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World Earth Day: HOMEF Holds Climate Justice Assembly, Tasks N’Delta Activists On Unity

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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

In commemoration of this year’s World Earth Day with the theme: ‘Our Power, Our Planet’, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF ) Tuesday, April 22, 2025, organised a day Climate Assembly/Volunteers Convergence in Benin where unity of purpose amongst Niger Deltans took the centre stage.

The Climate Justice Assembly which drew over 100 participants across oil producing communities in the Niger Delta states, was also attended by government officials, civil society groups, volunteers and students.

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Oil extraction impacted communities people from Ogu, Okrika, Eteo, and Joinkrama 1,2,3&4 of Rivers State, Ekpetiama and Ikarama of Bayelsa State, and Iboro, Gelegele and Orhionmwon of Edo State were all in attendance.

Speaking on the sub-topic, ‘Depetrolize’ Not Decarbonize – Time to ‘Ogonize’ and Yusunize – Defining Justice within Climate Justice, Executive Director of HOMEF, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, said the essence of the Assembly was to stand “together, go to our various communities and demand for climate justice.”

READ ALSO: HOMEF’s School of Ecology Empowers Young Activists with Environmental Knowledge

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The environmental activist called for unity of purpose amongst Niger Delta CSOs in the call for an alternative to the continuous pollution in the region, just as he called for an urgent move towards renewable energy.

Elaborating on the new words in his topic, Bassey said ‘Ogonizing’ and ‘Yasunizng’ are new words he coined as a way of calling people particularly those affected by oil extraction to learn from the Ogoni and Yasuni people who stopped oil extraction in their domains.

He said: “The Ogoni people were able to stop extraction of crude oil in Ogoniland since 1993. So, we want people all over the world to learn from the Ogoni people by what we call ogonizing. That means to peacefully demand a swift from fossil fuel.”

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He added: “We are also calling for people to learn from the people of Ecuador where they also legally stop the extraction of oil in a place called Yasuni National Park. And so, Yusunize and Ogonize are the clarion calls we are making today.”

READ ALSO: HOMEF Decries Alarming Rate Of Malnutrition, Food Insecurity

Also speaking on the sub-topic: Environmental Monitoring as a Tool for Climate Justice, Friday Nbani, lamented that a lot of gas flaring are going on across the Niger Delta hence community people need to equip themselves with modern data collection tools for them to get the appropriate data before they can demand for justice.

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Also speaking on the sub-topic: Mobilising for Action – Local Actions for Global Impacts, a renowned mobilizer and coordinator-general of Edo Civil Society Organisations, Leftist Omobude Agho, urged community people to go back to their various communities and take action against pollution and environmental degradation.

Agho, who stressed the need for unity in the struggle, added: “We must all get up and begin to think and share ideas on how to stand against the oppressors.”

He added: “We must mobilise all communities, not just communities affected by oil extraction but every community in the Niger Delta.”

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READ ALSO: HOMEF Organizes Reading Series, Wants Nigerians Pick Ideas From Books To Better The Environment

He urged the people to leverage on the Freedom of Information Act to ask questions about pressing issues, saying environmental justice is connected to all and not impacted communities alone.

Okpone Bassey, while speaking on Building Youth Voices for Climate Action – Volunteering vs Action, urged youth to leverage on the social media to speak out against social injustice.

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The Assembly climaxed with a panel of discussion where people from impacted communities shared their experiences and the way forward.

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Court Remands Man For Allegedly Cyberbullying Ebonyi Rep Member

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A Magistrate Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, has remanded a 52 years old man, Chinagwo Paul Nweke, for allegedly cyberbullying a lawmaker, Mr Chinedu Ogah.

Ogah is a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, where he is representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State.

Nweke’s remand followed his arraignment on a three count charge by the police on Tuesday.

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According to court records in the suit numbered MAB/616c/2025, the suspect is accused of committing an offence punishable under section 516 A (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 33 , Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.

READ ALSO:N6trn: Court Orders Tinubu To Publish NDDC Audit Report, Name Indicted Officials

The document reads: “That you Chinagwo Paul Nweke ‘m’, and others now at large sometime in (October at Abakaliki within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to Wit: 516 A (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 3Vol:, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.

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“That you Chinagwo Paul Nweke ‘m’, and others now at large did transmit a live broadcast via Facebook account of Amarachi Nweke ‘f’, to place the said Comrade Chinedu Ogah in fear of Death, Violence and Bodily harm and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 24(2)(a) of Cyber Crimes (prohibition Prevention Act2015, as amended.

“That you Chinagwo Paul Nweke ‘m’ on the same date, place and in the aforementioned magisterial District did intentionally transmit a live broadcast via Facebook account of Amarachi Nweke ‘f’, which contained threat to harm the reputation of Comrade Chinedu Ogah whom you accused of a crime in the said broadcast and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 24 (2) (c) of Cyber Crimes (prohibition Prevention) ACt 2015, as amended.”

Sanwo-Olu presents N4.2tr 2026 budget to Lagos Assembly
When the matter came up for hearing, counsel to the defendant, Cyprian Udu, applied for bail for his client.

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READ ALSO:Court Dissolves 11-year-old Marriage Over Domestic Violence

But police prosecutor, Eberechukwu Obi opposed the bail application.

In his ruling, Magistrate Sandra Onyibe declined jurisdiction on the matter.

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She ordered that the case file be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, for further advise on the matter.

The matter was adjourned to 9th December, 2025, for further hearing

Speaking to reporters, counsel to the complainant, Uchenna Collins Egba, said his client is ready to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion.

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READ ALSO:My Husband Has No Source Of Livelihood, Woman Tells Court

“It is just a cause of justice. If an allegation is made against any defendant, just as it is made against Chinabuo Paul Nweke, the police have to do their own part of the job. Finally, they should arraign the defendant, just as they just did.

“The defendant is Chinagwo Paul Nweke, whereas the nominal complainant is Comrade Chinedu Ogah in this matter. Well, the position of the law is simple, that the court lacks jurisdiction. This is the Chief Magistrate Court of that matter. But the truth is that when it comes to cyber crime laws and this prohibition aspect, the Magistrate Court is not given the jurisdiction to entertain such matters.

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“It is only the High Court or the Federal High Court, specifically. So the Magistrate Court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain this matter and that’s why they remanded the defendant. And he was equally informed of his right to appeal at the High Court for his bail because generally, bail is at the discretion of the court.

READ ALSO:Woman Begs Court Not To Grant Husband’s Prayer For Divorce

“But the truth is that there are offenses that are not triable by certain courts, and there are offenses that are triable by certain courts. In the instant case, the offense to which the defendant is charged cannot be tried by the Magistrate Court. That is what gave rise to the ruling that he be remanded.

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“But yet, he should know that he still has that right to appeal for bail at the High Court. It is adjourned for what we call a report of compliance because the orders of the court is that all the inventory of the case file of this matter be transmitted, be transferred to the Honorable Attorney General’s Office for it to vet the file and know the next step to take.

“This matter is adjourned as it is in line with the laws for compliance in two weeks. Every two weeks, this matter will be coming up so that the Magistrate in charge of this matter will know if the Honorable Attorney General has done the needful by vetting the court case files.”

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Insecurity: Nigerian Govt Launches Online Classes For Secondary School Students

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The Federal Ministry of Education has introduced the Inspire Live(s) Online Real-Time Classes Initiative, a national digital learning scheme designed to broaden access to quality education for children across the country.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the ministry described the project as an innovative step toward ensuring equal learning opportunities for all Nigerian pupils.

It noted that the initiative supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

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The ministry explained that the programme was developed to tackle persistent gaps in the education sector, such as limited availability of qualified teachers and frequent disruptions to academic activities.

READ ALSO:TikTok Bans 49,512 Live Sessions In Nigeria As Creators Stream Sex Romps

Through real-time, interactive virtual lessons, the ministry stated that Inspire Live(s) “democratises access to quality education and ensures that no child is left behind regardless of location or circumstance”.

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The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, confirmed that the initiative is already fully operational. He added that the deployment “is underway, with expansion set to cover all classes from Primary 1 to Senior Secondary 3.”

At present, the Inspire platform provides online lessons for students in JSS and SSS levels.

The ministry further noted that the classes take place “Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.” and are taught by “certified master teachers using Cisco Webex.”

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READ ALSO:38 Abducted Kwara Church Worshippers Regain Freedom

The statement also highlighted the range of subjects available to Junior Secondary School students, including Mathematics, English Language, Basic Science, Basic Technology, ICT, Agricultural Science, Civic Education, French, Physical Education, Religious Studies, History, and Business Studies.

Senior Secondary School students can access lessons in Mathematics, English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Geography, Agricultural Science, Technical Drawing/Catering Craft, Civic Education, and Automobile Mechanics.

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To ensure uniform adoption nationwide, the ministry revealed that detailed directives have been sent to state Commissioners for Education.

These instructions include the nomination of “a State Focal Officer to coordinate Inspire Live(s) activities,” and the distribution of “programme details to all public and private school principals.”

READ ALSO:Davido Reacts To Kwara Church Attack, Kebbi Girls Abduction

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States were also mandated to “ensure designated schools are equipped with basic ICT facilities and internet connectivity,” as the success of the programme depends on a minimum level of digital readiness.

The ministry added that school principals are solely responsible for registering their institutions for participation, stating that registration “is strictly to be conducted by school principals via the Inspire support channels.”

It emphasised that the online classes are accessible to the entire education ecosystem, clarifying that the programme “is open to all public and private schools in the country to access.”

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Sanwo-Olu Presents N4.2tr 2026 Budget To Lagos Assembly

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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday laid before the Lagos State House of Assembly a N4.237 trillion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year, describing it as an ambitious, future-driven financial plan aimed at solidifying his administration’s legacy in its final full year.

Presenting the proposal, titled the “Budget of Shared Prosperity,” the governor said it reflects the collective optimism that Lagos will continue to expand opportunities, strengthen its leadership role, and reinforce its status as Africa’s foremost megacity.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the budget projects total revenue of N3,993,774,552,141, comprising N3.12 trillion in Internally Generated Revenue and N874 billion in expected Federal Transfers. The funding structure, he noted, leaves a deficit financing requirement of N243,332,457,167.

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For the 2026 fiscal year, capital expenditure is set at N2,185,085,419,495, while recurrent expenditure stands at N2,052,021,589,812. He explained that the recurrent component covers overheads, personnel costs, and debt obligations.

READ ALSO:Sanwo-Olu makes U-turn, Unblocks Lawyer Who Sued Him Over Blocking On X

A breakdown of recurrent spending shows total overhead costs of N1,084,245,843,091, including general overheads, subventions and dedicated expenditures, while personnel costs amount to N440,494,339,384. Recurrent debt charges are projected at ₦143,876,701,943, with debt repayments estimated at N383,404,705,394.

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Sanwo-Olu also outlined the sectoral distribution of the 2026 budget. General Public Services will receive N847,472,071,966; Public Order and Safety, N147,040,088,897; and Economic Affairs, N1,372,307,808,626. The Environment Ministry is allocated N235,957,235,138, while Housing receives N123,760,310,429.

The Health sector is earmarked N338,449,258,945; Education gets N249,132,921,287; Social Protection, N70,024,171,038; and the Recreation and Culture sector will take N54,682,339,586.

The governor said the year 2026 carries special weight as the last full calendar year of his administration, describing it as a period crucial for consolidating achievements and ensuring a “strong, successful finish.”

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READ ALSO:Trump’s Military Threat: ‘Poor Man Is Already A Sinner’ – Shehu Sani

He reaffirmed his commitment to completing all ongoing and newly initiated projects, adding that his administration will continue to prioritise citizen engagement to ensure government decisions reflect the needs of Lagosians.

According to him, Lagos is entering a new phase of “accelerated impact,” driven by sustained investment in infrastructure, human capital, social welfare and governance systems that are “intentional, inclusive and future-oriented.”

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Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s core mission: “To keep Lagos secure, to keep Lagos working, to keep Lagos growing, and to make sure the prosperity we build is shared by everyone who calls this centre of excellence home.”

He commended the Lagos State House of Assembly for its consistent partnership, describing the lawmakers as steadfast allies in the state’s development journey. He also praised the civil service for its hard work in translating government vision into measurable progress.

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