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Gas Flaring: Edo Oil Producing Community Demands N500bn Compensation, Threatens Eviction

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Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Irked by the activities of oil exploration and its consequent effects on their lives, natives of Gelegelegbene in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, Friday, demanded N500billion compensation from oil companies operating in their community.

They said the compensation became necessary due to the huge impacts of gas flaring on their livelihood, adding that if the companies know they cannot pay the compensation, they should vacate the area.

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They said that due to activities of oil companies and the resultant impacts, life has become unbearable for them as fishing and farming, which are their major occupations, have become impossible to engage in.

READ ALSO: FAAC Shares N1.100 Trillion To FG , States, LGs

Narrating their ordeal and at the same time their displeasure over impacts of oil exploration in their environment in a programme organised by Zero Waste Ambassador in Benin, natives of the community lamented that in spite of being people from oil producing community, they are living in abject poverty.

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INFO DAILY reports that the programme held by Zero Waste Ambassador to expose the oil and gas crisis in Gelegelegbene was in collaboration with Environmental Rights Action/Friends if the Earth Nigeria; Africa Climate Justice and African People’s Counter Cop.

President, Host Communities Network of Nigeria, Prince Barbs Preye Pawuru lamented that oil producing communities are at the receiving end of the exploration companies, while government and oil companies are the beneficiaries.

READ ALSO: Naira Marley Releases Last Conversation With Mohbad

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Pawuru stated: “We are from oil producing community yet many of our people iive in abject poverty. Due to oil exploration and gas flaring, our environment has been polluted; our water has been polluted.

“Their is frequent oil spill in the area, and this damages our environment. We depend on the environment for fishing, farming, but due to pollution and other impacts caused by oil exploration, we cannot fish, we cannot farm,” he added.

Also speaking, Mrs Mary Fedigha, a woman leader in the community said activities of oil companies particularly their heavy-duty equipment and gas fare have caused partial blindness and deafness to the people in the community, adding that drugs promised for treatment were not delivered to them.

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She added: “The company promised to build market in the community but till today we’ve not seen anything like that. The little contracts they ought to give to us are being given to outsiders. Take for instance, supply of fish that suppose to be given to us in the community is being given out, outsider supplies them fish.”

On her part, Secretary of the community women, Mrs Grace Emakpose said: “Our water is being polluted, we can’t do anything; we are stranded. Due to gas flaring, our women are having miscarriage,

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“We want to say that if they cannot convert the gas to usable energy, they should leave our community.”

Also speaking, youth leader of the community, Ebikena Milton said: “Gele is a shadow of itself; we are suffering. Many of us (youths) are graduates who suppose to have jobs, but no job for us even as people from oil producing community. Even the empowerment programmes they brought to us are not working out. I will urge them to leave our community.”

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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

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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.

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“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.

READ ALSO:How Wike Rescued Me From Political Oblivion — Oshiomhole

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.

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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.

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READ ALSO: He Can’t Fix His Party Let Alone Nigeria – Oshiomhole Blasts Atiku

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.

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

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

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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.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

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.”

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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

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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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.

‎ 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.”

‎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

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.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

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.

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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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