant urging the court to summon the defendants to answer to the allegations.