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Pollution: Oil Companies Operating In N’Delta Must Abide By International Practices – Environmental Activist

Published

3 years ago

May 23, 2023

Multinational oil companies operating in Nigeria particularly in the Niger Delta region must abide by international standard practices and treaties in which Nigeria is a signatory.

Government regulatory agency likewise must live up to expectation by making sure that these oil companies abide by the rules guiding their operations in the country.

This was the position taken by Barrister Chima Williams, Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) at a webinar interactive programme titled: “Human and Ecological Rights.”

The programme was organised by Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF) in collaboration with the Coalition for Human Rights in Development and the Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria.

Barrister Williams who frowned at the impunity at which companies operating in the Niger Delta abuse fundamental rights of the people through pollution of the environment, said as environmental and human rights advocacy organisation, ERA will not fold its arms while this goes on in the area.

He lamented that due to the pollution of the environment, dwellers of the areas where these pollutions take place can no longer fish nor farm despite the fact that this is where they make a living.

While noting that ERA is committed in fighting every human and environmental injustice in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region, the Executive Director said: “They are talking about diversion, we will not allow that. They are trying to move from onshore to offshore so that we will not able to monitor their activities”.

“What we are saying is that, all laws, international treaties binding oil exploration must be adhered to. Nigeria is signatories to most of the treaties, so her case must not be different, Shell and other oil companies operating in Nigeria must operate the way and manner they operate in the United States, United Kingdom and other Western World.

“Some of them are even threatening to leave this country, we are not saying they should leave, but our argument is, they must obey human and environmental rights. And if they must leave the shore of our country, no problem, but they must clean up the mess they have made in the Niger Delta region. I am saying, if they must leave, they must return the area to the way they met us.”

He added: “Government agency regulating these companies must live to expectation. They are talking about joint-venure. Joint-venure that will not give them any right to take when these oil companies go wrong?”

On her part, Elvira Jordan, Programme Officer, CODAF, said her comapny’s findings show that despite laying the golden egg for the country, majority of oil producing communities lack social amenities, adding that not a single government presence in the area.

She lamented that due to oil exploration in these communities cum pollution and its consequent hazard, many persons living in these communities are battling with one health challenge or the other.

While stating that CODAF is committed in making sure these people get justice, she enjoined civil society organisations, the media and others to join in giving these people voice with a view to making sure they get justice.

Also speaking, Tonbra Kasikoro Kilopirete, Executive Director, Women Initiative for Values Empowerment and Sustainability International (WIVES) said the people of the riverine needs enlightenment.

The ED who also doubles as National Women Leader, Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) said: “One thing I have discovered in my dealings with these people is that, they lack enlightenment.

“Many of them do not even know their rights and when you come to assist them they see you as someone coming to trample on their rights.”

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

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

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

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.

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.”

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

News

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

Published

21 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

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.
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‎ 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.”
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‎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
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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.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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.

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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