News
Okomu Oil Company, Host Communities Impasse: Stakeholders Sue For Peace
Published
3 years agoon
By
Editor
In its bid to proffering a lasting solution to the frequent clash between host communities and Okomu Oil Company, protest by host communities, etc, a non-Governmental Organisation – Voice of the Earth Initiative (VOTI), Monday, organised a one day Community Stakeholders meeting at Udo, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The programme, with the theme: Sustainable Development and Security, was held with the view to encouraging a mutual relationship between the company and the host communities.
The programme which attracted members of the civil society organisation, community leaders/representatives and other stakeholders was held in partnership with Edo Civil Society Organisation (EDOCSO).
In his welcome address, convener the the meeting and Coordinator, VOTI, Chief Sunday Ajele, said the meeting becomes necessary due to the series of reports of attacks, stealing, etc on Okomu Oil Company and the reports of harassment, invasion and evacuation of communities by the company.
While noting that the programme was aimed at enlightening both parties (company and host communities), he added that it was also organised to ensure that companies especially Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc and its host communities live harmoniously without any report of infringement.
READ ALSO: Edo: Two Suspects Arrested Over Okomu Oil Invasion
He said: “This meeting has become very necessary due to the recent developments widely reported on all media which is painting inhabitants and companies in bad relationship.

A cross section of participants at the Okomu Oil Company/communities stakeholders meeting.
“The protest by ATandP community against Okomu Oil company, that took place on the 4th of May 2022 which was reportedly alleged that a trench was dug by Okomu Oil Palm Plantation Company on right of way linking residential houses, schools and religious worship places of inhabitants, which unfortunately led to the shooting of one Mrs Iyabo Butu, if not for the mercy of God, she would have been dead. (Sic)
“We also do not have permanent enemies but we do have, PERMANENT INTEREST. We believe that, living in harmony and respect for all forms of life, human, animals, trees, birds, reptiles and microbes is essential to human happiness, therefore a Human Right.”
The Coordinator, who disclosed that the meeting was the maiden edition, vowed that his organisation would not rest untill a mutual relationship is achieved between Okomu Oil Company and host communities.
Speaking on the theme: Sustainable Development and Security”, the Interim Chairman, Edo Civil Society Organizations, Comrade Austin Enabulele, said there cannot be meaningful development when there is no peace, adding to achieve peace, individuals must imbibe it first before radiating it to others.
Enabulele maintained that the various communities must seek for peace first in all that they do so that there can be sustainable development.
He emphasized that for there to be peace, there must be trust, equity and justice.
On his part, Chief Responsibility Officer, Josemaria Escriva Foundation, Dr. Jude Obasanmi, urged communities and Okomu Oil Company to work toward building an expected long-term engagement to drive the greatest impact.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Protest Rocks Okomu Oil Over Alleged Marginalisation, Oppression [Video]
Obasanmi, who was represented by Dr. Bright Oniovokukor posited: “On the part of the company, the management must do all within power to show benevolence and not exploit the community just to maximize profit considering that the day the community discovers this, they accumulated profit cannot compensate for the consequences.
“Community/company relationship has mutual responsibility an benefits hence all must parties must play their roles accordingly. Parties should consult and seek clarification where necessary.”
On his part, Fidelis Olise, Public Relations Officer, Okomu Oil Company, said his company was taking all preventive measures to secure farms, hence the seemingly infringement and complaints from communities.

A cross section of participants at the stakeholders meeting.
Representatives of Iyase of Udo community, Friday Araghagha, who happens to be the community chairman, said his community and the company have been having mutual relationship with no rancor
But Mrs. Helen Dise, from Agbede community accused Okomu Oil Company of evacuating her community for its farm, adding that the river they used for fishing has been polluted.
Ebiye Jonghan from A/T and P community decried the maltreatment they suffered from the company, lamenting that they have been all tagged criminals in the community, stressing that the land Belongs to them hence they should be treated in that regards.
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News
Sanwo-Olu makes U-turn, Unblocks Lawyer Who Sued Him Over Blocking On X
Published
17 hours agoon
September 13, 2025By
Editor
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unblocked human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, on X after a meeting with him at Lagos House, Marina, on Friday.
The lawyer, who had accused the governor of rights violations, announced the development in a post on his X account on Saturday.
According to him, Sanwo-Olu personally invited him for a brief meeting to address his complaints.
“Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unblocked me on X (Twitter). I met briefly with him yesterday at Lagos House Marina, on his invitation, to amicably resolve my complaint of human rights violations. We will continue to hold authorities accountable, regardless. Aluta continua!” Ogun wrote.
READ ALSO:Lawyer Sues Sanwo-Olu For Blocking Him On X
Tribune Online reports that Ogun had earlier filed a suit against Sanwo-Olu at a Federal High Court in Lagos, accusing him of violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on his verified X account.
In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, which he shared on Facebook, the lawyer claimed the governor blocked him over his 2021 “constructive criticisms” and “demand for accountability” on the October 2020 #EndSARS killings.
“In 2021, I noticed that the Governor blocked me on his official X handle @jidesanwoolu owing to my constructive criticisms of his policies and demand for accountability in respect of the October 2020 #EndSARS Massacre.”
READ ALSO:‘Court Of Corruption’ — Obasanjo Knocks INEC Chairman, Judiciary In New Book
Ogun said the action has prevented him from accessing vital government updates and information.
“Blocking me on X has prevented me from accessing public updates and receiving information about policies and governance in Lagos, which constitutes a violation of my right to receive information without interference,” he said.
In his originating summons, he asked the court to declare the move unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory.
News
Tragedy Deepens As Prime Suspect in Taraba Student’s Death Found Dead
Published
17 hours agoon
September 13, 2025By
Editor
The investigation into the death of Comfort Jimtop, a 100-level Mass Communication student at Taraba State University, has taken a dramatic turn following the discovery of the lifeless body of Emmanuel Kefas, the prime suspect in the case.
Kefas’s body was discovered on Friday in the Tudiri community, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, under unclear circumstances, intensifying public concern and adding a tragic dimension to a case that has already gripped the university community and residents across Taraba State.
Confirming the development on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Taraba State Police Command, James Lashen, said the police received a report from the village head of Tudiri about the discovery.
READ ALSO:Army Kills Notorious Bandit, Babangida, In Kogi
“A lifeless body was found in Tudiri, and a Tecno Android phone was recovered beside it,” Lashen stated.
“Upon charging the phone, investigators found a photograph showing the deceased with the late Comfort Jimtop, suggesting they were in a romantic relationship.”
Lashen added that the body has been taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jalingo for autopsy. At the same time, efforts are ongoing to officially identify the remains through the suspect’s family.
READ ALSO:Four Feared Killed As Gunmen Attack Burial Ceremony In Anambra
Police have yet to determine whether Kefas’s death was the result of suicide, homicide, or an accident. Investigations into both deaths are continuing.
Comfort Jimtop’s mysterious death had earlier sparked outrage on campus and across the state, with students and rights groups demanding justice. Kefas was named a prime suspect in the case, which remains open.
This latest development has left many unanswered questions and deepened the grief surrounding the case.
Students, residents, and civil society groups are closely monitoring the situation, calling on authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and bring clarity to the tragic chain of events.
News
Ossiomo, Chinese Impasse: This Is Our Story — Management
Published
20 hours agoon
September 13, 2025By
Editor
The management of Ossiomo Power Plant has cleared the air on the dispute between its Chinese partners and the circumstances surrounding the shutting down of the power plant early this month.
Representative of Ossiomo management, Engineer Festus Evbuomwan, during an interactive session with customers on the impasse between the two partners, said contrary to the rumour making the rounds, the management of Ossiomo Power Plant had paid over ₦2bn to its Chinese partner — Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology (CCETC) — since the power plant started operation.
Recall that representative of CCETC who identified himself as Mr. ‘W’ had, during a telephone phone interview two weeks ago, claimed that “instruction to shutdown was because we lost lots of money and did not get any return on investment,” adding that “all the $20m investment was done by us including the distribution lines.”
But Evbuomwan during the interactive session, said the management was not aware of the $20m investment the Chinese partner claimed, just as he disclosed that “when they generate power, we sell and pay them.”
READ ALSO:Edo Govt Denies Shares As Ownership Tussle Rocks Ossiomo Power
He disclosed that after shutting down the power plant, the Chinese partners came up with a request of ₦185m to be paid to two Chinese not known to the management, stressing that this was declined.
According to him, the Chinese partner, having seen how lucrative the business is, “went to some quarters and raised some issues probably thinking they can manoeuvre us with the help of some big persons, so that they can use their machines to generate power and sideline us but this is not possible.”
“The Chinese partners also claimed that they borrowed $20m from their native land to invest, we are not aware of such investment, and we do not know where the money was invested up till now.
“They have been also saying they have not been receiving anything, but I want to tell you unequivocally that first, the partners run a joint account where their investment is going into. More so, The Chinese partners have received over ₦2bn so far for the power they generate with their machines. When they generate the power, we sell and pay them.”
READ ALSO: Five Years After, Edo Govt Reconnects To BEDC As Ossiomo Shut Down
Engr. Evbuomwan, while apologising to customers for the power outage caused by the dispute between the two partners, said Ossiomo had started power generation though not in full capacity, assuring that power generation would be fully restored soon.
“We have purchased turbines, and one have started working. They are working on the second one, so, by the time our five turbines start working we will be in full capacity. Even with that, those connected to the government may not be reached immediately. This is because the government bought the poles and contracted the wiring, and we cannot force the government to do our bid. Also, we are making efforts to site 33kva transformer along Airport Road and Lagos Road as soon as possible, so that our customers there will get power.”
He said the Edo State government does not have a stake in the company, just as he appealed to the “government to let us supply power to customers in through their Lines. I want to emphasise that Ossiomo is not completely shut down.”
He further urged the “government to encourage the Nigerian citizens to invest and not to work against local investors.”
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