Niger Delta
Groups Caution Against Killings, Oil Production In Ogoni
Foremost social cultural organisation in Ogoni, KAGOTE, an acronym for the four Ogoni LGAs of Khana, Gokana, Tai, and Eleme, in Rivers State has cautioned against the unmitigated cult-related killings in Ogoni, particularly in Khana Local Government Area, and called for the intervention of security agencies to save the communities from untold deaths.
The group said the onslaught of cult-related activities in Ogoni has led to wanton wastage of lives and displacement of indigenes of the affected communities, and urged perpetrators of the killings to desist from the dastardly acts or face the full wrath of the law.
President of KAGOTE, Hon Emmanuel Deeyaah, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, said the organisation, in collaboration with other Ogoni stakeholders, would work with the state government and security agencies to put an end to the killings.
The group also cautioned against the planned resumption of oil exploration and production activities in Ogoni by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), stating that such plans without due consultations with Ogoni stakeholders and the state government was an insult on the sensibilities of Ogoni people who were still contending with issues of environmental degradation and pollution of their natural environment by decades of oil exploitation.
He said, “Plans are on the way to organise an Ogoni stakeholders’ conference where key issues bordering on Ogoni development would be discussed. If the Federal Government is desirous of resuming oil exploration activities in Ogoni, then, there has to be dialogue with the government and people of the state, particularly the immediate Ogoni people. No individual or single group has the mandate to decide over matters affecting Ogoni development, including oil resumption in the land”.
Deeyaah expressed regret that NPDC, a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), would visit Ogoni without going through the right channel.
He said, “Lately, in Ogoniland, we have had this issue of cult-related killings. So, we have come to say enough is enough. We are talking with the relevant security agencies so that henceforth, anyone caught shooting even crackers, they should visit such person with the full weight of the law. They should do everything within their powers to apprehend such persons.”
Deeyah said, while the people were pondering on how to tackle insecurity in the area, that they were again inundated with the report of the visit of NPDC on their planned resumption oil mining in Ogoni.
KAGOTE president said any company that intends to explore oil in the area must meet with critical stakeholders, chiefs and opinion leaders in Ogoniland.
He added that Ogoni was not ready to make the same mistakes it made in the era of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).
Deeyah said, “The truth about it is that nobody in Ogoni owns the means of the facility to mine oil. We belong to the federation, that is, Nigeria, and we are also bound by the laws of the country.
“We can’t decide which company comes and which will not come. But we have a long history when it comes to oil exploration. We have lost our bests and there have been killings and all kind of things, and we believe that such a process, if the government is actually desirous of mining oil in Ogoinland should consult. There should be a process of dialogue with the people.
“We have our son, Senator Magnus Abe, who is on the board of NNPC, the parent company of NPDC. He is not in the picture of this development. We also have Senator Barry Mpigi, also an indigene, and others; they are not in the picture of this development.
“Those people who claim to come from NPDC, do they actually come from Nigeria? Don’t they come from places? We even have local government chairmen on ground. We have never heard that any of the council chairmen was involved in any of those processes. We also have the state government. Why would they just enter Ogoni without interacting with these layers of leaders?”
He disowned Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI), the organisation that championed the visit of NPDC, stating that the body does not have the mandate to speak for Ogoni people.
He said, “I would like to say that the OLI as they call them, don’t have the legitimate mandate to invite any group to come and mine oil in Ogoniland, and we want to say to them that, henceforth, they should stop all such activities.
“In the next few days, we are going to call a broad-based meeting of Ogoni people, so that we chat the way forward. It is in that meeting we are going to agree on what we expect.
“We rejected Shell, so if another organisation is going to come, we should know what other things they are going to do better than Shell.”
Similarly, the Ogoni Elders’ Forum, Gbokabaari, has also warned against alleged moves to resume oil exploration in Ogoni.
A statement signed by the Chairman of the body, Chief Monday Abueh, said there was a sinister motive behind the plan, as the Federal Government was plotting another round of killings in the land, similar to the instigated killings that led to the decimation of Ogoni elite class in the 90s.
The statement called for calm in Ogoni, adding that the NGO fronting for oil resumption in Ogoni, Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI), lacked the pedigree and mandate to do so.
The Tide gathered that following moves to resume oil exploration and production activities in the area, stakeholders and opinion leaders in Ogoni ethnic nationality have agreed on a broad-based meeting to address the resurgence of cult-related killings and the visit of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), to the area without official notice to the leaders.
Also, the leaders of Ogoni have regretted the visit of NPDC, and vowed that no company would resume oil business in the area without due consultations with the people.
By: Taneh Beemene
The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has called on all court users to collaborate with the state judiciary in its fight against corruption.
Okungbowa made the call on Friday during a special court session held in Benin to mark the opening of the 2025/2026 Legal Year.
He commended the “Bail Is Free Campaign Organisation” for its continued support of the judiciary’s efforts to rid the system of corruption.
The opening ceremony provided an opportunity for the judiciary to reflect on the achievements of the past legal year and to outline goals for the year ahead.
According to the Chief Judge, key focus areas in the previous year included capacity building, administration of criminal justice, and staff welfare.
As the new legal year begins, Okungbowa emphasised the judiciary’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency in the discharge of its duties.
In recognition of exemplary service, ten members of the state judiciary received the Chief Judge’s Award for being outstanding ambassadors of the institution.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, Mr. Idemudia Osifo, urged the Edo State judiciary to continue upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and judicial independence.
Osifo praised the judiciary for its industry, resilience, and steadfastness under the leadership of the Chief Judge, and also highlighted several persistent challenges.
He noted that many courts in Edo State still operated in dilapidated conditions and lacked modern facilities needed for effective justice delivery.
He lamented the prolonged duration of many court cases, which continued to erode public confidence in the system, and stressed the urgent need to improve the working conditions of judicial officers and support staff.
“The safety of judicial officers, lawyers, litigants, and witnesses must be ensured”, he said.
The NBA urged the judiciary to invest in ICT infrastructure to enhance justice delivery, reduce delays, and increase transparency.
It also pledged its commitment to promoting access to justice and defending the sanctity of the legal profession.
As the new legal year begins, the association urged the judiciary to uphold the noble ideals of justice, fairness, and independence.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has congratulated the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Obi, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, on the occasion of his first year coronation anniversary.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, Oborevwori lauded the monarch’s dedication to peace, unity, and the cultural advancement of Asaba.
He described Obi Azinge as a revered traditional ruler and academic whose leadership over the past year has brought renewed pride to the Asaba Kingdom and inspired confidence in traditional institutions across the State.
Oborevwori said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Delta State, I warmly congratulate Your Majesty, Obi, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, the Asagba of Asaba, on the joyous celebration of your first coronation anniversary.
“Your reign has already demonstrated a deep commitment to the values of peace, inclusiveness, and development.
“As an accomplished academic and respected traditional ruler, you have brought honour not only to the Asaba Kingdom, but also to the entire Delta State.”
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s support for traditional institutions and assured the Asagba of continued partnership in advancing the interests of the Asaba people.
He wished the monarch long life, wisdom, and a peaceful and prosperous reign.
Obi Prof. Azinge ascended the throne as the Asagba of Asaba in 2024, succeeding the late Obi Prof. Chike Edozien, and has since been recognised for his efforts in promoting cultural heritage, peace and community development.
By: Albert Ograka, Asaba
The Akwa Ibom State Government has launched the Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP) to tackle the challenges of epileptic power supply to the health sector.
The State Governor, Umo Eno, stated this in his keynote address during the state launch on Friday in Uyo, saying that the project would be in collaboration with the EU.
According to the Governor, the project is to strengthen the state’s vision of universal, reliable and sustainable energy access for all communities, especially in rural and peri-urban areas.
Eno, represented by the Deputy Governor, Sen. Akon Enyaenyi, stated that Akwa Ibom State has taken bold steps to domesticate the Electricity Act 2023 through its own Electricity Policy (2024) and Electricity Law (2024).
He said those two instruments mark a turning point in its journey toward a fully-fledged Akwa Ibom State Electricity Market (AKSEM), one that is state-led, private-sector-driven.
According to him, it will be inclusive in all ramifications and acutely focused on developing and sustaining the all-important off-grid sub-sector of the State Electricity Market.
“Electricity is not just a commodity, it is the foundation of healthcare, education, security, and prosperity.
“By establishing a credible electricity market and regulatory framework, we are creating a platform where on-grid and off-grid solutions can coexist, complementing each other to deliver reliable power to all sectors, including our hospitals and health centres”, Eno said.
The Governor further said the project would provide clean, reliable solar energy to healthcare facilities across the state; enhance healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
He added that it would reduce dependency on diesel and improve environmental sustainability; create local jobs and build technical capacity in solar maintenance and energy services.
Eno commended the state steering committee for taking up the important responsibility.
He said the committee, drawn from both the Ministries of Power and Health, would serve as the vital bridge between policy, implementation and progressive community outcomes.
“Let me assure our development partners, the EU, NTU International, and the REA, that the Akwa Ibom State Government will provide all necessary supports to ensure that this project becomes a model for sustainable energy access in healthcare, not just in our State but across Nigeria.
“This launch is more than a ceremony, it is a statement of intent”, he said.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Power, Mr. Robson Iniobong, said electricity is the very thing that guarantees and announces the functionality of every other sector.
Iniobong stated that the Governor had prioritised his interest in power and health sectors to provide quality services to the people.
In his remarks, Mr. Tinyan Ogiehor, Senior Stakeholders Engagement Manager of NISHP, said the project would establish solar mini-grids at approximately 19 Public Health Centres (PHCs) across the state.
Ogiehor added that the solar project would also reach the state central cold store, with a view to positively impacting healthcare delivery and boosting economic activities.
“Beyond powering the PHCs, this project will enhance the operations of about 75 small businesses located within these facilities”, he said.
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