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

…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.
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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.
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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…
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“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
Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.
Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.
He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.
READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack
Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.
“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”
He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.
He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.
Watch the video here
News
Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.
The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.
READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
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Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.
He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.
Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.
“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.
“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
News
Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.
READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central
According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.
“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”
Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration
He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.
“I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”
In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.
The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.
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