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End Gas Flaring Now, MOSOP Tasks Buhari
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People in the United States (MOSOP USA) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the discontinuation of gas flaring in Ogoniland and Niger Delta area.
In a letter signed by the President, MOSOP USA, Elder DineBari Augustine Kpuinen noted that gas flaring contributes to the causes of climate change.
In the letter addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, and tilted, “The Appointment of an Ogoni and the Ogoni Clean-up”, the group said, “As a matter of urgency, MOSOP USA demands to stop all gas flaring in Ogoni and the Niger Delta area to achieve desirable results during the clean-up.
“Gas flaring is the primary cause of climate change and is identified as the silent killer of Niger Delta inhabitants”.
Also, they group demanded for the revalidation of the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) report, a template used in the clean-up of Ogoniland in Rivers State.
They stressed that since 2011, the environment has witnessed several spills, which has damaged the area more than twice as contained in the UNEP report.
“In 2011, the United Nations Environmental Programme finalised a study of the Ogoni environment, submitted a report to the Federal Government, and classified it to demand urgent attention. Yet, 11 years after, nothing has been done. Not even one of its several recommendations has been satisfactorily implemented.
“The report issued by the UNEP in 2011 on the Ogoni environment and the various tests conducted is now obsolete because they have only 10 years lifespan. Illegal bunkering, fresh oil spillages, and pipe blowouts have devastated the area twice more than reported.
“In addition, black soot now rains in the area. Black soot is the poisonous, dangerous chemical that rains in Ogoni and the Niger Delta. This black soot causes internal bleeding, which is one of the fundamental reasons Ogoni people die more.
“The increased death rate in Ogoni is because of more deadly diseases and infections traceable to the drinking of infected hydrocarbon water, eating poisonous acid infected vegetation and crops, and breathing polluted air.
“The recent oil spills in our rivers, creeks, swamps, and sea; and the illegal manual refineries make the UNEP Report of 2011 obsolete. Ogoniland desires to be thoroughly and promptly reassessed”.
The Ogonis in Diaspora further called on Buhari to invite UNEP to carry out the second reassessment of Ogoni.
However, the group thanked the president for the appointment of Dr. Ferdinand Giadom, an Ogoni as the project coordinator of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
They noted that the clean-up of Ogoni land was far more critical, and should be given the attention and financial support it deserves.
“Unfortunately, shreds of evidence abound whereby such appointments amount to window dressing and funds allocated for the clean-up project grossly mismanaged.
“Therefore, your push for the return of oil production in Ogoni through NNPC in violation of the UNEP guidelines is unacceptable. The pollution in Ogoni is real and has negatively impacted the lives of our people in every way, hence your timely intervention.
“So far, and on your watch, an estimated $360million have been spent on the so-called clean-up in Ogoni with nothing to show for it. While on the other hand, BP has spent an estimated $71billion on clean-up and compensation for the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico over 10 years ago”.
The group added, “Mr. President will agree with MOSOP USA that occasional cosmetic appointments to massage the ego of selfish politicians are not synonymous with implementing the UNEP Report recommendations, or solving the problems of the Ogoni people.
“Therefore, Ogoni earnestly deserves a Marshall Plan that encapsulates the complete and uncompromising implementation of the UNEP Report, the Ogoni Bill of Rights, and the exoneration and immortalisation of the Ogoni Nine. Anything short of this will amount to window dressing – a time bomb that will devastate the Niger Delta area and beyond if not pre-emptively detonated”.
By: Beemene Taneh
News
NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam
The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.
News
Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence
The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.
The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.
News
Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027
A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.
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