News

Life Expectancy In N’Delta Reduced To 41 By Oil Exploration, Environmental Activist Raises Alarm

Published

2 years ago

February 16, 2024

…says oil companies must ‘clean up their mess’

An environmental activist and Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, on Thursday lamented that oil exploration and its consequent gas flaring and other environmental degradations in the Niger Delta has reduced life expectancy in the region to 41 years.

The Executive Director who made the revelation in Benin at a book reading for HOMEF staff as part of their yearly retreat, further lamented that life expectancy in the region is one of the lowest in the world.

Speaking on the theme: Culture of Life, Bassey said the theme was chosen so as to establish the fact that “we are conscious of the fact that whatever we do must support life, not the culture of death, which the oil companies are doing.”

“Life expectancy in the Niger Delta is 41 years, one of the lowest in the world. That is why we have children as elders in the region; children as chiefs and traditional rulers in the region. Elders who are supposed to occupy these positions have gone. And the reason why we have this low life expectancy is because of the oil exploration. Gas flaring, heat in our communities in the region, etc, are affecting our lives,” he said.

The environmental activist, while lamenting that “the Niger Delta situation is pathetic,” said “both the government and the oil companies both local or international don’t care about the people; they don’t care about the environment, all they care about is the profit.”

He added: “Niger Delta host communities are living with very toxic gas flaring, and this causes a lot of health challenges including miscarriage, Cancer, blood disorder, skin diseases, difficulty in breathing, etc.”

The Executive Director who said it’s high time oil companies “cleaned up their mess in the region” said they must also pay for restoration of the environment, etc.

He said: “We have been saying oil companies should clear up their mess, we are here to say again that now is the time. They should clean up their mess, they should pay for a restoration and also pay for the losses by the people.”

He added: “I want to say that before any oil well should be opened, there should be a deposit, so that at the end of the life span of that oil well, the money (deposit) would be used to restore the environment and also pay compensation for damage. We have such provision in the Solid Minerals Act of 2007, but the PIA doesn’t really have such provision. The PIA rather criminalises poor communities. So, the PIA is not a document that has the interest of the people in mind.”

On oil companies planned divestment, Bassey said: “Oil companies said they want to divest, but unfortunately there is no clear government policy on divestment.”

On her part, Rhoda Essine from Akwa Ibom State also lamented that “extraction of oil in our communities is a cause rather than a blessing,” adding “this same community oil is being extracted has just only one government secondary school, the classes are overcrowded.”

“A woman less than 40 years will lose her monthly circle because of the heat; because of the gas flaring. The damage to our environment is enormous. Even rain water from our roofs comes with a thick black, to tell you how the place is polluted.”

Also speaking, Charles Kpebara, a fisherman from Bayelsa State said due to pollution they had to tour long distance and for several days before catching fish.

News

YULETIDE: Edo Sports Commission Boss Preaches Unity, Peace

Published

2 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has extended warm Christmas greetings to athletes, coaches, sports administrators, journalists, and the people of Edo State, urging them to uphold the enduring values of love, peace, and unity that define the festive season.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Hon. Enabulele described Christmas as a period of reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment to collective progress and shared responsibility.

“I sincerely appreciate all stakeholders in the sports sector for their cooperation, resilience, and unwavering support throughout the year. Your contributions have been instrumental to the growth and success of sports in Edo State,” he said.

He further commended Edo athletes for their dedication and discipline, noting that their consistent performances have continued to bring pride and recognition to the state at both national and international levels.

According to him, the Commission remains committed to athletes’ welfare, grassroots sports development, and the creation of opportunities that will enable talents to flourish.

Enabulele also called on residents of the state to celebrate responsibly and show compassion to one another, particularly the less privileged, emphasizing that unity and peaceful coexistence are vital for sustainable development.

He reaffirmed the Edo State Sports Commission’s resolve to strengthen collaboration with partners and stakeholders in the coming year, with increased focus on excellence, transparency, and inclusive sports development.

The Sports Commission boss concluded by wishing everyone a joyous Christmas celebration and a prosperous New Year filled with hope, good health, and greater achievements.

News

MOWAA: Okpehbolo Receives Edo Assembly Resolution Indicting Obaseki

Published

13 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, received report and resolutions of the Edo State House of Assembly which indicted former Governor Godwin Obaseki on the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and the Radisson Hotel projects.

Recall that the Edo Assembly raised a five-man committee to investigate funding and ownership of both projects following a request by Governor Okpebholo.

Okpebholo, who spoke after receiving the report said its findings and recommendations would be fully implemented.

Okpebholo said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would be invited to further examine issues raised in the recommendations.

According to him, the Edo State Government has significant stakes in the MOWAA and Radisson Blu hotel having invested ₦3.8bn respectively in both projects.

He said changes in the structure and nomenclature of the MOWAA project made the investigation unavoidable.

Okpebholo said it was unacceptable to suggest Edo State has only 10 per cent stake in the Radisson Blu hotem despite investing over ₦28bn.

“Edo State has spent over ₦3.8 billion on this project, yet some people are saying the state has no stake in it. That is totally unacceptable. I will work with your recommendations and forward them to the relevant authorities to investigate what truly happened. We will also involve the EFCC.

“Our investment in this project is over ₦28 billion. We must invite the EFCC to step in and determine if this is how businesses are conducted in Nigeria,” he said.

In its recommendations passed by the Assembly, the five-man committee headed by Hon Addeh Isibor, urged the Edo State Government to take possession of both projects.

It asked Governor Okpebholo to contract competent hands to complete renovation of the Hotel and take all steps to put the Hotel to use.

The recommendations urged the Edo State Government to revoke “the fraudulent Certificate of Occupancy to the property issued in the name of Hospitality Investment and Management Company Limited and revert same to the Edo State Government that purchased the property.

“That the Edo State Government initiate legal action and work with relevant Anti-graft Agencies to retrieve both the complete statement of account and the balance of the Seventeen Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira (N17,500,000,000.00) Bond proceeds still in the possession of the Escrow Agents. Meristen Trustees Limited and Emerging Africa Trustees Limited.

“The title to the MOWAA Property having never been revoked, same remains the property of the Central Hospital, Benin City

“That the Edo State Government immediately takes all necessary step to put the property to good use in the best and overriding public interest of the people of Edo State.”

Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, said the facts about MOWAA and Radisson Blu Hotel were now clearly documented in resolutions and outcomes.

News

Sheikh Gummi Sues Two Over Alleged False Facebook Publication

Published

15 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gummi, has approached the Chief Magistrate Court in Kaduna, seeking the issuance of a criminal direct complainant summons against two Facebook users over alleged criminal conspiracy, attempt to cause public disturbance and criminal defamation.

The application, filed at the Chief Magistrate Court sitting on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna, listed the defendants as George Udom and Bello Isiaka.

According to him, the defendants allegedly published a “Breaking News” statement on their respective Facebook pages on December 23, 2025, between 7:00 am and 10:00 am, attributed to him, threatening that the family of the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, would be eliminated if military operations against bandits were not stopped.

Gummi alleged that the publication was falsely attributed to him, as his photograph was allegedly used alongside the statement, giving the impression that he issued the threat against the Defence Minister.

The Islamic scholar stated that following the publication, he received numerous phone calls from concerned members of the public who believed he authored the statement and was attempting to intimidate the Minister of Defence in the discharge of his official duties.

He further maintained that the publication portrayed him as a troublemaker and a threat to public peace, despite his long-standing reputation as a cleric known for preaching peace and harmony within and outside Nigeria.

The complainant argued that the alleged publication was capable of inciting public disorder in Kaduna State, particularly Southern Kaduna, and could expose him to danger by presenting him as a prime suspect in the event of any attack on the Defence Minister’s family.

He also contended that the actions of the defendants amounted to an attempt to cause public disturbance and criminal defamation of his character.

Dr Gummi told the court that the alleged acts contravened Sections 59, 57, 372, 116 and 117 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.

The application, dated December 24, 2025, was filed by a team of lawyers led by Suleiman Danlami Lere, with the complainant urging the court to summon the defendants to answer to the allegations.