News

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

Published

3 years ago

May 23, 2023

Editor

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

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

37 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.