Headline

Need To Protect Water Bodies Emphasised

Published

5 years ago

September 30, 2021

The need for all to protect and preserve the integrity of rivers, creeks and water bodies in general has been described as the responsibility of all and sundry.

The Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, who made this assertion at the official inauguration of River Ethiope Basin Institute at the Delta State University, Abraka, said to make the above happen, all those interacting with and utilizing the water bodies must do so with respect and place the wellbeing of the rivers and dependent communities before profit.

According to him, failure to protect and preserve the rivers and water bodies would result to a situations where fishers go fishing all day and return with nothing or resulting to coastal communities depending on imported frozen fish for nutrition.

While decrying the massive levels of pollution in the Gulf of Guinea, as well as rampant sea piracy in the region, Bassey said, “those who pollute the rivers and water bodies should be held accountable to ensure that our rivers do not continue to be treated as dump sites.

“A drop of oil can contaminate 25 litres of water. Imagine the extent of pollution in our rivers and ocean by the millions of barrels of oil that has been dumped into them over 63 years of reckless oil activities,” he noted.

The Director, further tasked that those in academics to listen more to community elders and help pass the knowledge learned to the younger generation.

Bassey applauded the management of Delta State University and the leadership of River Ethiope Trust Foundation on the their partnership to establish the River Ethiope Basin Institute.

He described the river as one of the cleanest in the region, adding that “its stands out as an example of what our water bodies were like before the arrival of the oil industry and their polluting activities.”

On his part, the Executive Director, River Ethiope Trust Foundation, Urikefe Dafe, stated that the River Ethiope Basin Institute will be a platform for research into the river and also be a launchpad for the sharing of knowledge and the fight for the recognition of the rights of the river.

In his goodwill message, Chief Charles Majeroh a foremost Nigerian architect and community member noted that, “the only way to preserve the River Ethiope is to ensure that human waste are not deposited into the rivers and also ensure that there is minimal dredging of the river to enable it breath freely.”

He also urged all business owners around the River Ethiope area to be more intentional in the protection of the water front.

Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

56 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.