News

Why We’re Heavily Investing In Book And Culture Series – HOMEF Director, Bassey

Published

4 months ago

May 27, 2025

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The Executive Director of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, has explained that the organisation’s strong commitment to its Book and Culture Series stems from the need to raise environmental awareness among Nigerians, especially those in the Niger Delta.

Speaking on Monday in Benin City during the third edition of the Book Readings and Culture event, Bassey emphasized that literature plays a vital role in building environmental consciousness and preserving cultural values.

The event featured readings from the works of environmental activist and traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom in Bayelsa State.

“We are investing time and resources into this series because without reading, our struggle for a safe and healthy environment cannot be fully grounded,” Bassey stated.

“We must carry intellects along, and literature is a powerful tool to help people understand what is happening around them.”

The event was attended by representatives of the Edo State Ministry of Education, university lecturers, students, and members of civil society organisations.

Bassey stressed that the Book and Culture Series also aims to highlight cultural values that support environmental sustainability.

“Our culture forbids pollution and oil spills. These are not things our ancestors tolerated,” he noted.

“The Book and Culture Series is therefore critical for reminding us of who we are and what we stand for.”

Highlighting the environmental degradation in oil-producing communities, Bassey lamented that pollution has led to a decline in life expectancy in the Niger Delta, resulting in fewer elders and more young people with little hope for a healthy future.

During the event, King Bubaraye Dakolo read from three of his books — The Riddle of the Oil Thief, Pirates of the Gulf, and The African Voice.

He criticized the Nigerian oil sector regulators, describing them as the weakest in the world, noting that over 300 oil spills occur annually without accountability or justice for affected communities.

When asked how he managed to write five books chronicling the realities of the Niger Delta within just three years, King Dakolo attributed his output to his deep connection with the region and his ancestral roots as an Ijaw monarch.

Priye Gift Johnson, a master’s student from Benson Idahosa University and and another student from the University of Benin also read excerpts from the king’s works, praising him for preserving the stories and struggles of the Niger Delta through literature.

The event concluded with King Dakolo’s induction into the HOMEF Hall of Fame, in recognition of his contributions to environmental advocacy and cultural preservation.

News

Tinubu Approves Portfolios For 5 NCDC Executive Directors

Published

50 minutes ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has approved portfolios for five executive directors on the board of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC).

Mr Segun Imohiosen, Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

The appointees and their portfolios are: Hajiya Biliquis Jumoke- Administration and Human Resources, Mrs Aisha Rufai Ibrahim-Commercial and Industrial Development.

Others are, Mr James Abel Uloko-Corporate Services, Prof. Muhammad Bashar-Finance and Atika Ajanah-Projects.

The president urged the executive directors to work closely with the governing board of the commission to promote and coordinate sustainable development of the North-Central geopolitical zone.”

News

Court Orders Arrest Of 2 Lawyers Over Alleged Forgery, Impersonation

Published

1 hour ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Apo, on Monday, issued a bench warrant against two lawyers charged with forgery and impersonation.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie made the arrest order following repeated failure of the defendants- Victor Giwa, and Ibitade Bukola- to appear before the court to enter their plea to the charge that was preferred against them by the Inspector General of Police.

In the charge marked: CR/150/25, the duo were accused of conspiring to forge a legal document purportedly issued by the chambers of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Prof. Awa U. Kalu, with the intent to mislead the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF.

According to the three-count charge, the alleged offence occurred on June 28, 2024.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants forged and signed a letter on the official letterhead of the SAN, requesting the AGF to suspend a scheduled arraignment.

The contentious letter, titled “Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023”, was allegedly addressed to the AGF.

It allegedly sought intervention of the AGF to halt an arraignment that was scheduled before trial Justice Samira Bature of the high court.

The IGP, in the charge, maintained that the two lawyers committed offences punishable under Section 97, 179 and 364 of the Penal Code Act, 2004.

At the resumed proceeding of the court on Monday, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Eristo Asaph, noted that the defence lawyer told the court that the 1st defendant was bereaved, hence his absence for the scheduled arraignment.

The prosecution counsel further noted that it was on the strength of an application by the defendant that the case was adjourned.

He, therefore, wondered why the duo were also absent in court for the case to proceed.

Responding, the defence counsel, Mr. Ogbu Aboje, told the court that the 1st defendant, Giwa, wrote a letter that was accompanied with a medical report dated September 3, indicating that he had a health challenge he described as “Degenerative disorder of the lumber vertebrae,” in addition to his hypertensive condition.

He added that the 2nd defendant equally went to the hospital on Monday morning to keep to a routine appointment for the immunisation of her daughter.

More so, he drew attention of the court to an application the defendants earlier filed to challenge its jurisdiction to entertain the case.

Dissatisfied with the developments, the prosecution counsel urged the court to issue a warrant for the defendants to be arrested y security agencies and produced for their trial.

In his ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that having listened to both parties, he was minded to accede to the prosecution’s request.

He court stressed that the medical report did indicate that the 1st defendant would not be able to attend court, adding that the 2nd defendant did not adduce any material to justify her absence.

Consequently, relying on the provision of section 266 (2) and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), Justice Onwuegbuzie issued a bench warrant for the defendants to be arrested and produced before the court on October 8.
(VANGUARD)

News

Community Attributes Access Road To Reduction In Maternal Mortality In Bauchi

Published

5 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

A cross-section of residents in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State has attributed the reduction in maternal mortality to the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of the Kirjaule–Lame roads.

Mr. Samila Jauro, who spoke on behalf of the community, made the disclosure during a media tour of ongoing Bauchi State projects in the area.

He explained that in the past, no fewer than 50 pregnant women and their babies had lost their lives due to delays in accessing healthcare caused by the poor condition of roads.

“We have lost many of our pregnant women and their unborn babies in the past because of bad roads.

“But the present administration has changed our lives through its infrastructural development,” Jauro said.

While commending the state government, he appealed for the electrification of Kirjauke community.

“We are grateful for the road project, but we still call on the governor to provide us with electricity.

For the past 18 years, we have had no source of power,” he added.

The Bauchi State Government, through the Ministry of Works, in 2023 awarded a 40.5-kilometer road construction and rehabilitation projects in the aforementioned sites.

Speaking on the progress of the projects, the Site Engineer, Mr. Ado Shehu, said the project had reached 75 percent completion.

“The Kirjaule–Lame and Magama–Gumau roads were awarded at the end of November 2023.

“Some portions are already completed, while others are at the second layer and shoulder stage to ensure a successful outcome.

“The duration of the project according to the contract is 36 months.

” But with 75 percent already completed, the project will be finished ahead of schedule,” he said.