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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
Ishaku Amos, a native of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, on Wednesday narrated how his life was transformed from displacement to academic excellence.
Amos, who currently pursues a PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois, Chicago, in the United States, spoke when he paid a visit to the Internally Displaced Person (IDP) at the Home for the Needy Foundation in Uhogua, Edo State.
The excited Amos, who once lived in Home for the Needy Foundation,
said the organisation played a decisive role in changing the course of his life.
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According to him, after completing his undergraduate studies at Edo State University, Iyamho, he secured a scholarship for doctoral studies abroad.
He narrated how he left Nigeria in August with the support of Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, Coordinator of the IDP Camp in Uhogua.
“I had never travelled outside Nigeria before. I grew up in the North and in the camp, so everything was new to me. Having him accompany me made the transition easier and gave me confidence.”
Amos explained that adjusting to life in the United States would have been difficult without that support.
“It was a new culture, a new system and a different weather. But I was prepared. I was guided on what to expect and how to adapt, so I didn’t experience culture shock. He made sure I was comfortable before returning to Nigeria.”
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Speaking on his past, Amos described himself as a victim of terrorism and insurgency in the North-East.
“Anyone who says these things are not happening should listen to my story.
“I know what I suffered. People sometimes talk because they have not experienced it. When you have lived through killings and displacement, you can never deny the reality,”he said.
He expressed deep gratitude to the Home for the Needy Foundation, saying words were not enough to appreciate what the organisation did for him and thousands of others.
“They changed my narrative and my understanding of life. Despite our trauma, they never gave up on us. They paid for our exams even when we failed and had to try again. They kept telling us to focus and try one more time.”
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Amos said his experience has inspired him to give back to society and support vulnerable people in the future.
He also appealed to the Borno State Government and lawmakers from his area to support displaced indigenes.
“They know we exist and that we are Borno indigenes, but we have been ignored for too long. We are calling on them to clear outstanding school fees and provide scholarships. We will continue to call until something is done.”
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has formally distanced himself from a political article titled “Malagi 2027,” which speculated on potential scenarios ahead of the 2027 Niger State governorship election.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the minister’s office clarified that the article was published without authorization by one of his aides, Sa’idu Enagi, emphasizing that the opinions expressed do not represent Idris’ views or intentions.
“The write-up and all its contents are hereby vehemently disclaimed,” the statement affirmed, urging the public to disregard the publication.
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The statement noted that the minister remains fully dedicated to his duties at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and has no interest in, nor tolerance for political distractions or premature electioneering.
It further stressed that he neither approved nor directed the publication of the write-up.
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Following the incident, the minister has ordered an immediate investigation, and the aide responsible has been suspended with immediate effect.
The statement also underscored the cordial and mutually beneficial relationship between the minister and Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, highlighting their joint commitment to the development and stability of the state.
“Speculations about the 2027 elections would be inimical to these noble objectives,” the statement added.
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The disclaimer was signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the minister.
As of January 2026, Nigeria’s personal income tax (PIT) regime has been updated under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, introducing a higher tax-free threshold and a simplified progressive tax structure.
For employees, tax is usually deducted at source under the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) system.
Current Personal Income Tax Brackets (2026 Onward)
Nigeria operates a progressive tax system, meaning income is taxed in layers. Only the portion of income within each band is taxed at the applicable rate.
