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Royalties: Kalabari King Gives Shell Ultimatum
The chiefs and people of Kalabari kingdom in Rivers State, have vowed to resist plans by oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to reduce royalties accruing to the area due to rising incidents of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The kingdom, which comprises, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru and Degema local government areas, said any slash in their royalties will amount to a breach of the agreement signed with the people.
Managing Director of SPDC, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, had in a news briefing in Port Harcourt, on March 1, 2013, said the firm may be compelled to shut down its Nembe-Creek Trunkline (NCTL), following the upsurge in crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, particularly in Cawthorne Channel and Kakrama, in Kalabariland and Awoba in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
Sunmonu, disclosed that 60,000 barrels of crude oil were being stolen everyday, out of the company’s 150,000 barrels daily oil supply to the trunk line, while bemoaning the huge loss of revenue to the government and the devastation such illicit activities were causing to the environment.
The company, in keeping to that threat, had five days later shut down the pipeline and declared force majeure on crude supply to Bonny Export Terminal.
SPDC’s spokesman, Mr Precious Okolobo, also said recently that the company may look in the way of slashing the funds to the communities within the NCTL, if nothing was done to stop the ugly trend.
But the Amayanabo of Kalabari kingdom, Professor Theophilus J.T. Princewill, last weekend faulted the move by Shell, reminding the firm of its promise to increase the mandate annually by 10 per cent, saying the planned reduction will be collectively resisted by the people.
The monarch, who was answering questions from newsmen shortly after a special service at the African Church, Buguma City in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the State, to mark his 11th Anniversary on the throne as Amayanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, noted that the funds were part of extant agreement between Shell and the kingdom to assist the development of the area.
King Princewill explains: “Shell keeps mentioning that they were going to shut down their trunkline. For the last six years or so, they gave us some money which we used in providing projects.
Now that they are coming to the second phase of that agreement, on the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU, instead of increasing the lot (they call it mandate) that is due to us (the Kalabari people), they want to reduce it by more than half, whereas in the last five years, there was a promise to have 10 per cent increase annually.
“Instead of finding it necessary to review it upwards now that they are going to enter into a new agreement, they want to slash it down by more than a half. Of course, the Kalabaris will not agree.
”Although they said because of crude oil theft, their production in the Kalabari area dropped, but we did not believe that, that has happened. But if we go by that, there are other areas where there is no production whatsoever, but they have increased their funds allocation to them.
”So, if they want to insist on reducing what mandate they gave us, we will say no, we will not accept it. You either increase it or you don’t operate in our area,” he posited.
He further said that the Kalabari Council of Chiefs had met severally with Shell where the latter was told that whatever is in the territory belongs to the people and that the firm was only allowed to go and exploit the crude.
”If what they are doing is to make us suffer for it, we ask them (Shell) to pack up their things (facilities) and go, because we will not beg them to come and do it. If they don’t do it, there are other companies that will come in to do it. For many years now in Ogoni area, Shell is not operating, yet Ogonis have not died.
“If we stop Shell from operating in our territory, we will not die and Nigeria will not collapse and that is our position. They say they are going to close down their operation, we say not only closing down, pack your things and go. That is what we have said to them (Shell),” he said.
Prof. Princewill, however, said that if youths in the area were found culpable over allegations of crude theft, the Kalabari Council of Chiefs would intervene, but noted that crude oil and the control of the resource was essentially the business of the government.
”I and the Kalabari chiefs do not have any control over crude oil production or exploitation. The only thing we can do if our children are doing it is to talk to them, but the full control of such issue is in the hands of government,” he added
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.