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Planned Onshore Divestment: Community Calls for Payment of Farmland Damages by SPDC
Planned Onshore Divestment: Community Calls for Payment of Farmland Damages by SPDC
By: Michael Mike
People of Ejalawa Community in Oken-Ogosu in Egbalor Ebubu/Eleme in Rivers State are set to truncate the planned selling of Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited’s onshore property, insisting that court order for the payment of damages caused their farmland should be made first before any other consideration.
The community equally has the federal government to ensure that the oil company pay its adjudged debt due to degradation of farmlands before it is allowed to wound up its onshore business in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Community, Erastus Olungwe,in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, said Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State presided by Justice T.G Ringim has ordered Shell and two others to pay N800 billion to the community for the damages caused to farmland and others by oil spillage in 2019.
Olungwe, in the statement said: “The court also ordered multinationals to promptly and expeditiously remediate Ejalawa land to International Agricultural Soil (IAS). We want to draw attention of Federal Government to an important legal development that concerns the community as regard environmental pollution.
“Based on this background that court in Owerri has rightly recognized the severity of the oil spillage and taken measures to seek redress for our community hence the judgment delivered in Suit No FHC/OW/CS/05/2020 a case between Chief Isaac Obor-ntito Torchi ,and 87.vs Shell and 4 others.”
He lamented that the environmental pollution caused by oil firms has had a detrimental effect on many communities causing risk to our health, natural resources and overall well-being of the community, adding that Shell despite the legal order seek to liquidate its assets, including the property that is crucial to the realisation of our rightful compensation.
He noted that: “The oil firm has made a public notice of her intention to sell her entire shareholding without first complying with the Order of Court. That is the Order mandating Shell to compensate Ejalawa community with the sum of N800 billion as well as clean the community.”
Olungwe further maintained that the impending sale threatens to deprive the community of the just restitution that has been adjudicated upon and, consequently, prolongs the anguish and hardships they have endured.
He urged the federal government to restrain Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigerian from selling or parting with any of its property until it has fulfilled the Order of the Court.
Planned Onshore Divestment: Community Calls for Payment of Farmland Damages by SPDC
News
Atiku urges action to tackle out-of-school children in Nigeria
Atiku urges action to tackle out-of-school children in Nigeria
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Former Vice President of Nigeria has urged everyone to focus attention on the state of the nation’s education to secure a better future for young people in the country.
Atiku who is the founder, American University of Nigeria, AUN made the call at commemoration of the 17th Annual Founders day 2025 in Yola.
He said “Our beloved country, poised with a youth population that boasts enormous promise, faces staggering challenges that threaten to undermine our most precious asset, our children.
“Currently, millions of children remain out of school, and among those who do enrol, many find themselves disillusioned, trapped in an outdated paradigm that fails to prepare them for the demands of an increasingly complex and competitive world.”
According to him, the classroom experience, already compromised, muddied by overcrowded facilities, lack of resources, and educators who are under-supported.
He added that this dire educational reality is not just an unfortunate circumstance; it poses a profound threat not only on the lives of the youths, but also on the society
“The statistics are sobering; Nigeria holds the regrettable title of having the largest population of out-of-school children in the world.
“How is it that in a country rich in resources, cultural heritage knowledge and a myriad of talents, we find ourselves with such a dismal record?
“Every unattended classroom symbolizes a child with unfulfilled potential, a dream put on hold, and a talent that will remain dormant”, he said.
Atiku further said that If we do not act now to revitalize the educational system, “we doom an entire generation to lives devoid of opportunity, creativity, and the freedom to dream”.
In his address, Prof DeWayne Frazier, President of AUN said, over the years, the institutions has grown from its humble beginnings into a dynamic community that embodies the values of excellence, integrity, and service.
He said, they have educated leaders who are shaping industries, driving change, and transforming communities, not only in Nigeria but across the globe.
“Our mission has always been clear: to provide a world-class education rooted in critical thinking, innovation, and a commitment to sustainable development.
“Today, as we celebrate our continued journey fulfilling that mission, we take pride in the milestones we have achieved: innovative program, pioneering research and community impact”, he said.
According to him, beyond the achievements, what truly sets them apart is their community.
“AUN is not just a university; it is a family. A family bound by shared values, mutual respect, and a commitment to making a difference”, he said.
Atiku urges action to tackle out-of-school children in Nigeria
News
Two policemen killed, three missing as Bandits ambush tactical team in Bauchi
Two policemen killed, three missing as Bandits ambush tactical team in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Two police personnel have been killed, three declared missing and two others injured after suspected Fulani herdsmen ambushed a police tactical team in Sabon Sara village, Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred on Nov. 22 at about 12:48 p.m. when the operatives were on an intelligence-led patrol in the area, which has recorded persistent farmer-herder conflicts.
The tactical team, drawn from Mobile Police Squadron 10 (Mopol 10), the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, and the State Intelligence Department (SID), was ambushed by yet-to-be-identified herders who opened fire on them.
“DSP Ahmad Muhammad of SID and Inspector Amarhel Yunusa of Mopol 10 were confirmed dead at the scene,” the source said.
The sources added that ASP Mustapha Muhammad and Inspector Idris Ahmed, both of Mopol 10, as well as Corporal Isah Muazu of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, were declared missing after the attack.
According to the sources, Inspector Isah Musa and Inspector Yusuf Gambo, both of the State Intelligence Department, sustained injuries and were evacuated to the General Hospital, Darazo for treatment.
The sources said that the Commissioner of Police has ordered the deployment of additional tactical units to reinforce the Darazo Division and intensify efforts to trace the missing personnel and apprehend the attackers.
Two policemen killed, three missing as Bandits ambush tactical team in Bauchi
News
Police storms bandits enclave after bandits attack, rescue 25 abducted women in Zamfara
Police storms bandits enclave after bandits attack, rescue 25 abducted women in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
The Zamfara Police Command has rescued 25 abducted persons, including 10 women and 15 children, following a coordinated response to a bandit attack on Kuraje village in Damba area of Gusau Local Government Area.
A source told Zagazola Makama on Sunday that the incident occurred on Nov. 21 at about 9:45 p.m., when armed bandits in large numbers invaded the community, shooting sporadically before abducting the victims.
According to the source, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Damba Division, working alongside operatives from the Department of Operations Gusau and Community Protection Guards (CPG), immediately mobilised to the scene after receiving the distress report.
“The joint police teams engaged the bandits in a gun battle and successfully rescued all the abducted women and children,” the source said.
He added that the rescued victims were taken to Sabongari Damba for safety and were expected to be reunited with their families on Sunday morning.
The police assured that efforts were ongoing to track fleeing bandits and enhance security around vulnerable communities in the area.
Further developments are expected as operations continue.
Police storms bandits enclave after bandits attack, rescue 25 abducted women in Zamfara
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