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We See Renewed Vigour In Ogoni Clean-Up—Reps

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1 year ago

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Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, have said that there is renewed vigour on the part of the Federal Government and the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in the clean-up of Ogoniland in Rivers State.

 

The committee members, who dropped the hint during an oversight visit to some remediation sites, water and project sites in Ogoniland recently, said the clean-up project is still work in progress.

 

The Chairman of the committee, Rt Hon Dumnamene Dekor, while addressing newsmen on behalf of the members, said after visiting some of the project sites, they have seen renewed vigour in the delivery of services to the Ogoni people.

 

According to him, the clean-up project is so far, work in progress.

 

While stressing that the visit of the project sites by the members was done in exercise of their oversight functions, as provided in the Constitution and the rules of the House, Dekor commended the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal Abbas and the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Deinibarini Zabbey and their team for the good work done so far.

 

He noted that having been around as a former member of the House Committee on Environment; and chairman of the House Committee on Host Communities for the second time, the lawmakers can spot the difference in what was being done in the past and today.

 

Dekor said the committee would encourage the Federal Government and the HYPREP team , adding, however, that they should not see the committee’s position as a pat on their back, because, according to him, “we have also spotted some gaps, there are some contractors that may have to do some explanations while there are others we have to commend at the end of the exercise.”

 

The federal lawmaker further indicated that generally, what the committee had seen at the sites visited conformed with what they had expected, saying, “We did not believe that we would get this far.”

 

The committee chairman said the Ogoni people had long been deprived and had suffered degradation of their environment for a very long time, and called on the Federal Government and HYPREP to do more for the people, saying he was happy that the Project Coordinator had told the committee members that every Ogoni community would be provided potable water.

 

He expressed delight that young Ogoni people are engaged at the various project sites, and urged them to be shining examples, grow themselves and be more creative, since there is no free lunch anywhere, as Manna no longer falls from heaven.

 

Dekor also used the opportunity to appeal to the youths to shun cultism, illegal oil bunkering, crime and criminality, and embrace what is happening in Ogoniland.

 

He equally promised that the committee and the National Assembly would work with HYPREP and the Ogoni Board of Trustees to ensure that the Federal Government, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited pays its counterpart funds for the clean-up project.

 

According to him, the International Oil Companies(IOCs), especially the Shell Petroleum Development Company are trying in fulfilling part of their own bargain, assuring the people that the committee would ensure that all those who are yet to pay the counterpart funds do so.

 

He disclosed that what was being used for the clean-up project are take- off grants, which he said, are almost completely spent.

 

The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Deinibarini Zabbey, while also addressing newsmen, said the Project was excited over the visit of the lawmakers to some of its project sites, saying, “We have taken note of their concerns and commendations. They are motivating us to do better.”

 

He reassured Ogoni stakeholders that HYPREP, under his watch, would give the people of the area the best.

 

The members of the committee visited the barricaded remediation site in Ogale Community; and Lots 3, 11 and 15 in Eleme Local Government Area; Kpoghor/Gio water scheme in Tai Local Government Area; Ogoni Specialist Hospital; Buan Cottage Hospital; Buan water project; Kwawa remediation site; and Bieere water scheme; among others.

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NGO Builds Awareness On Digital Violence Against Women, Girls

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6 days ago

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January 2, 2026

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As part of activities marking 16 Days of Activism, A Non-Governmental Organizatio (NGO), OLEGH, has organised a one-day awareness creation workshop on digital violence against women and girls, for civil society and media groups in Rivers State.
OLEGH’s Executive Director, Henry Eferebo, said the programme was intended to draw attention to the theme for the 2025 16 Days of Activism tagged, “Unite To End Digital Violence against all Women and Girls.”
Eferebo said the event is an annual global campaign that focuses on violence against women, affords persons and groups all over the world the opportunity to embark on activities aimed at eliminating all forms of women and gender abuse.
“As individuals, we don’t pay attention to the things we see on the social media. We pay less attention to the abuse on the internet. Today, you can abuse a woman or a man physically, emotionally and otherwise, and go scot-free”, he noted.
According to him, women and girls have suffered the most from online violence and cyber-bullying, particularly on platforms such as TikTok, making them ready victims online and offline.
“So, in line with the United Nations principle on 16 Days of Activism and this year’s theme, there is a need for OLEGH Center to create awareness on issues resulting from the online abuse of women and girls.
“We decided to bring in a resource person who will tell us how to avoid being abused online”, he said.
He urged participants at the event to put hands together, rise up and speak against digital violence online.
The NGO’s arrow head, also explained that OLEGH was working towards creating an online help-desk for victims of online abuse and digital violence.
He urged participants to improve their security awareness while online, and adopt security protocols that would protect them in the digital space.
The Resource Person, Jacob Iniodu, in a paper titled, “Understanding Digital Abuse within the 16 Days of Activism”, listed forms of online violence to include, cyber-bullying, dozing, cyber-stalking, and invasion of privacy.
By: King Onunwor
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Foundation Distribute Bags N5m Worth Christmas Gifts In Bundu Ama

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6 days ago

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January 2, 2026

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Armslent Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), in Rivers State, has distributed Christmas gifts worth over N5million to aged mothers, orphans and less privileged persons in Belema, Bundu Ama (Community) in Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA).
The Foundation also gave cash gifts of N150,000 to the Community.
Presenting the gift items, comprising 5 bags of rice,10 Cartons of indomie noodles,10 Gallons of groundnut oil, 3 bags of salt and cartons of maggie cubes, to Chairman of the Community, David Oba, and the community leaders, the founder of Armslent Foundation, Comrade Richard Boma Briggs, said the foundation decided to show love and togetherness to the community by providing the gifts.
He noted that the provision was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the community aimed at alleviating poverty and create a sense of belonging as Christian faithfuls celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Briggs described Bundu Ama as one of its pillars in partnership, stressing that the foundation was inspired by the spirit of love to impact and rejoice with the residents of the community.
“The foundation was moved by the spirit of Christmas to give these gifts and rejoice with the people of community”, Briggs said.
Accompanied by the Managing Director of the Foundation, Richard Osigbo, and other top Executive Members, Briggs called on the leaders of the community to always pray for the foundation, promising that in 2026, it would embark on a tangible project at UPE Modern Primary School Waterfront, Bundu Ama.
Receiving the items, Chairman of Bundu Ama, David Oba, thanked the foundation for empowering the less privileged persons, assisting physically challenged persons, and aged mothers in the past.
“The foundation had done a lot for this community and today we are witnessing these gift items for the Christmas celebration”,he emphasised.
He called on the leaders of the community, women group, youths and residents to emulate the humanitarian gestures of the foundation and pleaded that they also borrow a leaf from the gesture,in order to also give to society whenever they can.
Earlier the leaders of Belema Bundu Ama, led by Oba, former Chairman, Benneth Kalio, and Secretary, Promise Mangibo, presented an Award of Excellence to the Founder of the Foundation for his Humanitarian and selfless service to the community.
Highlight of the event was the offering of a special prayer to the management of the foundation by aged mothers, youths and leadership of the community.
By: Chinedu Wosu
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Youths Condemn Killings In Andoni

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6 days ago

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January 2, 2026

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The Obolo Youth Coalition, Rivers State Chapter, has condemned the recent spate of killings in Andoni Local Government Area, describing the renewed insecurity as alarming and constituting a threat to peace and stability in the area.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comr. Jonathan J. Eyina, the group expressed deep concern over what it described as brutal and senseless acts of violence, while extending condolences to the families of the victims.
The coalition said the resurgence of insecurity in Andoni has continued to undermine communal harmony and called for urgent steps to halt the trend before it escalates further.
It appealed to youths in the area to shun violence and embrace peace, stressing the need for tolerance, mutual respect and collective responsibility in safeguarding the community.
According to the group, restoring peace in Andoni requires a coordinated approach involving government, security agencies, community leaders and residents to identify and address the root causes of insecurity.
It noted that increased security presence, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained community engagement are critical to preventing further violence, adding that underlying social and economic challenges must also be addressed.
The coalition called on the Andoni Local Government Chairman, Hon. Lucky Promise-Otua, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole, to take decisive actions to restore security.
It further demanded that those responsible for the killings be apprehended and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
By: King Onunwor
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