News

ERA To Shell: Clamp Your Leaking Pipeline In Bayelsa Community Now

Published

2 years ago

October 5, 2023

Editor

The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has called on Shell to immediately clamp its leaking condensate pipeline located at Ekuraba Creek in Otuasega community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The call came after a field visit by a team led by the Program Manager and Head of the Niger Delta Resource Center, ERA/FoEN, Comrade Alagoa Morris.

According to a statement by the Communication Officer, ERA, Elvira Jordan, the visit was sequel to a distress call from a video posted on social media by an indigene of the community, showing a high level of pollution in the Ekuraba creek.

INFO DAILY reports that Otuasega hosts Shell’s Kolocreek Logistic Base, Oil Wells where Shell extracts Crude oil/gas daily, Shell’s Kolocreek Tie-In Manifold and pipelines.

Like other host communities, Otuasega has experienced some of the negative consequences associated with oil industry induced pollution.

Akpobolokeme Odofori, one of the fisher folks living in the Ekuraba fishing camp who led the community leaders and ERA/FoEN from the spill point downstream [monitoring spread of condensate], lamented over the level of pollution the spill had caused along the Ekuraba creek and its effect on fishing activities in the area

He added: “Fishing is my occupation and I reside at the Ekuraba fishing camp. For about a week now we are not catching fish as we used to, due to this incident.

“This morning some persons came are said they want to see where the Kerosene was bubbling and the environment.

That was how I volunteered to guide them to this area where much of the spilled substance is gathered. The substance looks like Kerosene, diesel and petrol.

“Due to this pollution we have ceased using our fishing nets on the creek. There are no fishes again as before too. Right now the bubbling has stopped, maybe Shell has shut down the line’’.

Responding to questions concerning the spill, a member of the community, Igbeta James Brown, explained that they were informed about the spill incident by fisher folks residing within the Ekuraba Creek environment a week ago and was duly reported to Shell without any response till the date of filling this report.

Also speaking on the spill incident, Beauty Inie Keghe, a non-native but residing at the Ekuraba fishing camp, stated that their children are suffering from ailments associated with the spill.

She added that the fisher folks who survive from fishing activities have been subjected to hunger and starvation since the spill started.

According to her: “We are suffering since the spill happened in our camp. The water has gone bad. Children are coughing and experiencing cattarrh. The water has been contaminated, fishes are now scarce in the water; we are experiencing hunger.

“If all the fish in the water are dead, what are we going eat or do? We are suffering and facing hunger. Our husbands are also getting sick. This is the situation in our [fishing] camp now.”

On his part, the Chairman of Otuasega community, Nyamono Ezuzu Sydney stated that the incessant oil spills has caused a lot of damages to their environment and the people, pointing out that the people depend on the creek for their farming and fishing.

“Every end of year our people come here to do fishing. And because of this spill, I know that it will affect the fishing of this year. Besides some dying presently, most of them [fish] will migrate to other places so I know that it will affect us during the dry season, due to this. So it will affect the economic activity of our people’’.

The m Chairman said faulted Shell for what he described as a nonchalant attitude towards oil spill issues, calling on the government to intervene on the issues.

“Even when the spill started, we tried to reach out to some of them. But up till now they have not come. So we want government to use their strength, because if we go to Shell , government would say we are taking laws into our hands.”

He also called on Shell to be proactive in its reactions to spills and leakages, adding that they should know it is their responsibility to detects and handle spills.

Reacting to the spill incident, the Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Chima William called on Shell to immediately mobilize to site for JIV, with the relevant stakeholders, to ascertain cause of leak or rupture.

He further called on the relevant regulatory bodies, especially NOSDRA to ensure that Shell pays the stipulated fine for failing to notify NOSDRA about the spill within the time frame allowed.

He also demanded that the impacted environment should be immediately cleaned up to prevent further damage to the environment.

News

Eating Takeout Food Often May Increase Heart Disease Risk — Study

Published

1 day ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Research suggests that higher takeout food consumption may increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, like heart disease.

In a new study, published in Food Science & Nutrition, researchers said eating takeout food too often can influence systemic inflammation that underlies much cardiovascular disease.

The study of over eight thousand people in the 2009 to 2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that those who eat greater amounts of takeout food are likely to have various elevated risk factors for heart disease.

They were interviewed in their homes and also visited a mobile examination centre, where they recalled their food intake, received cardiometabolic health assessments, and had blood collected.

Mammograms may predict heart disease risk in women — Study

The researchers found a correlation between the amount of takeout food a person consumes and their likelihood of developing chronic low-level inflammation, a key driver of cardiovascular pathology.

Deaths from cardiovascular disease and the consumption of takeout foods are both on the rise, and while that does not prove a causal relationship, the study explores whether there is a connection between the two.

The study tracked degrees of systemic inflammation according to the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), a scale that quantifies the risk of inflammation related to the intake of specific dietary substances.

The three major takeaways from the analysis included that a higher level of takeout food consumption corresponded to an unfavourable cardiometabolic profile consisting of lower HDL, as well as higher triglycerides, fasting glucose, serum insulin, and insulin resistance.

Jayne Morgan, MD, cardiologist and Vice President of Medical Affairs in a reaction, who was not involved in the study, explained that “Takeout food raises the cardiovascular risk not because of one ingredient, but because of a predictable combination of nutrients, additives, and preparation methods that adversely affect blood pressure, lipids, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and endothelial function.”

“This includes excess sodium that increases blood volume and blood vessel stiffness, and unhealthy fats, usually saturated fats or trans fats, that increase cholesterol level and atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke.”

Michelle Routhenstein, Preventive Cardiology Dietitian at Entirely Nourished, also not involved in this study, declared, “It is also important to recognise that frequent takeout use often reflects broader lifestyle pressures such as demanding schedules, limited access to cooking resources, irregular meals, and disrupted sleep, all of which can quietly compound cardiovascular risk.”

News

How To Identify Fake Kiss Condoms In Circulation

Published

1 day ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has recently warned Nigerians about the circulation of counterfeit Kiss brand condoms in major markets across the country.

Contents
Original DKT Kiss condoms
Fake Kiss condoms

In a public alert published on its website recently and referenced as Public Alert No. 042/2025, the agency said the warning followed information received from DKT International Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation involved in contraceptive social marketing and HIV/AIDS prevention.

NAFDAC stated, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is notifying the public about the sale and distribution of fake Kiss condoms in various Nigerian markets.

“The information was received from the MAH-DKT International Nigeria, a leading non-governmental organisation focused on contraceptive social marketing. Its mission is to provide Nigerians with affordable and safe options for family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention.

“The fake Kiss condoms have been reported to be found in Onitsha Market, Idumota Market, Trade Fair Market, and various markets in Kano, Abuja, Uyo, Gombe, Enugu, and others.”

Kiss condom is a brand of male latex condoms designed to offer sexual protection, including the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, gonorrhoea and syphilis.

To help consumers avoid counterfeit products, NAFDAC outlined key differences between original and fake Kiss condoms.

Original DKT Kiss condoms
The original product comes in a light red box pack with clear instructions printed on the lower part of the pack, including single-use warnings and storage and caution information. The box contains detailed medical device information, including MDSS GmbH, Germany, and a complete Nigerian address at Isolo Industrial Layout, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

The condom pack is light red, with the word “Kiss” closely written on six lines. The wallet outer pack is lighter red, carries the Oshodi-Apapa address, manufacturer details, and a clear product description beside the condom image. The hidden flap includes revision dates, medical device details, and caution information, while the wallet inner contains detailed instructions and eight bullet points under important notes.

The original condom is large, oval-shaped, well-lubricated, and has a large teat end for semen collection.

Fake Kiss condoms
In contrast, fake Kiss condoms come in darker-coloured box packs with little or no additional information. Some boxes are plain white inside and lack condom images. The address is wrongly listed as 42, Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos, while the manufacturer’s address is incomplete or missing. Storage and caution information is absent.

The condom pack is darker, with “Kiss” loosely written on five lines and wide spacing. The condom strip is longer than the original. The wallet outer pack is also darker red, carries incorrect or missing addresses, lacks colour wave designs, and shows inconsistencies in barcode lines. Medical device and caution information are missing, and the hidden flap contains no details.

Inside the wallet, information is summarised with only six bullet points. The fake condom is thinner, round-shaped, less lubricated, and has a smaller teat end.
(TRIBUNE)

News

Lagos: Police Arrest 14 Suspected Traffic Robbers On Lekki-Epe Expressway

Published

2 days ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Fourteen persons suspected to be involved in traffic-related robbery have been arrested at various points along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos over the past two weeks.

The arrests were confirmed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, via a post on her official X handle, @AbimbolaShotayo.

According to her, operatives of the Command’s Tactical Squad based in Elemoro carried out the operations that led to the suspects’ apprehension.

She explained that the arrests followed sustained patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at curbing criminal activities associated with traffic congestion and improving the safety of motorists and other road users along the busy corridor.

Adebisi noted that the development reflects the Command’s determination to strengthen security and uphold law and order on the Lekki-Epe axis, adding that the Tactical Squad has continued to proactively identify crime-prone areas and respond swiftly to threats posed by criminal elements.

She called on residents and commuters to support police efforts by providing timely and credible information that could assist in preventing and detecting crime.

“Security is a shared responsibility. Members of the public are encouraged to stay alert and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station,” she said.

The police spokesperson further reassured residents and road users of the Command’s commitment to maintaining aggressive patrols and security operations to protect lives and property in the area.

She reiterated the Command’s community policing message, “See Something, Say Something,” stressing the importance of cooperation between the police and the public in sustaining peace and security.