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Bayelsa Demands US$12 billion from IOCs for Environmental and Health Damages through Oil Exploration

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Bayelsa Demands US$12 billion from IOCs for Environmental and Health Damages through Oil Exploration

By: Michael Mike

Bayelsa State Governor,Duoye Diri has demanded from international oil companies (IOCs) US$12 billion over the course of 12 years for the repair, remediation and restoration of the environment and public health damage caused by oil and gas exploration and to lay the foundations for Bayelsa’s just transition towards renewable energy and opportunities for alternative livelihoods.

The governor made the demand on Wednesday in Abuja at the International Oil Pollution and Just Transition Conference.

He lamented that: “Not too many decades ago, we could cast nets into abundant waters, reaping enough catch to nourish entire families. However, the oil boom has brought doom. Our lifeblood – our rivers – now flow with toxic oil residue instead of vibrant life.

“We are a people of the river and the land; fishing and farming were once our essence. These vocations, passed down through generations, taught us patience, respect for nature, and the value of hard work. But the unchecked activities of International Oil Companies (IOCs) have turned the prolific rivers and fertile soil of Bayelsa into a wasteland.”

He equally decried that: “Our breadwinners, robbed of their ancestral legacy, toil on unforgiving, polluted land and fish in toxic waters, only to return with empty nets. Their families face crippling hunger and suffocating despair.”

The governor, who revealed that he just received a report from the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission, titled “An Environmental Genocide: Counting the Human and Environmental Costs of Oil in Bayelsa, Nigeria,” said: “One study estimates that in 2012 alone, oil spills in Nigeria, and predominantly in the Niger Delta resulted in over 16,000 additional neonatal deaths.”

He stated that: “Indeed, Oil pollution and relentless gas flaring have engendered a grim tapestry of alien health conditions in Bayelsa; children are being born with severe deformities, respiratory diseases flourish, stubbornly defying even the most advanced medical interventions and therapies. Cancers, once a rarity have surged in prevalence, infiltrating the villages like a spectre that haunts the very fabric of daily life.

“The environment itself has become a crucible of suffering. The air hangs thick with toxins, while the water, once a source of life, now flows with pollutants that carry the weight of despair. This unrelenting barrage of environmental degradation has transformed Bayelsa into an epicentre of health crises, forging a reality where illness and suffering have become the norm rather than the exception.”

Diri said the report notes that as a direct consequence, “Life expectancy in Bayelsa has plummeted to just 50 years” sinking well below levels deemed acceptable by global standards, adding that: “Despite these burdens, we continue to demonstrate an indomitable spirit, navigating daily struggles with a painful resilience that belies our longing for a healthier and more hopeful future.

He noted that: “This Report therefore, has not only captured our plight, but it has also amplified our voice; a voice that has cried out for decades, unheard. For too long, we’ve pleaded for mercy, only to be met with indifference. Our children’s futures, our heritage, and our very existence hang in the balance. And today, I bring that voice before you.”

The governor said: “Let me echo a resounding call of the Commission to the IOCs that: “concerted international action to generate and invest at least US $12 billion over the course of 12 years to repair, remediate and restore the environmental and public health damage caused by oil and gas and to lay the foundations for Bayelsa’s just transition towards renewable energy and opportunities for alternative livelihoods, adding that: “This I believe is not limited to Bayelsa State alone, therefore, I call on my brother Governors from the oil producing states to join hands with us in this battle for environmental justice.”

In his welcome address , the Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Nnimmo Bassey, said the conference comes at a pivotal moment in the socioecological history of Nigeria, noting that: “Extractivism and accompanied pollution has wreaked extensive damage in the physical, socioeconomic and cultural spheres of our national life. They have worked together to build a warped future, which must be deconstructed, and reconstructed.”

He revealed that: “The report highlighted the incredible extent of petroleum pollution in Bayelsa State and has given us a vivid picture of the extreme damage that almost seven decades of crude oil exploitation has done to the entire Niger Delta region particularly with regard to both environmental and human health. It is pure environmental genocide and there is no way to sugarcoat its horrors.”

He noted that: “The report is riddled with facts that are almost unimaginable. For example it tells us that there is a 1.5 barrels per capita crude oil pollution of Bayelsa State. It affirms an atrocious level of harm visited on the state including that there is the total hydrocarbons pollution of the water in the state at 1 million times above safe or acceptable standards. One million times above safe standards.

“We note that the pollution is from both old and active wells, flow stations and pipelines. Indeed, abandoned and decrepit oil infrastructure continue to pose extreme menace to the environment and the people of the State. Some communities have been ripped apart by canalization; while others face the threat of being washed into the ocean by combined forces of subsidence, sea level rise and coastal erosion.

“Our water channels are blatantly and recklessly used as waste dumps for produced water and sundry harmful wastesin disregard to ecological and human safety. Our lands and water bodies are privatized and damaged, through acts of egregious industrial vandalism and systemic environmental racism, emanating from the worst forms of colonial resource extraction and land grabbing.”

Bayelsa Demands US$12 billion from IOCs for Environmental and Health Damages through Oil Exploration

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Zulum Apoints Hajiya Mairo Bunu Lawan as Chairperson of BOSCHMA

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Zulum Apoints Hajiya Mairo Bunu Lawan as Chairperson of BOSCHMA

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the appointment of Hajiya Mairo Bunu Lawan as Chairperson of the Board of the Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (BOSCHMA).

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the governor on Media, Dauda Iliya, the appointment is for an initial term of four (4) years.

The appointment is in accordance with the powers vested in the Governor under Section 5(1) of the Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency Law, 2018.

Hajiya Mairo Bunu Lawan is a seasoned administrator and held various leadership positions including permanent secretary in the Borno State civil service in the ministries of Agriculture, Budget and Planning and Water Resources. She was also the former state Accountant General.

She holds a Masters degree in Business Administration (Finance) at University of Maiduguri, and Fellow of several professional bodies including Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria and member Nigerian Institute of Management.

The newly appointed chairperson have attended numerous courses within and outside the country including Policy Strategic and Leadership course at the Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru, and training in International Public Sector Accounting Standards conducted by Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) in London, among others.

Governor Zulum congratulated the newly appointed Chairperson and urged her to bring her wealth of experience to bear in advancing an effective contributory healthcare scheme in the state.

The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Borno State House of Assembly.

Zulum Apoints Hajiya Mairo Bunu Lawan as Chairperson of BOSCHMA

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ECOWAS Court Dismisses Claims of Property Rights Violation Initiated by Nigerian Software Developer

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ECOWAS Court Dismisses Claims of Property Rights Violation Initiated by Nigerian Software Developer

By: Michael Mike

The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS on 12 May 2025 delivered its judgment in Case No ECW/CCJ/APP/25/24 concerning alleged property rights violation, specifically, breach of intellectual property rights. However, the Court dismissed all claims of rights violation considering that there was no deprivation of property or unlawful control of another’s property.

Case background
The Applicants – Mr Solomon Ekolama, a Nigerian and registered Engineer suing alongside a company registered in Nigeria – Far-Reaching Technologies claimed they developed a security software for crime management which was registered and certified by an agent of the Respondent – The Federal Government of Nigeria, in 2016. They averred that they submitted a copy to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) an agency of the Respondent, after which both parties held series of meetings and presentations that enabled access to their intellectual property.

They argued that NITDA published an identical software application on Google Playstore under a different name. They added that the functionality and administrative procedure of the Respondents’ application is a direct copy of their creation, accusing the Respondent of violating their right to property, theft of software application and invasion and infringement of their right to property.

The Applicants concluded that the Respondent was liable for intellectual property theft resulting in unquantifiable loss to them. They notified the Respondent of its breach of intellectual property rights on 14 August 2019.

The Respondent – Federal Republic of Nigeria denied the claims of the Applicants adding that the efforts and expenses incurred in the development of the software were done “within the freewill and pleasure of the Applicants.

Although the Respondent admitted the software was registered and certified by its agency, it argued that it did not contract the Applicants to produce or design a software and that it does not award contracts except through a procurement process in line with its Public Procurement Act. It added that the security number of its application differs from that of the Applicants’ and that the matter was premised on allegation of intellectual property theft which falls within the competence of national courts. Consequently, the Respondent urged the Court to dismiss the case in its entirety.

Court’s Findings
The Court noted that:
· The Applicants relied on Article 14 of the African Charter (ACHPR), Article 26 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Berne Convention for Protection of Literary and Artistic Work and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Copyright Treaty as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
· In accordance with Article 9(4) of its Supplementary Protocol, it could determine the matter as it relates to Article 14 of the ACHPR and Article 26 of the ICCPR but that the Berne Convention for Protection of Literary and Artistic Work and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Copyright Treaty were body of laws outside its areas of competence.
· The Applicants’ submissions under Sections 42 and 43 of the Constitution of Nigeria were understand as the Court lacks competence to examine laws of Member States or review decisions of national courts.
· The Application meets the requirements for admissibility under Article 10(d) of the Supplementary Protocol.
· The Applicants’ claims and evidence suggest a theft of their propriety interest which is a crime and not violation of right to property, and contrary to the civil character of the Court.
· The Applicants still possessed ownership of their software creation and no unlawful control has been exercised by the Respondent. Therefore, there was no breach of Article 14 of the ACHPR.
· On the right to equality under Article 26 of the ICCPR, the Applicants made no credible submissions.

Court Decision
The Court:
· Declared it had jurisdiction to determine the matter.
· Declared the matter was admissible in relation to Article 14 of the ACHPR and Article 26 of the ICCPR.
· Dismissed all claims for violations of rights including right to property and right to equality before the law.
· Ordered the Respondent to bear the costs.

Judicial Panel
The judgment was rendered by a panel comprising:
§ Hon. Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma (Presiding Judge and Judge Rapporteur)
§ Hon. Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara (Member)
§ Hon. Justice Edward Amoako Asante (Member)

ECOWAS Court Dismisses Claims of Property Rights Violation Initiated by Nigerian Software Developer

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This Is A Great Time To Invest In Nigeria, VP Shettina Tells Islamic Devt. Bank

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This Is A Great Time To Invest In Nigeria, VP Shettina Tells Islamic Devt. Bank

  • Says President Tinubu reforms creating conducive environment for investments

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said it is currently a great time to invest in Nigeria, as the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has addressed most of the grey areas that hitherto served as disincentives to investors.

According to him, the foundation laid by the Renewed Hope administration through critical reforms in key sectors of the economy is creating the right environment for investments in Nigeria.

The Vice President stated this on Tuesday when he received on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, a delegation from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) led by the Head of its Regional Hub, Mr Hammad Hundal.

“It is an exciting opportunity to invest in Nigeria. The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has created the enabling environment and is still doing so by addressing most of the grey areas that hitherto served as a disincentive. So, this is a great time to invest in Nigeria,” he said.

Senator Shettima pointed out that with well-thought-out interventions in human capital development, nutrition, agriculture, health, education and promotion of digital trade, the administration has demonstrated commitment in addressing challenges in the critical sectors.

“This administration is poised to address the challenges that we have in key areas of human capital development, financial inclusion, infrastructure and nutrition. In fact, we have no option but to address most of these issues, and we will continue to act in the right direction,” he maintained.

The Vice President applauded Nigeria’s partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, noting that both entities are based primarily on the country’s national interest.

He urged IsDB to continue on the path already laid through its support for key government programmes such as the Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, the i-DICE project and other initiatives, including the development of a Halal economy in the country.

He continued: “Let us cross-pollinate ideas and come up with a design for your Country Engagement Framework (CEF). I want you to record in your Country Engagement Framework, the development of a Halal economy, promotion of digital trade, financial inclusion and other areas. I urge closer collaboration to enable us to address some of these challenges.”

Senator Shettima further noted that the bank’s programmes in Nigeria aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu across different sectors.

He called for improved support from the bank in areas of agriculture, human capital development, gender inclusion, investment in education and health infrastructure, and nutrition.

Earlier in his remarks, the IsDB’s head of regional hub in Abuja, Mr Hundal, said the bank was committed to scaling up its intervention through a holistic review of its Country Engagement Framework (CEF) in Nigeria to prioritise key aspects of the agenda of President Tinubu.

He identified key areas of its intervention in the country, including economic infrastructure, support for the private sector, energy security, and the i-DICE programme.

The highpoint of the meeting was the presentation of the bank’s Country Engagement Framework (CEF) to the Vice President by its Country Economist, Dr Obioma Asuzu.

The CEF highlights key broad strategic objectives of boosting recovery, tackling poverty and building resilience, and driving green economic growth.

She said the IsDB CEF for Nigeria is driven by the country’s national priorities, partnerships with critical stakeholders, and resource mobilisation.

This Is A Great Time To Invest In Nigeria, VP Shettina Tells Islamic Devt. Bank

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