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CSO To AGIP: Stop The Ongoing Gas Leakage In Odimodi Community Now

Published

2 years ago

July 6, 2023

The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has called on Agip Oil Company to immediately stop the ongoing gas leakage from Bemobebe-aka Gas Well located in Odimodi community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to a release by Elvira Jordan, Communication Officer, ERA/FoEN, a Save Our Souls (SOS) message was received from the community on the 5th of July, 2023, wherein they lamented over the gas leakage from Bemobebe-aka Gas Facility belonging to Agip, which has been nonoperational for some time.

According to the release, the Bemobebe-aka gas well is located at the outskirts of Odimodi community; a route that is usually used by fishermen to carry out their fishing activities, and farmers to access their farm lands.

“The environment around the gas leakage is very toxic and highly polluted.

“The people of Odimodi are currently at risk of facing severe health implications from inhaling the gas that has circulated around the air space of Odimodi, coupled with the dangers of a fire outbreak, as gas is highly flammable,” the statement added.

Lamenting in the release, a fisherman, Brakemi Ndoro, who first spotted and reported the leakage to the leadership of the community said the leakage was discovered about three months ago and suspected to be as a result of a broken valve from the gas plant.

On his part, the Chairman of Odimodi Community, Solomon Gbegha revealed to ERA/FoEN that the leakage was reported to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), followed by a joint inspection of the leakage by the community representatives and NOSDRA on the 26th of June 2023.

According to the chairman, no other efforts have been made to shutdown the leakage after the inspection.

He added that the people of Odimodi are now living in fear, as the people have been instructed to stay clear of the gas leakage area until it has been turned off.

Also lending her voice on the issue, the women leader of Odimodi Community and mother of eight (8), Mrs. Silver Micheal appealed the government, Agip and the appropriate authorities to come to their aid, as the lives of the people of Odimodi are currently at stake.

Reacting, Chima Williams, Executive Director ERA/,FoEN, said: ”The people of Odimodi are currently in distress. After surviving series of spills recorded in 2018 and 2022, they are suffering from yet another damage to their environment, in form of a gas leakage caused by Agip.”

“Despite housing multinational companies, Odimodi has been neglected by these companies, hence the slow response to oil spills and gas leakages. The government needs to implement stringent policies that will regulate and manage the activities of oil multinationals in Odimodi and other host communities.”

Calling on Agip to stop the leakage, he urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct an assessment of the level of air pollution in the area for immediate clean up.

“We also recommend that a medical team be deployed to Odimodi, to examine the health status of the people, after being exposed to such air and environmental pollution.
Furthermore, we call on the (NOSDRA) to rise up to its duties in implementing contingency plans against oil spills and gas leakages in Odimodi and other host communities,” he concluded.

Related Topics:ERA/FoEN Odimodi community

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17-year-old Nigerian Named World Best In English At 2025 TeenEagle Finals In London

Published

6 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

…Outperforms over 20,000 participants from 69 countries

Nafisa Aminu, a 17-year-old student of Tulip International College, Yobe State, has emerged world’s best in English at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals.

The 17-year-old was named the World Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom.

The TeenEagle competition is an internationally recognised contest that tests English proficiency, critical thinking, and communication skills, attracting students from both English-speaking and non-English-speaking nations.

Nafisa’s triumph was confirmed in a statement by the head of her family, Hassan Salifu, who attributed her success to “dedication, discipline, and the enabling support of the state government.”

Representing Nigeria, Nafisa outperformed over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, a historic feat that has thrust her into the global academic spotlight and brought honour to Nigeria.

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FG Promotes 30 Senior NCoS Officers To Assistant Controller General

Published

6 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections.

The announcement was made in a press statement signed by the NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar, on Tuesday.

“The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 Controllers of Corrections to the prestigious rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections,” the statement read.

Abubakar noted that the promotions were made in line with CDCFIB’s commitment to “merit-based advancement, professional excellence, and the continuous strengthening of leadership within the Nigerian Correctional Service.”

“Among the newly promoted officers are twenty-seven general duty officers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and operational competence in various formations across the country.

“In addition, three professional officers have also been elevated in recognition of their outstanding service and specialized contributions in the areas of Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Public Health,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the promotion exercise was said to align with the ongoing reforms in the Service, a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The statement credited the reform momentum to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose efforts were described as “unwavering” and “unprecedented.”

Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, congratulated the newly promoted officers, charging them to rise to the responsibilities of their new roles.

“I urge them to redouble their effort to service delivery, strategic leadership, and the core mandates of reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates,” he said.

He further stressed that the promotions are not merely rewards for past service but “a call to higher responsibility in line with global best practices in correctional management.”

“The Service remains committed to building a motivated, disciplined, and professional workforce capable of meeting the complex demands of modern corrections and public safety,” Nwakuche added.

News

Adeleke Flies To US For Davido’s Wedding

Published

6 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has travelled to the United States to attend the wedding ceremony of his nephew and music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

Recall, Davido confirmed that he and his wife, Chioma Avril Rowland, will have their white wedding in Miami, Florida, in August 2025.

He made the announcement during an interview on The Breakfast Club, aired on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed Adeleke’s trip in a statement issued on Tuesday, in response to concerns raised by the opposition All Progressives Congress over the governor’s whereabouts.

“Governor Adeleke left Nigeria for the United States via the family’s private jet a few days ago for the wedding of the global music icon, his beloved nephew, David Adeleke.

“His Excellency is extending an invitation to the opposition party to attend the event and share in the joy of the occasion with the Adeleke family.

“Those unable to attend may join virtually,” Rasheed stated.

He noted that Adeleke had not taken any official vacation since assuming office in November 2022 and said the current trip would be short.

“Additionally, from the November 2022 date, the governor has not gone on official vacation.

“For this current trip, the Governor has again chosen to make it a short one to continually attend to crucial state functions.

“Meanwhile, the Governor is in constant communication with his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, who is supervising activities of the government,” Rasheed added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Osun APC had accused Adeleke of leaving the state without informing residents or formally transmitting power to his deputy. The party described the governor’s absence as “abnormal.”

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the party said, “The question being asked in hushed tones in some public places, inside commercial buses and by motorcycle riders and their passengers in the state, is where could be the whereabouts of their governor for this long.

“As the governor of all and sundry, we as a party need to know the whereabouts of the governor and who has been holding fort for him during his absence from the state since two weeks ago.

“Did the governor duly transmit power to his deputy who is constitutionally covered to temporarily step into the shoes of his principal in his absence?”