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Gov Urged To Implement Zero Waste Plan, Single Use Plastic

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Government at all levels have been called upon to adopt and implement a comprehensive zero waste plan and single use plastic with a view to addressing all forms of waste at the source of generation across all value chain.

The call was made by Richard Benin, Executive Director, Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF) during a riverside action and environmental campaigns in Forcados and Odimodi communities in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State as part of activities to mark World Environment Day and World Ocean Day.

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He said it is important for individuals, cooperate organizations, CSOs, governments at all levels to come together to fight this menace and bequeath an environment in a better condition to our children, as we owe them that.

He explained that plastic waste is growing to be one of the most disturbing issues bedevilling our planet as of today, as these products contains chemicals that are harmful to the environment and the people.

Benin further stressed that, of the 450 million tonnes of plastics produced annually around the globe, only 9% is recircled and a sizeable amount of the remaining unrecycled ones find their way into our rivers and oceans which on the other hand have negative impacts on the ecosystems.

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READ ALSO: Delayed Justice: 3 States In US Remove All Time Limits On Child S3x Abuse Lawsuits

The Executive Director admonished the people to completely avoid or reduce the use of plastic to save their environment and to save mother earth. Speaking further.

Also speaking, at both communities, Nowho Fred stated that World Environmental Day is not just celebrated but a reminder that there’s need to pay attention to the environment, to save the earth for future generations.

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On her part, Nefertiti Ayo Okotie said if man must survive staying on planet earth, then all must join in the fight against plastic pollution.

According to her, plastic waste accounts for 85% of Marine waste, adding that about 11 million metric tons of plastic goes into the ocean annually and is estimated to triple over the next 20 years.

Speaking, the Chairman of Forcados, Burutu Erekedowmini called on the appropriate authorities to intervene and save the people of Forcados from being wiped out by the environmental issues plaguing their community.

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READ ALSO: AAU: ASUU Condemns Selective Payment, 17 Months Salary Arrears

On her part, Lucy Akinto complained that smoke and black oil from oil exploration activities is affecting the people of Forcados, adding that yet no form of development has been seen in the community.

She lamented that the community does not have portable water, power supply or roads.

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Also speaking, Evelyn Orijemi lamented that the people have given up on farming because their farmlands have all gone under water, while crude oil has destroyed fishing activities of the people.

She added that the people of Forcados are living in poverty and their community is being washed away by the sea.

Engineer Jacob Diale also lamented that Forcados has the potential of being a well-developed community, glory of Forcados have been diverted to other parts of Nigeria.

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He further lamented that people have been abandoned in deep poverty by the government and the oil multinationals whose crude activities have destroyed the ecosystem and livelihood of the people.

READ ALSO: World Environment Day: Environmental Activist Advocates Huge Tax For Companies Engaged In Pollution

On their part, the women of Odimodi who expressed their gratitude, testified that after the visit of CODAF in January 2023 and the advocacy efforts made, made Shell to introduce nine (9) new scholarship slots for the community and brought medical teams to examine and attend to the medical needs of the people.

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While they appreciated the efforts of Shell, they however appealed that rather than bringing occasional medical teams to the community, a standard hospital with trained doctors should be established permanently in Odimodi to attend to emergencies and other unforeseen medical needs of the people.

They also requested for the introduction of adult education for the aged who still value education, and the provision of loans and grants to improve the standard of living in Odimodi.

 

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Sanwo-Olu makes U-turn, Unblocks Lawyer Who Sued Him Over Blocking On X

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unblocked human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, on X after a meeting with him at Lagos House, Marina, on Friday.

The lawyer, who had accused the governor of rights violations, announced the development in a post on his X account on Saturday.

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According to him, Sanwo-Olu personally invited him for a brief meeting to address his complaints.

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unblocked me on X (Twitter). I met briefly with him yesterday at Lagos House Marina, on his invitation, to amicably resolve my complaint of human rights violations. We will continue to hold authorities accountable, regardless. Aluta continua!” Ogun wrote.

READ ALSO:Lawyer Sues Sanwo-Olu For Blocking Him On X

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Tribune Online reports that Ogun had earlier filed a suit against Sanwo-Olu at a Federal High Court in Lagos, accusing him of violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on his verified X account.

In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, which he shared on Facebook, the lawyer claimed the governor blocked him over his 2021 “constructive criticisms” and “demand for accountability” on the October 2020 #EndSARS killings.

In 2021, I noticed that the Governor blocked me on his official X handle @jidesanwoolu owing to my constructive criticisms of his policies and demand for accountability in respect of the October 2020 #EndSARS Massacre.”

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READ ALSO:‘Court Of Corruption’ — Obasanjo Knocks INEC Chairman, Judiciary In New Book

Ogun said the action has prevented him from accessing vital government updates and information.

“Blocking me on X has prevented me from accessing public updates and receiving information about policies and governance in Lagos, which constitutes a violation of my right to receive information without interference,” he said.

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In his originating summons, he asked the court to declare the move unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory.

 

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Tragedy Deepens As Prime Suspect in Taraba Student’s Death Found Dead

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The investigation into the death of Comfort Jimtop, a 100-level Mass Communication student at Taraba State University, has taken a dramatic turn following the discovery of the lifeless body of Emmanuel Kefas, the prime suspect in the case.

Kefas’s body was discovered on Friday in the Tudiri community, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, under unclear circumstances, intensifying public concern and adding a tragic dimension to a case that has already gripped the university community and residents across Taraba State.

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Confirming the development on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Taraba State Police Command, James Lashen, said the police received a report from the village head of Tudiri about the discovery.

READ ALSO:Army Kills Notorious Bandit, Babangida, In Kogi

A lifeless body was found in Tudiri, and a Tecno Android phone was recovered beside it,” Lashen stated.

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Upon charging the phone, investigators found a photograph showing the deceased with the late Comfort Jimtop, suggesting they were in a romantic relationship.”

Lashen added that the body has been taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jalingo for autopsy. At the same time, efforts are ongoing to officially identify the remains through the suspect’s family.

READ ALSO:Four Feared Killed As Gunmen Attack Burial Ceremony In Anambra

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Police have yet to determine whether Kefas’s death was the result of suicide, homicide, or an accident. Investigations into both deaths are continuing.

Comfort Jimtop’s mysterious death had earlier sparked outrage on campus and across the state, with students and rights groups demanding justice. Kefas was named a prime suspect in the case, which remains open.

This latest development has left many unanswered questions and deepened the grief surrounding the case.

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Students, residents, and civil society groups are closely monitoring the situation, calling on authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and bring clarity to the tragic chain of events.

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Ossiomo, Chinese Impasse: This Is Our Story — Management

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The management of Ossiomo Power Plant has cleared the air on the dispute between its Chinese partners and the circumstances surrounding the shutting down of the power plant early this month.

Representative of Ossiomo management, Engineer Festus Evbuomwan, during an interactive session with customers on the impasse between the two partners, said contrary to the rumour making the rounds, the management of Ossiomo Power Plant had paid over ₦2bn to its Chinese partner — Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology (CCETC) — since the power plant started operation.

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Recall that representative of CCETC who identified himself as Mr. ‘W’ had, during a telephone phone interview two weeks ago, claimed that “instruction to shutdown was because we lost lots of money and did not get any return on investment,” adding that “all the $20m investment was done by us including the distribution lines.”

But Evbuomwan during the interactive session, said the management was not aware of the $20m investment the Chinese partner claimed, just as he disclosed that “when they generate power, we sell and pay them.”

READ ALSO:Edo Govt Denies Shares As Ownership Tussle Rocks Ossiomo Power

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He disclosed that after shutting down the power plant, the Chinese partners came up with a request of ₦185m to be paid to two Chinese not known to the management, stressing that this was declined.

According to him, the Chinese partner, having seen how lucrative the business is, “went to some quarters and raised some issues probably thinking they can manoeuvre us with the help of some big persons, so that they can use their machines to generate power and sideline us but this is not possible.”

The Chinese partners also claimed that they borrowed $20m from their native land to invest, we are not aware of such investment, and we do not know where the money was invested up till now.

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“They have been also saying they have not been receiving anything, but I want to tell you unequivocally that first, the partners run a joint account where their investment is going into. More so, The Chinese partners have received over ₦2bn so far for the power they generate with their machines. When they generate the power, we sell and pay them.”

READ ALSO: Five Years After, Edo Govt Reconnects To BEDC As Ossiomo Shut Down

Engr. Evbuomwan, while apologising to customers for the power outage caused by the dispute between the two partners, said Ossiomo had started power generation though not in full capacity, assuring that power generation would be fully restored soon.

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“We have purchased turbines, and one have started working. They are working on the second one, so, by the time our five turbines start working we will be in full capacity. Even with that, those connected to the government may not be reached immediately. This is because the government bought the poles and contracted the wiring, and we cannot force the government to do our bid. Also, we are making efforts to site 33kva transformer along Airport Road and Lagos Road as soon as possible, so that our customers there will get power.”

He said the Edo State government does not have a stake in the company, just as he appealed to the “government to let us supply power to customers in through their Lines. I want to emphasise that Ossiomo is not completely shut down.”

He further urged the “government to encourage the Nigerian citizens to invest and not to work against local investors.”

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