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Oil Spill: Declare Environmental Emergency On Odimodi Community Now, Environmental Rights Action Urges FG, Shell

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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria to declare an environmental emergency on Odimodi community, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

ERA/FoEN call followed a devastation caused by toxic spills from Shell Petroleum Development Company facilities in the community.

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According to a statement signed by the organization’s Programme Manager, Ubrei-Joe Maimoni Mariere, and made available to INFO DAILY, the spill, which occurred mid-August, has caused the death of hundreds of fish along the creek of the Odimodi community among other environmental and health hazards posed to the community.

The statement added that the community had reported to ERA/FoEN that a spill of waste petroleum products that spewed from Shell’s waste disposal pipeline that carries products from the Forcados Shell’s terminal down to the high sea had occured.

Mariere in the statement noted that the faulty pipeline has been in the community for more than five decades and consistently leaks waste petroleum products from the valves of the pipeline.

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ERA/FoEN, in the statement lamented that the vegetation of the environment where these droplets are found and water body is constantly brownish in color.

“This incident was reported by motorcyclists who noticed the massive spilling of the waste petroleum products into the creeks to the community. This alarm necessitated ERA/FoEN to ascertain how far the waste petroleum products have spread and the havoc it has wreaked on the creek,” ERA/FoEN stated.

READ ALSO: Bayelsa Women Demand Inclusion In Oil Spill Compensation Benefits

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According to ERA/FoEN, going by observation, Odimodi community has become a polluted colony with unaddressed crude oil spillage of 2018 and the August 19, 2022 waste water spillage.

The organisation further lamented that despite the fact that the people relied on fishing as their major sources of livelihoods, “Shell inaction has continued to wreak havoc on the people’s fishing economy. “

ERA/FoEN, in the statement insisted that Shell, must as a matter of urgency, return to the community to conduct post impact assessment and put machinery in place to clean up all affected areas in the community by the crude spillage of 2018 and the present pollution from the waste water disposal pipeline.

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It added ”All ongoing oil-induced inter and intra community conflicts should be resolved with all fairness. Affected people of the community should be compensated for the economic hardship meted on them by the oil industries.”

All efforts to get Shell’s reaction proved abortive.

 

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

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READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

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Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

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I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.

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