News

CSR: Blame Our People For Alleged Neglect, Not Okomu Oil Company – Indigene

Published

1 year ago

July 14, 2024

An indigene of Okomu community, Mr. Samson Yanbor, has described as baseless, the claim by some of his kinsmen that the Okomu Oil Palm Company operating in the area is not living up to its responsibility in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility to the people.

He added that some of the indigenous contractors should be blamed for not executing projects awarded to them by the company.

The former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Godwin Obaseki made the assertions in a chat with INFO DAILY in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

INFO DAILY reports that Okomu, an agrarian community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State has been embroiled recently in crisis, resulting in burning of houses, shooting of security personnel, claim counter claim of sponsor of attacks.

Yanbor, a former Vice Chairman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, alleged that contracts of huge amounts were given to some of the indigenes by the oil company but they never bothered to execute them.

He added that the company also gives bursary to students from the area as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility

He said: “The oil company has been living up to its Corporate Social Responsibility in all the communities. Go to Okomu community, you see the projects being done by the company.

“The reason why you don’t see some projects is not far fetched. Some projects not done or abandoned are projects handled by indigenous contractor. These our brothers go to the company to bid for contract, and after getting the contract and the funds, they will not execute the projects. Should the company be blamed for this? My answer is no. The company and the management are strangers so there is a level they cannot go in compelling an indigene to execute a contract.

“I will be more specific though I will not mention names. For instance, one of the indigenes was given a huge contact to build a stone-walk Jetty in one of the communities in the Okomu kingdom but he didn’t build it. He collected the funds and never bought a bag of cement for that project. The same person was given a contract to build some houses in one of the communities, but he never did.”

On the security challenge bedeviling Okomu and communities under it, the former SSA, while thanking Governor Obaseki and all the security agencies for the efforts made in maintaining peace in the area, however, called for more security in the area.

“I am using this medium to call on the Chief of Defence Staff, the DSS Director in Edo State, the Commissioner of Police, the 4 Brigade Commander and the governor to curb the excesses of Lawrence Yanbor by getting him arrested,” he said.

He said that Yanbor and his gang have been terrorising the area with Impunity, alleging that he (Yanbor) is being sponsored by some persons whom he called for their arrest too.

News

BREAKING: Tinubu Nominates New Defence Minister

Published

52 minutes ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, rtd, as the new Minister of Defence.

In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu disclosed Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, who resigned on Monday.

Musa served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria.

He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.

News

Edo Govt Bars Journalists From Covering Event In State House

Published

1 hour ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Journalists invited by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to cover the declaration of Edo as the official hosts of the 2026 NDDC Sports Festival were on Tuesday barred from covering the event inside the Government House in Benin City.

The journalists had sat at the venue of the event named Presidential Villa inside the Government House at around 11:00 a.m. for the official kick off of the event.

After waiting for over one hour in the Presidential Villa, information came that the venue for the event had been changed to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) office, prompting both the journalists, NDDC officials and other dignitaries to move from the Presidential Villa to the SSG office.

Not too long had both the journalists and other dignitaries seated at the conference hall of the SSG that one of the protocols of the governor popularly known as Pikolo arrived at the hall and announced that the government was informed that only 27 persons were invited for the programme, hence anyone whose name was not in the government list would not be allowed into to the programme when it commences.

A few minutes after Pikolo made the announcement, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Kehinde Osaigede stood up to announce that he had been sent a message that the venue had been changed to the initial venue (Presidential Villa).

Moving out of the SSG section of the Government House to the Presidential Villa, journalists came across the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, and when he saw them (journalists) he asked after exchanging pleasantries, “were you invited by the organisers? No, I will not allow you in, this is strictly for State House reporters. The governor is personally attending the programme, so it is strictly for the State House. Presidential Villa? No!”

Shortly after uttering the above words near the Deputy Governor’s section inside the Government House, Itua moved hurriedly to the Presidential Villa section and the gate was shot for screening of persons.

When journalists and others invited got to the gate of the Presidential Villa they were subjected to screening. While some dignitaries were screened in, some journalists and some staff members of the NDDC were shut out of the venue.

News

Otuaro Felicitates Tompolo On Honorary Doctorate Award

Published

17 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro has congratulated High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, on the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) by the E.K. Clark University.

Otuaro described the recognition as well-deserved and befitting, noting that Tompolo has, over the years, demonstrated uncommon commitment to the peace, progress, and stability of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

According to him, Tompolo’s role in sustaining peace in the region, particularly through his steadfast support for dialogue, community engagement, and nonviolent approaches to conflict resolution, has made a significant contribution to national security and economic stability.

He further noted that, beyond his contributions to peacebuilding, Tompolo has demonstrated extraordinary compassion, philanthropy, and devotion to humanitarian causes.

He added that his investments in youth empowerment stand as clear evidence of a man whose heart is truly with his people.

“Tompolo’s good heart, generosity, and love for humanity distinguish him as a leader of rare character,” Otuaro said.

The PAP Administrator commended E.K. Clark University for identifying and honouring a personality whose impact continues to resonate across the Niger Delta and beyond.

He urged other institutions to emulate such gestures that celebrate individuals advancing society through selfless service.

Dr Otuaro prayed for God’s continued guidance, long life, and strength for High Chief Ekpemupolo as he continues to serve the Niger Delta and Nigeria with dignity, wisdom, and compassion.