National News

Ogoni Clean-Up: FG Promises to Address Concerns of Stakeholders

Published

4 years ago

December 1, 2021

News Net Global

Ogoni Clean-Up: FG Promises to Address Concerns of Stakeholders

By: Our Reporter

The Federal Government has promised to address the concerns raised by the Ogoni community about the on-going environmental remediation of oil impacted sites in the area being carried out by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor made the promise while addressing community leaders, youths, women groups and other stakeholders in Ogoni at a forum held in Bori, the Council Headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers state.

She explained that the essence of the meeting was to interact with them to find out the areas of the project they think needed improvement to better deliver on the mandate of the project and not the usual reading of prepared speeches.

“I would like to hear from you, and I will respond and tell you what we have planned for the Ogoniland clean-up project.

“I know we are behind schedule in some key areas, and I appreciate the concerns you raised here today about the project as this will help us to work together to fast track the process taking into consideration benefits to the communities.”

Ikeazor added that the youths will be engaged as Environmental Surveillance Officers. “We want to work with the youths and women groups to acquire the skills and be empowered for sustainable living so that we would not be doing this over and over again”.

Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Philip Shekwolo in his opening remarks briefed the stakeholders on the achievements of the project in the areas of remediation, provision of potable water, and livelihood training programs, among others.

In his submission, His Royal Majesty, King Godwin Gininwa, the Gbenemene of Tai Kingdom said, though HYPREP is not for only Ogoni, Ogoni people should be considered first before other communities as they have suffered so much degradation in their land.

The Royal Father appealed to the Federal Government to commence work on the proposed University of Environment to be sited in Ogoniland as it will assist in educating and training the people and put them in a better position to assist the community in managing the environment.

Other community leaders at the event also said they were happy with the efforts and enthusiasm of the Minister asking her to do her best in ensuring that the clean-up project makes the desired impact on the people of the area.

Also Read: Over 300,000 children out of school in Borno – UNICEF

Former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and member of GBO KABAARI, Barr. Ledum Mitee in his remarks called for more visible benefits on the lives of Ogoni people.

“What we do that does not affect the life of our people is not clean-up. I will call what is happening a patronage mechanism and we need to diffuse it and make it inclusive for the effect of the clean up to be felt by Ogoni people”.

Mitee further called for the establishment of industries in the region to employ more people instead of giving handouts.

The Local Government Council Chairman of Khana, Bariere Thomas, speaking on behalf of the Chairmen of Gokana, Eleme, and Tai Council reiterated their support for HYPREP and pledged their commitment to the success of the clean-up project.

He also appealed to HYPREP to commence the building of the Centre of Excellence as outlined in the UNEP report and commended the Minister on her pragmatic steps to set HYPREP on the right path.

“I want to, on behalf of my colleagues, assure you that we are impressed with your leadership as we have seen humility, commitment and sincerity of purpose in your approach.”

The Minister later undertook an inspection visit to the Alesa water station and some remediated sites in Alode, Eleme where she was impressed with the work done given the fact that the remediated lots now have flourishing vegetation, an indication of the regeneration of the ecosystem.

Ogoni Clean-Up: FG Promises to Address Concerns of Stakeholders

National News

VP Shettima Attends Wedding Fatiha Of Aisha Shehu Aliyu and Muhammad Jalal Babangida Aliyu

Published

6 hours ago

August 9, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VP Shettima Attends Wedding Fatiha Of Aisha Shehu Aliyu and Muhammad Jalal Babangida Aliyu

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday attended the wedding fatiha of Aisha, daughter of Shehu Aliyu, an Executive Director with First Bank of Nigeria, and Muhammad Jalal, son of former Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Talban Minna, at the National Mosque, Abuja.

The solemnisation, led by the Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Adam, alongside other Imams, featured prayers for the couple’s blessings.

Vice President Shettima stood in for the bride, while Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu represented the groom, culminating in the presentation of the dowry and the formal tying of the marital knot.

The event was graced by prominent dignitaries, including former Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi, former Minister of Special Duties Kabiru Turaki, Katsina State Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe, the Emir of Borgu, Niger State, Muhammad Sani Dantoro among many others.

VP Shettima Attends Wedding Fatiha Of Aisha Shehu Aliyu and Muhammad Jalal Babangida Aliyu

National News

Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

Published

5 days ago

August 5, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

By: Zagazola Makama

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.

Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.

Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.

Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

National News

Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

Published

6 days ago

August 3, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa

The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.

The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.

He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.

“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.

Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.

“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.

He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.

Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.

Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.

“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.

He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.

Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.

Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027