News

Delta, Edo Oil Producing Communities Demand Climate Justice, Halt To Exploration

Published

3 years ago

September 30, 2023

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

People from oil producing communities in Edo and Delta states Friday, September 29, 2023 converged in Benin under the umbrella – People’s Assembly – to demand for environmental justice in their communities.

INFO DAILY reports that the meeting known as African Peoples Counter COP was organised by Ecological Actions Advocacy Foundation with support from African Climate Collective.

INFO DAILY also reports that four oil and gas producing communities from Edo and one from Delta State attended the climate justice meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, one of the guest speakers and environmental activist, Comrade Cadmus Atake Enade, said over the years climate change has been in centre stage of discussion particularly in government but unfortunately the people directly affected are not being carried along, hence the meeting.

While lamenting that “extractive activities have destroyed the environment and climate of oil bearing communities,” Enade said yet “over time, we have discovered that climate change issues have always been at the centre stage of discussion politically, but even as at that the people are not being carried along.”

He added: “They want their voices to be heard; they want inclusion in government decisions when it comes to the environment. They want reparation from the government, and then communities where extractive activities are ongoing should be halted.”

“So, this is an avenue to aired their voices; they are using the medium to tell the whole world that they are suffering and that they demand climate justice.”

Also speaking, another environmental activist and youth leader, Akiri Murphy, said due to the operations of the ‘Warri Refinery’ sited in Ekpan community, residents of the community and other neighbouring communities are “seriously suffering.”

According to him, the Petrol Chemical plant and other machines in the refinery are obsulate thereby emitting soot and making life unbearable for the residents.

He said: “The Refinery Petrol Chemical plant emitts Carbon Black (soot) into the community, and the worse, this plant is being put on at midnight, thereby polluting the whole area. This has affected the health of residents of the community.

“The water which is their only source of drinking and fishing is being affected by the soot.

“The waste from the Warri Refinery also goes into the Ubeji community water thereby affecting them. Most of the people are into fishing but because of the impact they can no longer fish. They need to travel far before they can catch fish.

“The Federal Government should fix the refinery. The machines in the refinery need refurbish. The Petrol Chemical Machine is completely dead, it needs replacement. Fixing the refinery will reduce the pollution and enable the people in the area to live a better life.”

Also, Mrs Elizabeth Eyo, from oil producing community in Edo State, while calling for climate justice particularly for oil and gas producing communities, said “we want a situation where people from oil producing communities benefit hugely from oil exploration.”

She said: “The government should know that people living in oil producing communities can no longer farm due to exploration. Most of the people in these oil producing communities are either famers or fishermen. The government should bear in mind that these people need to feed, earn a living. So, the government should do something about this so they too can live a meaningful life.

“The bad water occasioned by oil exploration is affecting the reproductive health of the women. “

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

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

Published

7 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

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.

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

Published

23 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

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.
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‎ 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.”
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‎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
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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.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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.”
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