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Ebocha Blasts: RSG Orders Clean – Up Of Egbema Communities …Gives NAOC 3-Month Deadline
The Rivers State Government has directed the management of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), the Italian oil giant, to effect immediate clean-up of Egbema communities impacted by the Ebocha oil centre explosions that occurred last July.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Prof Roseline Konya, who gave the order during a parley between the Ministry’s officials, Egbema communities and representatives of Agip, said that Agip can not claim that the triple explosions spanning across two days did not negatively impact or pollute the environment, adding that all prospecting oil and gas companies operating in the state must be environment friendly and responsive to their host communities.
The commissioner explained that the issue of compensation will not be addressed for now pending the clean-up exercise, and gave the oil firm three-month timeline to clean-up and remediate the environment and communities affected.
Konya appealed to the impacted host communities to co-operate with the firm during the clean-up process.
She promised that the ministry will meet with all the parties and stakeholders in three months’ time to review the progress and agree on nest line of action.
Earlier, the chairman of Egbema Technical Committee, Josan Osai, who described the relationship between Agip and Egbema communities as a metaphor of mother and child, had lamented how Egbema (as a mother) nurtured Agip (the child) to adulthood only for the child to abandon the mother after stabilizing.
Osai recalled that the triple explosions from the Ebocha oil cnetre that rocked the area left the entire environment devastated, affecting flora and fauna while buildings, livestocks, rivers, streams, fish ponds, pools among others were severely impacted.
He blamed the explosions on equipment/facility failure as, according to him, Agip had 24-hour security/surveillance around the area of explosions, which was fenced and tagged a “no-go area” from non-Agip personnel.
Osai disclosed that host communities had severely dialogued with Agip, which involved the state House of Assembly, Rivers State Police Command and National Assembly but regretted that such parleys were deadlocked when Agip sidelined Egbema and signed the Joint Inspection visit report without the consent of the landlords.
Also speaking, the leader of Agip team, Dr Kingsley Opuene Aston, who doubles as the Manager, Environment Department, said that the company’s position was that the explosions were as a result of sabotage, adding that the company cannot be held liable for the incident.
Aston further said that some remedial measures had been effected within the site of the blasts while relief materials had been sent to host communities to cushion the effect of the disaster.
He, however, stated that the resolution of the meeting will be transmitted to Agip’s management for further action and directive.
It would be recalled that series of meetings and dialogue had been held between host communities, Agip, state House of Assembly, National Assembly and police authorities as well as Rivers State Ministry of Environment since the triple explosion that happened last July.
Goodluck Ukwe
L-R: Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, wife of the state Governor, Justice, Eberechi Suzette Wike and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Ukel Oyagiri, conferring over the SDG’s sticker, during a meeting/workshop on Women Empowerment and Sustainable Development organised by the State Ministry of Women Affairs in Port Harcourt, recently.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.