News
Ijaw Demand Environmental Clean-up Before IOCs Exit Niger Delta

Ijaw stakeholders have demanded that divesting International Oil Companies should clean up the polluted sites around the environments of their host communities in Ijaw land before pulling out of the Niger Delta.
This is because they asked the local consortiums buying up the oil assets of the IOCs to move their corporate headquarters to the region.
According to them, the Petroleum Industry Act was designed to deepen the underdevelopment of the area.
They made their position known in a communique issued after a one-day dialogue organised by the Ijaw National Congress at its national headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Friday, with the theme, ‘The imperative for paradigm shift’.
READ ALSO: Shell Agrees To Sell Nigerian Onshore Subsidiary, SPDC For $2.4bn
Oil giant, Shell, announced on Monday that it had agreed to sell its Nigerian onshore oil assets to Renaissance, a consortium of four Nigerian companies and one foreign firm for $2.4 billion.
Shell, which had been operating in Nigeria for over 60 years, in a statement by its London office, said with the deal, its onshore subsidiary, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, will now be operated by ND Western, Aradel Energy, First E&P, Waltersmith, and Petrolin, a Swiss company.
The oil major, however, stated that the completion of the deal was still subject to approval by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
On Thursday, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, said it was not opposed to Shell’s sale of oil assets.
READ ALSO: FG’ll Approve Shell’s $2.4bn Asset Sale – Minister
A statement signed by Nneamaka Okafor, the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, affirmed the government’s commitment to providing the enabling business-friendly environment in the country’s oil and gas industry.
The President of INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba, who read the communique to newsmen, noted that “very soon, Ijaw territories would become private estates of these local investors with international connections.”
He said, “The Petroleum Industry Act is anti-Ijaw in all ramifications. The NNPC has been privatised by the Federal Government, and the International Oil Companies are divesting their oil assets around Ijaw land with local consortiums buying up shares.
“However, before the IOCs are allowed to pull out, they should be made to clean up the environmental mess they have created. The new investors should relocate their headquarters to Ijaw territories where they have their oil facilities.”
READ ALSO: Hold Shell Accountable For Environmental Crimes Before Divesting, Era Urges FG
Okaba said the Ijaw people would set up a think-tank to examine every aspect of their existence and provide strategic templates for the collective growth and development of the Ijaw nation.
He added, “Despite contributing over 60 per cent to oil and gas production, which is the country’s main source of economic survival, there are no major infrastructures across Ijaw land. For instance, the East-West Road that traverses Ijaw land is still deplorable and impassable, and several Ijaw communities remain inaccessible by road.
“Also, port facilities in Warri, Sapele, Port Harcourt, etc, that were hitherto economically viable are no longer in use. Proposed seaports at Agge and other towns in Ijaw territories are yet to exponentially impact the economic climate of Ijaw land. We also lack energy infrastructure and other drivers of social, economic and technological advancement.
“We are unhappy with lopsided political appointments at the federal level. We reject the deliberate Balkanisation of Ijaw territories into minorities to deny us the socio-economic and political advantages that are associated with majority status. We are resolute on this.”
News
Edo Expresses Commitment To Ease Of Doing Business
The Edo State government has expressed commitment to providing the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state.
The state Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, gave the assurance after a closed door meeting with representatives of Pan Ocean Oil Corporation Nigeria Limited, NewCross Exploration and Production Limited in Benin.
The deputy governor, who served as chairman of the state boundary committee, noted that this is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the SHINE Agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Idahosa, who said “it is part of the state’s strategy to create employment opportunities,” pointed out that it is in line with Governor Monday Okpebholo economic drive to turn the state into an investor friendly one.
READ ALSO:2027: I Will Resign If Tinubu Loses In Edo – Governor Okpebholo
He also emphasised meed to resolve the lingering disputes, saying the boundary committee is proactively looking into and settling areas of concern regarding the issue.
“All communities that are in the boundary line between Edo and Delta States where there are communal disputes, we want to assure them that we are doing everything within our power, using diplomatic and democratic means to make sure this is resolved amicably,” he assured.
The deputy governor noted that under the SHINE Agenda of this administration, much has been done in the area of infrastructural development.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo’s One Year Performance Outshines Some governors’ 8 Yrs, Says Idahosa
“This has made it possible to access roads to major companies, communities, and, ensuring the security of life and properties across the state by investing aggressively in security,” he stated.
On the outcome of the robust interface with the oil workers, Idahosa said through deliberations at the meeting, both parties successfully forged a headway.
He said this has resorted to the invitation of the Edo State Boundary Committee for an on the spot inspection of operation sites in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.
He called on investors and multinational companies operating in Edo State to go about their businesses with ease as the Okpebholo led administration is investment friendly.
News
Imansuangbon Donates To Benin IDPs, Charges Wealthy Nigerians To Advance Humanity
Politician and philanthropist, Barr. Kenneth Imansuangbon on Wednesday charged political office holders and well-to-do Nigerians to use their position and wealth to advance humanity.
Imansuangbon gave the charge when he visited Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)housed by Home for the Needy Foundation, Benin, where he donated food items, drinks, cash, toiletries, etc to the children and women as part of his Christmas gifts to them.
Recall that last month the IDPs lamented hardship caused by the economic situation of the country, saying due to the economic hardship, a single meal where they used to cook 15 bags of rice has been reduced to 5.
Rising to the occasion, the philanthropist said his love for humanity and in accordance with the teaching of the Holy Book drove him to give to the needy annually, adding that he has been doing it for the past 20 years.
READ ALSO:Tragedy For Borno IDPs As Fire Guts 200 Houses
Imansuangbon, who expressed displeasure over the current happenings in the country, said: “If the country is really working we will not find ourselves in this kind of situation. This is an embarrassment to the giant of Africa.”
“If we teach ourselves love and humanity, then the country will be safer and better for everyone
“We are just a tool in the hand of God Almighty. Anywhere God has placed you, use it to advance humanity. You are in government? Get it at the back of your mind that you are not the first person to occupy the position, and you are not going to be the last.
“The way our country is today, I am not satisfied, this goes beyond Mr. President or the Senators, it is about realising that We all need to save our country. If the country is really working, we will not find ourselves in this kind of situation. This is an embarrassment to the giant of Africa.”
READ ALSO:Imansuangbon Donates Food Items IDP In Edo, Sues For Honour For Humanitarian Workers
Imansuangbon, who is the proprietor of Pacesetter School, Abuja, expressed gratitude to students, staff members and parents of the school, saying the donations were from them.
“I’m here in Benin with the half of their donation. The children donated ₦1.5m cash, and I am here with the money. You can see these 70 bags of rice, 100 bags of noodles, bags of cane drinks, water, toiletry, etc, are from them. I am grateful to them for doing this for the past 20 years.”
He, therefore, appealed to Governor Monday Okpehbolo to extend the hand of fellowship to the IDPs particularly on Christmas day.
Responding, coordinator of the camp, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, while appreciating the donor, said: “He does this regularly not because he is a politician but because of his love for humanity. He is one of the few that comes here anytime, not an electioneering period alone, but anytime we are in need. He has been showing his love for the children for years, so I thank him.”
Folorunsho used the occasion to appeal to well-to-do Nigerians to come and assist the IDPs, stressing that until Imansuangbon came they (IDPs) had nothing to “eat for today.”
News
27-year-old Man Dies Inside Deep Well In Ogbomoso
The corpse of a 27-year-old man identified as Alagbe Gbemisoye has been recovered from a deep well at Ire-Akari, Adeniran area of Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
His body was retrieved by officials of the Oyo State Fire Service after passersby alerted them to the incident.
The circumstances that led to the deceased falling into the well were still unclear as of the time of filing this report.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Fire Reforms and Chairman, Fire Services, Moroof Akinwande, said his men were alerted by a running caller and Mr Ajayi Olayemi.
READ ALSO:Oyo: Properties Worth Millions Of Naira Destroyed As Fire Ravages Residential Buildings
“Fire personnel led by CFM Oladejo promptly deployed to the scene. On arrival, it was discovered that a man of about 27 years old, named Alagbe Gbemisoye, had fallen into a deep well. His body was recovered and handed over to the DPO, Owode Police Station,” he said.
Akinwande urged the public to always observe safety precautions in their daily activities and emphasised the importance of having fire extinguishers in their homes to prevent fire incidents.
-
News4 days ago
(VIDEO) Obasanjo To Tinubu: Why Are We Negotiating With Bandits?
-
News3 days ago
Insecurity: What Sheikh Gumi Told Me After Visiting Bandits Hideouts — Obasanjo
-
Headline5 days ago
FULL LIST: US To Review Green Cards From 19 ‘Countries Of Concern’ After Washington Shooting
-
Politics4 days ago
Tinubu Sends Ex-INEC Chair, Former Oyo First Lady, 30 Additional Ambassadorial Nominees To Senate
-
News2 days ago
BREAKING: Ex-CDS Musa meets Tinubu At Aso Villa
-
News4 days ago
VIDEO: Jonathan Breaks Silence On Guinea-Bissau’s Military Takeover
-
News3 days ago
FULL LIST: Wike revokes land belonging to Ilorin Emir, Lamido, Fayose, Iyabo Obasanjo, Others In Abuja
-
News5 days ago
Why I Returned To Nigeria On Ivorian Jet — Jonathan
-
Metro5 days ago
Retired Judge Killed In Delta
-
Entertainment4 days ago
Organizers Cancel Burna Boy’s US Shows After Fans Refused To Buy Tickets