News
OML 25: Buhari Apologises To Host Communities Over Neglect

President Mohammadu Buhari yesterday apologised to the host communities of Oil Mining Lease 25 over the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and Shell Petroleum Development Company’s failure to provide potable drinking water, schools and health centres in the host communities despite generating over N700m daily for the past 40 years from the facility.
The president stated this in Kula kingdom, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, during the official reopening of the of the Belema flow which would now be operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company and Belemaoil Producing Limited following an agreement brokered by the federal government recently after operation of the facility was halted for two years by the host communities.
Buhari, who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Niger Delta affairs, SenatorItaEnang, noted that the communities hosting the OML 25 which produces huge revenue for the country should not be demanding basic utilities such as clean drinking water, schools and health facilities and not get it after all these years.
He said, “I am saddened that for the past 40 years of Shell’s operation here, there is no school, potable drinking water nor hospital; I will take your demands to the president and he will not just provide your needs, but will also provide all necessary facilities for all oil-bearing communities in Nigeria.
“On behalf of the country, we apologise to you, this situation under president Buhari will change for the better for us all.”
“I personally scooped the water you drink here with my hands and it has oil in it, I can still feel the oil in my palms till now.”
“Communities hosting a facility which generates over $2m per day which amounts to over N700m daily for the country should not be asking for a primary school and health centre in 2019 after all these years. It is saddening.” He added.
He commended the Founder and President of Belemaoil Producing Limited, Engr. Tein Jack-Rich for revolutionalising the oil industry in the area of catering for the welfare of host communities to bring peace and enhance productivity.
“I raise your hand for bringing peace into the oil sector through your deliberate policy to develop the host communities. Your initiative has brought tremendous peace to the oil sector of the nation’s economy,” he said.
The Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, MeleKyari who was represented by the Group Managing Director, National Petroleum Investment Management Services, Musa Lawan, said the NNPC would partner Shell and Belema to address the needs of the host communities.
He added that the reopening signifies more revenue for the country and development for the host communities.
“We will redirect our 2020 budget towards this because we are going to take it up and capture these issues.
“I have personally observed the lack of potable drinking water and school in the community, so in partnership with Shell and Belema oil, beginning 2020, we will have a programme to at least solve these two issues and we’ll continue to address the demands of the people as they arise.
News
Elele Etche community Gets Interim Youth Leaders ….As traditional rulers Warned Against land grabbing

Elele Community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers state has inaugurated an interim Youth Executive to run the affairs of the Elele Central Youth Association for the next six months.Among those inaugurated are, Comrade Godspower Anaele as the youth leader, Godspower Nwala, deputy youth leader and Barrister Nnamdi Abel as General Secretary/Legal Adviser.Also inaugurated are,Mr Ifeanyi Emmanuel as Assistant General Secretary,Chibuike Nwamkpa as financial secretary, Michael Ogundu , public Relations officer,Miss Faith Nwaobilor , welfare officer and Charles I K.Agugoesi as provost.The Ochimba of Elele community Etche local government Area ,HRH Eze Innocent Anaemeje who inaugurated the youth executive warned them against involvement in anti social behavioursEze Anaemeje particularly warned them against involvement in land grabbing stressing that having eliminated land grabbing from the area, the community will frown at any attempt to bring it back.He said though the interim youth executive has six months to run the affairs of the Elele central youth Association, the community might return them if their performances are satisfactory.In an interview with newsmen, The Elele Etche monarch said his kingdom has only one youth body which is the Elele Central Youth Association, warning that private youth bodies will never be allowed to operate in the kingdom.He said his kingdom is laying a foundation that will promote hardwork and respect to constituted Authoritaties especially from the youth, adding that nobody irrespective of his position will be allowed to hold the community to ransomAccording to him, the youth of Elele Etche must respect their elders , the government and cultivate the virtues of hardwork and honesty, stressing that nobody will be allowed to bring shame to the kingdom.Anaemeje who is the chairman welfare committee of The Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers used the occasion to call on both the Rivers state Government and Etche Local Government Council to assist the community with the rehabilitation of its dilapidated health centreHe said the health centre which was constructed through communal efforts has become dilapidated leading to its abandonment.Eze Anaemeje also called for Government intervention on the epileptic power situation in the area and congratulated Governor Siminalaye Fubara for his reinstatement after six months of emergency rule in the state.Also speaking the Ezeoha of Etche ethnic nationality,HRH Eze Chima Nwagha called on youths in the community to respect their eldersHe warned that no indigene in the area should be allowed to use his position to destroy the kingdom and advised the newly inaugurated youth association to rule with the fear of God.
By: John Bibor & Birane progress
News
Stop blaming leaders, take responsibility, CAN tells Nigerians

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Borno State chapter, has urged Nigerians to make the right choices and take responsibility for the nation’s progress instead of blaming leaders for its challenges.
Borno CAN Chairman, Bishop John Bogna Bakeni, made the call in Maiduguri on Saturday, stressing that national renewal requires both accountable leadership and responsible citizenship.
He said the transformation of Nigeria’s economic and political systems depends on deliberate moral choices and collective action by citizens.
“As I said in my message on the pulpit, Nigerians must make the right choices. We must hold our leaders accountable at all levels, but we must also take responsibility,” Bishop Bakeni stated.
He added that it is not enough to desire a better country without consciously choosing good over evil and making efforts to build it.
Bakeni noted that problems such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and corruption stem from the failure of families to instill discipline and values in their children.
“We cannot continue to blame the government alone. Parents must monitor their children and instill discipline and honesty in them. Evil thrives when families abandon their moral duties,” he warned.
News
NUJ hails DSS for releasing detained journalists

The Nigeria Union of Journalists has commended the Department of State Services for the prompt release of two journalists, Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang of Jay 101.9 FM, Jos, who were recently arrested while covering the funeral of the late mother of the All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.
The NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahya, in a statement on Sunday, said the union welcomed the intervention of the DSS Director-General, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, which led to the immediate release of the journalists.
Our correspondent gathered that the journalists had captured footage showing DSS operatives preventing some pastors from gaining access to the church premises where the funeral service was taking place.
Security officials were screening attendees, and in the process, some clerics were denied entry.
Marcus and Jang had been detained after posting a video report on social media showing a confrontation between a cleric and security operatives at the funeral, an incident that raised widespread concern over press freedom and the right of journalists to perform their lawful duties.
The statement partly read, “We are encouraged by the decisive intervention of the DSS Director-General, who not only ordered their release but also personally reached out to the Union to tender his apologies. He has also reiterated his directive to DSS operatives to conduct thorough investigations before making arrests.”
The NUJ president described the gesture as a positive shift in the culture of Nigeria’s security institutions.
“The willingness of the DSS leadership to admit errors, apologise where necessary, and commit to reforms is an important step in strengthening public trust and confidence in the agency,” he stated.
While commending the development, Abdullahi urged the DSS and other security agencies to sustain the new approach and respect the rights of journalists at all times.
“Press freedom is the bedrock of democracy, and journalists must never be treated as adversaries for performing their constitutional duties. We call on the DSS to institutionalise accountability by sanctioning officers whose actions undermine democratic values and constitutional rights”, he said.
He stressed that only by enforcing discipline within the ranks can such progress be consolidated.
Abdullahi further assured that the NUJ remains committed to constructive engagement with security institutions to strengthen mutual understanding, promote professionalism, and safeguard both press freedom and national security.
“We urge our members across the country to remain vigilant, courageous, and professional in the discharge of their duties,” the NUJ president added.
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