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Oil Extractive Activities: Gelegele Community Told To Speak In Unison

Published

8 months ago

January 10, 2025

If the natives of Gelegele community, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, desire to live a meaningful life amidst ongoing oil extractive activities in the area, they must cooperate and speak up in one voice, Ajirioghene Offi, Program Director, The Ecological Advocacy Foundation (TEAF), has said.

The Program Director gave the counsel in Gelegele community on Friday, January 10, 2025, at a sensitisation programme against gas flaring in the area.

The programme held by TEAF in collaboration with the African Coal Network, was themed: ‘Building Community Resilience Against Gas Flaring in Gelegele Community.’

Speaking further, Offi noted that the programme was aimed at putting the natives through on how best to survive amidst the razing gas stack in the heart of the community.

She advised those who have alternative places of living to vacate the community once in a while to such places in order to reduce the impacts of the gas flaring on their lives, stating that health challenges associated with the harsh weather occasioned by extractive activities in the community are enormous.

“The programme is aimed at building the community’s resilience against oil extractive activities. It is all about enlightening them on how to resist these harsh conditions caused by oil drilling in the area; it is all about enlightening them on how to adapt to the harsh weather. The flare is not affecting the environment alone, but the wellbeing of the people,” she noted.

She urged the Gelegele community people to speak up against the unhealthy condition oil extractive activities has pushed them to, and to demand a health insurance scheme for the people in the area particularly the aged ones.

According to her, to further reduce impacts of the gas flaring on the community, the natives should engage the oil company in dialogue and demand that the gas stacks in the heart of the community be shifted to the bush.

She promised TEAF’s support for the people and their well-being until they live a meaningful life like every other Nigerian.

Corroborating Offi’s points, one of the facilitators at the event, Cynthia Bright, said advocacy will continue until the lives of the people of Gelegele are respected, and the community enjoy what oil producing communities enjoy.

Bright, while giving testimony of how advocacy for the people is already yielding results, said, “We are not saying they shouldn’t extract oil, but what we are demanding for is make life meaningful for the people.”

A native of the community, Paulina Festus popularly known as Lady P., while lamenting what the gas flare has caused them, noted: “We are experiencing body hotness and weakness as a result of the flare. Also, consistent cough; eye infections; Joint pains, headache, and many other slicknesses are what we battle with in the community.”

In his response, Gelegele community chairman, Olu-Deremon Omaghomi, appreciated organisers of the event for deeming his community fit for such sensitisation, saying leadership of the community under his watch were already taking steps in addressing some of the issues raised.

The natives of the community mainly women thereafter embarked on a peaceful match to show their readiness to resist extractive activities in their community.

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DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

15 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

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‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

15 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

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Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

15 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.