News

‘Na Die We Dey’ – Gelegele Indigenes Lament Gas Flare, Environmental Pollution

Published

2 years ago

March 8, 2024

…Demand Withdrawal Of Operational Licence Of Oil Company

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The indigenes of Gelegele in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, on Friday decried the environmental pollution caused by operation of an oil company in their communities and called for the immediate withdrawal of operational licence of the company.

INFO DAILY reports that a gas flare stack of the oil company is sited in the heart of the community thereby causing untold heat and other health hazards to the indigenes in the community.

Speaking at a-day Capacity Building Workshop organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation, HOMEF, in the community, the indigenes who are mostly farmers and fishermen/fisherwomen, lamented that due to operation of the oil company both their lands and rivers have been polluted.

An indigene and Chairman, Host Communities Network of Nigeria, Prince Preye Pawuru, said operation of the oil company is causing a lot to the indigenes including untimely death, hunger, continuous crude oil spill to their rivers and lands.

He said: “The fact is that, the oil company operating here is actually causing our suffering and untimely death. In fact, it is almost ending the lifespan of this community. We cannot just survive again with the oil company operating in our community. The oil company should leave us and go finally. This is our demand. The flare is located at the heart of the community, and this is causing a lot to our health.”

He added: “If someone falls sick, we don’t have access road to take the person to the city. No social infrastructure. We are predominantly fishermen and farmers but no more fishes in the river because of the pollution. There is a continuous spill of crude oil into the river. The environment is destroyed. We don’t have any means of survival yet the company is smiling home with billions of dollars while leaving the community in penury. The company and government take away the benefits while the community bears the risk. So, we are saying we are tied. The company should go.”

He said engagements with relevant authorities to address the situation have not yielded results.

On her part, Mrs. Justina Kororo, woman leader, Gelegele community, who spoke in Pidgin English said: “This is our community. We have no where to go. This fire alone Na die, na die we dey. E dey affect our eyes. We never old reach anywhere we no fit read Bible again; we no fit read from our phones.”

Also, Mrs. Victoria Peter said: “I am a fisherwoman. Before now, when we go to the river, we used to catch enough fishes even for sale and use the money to buy other food items. But now even crayfish you can’t catch. We are dying of hunger. No light, no portable water. We no fit sleep inside our house because of the heat. Na outside we dey stay. I want make government help us.”

Another indegene from the community who also spoke in Pidgin said: “Other communities wey get this kind of oil company dey enjoy. Dem dey help the women for the town. dem dey help the men for the town. But here in Gelegele, nothing like that. Our road is bad.”

Also lending his voice, Mr. Goday Kororo who said he worked in the oil company for 25 years before retiring said: “This fire for this place dey make us dey quick old. E no dey off. E don dey here since 1979. In The night, you must come out and baff, if not you cannot sleep. Our windows go dey shake because of the oil company operation and noise. Many times, pollution dey happen for our river, no fish. We are suffering. We wey near water Na ice-fish dey buy for N3000, N4000. Because no road, we dey pay high from Benin to here. “

Earlier, HOMEF Programmes Manager and Coordinator, FishNet Alliance, Stephen Oduware, said they were in the community to join their voices for the call for a stop to gas flaring and other oil exploration activities in the community, and also to demand environmental justice and compensation for the people.

“Gelegele is one of the communities that is highly impacted by oil exploration. There is an oil company here that sites its gas flaring stack right in the heart of the community. There are a lot of issues with this. Number one, on the environment, on the people and even on their well-being and livelihoods. The people are living corpses due to the operation. The temperature here is far higher than normal.

“So, we are calling for a stop to this environmental injustice in Gelegele. Justice must take its course. We are calling for a restoration and remediation of the environment in Gelegele. And compensation must be paid to the people. So we are here to show that solidarity,” he said.

News

Christmas: Otuaro Preaches Peace, Unity In N’Delta, Hails Tinubu’s Support For PAP

Published

10 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Editor

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has extended warm Christmas greetings to the people of the Niger Delta, calling for renewed commitment to peace, unity and communal harmony as the region prepares to enter the New Year.

Otuaro, in a message issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, thanked stakeholders, traditional rulers, ex-agitators, youths and communities across the Niger Delta for their sustained support for the PAP and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He described peace and unity as the bedrock upon which sustainable development in the Niger Delta must continue to be built, urging the people to remain steadfast in protecting the hard-earned stability currently enjoyed in the region.

“Peace and unity remain the strongest foundations for sustainable development. As a people, we must continue to reject violence and embrace dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect as we work collectively for the progress of our region.

“I also express my profound appreciation to all stakeholders and the people of our region for your sustained support for the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” he said.

Otuaro noted that the PAP recorded significant milestones in 2025, including improved welfare for beneficiaries, enhanced educational and vocational opportunities, and strengthened reintegration outcomes, all aimed at empowering Niger Delta youths to contribute meaningfully to society.

He attributed these achievements to the visionary leadership of President Tinubu and the institutional support of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which provides strategic guidance for the effective implementation of the programme.

Reflecting on the meaning of Christmas, the PAP boss described it as a season that embodies love, sacrifice, compassion and reconciliation, values that resonate deeply with the communal culture and shared heritage of the Niger Delta people.

“Christmas reminds us of the power of love, sacrifice and togetherness. These values align naturally with the communal spirit of the Niger Delta, where collective responsibility, mutual support and shared progress have always defined our identity,” he added.

He urged beneficiaries of the Programme and residents of the region to celebrate the season with moderation and a renewed sense of responsibility to their communities.

Otuaro wished the people of the Niger Delta a Merry Christmas and expressed optimism that the New Year would usher in greater opportunities, peace and prosperity for the region and the nation at large.

“As we step into the New Year, I am confident that with continued unity, peace and collaboration, the Niger Delta will record even greater progress. I wish our people a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year,” the PAP Administrator stated.

News

Okpebholo Slams ₦25bn Libel Suit On Edo PDP Chairman

Published

11 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has given Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, a seven-day ultimatum to pay ₦25 billion in damages over alleged defamatory statements.

In a letter by the governor’s counsel, Ray Okezie, and addressed to Aziegbemi, the PDP State Chairmen was also requested to publish a public apology in three national dailies over the alleged defamatory statements.

Aziegbemi was said to have allegedly accused the governor of using thugs and non-state actors to carry out official duties.

“In the letter dated December 22, 2025, and titled ‘Demand for Damages and Apologies for Defamation of the Character of the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo,’ the PDP Chairman was said to have in a press statement of December 7, 2025 portrayed Okpebholo as an unintelligent, dishonest, and, lawless person.

“Accordingly, we have the instructions of our client to demand from you the sum of N25, 000,000,000.00 (Twenty Five Billion Naira only) being compensation for the damage you have inflicted on his reputation through your said press release.

“The above stated sum must get to our client within seven (7) clear days from the date of this letter. In addition, you are required within seven (7) days to publish a retraction of the said press release in three (3) National Newspapers which must include the Guardian and the Vanguard newspapers,” the letter partly reads.

The governor’s counsel threatened to proceed on legal action in any Nigerian court should the PDP State Chairman fail to comply with the demands

News

YULETIDE: UBTH CMD Charges Nigerians To Be Hopeful In Coming Year

Published

14 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Editor

The Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu has urged Nigerians to remain optimistic about the upcoming year, despite current challenges.

Prof. Ize-Iyamu expressed optimism that the coming year would bring improvements for everyone.

The CMD made these remarks during the Nine Lessons and Carol night /End of Year Party organized by UBTH for staff and students held in Benin.

Prof. Ize-Iyamu encouraged everyone to place their trust solely in Christ to overcome the numerous challenges facing the country.

She expressed her gratitude to the hospital community for their support during her first four months in office.

Prof. Ize-Iyamu assured them that the coming years hold many opportunities and that hope in Christ would transform lives daily, just as Christ’s birth brings joy and is the reason for the season.

She also extended her appreciation to everyone in the spirit of the season.

“I want to appreciate everyone in the spirit of the season. Our commitment to excellence and professionalism remains at UBTH.

“UBTH CARES and just like Christ cares. As we celebrate Christ and the season. Let’s hope on him. When you have Christ, you have hope.We are hopeful that the coming year will be better as a people and institution,” Ize-Iyamu said.

The ceremony’s highlight featured a visit to the hospital wards where the CMD distributed gifts to patients and newborns, with management, staff, and students in attendance.