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Monitor, Protect Your Environment, HOMEF Charges N’Delta Communities
Published
3 years agoon
By
Editor
Nnimmo Bassey, Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has stressed the need to protect the environment.
He gave the charge in his address to the members of K-Dere, Kpor, Goi and Mogho communities, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, during a learning and sharing session on the usefulness of community monitoring, organizing and advocacy, organised by HOMEF.
He stated that although oil has not been drilled in Ogoniland since 1993, oil still passes through the territory and it still remains one of the most polluted areas in the Niger Delta.
He further stressed the need for solidarity and need to rebuild their livelihoods.
“The Niger Delta region has been bastardized, yet these companies are attempting to divest and sell off their assets to indigenous companies without cleaning and remediating the environment and compensating the people for decades of rapacious exploitation.
READ ALSO: World Environment Day: HOMEF Wants Ecosystems More Secured, Warns Against Reckless Exploitation
“This learning session aims to empower community members to be ready to hold environmental destroyers accountable for the damages done, “ he said.
He said HOMEF works with communities to help them seek environmental justice with the power of knowledge.
On his part, Stephen Oduware, a Project Lead on Networking and Alliances, HOMEF, charged members the communities to task political leaders who approach them for votes to begin to take issues of environmental pollution serious.
“We should learn to hold them accountable when things are not going the right way and demand that they should come up with policies that will elevate the sufferings of the people.” He further tasked the people to regularly monitor the environment and note the changes that occur” he charged them.
A 62-year-old Julia Gaage, a farmer from K-Dere who shared his experience lamented the damages on the land from pollution.
“We are forced to plant yams using fertiliser because of the damage done to our land by oil pollution. We know that fertiliser is not so good for our soul, but it is the only way we can make things grow in our circumstances. Before now we did not use fertiliser but today if you do not add these things you will not have a good yield and there will be nothing to live or feed on,” he lamented.
Chief Godwin from Goi also told stories of how favourable the environment to them in the past.
He narrated: “I saw my parents harvesting tubers of yam that required the help of three people to pull out of the ground, but now, you can’t even find grasses anymore. Oil has taken away our livelihoods. We cannot fish or farm successfully anymore.. You cannot find crabs or small fishes anymore. The air in Goi community is even hostile to the people. No hospital, road or even clean water. We are scared for our lives.”
Participants at the learning exercise thanked HOMEF for enhancing their capacity to identify and report on environmental, social-economic challenges that affect their wellbeing. Units of FishNet Alliance – a continental network of fishers against harmful activities – were inaugurated during the gathering.
INFO DAILY reports that K-Dere community with about 54 oil wells had a major oil spill which occurred on the 12th of April 2009 when the fire from the Bomu Manifold burned and spread to the neighbouring Goi and Mogho communities, causing damages that destroyed people’s livelihoods.
READ ALSO:Environmental Activist, Nnimmo Bassey, Harps On Benefits Of Renewable Energy
Between 2007 and 2014, it was reported that 352,000 barrels of crude oil were spilled from the Bomu Manifold, a Shell facility.
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News
JUST IN: Lagos LG Chairman Dies After Prolonged Illness
Published
24 minutes agoon
June 14, 2025By
Editor
The Executive Chairman of Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area, Musibau Asafa, is dead.
Asafa was said to have died during a prolonged illness.
His death, which has thrown the LCDA into mourning, was formally announced in a statement shared via Facebook on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Bodunrin Ayodele.
Ayodele, however, did not disclose when the chairman died.The Executive Chairman of Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area, Musibau Asafa, is dead.
READ ALSO: Nine Dead In Austria School Shooting
Asafa was said to have died during a prolonged illness.
His death, which has thrown the LCDA into mourning, was formally announced in a statement shared via Facebook on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Bodunrin Ayodele.
Ayodele, however, did not disclose when the chairman died.
The statement read, “Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area is in mourning following the passing of its Executive Chairman, Prince Musibau Adekunle Asafa.
“Prince Asafa, a respected politician, leader and dedicated public servant, succumbed to a prolonged illness, leaving behind a legacy of service and commitment to the people he served.
READ ALSO: Again, Many Feared Dead In Abuja’s Nyanya-Mararaba Road Crash
“According to a close family member, Prince Asafa’s passing was confirmed after a long battle with illness. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, he was unable to recover and passed on, leaving his family, friends, and colleagues in shock and grief.“As news of his passing spreads, tributes and condolences are expected to pour in from well-wishers, community leaders, and government officials who had the privilege of working with him. Prince Asafa’s leadership was marked by a commitment to improving the lives of his constituents, and his contributions to the local government will be deeply missed.
“Oto-Awori LCDA has lost a dedicated servant, and his passing will be felt by many. May his legacy live on, and may his family find solace in the memories of his life and service.”
The Executive Chairman of Somolu Local Government Area, Abdul-Hamed Salawu through the Somolu LGA social media accounts on Saturday also condoled with Oto-Awori LCDA over the chairman’s demise.
The post read, “The executive chairman of Somolu Local Government, Abdul- Hammed Salawu, has sent the condolences of the Executive, Legislature, Management and the people of Somolu Local Government to the people of Oto- Awori LCDA and APC family, over the painful demise of Prince Musbau Adekunle Asafa, the executive chairman of Oto- Awori LCDA.
“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”
News
NYSC Urges Bauchi Governor To Reconstruct Collapsed Camp Fence
Published
2 hours agoon
June 14, 2025By
Editor
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Bauchi State, on Friday, called on Gov. Bala Mohammed to help reconstruct the collapsed orientation camp’s perimeter fence.
Mr Kofre Umoren, the NYSC Coordinator in the state made the call at the scheme’s permanent orientation camp, Wailo in Ganjuwa Local Government Area during the swearing in ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘A’ stream II corps members deployed to the state.
According to him, the fence which was destroyed by a natural disaster had exposed the corps members and NYSC officials to invasion.
“I wish to remind his Excellency about our broken fence which needs urgent attention considering the security implications which make the camp porous and expose the camp community to invasion,” he pleaded.
READ ALSO: NYSC Assures Impactful Participation Of Corps Members On Host Communities
Umoren, who expressed gratitude to the governor over the complete renovation of corps members’ hostels and the construction of a brand new Multi-purpose Hall, said there could be no better demonstration of commitment, love and fatherly care for the youth than the gesture.
“On behalf of the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig-Gen Olakunle Nafiu, management and corps members in Bauchi state, I wish to thank His Excellency for giving the NYSC a befitting and conducive orientation camp.
“As we continue to savour the beauty of this new camp; may I assure the governor and the good people of Bauchi that the corps members will continue to provide services where they are most needed in the state, especially in the rural areas,” said Umoren.
The State Coordinator explained that a total of 1,107 Corps Members, comprising 585 males and 522 females, were successfully registered and were ready to be sworn-in.
READ ALSO: NYSC Coordinator Lauds Gov. Mohammed’s Commitment Towards Scheme’s Success
He warned the corps members to adhere strictly to the orientation course timetable, NYSC Bye-laws, extant rules and other relevant policies, sayong any deviation from them could result in appropriate sanctions.
Responding, Gov. Bala Mohammed who was represented by Alh. Auwal Jatau, his Deputy, said that the people of Bauchi State appreciated and supported the goals and objectives of the scheme.
This, he said, was the reason why his government has been collaborating with the scheme in every possible way to ensure the success of the NYSC in the state.
He explained that the renovation of corps members’ hostels and construction of the new multipurpose hall were just in the first phase of projects intended to be executed in the camp by his administration.
“The second phase which I assure would start very soon shall include, construction of staff accommodation, a clinic and other necessary facilities including the reconstruction of the collapsed fence that I’ve just been requested by the state coordinator,” he said.
News
Wike Defends ₦39bn ICC Renovation, Renaming Edifice After Tinubu
Published
3 hours agoon
June 14, 2025By
Editor
..Put your houses in order, Tinubu tells opposition parties
Amid growing accusations that President Bola Tinubu is behind the leadership crises plaguing various opposition parties and allegedly working toward a one-party state, the President has advised opposition parties to focus on putting their houses in order ahead of the 2027 general election.
President Tinubu, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, made this call on Friday at the commissioning of the newly constructed Left-Hand Service Carriageway of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) Stage II, from Ring Road 1 (Apo Junction) to Wasa Junction, in Abuja.
Earlier in his remarks, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his support and responded to mounting criticisms over the ₦39 billion spent on renovating the International Conference Centre (ICC) and renaming it after the President.
Addressing lingering concerns about the opposition’s dwindling influence, Tinubu reiterated his commitment to multiparty democracy as pledged during his Democracy Day address. He insisted that, as a member of another political party, he could not mediate in opposition disputes.
READ ALSO: Abati Clears Air On Begging Wike For Money
“The opposition should put their houses together before the next election, so that nobody will accuse anybody of trying to stifle the opposition,” he said. “The President wants you to come together. If you cannot come together, the President cannot help you. This is politics. You’ll never unite if you continue to spread lies daily, condemning everything. Was Nigeria like this in 1960? Was Abuja like this three years ago?”
The President commended the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike, for reactivating and completing abandoned infrastructure projects across the city.
“With the commissioning of this Left-Hand Service Carriageway, we are addressing a longstanding challenge. I commend the FCTA for completing projects with discipline, quality, and efficiency,” Tinubu stated.
In his speech, Wike argued that the President deserved the honour, having significantly contributed to the development of the Federal Capital Territory.
“As politicians, yes, we must criticize. But because you’re criticizing doesn’t mean you shouldn’t acknowledge progress. We are not flagging off; we are commissioning completed work,” Wike said.
READ ALSO: Wike, Fubara To Begin Dialogue After Osoba’s Mediation
Responding to allegations of wasteful spending, Wike said: “Some people just lack good taste. The only thing in that building that wasn’t changed is the blockwork. Everything else in the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre is brand new.”
He dismissed claims that the renovation was unnecessary or politically motivated, saying: “If you love this country, you will not criticize this project. It’s not about wearing one pair of shoes or carrying a backpack. It’s about delivering value and building for the future.”
Taking a swipe at a media house that reportedly questioned the rationale behind naming the ICC after Tinubu, Wike said: “Somebody said it should have been named after the original builder. Nnamdi Azikiwe didn’t build the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport. Moshood Abiola didn’t build the stadium named after him. That argument doesn’t hold.”
He also challenged critics who referenced the original 1991 construction cost of ₦240 million: “What was the exchange rate then? What is it today in 2025? People must learn to analyze with context instead of criticizing.”
(Tribune)
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