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Fresh Oil Spill Devastates Rivers Community

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A fresh crude oil spill has devastated the Oshika community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, destroying farmlands and contaminating water bodies.

The incident, which occurred on Monday, affected a pipeline right of way operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, the new operator of facilities formerly managed by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited.

The spill reportedly polluted the Wome River and large swathes of farmland, sparking outrage among residents and environmental advocates.

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Commenting on the incident, environmentalist and Executive Director of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene, attributed the spill to third-party interference.

READ ALSO: Rivers Vigilante Group Issues Eviction Notice To Native Doctors

In a statement issued on Monday, Dumnamene said the spill was reported to the centre by members of its youth volunteer network under the One Million Youth Volunteers Network of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters in the Niger Delta, who are also part of the Crude Oil Spill Alert System.

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“According to our volunteer network, the spillage was noticed in the early hours of Monday, May 19, in the Oshika community, along a pipeline operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd. The volunteers alleged that the spill was caused by third-party interference,” the statement read.

Dumnamene called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to immediately launch an investigation into the incident and ensure accountability under the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

READ ALSO: Crisis: Rivers Administrator, Ibas, Reacts To Report Of summoning Fubara, Deputy For Probe

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“The Advocacy Centre calls on NOSDRA to carry out a timely joint investigation visit to the site and invoke relevant sections of the PIA to hold those responsible accountable. The operator must also clamp the spill point without delay to mitigate the impact on the environment,” he stated.

He stressed the urgency of stopping the flow to protect local ecosystems, adding, “Immediate clamping of the spill point is necessary to mitigate environmental damage and protect the flora and fauna in the area.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said she had yet to receive a report on the incident.

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She, however, promised to investigate and provide feedback, which had not been received as of the time of filing this report Monday evening.

 

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Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

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The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

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READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

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The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: NLC Begins Meeting With ASUU, Other Unions Over Strike

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The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

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However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

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Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

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Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

READ ALSO:Film Premiere: Edo In Talks With Embassies To Promote Safe Migration —Agazuma

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La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

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He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

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Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

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The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

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READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

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“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

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