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TEAAF Advocates Halt To Extractive Activities In Niger Delta Communities
Published
11 months agoon
By
Editor
A Non-Governmental Organization, The Ecological Action Advocacy Foundation (TEAAF), has advocated a stop to all forms of extractive activities in oil and non oil producing communities in the Niger Delta region,
This call was made when the organization had a one day fact finding outreach to ascertain the impacts of extractives on the environment, health and livelihoods of the people of Gelegele community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The advocacy visit also saw the organisation giving free medical services to the people in the community.
The outreach was themed: Analysing the Environmental & Health Impacts of Extractive Activities in Niger Delta.
Natives of Gelegele community are by nature farmers and fishermen/women but due to oil extractive activities, they are unable to farm nor can they catch fish in the rivers. Their community produces oil yet they dwell in abject poverty.
Anyone who cares to visit Gelegele community does not need to be told the level of poverty among the people; it can be seen all over the faces of the people particularly the malnourished children who run about the streets without knowing what they are passing through.
Residents of Gelegele community literally pass through hell on a daily basis. The weather is permanently hot regardless of the season or time due to a flue-gas stack or smoke stack permanently stationed in the heart of the community. The stack emits gas to the air at round-the-clock, thereby causing heat and endangering lives of the people.
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Despite all these challenges occasioned by extractive activities, Gelegele and her people have nothing to show as direct benefit. There is no government presence in Gelegele, and the oil company operating the community has done something next to nothing in the community. The road linking the Gelegele community and Benin is an eyesore; it has completely collapsed thereby making it impassible for motorists. This oil producing community has no portable water, the only borehole sinked by the oil company operating for the people is with a rusted iron tank. Drinking water with iron particles from the rusted iron reservoir causes harm to the people’s health, so said a resident. The people of Gelegele have no access to modern healthcare. The only healthcare centre in the community is not functioning optimally. It is in an abandoned state.
This ugly state of the community and her people perhaps prompted TEAAF to visit the people with a free medical outreach. The foundation visited Gelegele with a team of medical professionals who carried out different types of tests on the people and also dispense free drugs.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director, TEAAF, Ann Ajirioghene Offi, said the idea of the medical outreach was to get detail and factual health implications of the gas flaring and other extractive activities going on in communities, adding that Gelegele was chosen as kick start point because of the many stories about the place and its peculiarities.
Offi said the programme was aimed at providing also “free medical support to meet their current lack of care predicament as well as guiding them on how to survive the stress and health challenges they face in their community.”
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The Executive Director, who added that the programme also involved sensitisation on health, disclosed that no fewer than 100 residents benefited from the free medical outreach.
“We came here for a visit some time back and we saw the state of the community and the people’s health. So, we deemed it fit that it will be of good sensitising the people in danger of gas flaring and extractive activities in the heart of the community,” Offi added.
The Executive Director continued: “We are taking this medical outreach to other oil producing communities across the Niger Delta but we decided to kick start the programme in Gelegele because of the many stories about the community. And from the medical test we carried out, we discovered that eye challenges, body hitching, high blood pressure and other ailments are rampant among the people. All these are caused by the gas flaring in the heart of the community.”
Also speaking on his findings, Dr. Nicholas Avabore Akpevboghene, a medical practitioner who was among the team, said: “From my observation from the people I have seen today in this community, there are actually adverse effects of the gas flaring in the community. In the sense that most of them have issues relating to hitching, hypertension, and that is as a result of the flare and also, as a result of the pollution that has actually affected the water they use to bathe.”
One of the beneficiaries, Elder Emmanuel Obi, said it has been very difficult for them to get medical care because of the distance and finance, adding that the free medical care has brought relief to many.
Also speaking, another beneficiary, Mr. Goday Kororo, said: “We were given free tests and drugs. This type of free medical care has not happened in this community before, so this is the first time. Even anytime Dubri oil does this kind of free medical care, they give us expired drugs.”
Another beneficiary, Sode Sharon, a nursing mother said: “They ran tests on my baby and I, and thereafter gave us the needed drugs. I want to sincerely appreciate the organisers.”
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PHOTOS: President Tinubu Receives Queen Mary Of Denmark At State House
Published
5 hours agoon
June 24, 2025By
Editor
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, received Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday.
The monarch, who paid a courtesy visit to the President, was welcomed at the President’s official residence within the State House.
Queen Elizabeth was accompanied by the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens Ole Bach Hansen.
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, were present at the reception.
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Following the reception, a closed-door meeting occurred, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Denmark.
In a statement he signed and released vis his verified X page, President Tinubu said the conversation between him and the monarch was constructive and forward-thinking.
It was a distinct privilege to receive Her Majesty Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark today at the Aso Villa in Abuja. Together with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, we welcomed Her Majesty on this important visit to our country.
“It was a distinct privilege to receive Her Majesty Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark today at the Aso Villa in Abuja. Together with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, we welcomed Her Majesty on this important visit to our country.
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“Our conversation was warm, constructive, and forward-looking, grounded in mutual respect and the enduring ties between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Denmark. Her Majesty’s presence here stands as a mark of goodwill, shared values, and a renewed commitment to deeper cooperation across key areas,” the President said.
President Tinubu expressed his government’s commitment to partnerships that open opportunities for Nigerians.
“As a government, we remain committed to partnerships that uplift our people, open new opportunities for prosperity, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come,” he said.
News
53 Suspects Arrested Over Benue, Plateau Wedding Killings — IGP Egbetokun
Published
5 hours agoon
June 24, 2025By
Editor
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun on Tuesday announced that 26 persons who actively participated in the killings in Yelwata Community, Benue State, on June 13, 2025, have been arrested.
Egbetokun said 47 people were confirmed to have been massacred during the attack, while 27 others sustained various degrees of injuries.
He said two of the bandits who were part of the attackers had earlier been killed on the ill-fated day by police operatives when they attacked the police station in the community.
The IGP said, “As you will all recall, on June 13, 2025, between the hours of 11:30 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., armed militias invaded Yelwata Community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, killing and maiming any soul on sight.
“The invaders rampaged and pillaged the community, setting several houses ablaze and maliciously destroying other properties and people’s means of livelihood.
“It was a coordinated attack of terror against the community.
“In this senseless and barbaric attack, forty-seven (47) persons were confirmed killed, twenty-seven (27) persons sustained various degrees of injuries, and hundreds of others have been displaced but not dead.
“The police and other security agencies responded with adequate deployment of personnel and resources, including the deployment of tactical units and special forces, to restore confidence in the affected community and neighbouring communities.
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“Also immediately deployed were detectives from our Intelligence Response Team (IRT), who swung into action, launching a manhunt for the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
“I am pleased to inform you today that twenty-six (26) persons directly connected to this crime have so far been arrested and their weapons recovered.
“On 19th June, two (2) prime suspects who were masterminds of the attack were apprehended from their hideout.
“This arrest led to the arrest of seven (7) other suspects on the following day, 20/06/2025, who were picked up from various locations where they had fled, hoping to evade justice.
“On 21st June, another key suspect in whose house the initial meetings to plan the attack were held was arrested.
“On 22nd June, a major breakthrough was recorded with the arrest of eighteen (18) other suspects who directly took part in the killings.
“On 23rd June, our detectives recovered two (2) GPMG and eight (8) AK-47 rifles, which were part of the weapons used during the attack.
“All 28 suspects are currently in custody and have voluntarily confessed to their individual and collective roles in the attack.
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“As I speak, legal proceedings are being finalised, and they will be charged to court without delay.
“We will go after anyone—planner or executor—who attacks any community in Nigeria. We will leave no stone unturned until every single individual responsible for the killing of innocent Nigerians is arrested and brought to justice.
Plateau
“Similarly, on 22nd June 2025, a heartbreaking incident occurred in Mangu, Plateau State, where a bus conveying passengers from Zaria was stopped and attacked by a mob.
“Tragically, nine (9) of the passengers were murdered, and three (3) sustained injuries before our teams could intervene and rescue the remaining twenty-two (22) victims.
“So far, twenty-two (22) suspects have also been arrested in connection with this gruesome act of mob violence.
“They too will face the full wrath of the law in court.
“Again, yesterday (Monday), 23/06/2025, another ugly incident was recorded in Benue, where two (2) persons travelling in a truck were killed at Agan Area, North Bank, Makurdi.
“Five (5) persons connected to the incident have so far been arrested and will also be made to face the full wrath of the law.
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“Let me use this opportunity to issue a stern warning: jungle justice, mob action, and taking the law into your own hands have no place in a civilised society.
“Every Nigerian has the right to life and a fair trial. We will not tolerate any individual or group who attempts to be judge, jury, and executioner.
“Those inciting violence and killing innocent Nigerians are warned to desist forthwith.
“The recent trend of reprisal killings—where innocent citizens are murdered in retaliation for crimes committed by others—is barbaric, senseless, and dangerous.
“It does not bring justice. It only fuels further hatred, inflames tension, and perpetuates the cycle of violence.
“I want to unequivocally condemn the recent spate of violence across our nation.
“This is not who we are. Violence is not the answer. I call on all Nigerians—regardless of religion, ethnicity, or background—to choose peace, embrace dialogue, and work together for the unity and prosperity of our country.
“I call on all communities across Nigeria to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and cooperative.
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“The security agents deployed to your communities are there to protect you. Work with them. Share information. Stay calm. Together, we will overcome these dark forces.
“I must acknowledge that the breakthroughs we have recorded—both in Benue and Plateau States—would not have been possible without the strong collaboration and synergy among all security agencies.
“The Nigeria Police Force continues to work hand-in-hand with the military, DSS, NSCDC, and other partners in pursuit of one common goal: to safeguard the lives and property of every Nigerian citizen.
“Our commitment to inter-agency cooperation remains firm and unshaken.
“I wish to thank Mr. President for providing the required support that facilitated the speedy arrest of the perpetrators of the Benue and Plateau massacres.
“I thank the Nigerian people for their continued cooperation. Your support strengthens our resolve. As we move forward, we appeal for even greater collaboration as we work tirelessly to rebuild trust, restore order, and ensure lasting peace across our dear country.”
(VANGUARD)
News
Lagos To Divert Traffic Ahead 110-day Repair Of Ogudu/Ifako Bridge
Published
6 hours agoon
June 24, 2025By
Editor
The Lagos State Government has released a diversion plan ahead of repair of the Ogudu/Ifako Bridge which will take 110 days.
The state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
Osiyemi said that the repair postponed earlier would begin from June 28 and end on Oct. 15.
The commissioner said that the repair was expected to be carried out in eight phases on both lanes.
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“The first to fourth phases, covering the stretch of Ogudu/Ifako Bridge inbound Alapere, will commence from Saturday, June 28 and end on Saturday, Aug. 16 (50 days).
“Phases five to eight, covering the stretch of Ogudu/Ifako inbound Oworoshoki, will be fixed between Saturday, Aug. 16 and Sunday, Oct. 5 (51 days),” he said.
He advised motorists to use alternative routes during the partial closure of the bridge for the repair.
“Alternative routes for phase one: Motorists from Iyana Oworo will go through Gbagada to connect Anthony to access Ikorodu Road after which they will have free movement to their desired destinations.
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“One lane will be used near work area (50m before and after).
“For alternative routes for phase two, motorists from Eko Bridge will go through Funsho Williams Avenue to connect Ikorodu Road,” he said.
Osiyemi gave the assurance that officers of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority would be on ground to minimise inconveniences and manage traffic on the routes.
“Motorists are implored to be patient during the partial closure of the bridge (50m before and after repair site).”
(NAN)
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