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Oil Theft: Burning Of Crude Oil Vessels Is An Environmental Hazard – NGO Cautions Military

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The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has condemned in strong terms the recent burning and destruction of vessels laden with stolen crude oil, describing it as a worrisome and environmentally unfriendly way of curbing oil theft.

This is the position taken by the Executive Director, ERA/FoEN, Barr. Chima Williams on behalf of the organisation in a statement made available to INFO DAILY by Elvira Jordan, Communications Officer, ERA/FoEN, while commenting on the conduct of the Nigeria’s security operatives trying to stop oil theft in the Niger Delta, especially in recent time.

According to him, the burning of crude oil laden vessels disposes a high level of chemical content into the water bodies that destroys the eco lives and aquatic organisms that humans need to survive.

READ ALSO: Edo: Need For Waste Management Policy Takes Centre Stage As ERA/FoEN Convenes Stakeholders’ Workshop

He added: “Destroying such vessels with their crude contents produces high level chemical debris that follows tidal movement to other parts of the country. This kind of devastation destroys the aquatic organisms needed to satisfy man’s nutritional and survival needs.

“What is discharged includes chemical contents from the crude and the vessels that are harmful to the human health. The health implications of such activities may not have immediate effects but will be transferred to the people who inhabit these areas, as the primary occupation of the Riverine people are fishing and farming, which is dependent on the surrounding waters”.

He further added that the destruction of crude oil laden vessels is capable of depriving the people of their sources of livelihood, when the chemical waste from the burnt vessels and crude oil comes in contact with the environment, killing of aquatic life and poisoning the surrounding soil.

READ ALSO: Oil Palm Companies: RSPO Deceptive, Promotes Communities Rights Violations, Says ERA/FoEN

Commenting on the economic implication of such activities, Williams further stated that destroying and wasting away stolen crude, is a disfavor to the country’s economy, as such crude could generate funds that could build infrastructures and better the lives of the people.

“Destroying badges of crude that runs into millions is equivalent to denying the nation and its people of the revenue that can be derived from such large amounts of crude. This is a country in dire need of resources to rebuild the economy, to build infrastructures and to better the lives of the people. The country is in heavy dept, yet we are destroying sources of enhancing our economy. The burnt vessels can be transformed into other uses like enhancing the work of seafarers in the country,” Williams said.

Speaking on the legal implication of such act, Williams described it as the destruction of evidence that could lead to proper prosecution of the case.

He further stressed that such actions wipes away the key principles of the rule of law, as the chances of conviction or proper acquittal are no longer visible.

According to him, this is a denial of justice to the nation, the individuals involved and the victims of their negative operational conducts and activities.

He called on military and security operatives to put an end to the burning of crude oil laden vessels, as it is goes against every tenet of environmental protection and environmental health.

He further called on government at all levels to move away from such hazardous means of curbing oil theft, and map out effective action plans capable of protecting the environment, livelihood of the people in their pursuit of justice and also create an economic value from seized crude oil and the conveying vessels.

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JUST IN: Popular Gospel Singer Is Dead

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Popular Gospel singer Morenikeji Adeleke, also known as Egbin Orun, is dead.

Her colleague Esther Igbekele, confirmed the death in an Instagram post on Sunday.

The gospel singer expressed shock and sadness, sayin Egbin Orun departed suddenly without bidding farewell.

According to her, the two had recently spoken, unaware of the impending tragedy.

READ ALSO: How God Saved Me From Firing Squad – Gospel Artiste, Buchi

Igbekele praised Egbin Orun’s beauty, kindness, and strong support for her ministry.

She wrote, “I got home from my program to hear about this great loss.. Prophetess Morenikeji Egbin Orun you left without saying goodbye..

“We spoke together last week not knowing you are about to embark on a journey to the great beyond.. You are such a beautiful and kind hearted woman and a very good supporter of my ministry.

READ ALSO: Outrage As Kingsmen Flogged Anambra Man To Death [VIDEO]

“I am deeply saddened with your demise but God knows best. You will be greatly missed and your good deeds will continue to linger in our hearts.

“Ah Egbin Orun. Good night! Keep resting in the bosom of Christ.. Ah Gone too soon..Yeeee.”

The cause of her death remains undisclosed and no official statement has been issued.

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How God Saved Me From Firing Squad – Gospel Artiste, Buchi

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A popular gospel singer, Buchi Atuonwu, simply known as Buchi, has revealed how God saved him from firing squad.

During an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief program on Friday, Buchi said he and some other people were already lined up for execution by the firing squad.

He said despite not being religious, his desperation to be alive made him call on God and make a promise to dedicate his life to serving Him in exchange for his life if spared.

He narrated, “At a point in my life, we were laying up for execution. Indeed, the people who were to execute us were already kneeling, ready to fire. It is true that I called out to a God that I didn’t know, saying if you save me, I will serve you. Since we don’t have all the time, let me just say that He saved me from that firing squad.

READ ALSO: How I Formed Kidnap Gang During My 11yrs In Prison- Suspected Kidnapper

“Then I devoted my life to serving him. To see that my music is not empty and that it becomes an extension of a classroom for me having been a teacher in the university. The stage became an extension of the classroom. Who says musicians can not sing about GMOs, government policies, trends, events, and happenings that inform the quality of life of the people?”

Speaking on what influenced his choice of music, Buchi said his background and an intention to make a change after being spared from death were the factors responsible for his style of music.

I come from a peculiar background. Night club DJ and at the same time a university lecturer and transiting to the choir of a church having been involved in the campus confraternity, drug abuse, and youth violence amongst others.

“My kind of music has to be somewhat different. Influenced by that background and also with an intention to make a change, it led me to the kind of stories that you are referring to. Stories that manured the songs that I put out, such as gun running and violence,” he stated.

READ ALSO: Man Jumps Into Lagoon, Dies After Being Chased By Mob For Alleged Stealing

No relationship between reggae music and weed

Speaking on a controversial comment that every musician must use performance-enhanced drugs to perform at their best, Buchi said it is a narrative sold by people, adding that there is no relationship between reggae music and weed.

“It is a narrative sold by people interested in the matter. It’s like saying to watch a good movie, I need popcorn. yes, they go together, people buy it and do it. They practice it. It is also like saying to watch a good football match. I need a particular kind of drink with me.

“It is okay to sell your products and ideas but I don’t have to accept it absolutely because I know that I can watch a good movie without popcorn and I can also watch a good football game without the drinks in question. In the same way, there is no relationship between reggae music and weed.

READ ALSO: Lawyer Drags NERC, AGF, Minister Of Power To Court Over Electricity Tariff Hike

“Yes, I have been there, and now I am here. I know for sure that the substances that I took at that time did not enhance my performance. It is true that you have to be in a certain state of mind to give your best, but drugs don’t take you there. There are so many other things like deep thinking and concern for what you are that can take you there.”

In January, the music star refuted claims that his genre of music— reggae was connected to his past romance with marijuana.

His response followed criticisms from those who questioned the inspiration behind a book he published.
PUNCH

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UNIBEN Ex-deputy VC Is Dead

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A Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Benin, Edo State, Prof. Pius Iribhogbe, is dead.

Until his demise, Prof. Iribhogbe was also a consultant trauma surgeon, head of the Department of Surgery and coordinator of the School of Paramedics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

The academic scholar passed on in Saudi Arabia.

UNIBEN’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, who confirmed the surgeon’s death said the school was yet to issue a statement.

 

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