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Oil Spills: Amnesty, Shell Disagree Over UK Court Ruling

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Human rights groups against oil pollution working on the case of the Ogale community in Ogoni area and Bille community in the Kalabari area, all in Rivers State, have vowed to proceed to the United Kingdom’s Supreme Court as last hope to punish Royal Dutch Shell for the environmental devastation caused by the 10-year old spills.
Two lower courts in the UK have so far ruled against the move.
The Court of Appeal in the United Kingdom, last Wednesday, dismissed the claim for compensation against Royal Dutch Shell by the Ogale community in Eleme Local Government Area and Bille community in Degema Local Government Area, affected by oil spills.
Reacting to the decision, Amnesty International said the action of the UK court has dealt a blow to oil spill victims and corporate accountability
Responding on the judgement that two Niger Delta communities cannot have their case against oil giant, Shell, heard in the UK because the parent company cannot be held liable for the actions of its Nigerian subsidiary, Amnesty International’s Campaigner on Business and Human Rights, Joe Westby, said: “With this ruling the court has struck a blow not only to the Ogale and Bille communities, who live everyday with the devastating consequences of Shell oil spills, but with victims of corporate human rights abuses all over the world. This ruling sets a dangerous precedent and will make it more difficult to hold UK companies to account.
“The idea that powerful multinationals are not responsible for the conduct of their subsidiaries overseas has allowed Shell to evade accountability for a raft of shocking human rights abuses spanning decades. This is a textbook example of the almost insurmountable obstacles to justice faced by people who take on powerful multinationals.
“Internal Shell documents show that the company’s headquarters have known full well for decades about the massive oil pollution caused by their operations in Nigeria, and have chosen not to stop it. If Shell cannot be held to account for such well-documented abuses, what hope is there of bringing other companies to justice?
“The communities will now be taking their fight for justice to the Supreme Court – this could be their last chance to see their environment restored.”
A spokesperson for the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) said: “The Court of Appeal has rightly upheld the earlier decision that this case should not proceed in the English courts.
“Nigeria has a well-developed justice system that is capable of dealing with these claims. Both Bille and Ogale are areas heavily impacted by crude oil theft, pipeline sabotage and illegal refining, which remain the main sources of pollution across the Niger Delta. Litigation in courts unfamiliar with the law and realities on the ground ultimately does not address the issue of criminal interference in the operations of Nigerian company”.

 

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

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Ward 13 Councilor Receives Certificate of Return  …Vows To Provide Quality Service 

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As Rivers State Councilors join their Chairmen to receive certificate of return ,the ward 13 Ulakwo in Etche local government ,Nnadi Godfirst had vowed to provide quality ,effective service to his people
Nnadi stated this Yesterday after receiving his certificate of return at the office of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission RSIEC in Port Harcourt
Nnadi said service to his people will be at the centre stage of his stay in office
The ward 13 Councilor pledged to initiate bye laws that will have direct effect to his constituency
He hinted this could be achieved through team work ,collaboration with his colleague at the Legislative Chambers
Nnadi reiterated his determination to work in synergy with his colleagues to give the Chairman necessary Legislative backing to deliver impactful governance to Etche people
He admitted the calibre of elected councilors are capable to make a positive difference compared to the past Legislators
Nnadi stated the need to give the Chairman necessary Legislative support to change the narrative in the next three years in office
He declared the need for the youths to work hard as everyone had his time of remembrance
He insisted the need for one to he consistent in every human pursued ,stressing the importance sticking to what one belief
Hon Nnadi revealed further that it gladdens his heart that his good will has really paid following enormous support his people gave during and after the election ,insisting he will never take it for granted
While urging them to be patient as proactive measures will be taking to address their basic needs
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Ogoni Postgraduate Forum Hails HYPREP Over Scholarship Scheme …Says Its Expansion Reflects Empathy 

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The Ogoni Postgraduate Forum, has applauded the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) for its 2025 scholarship scheme for Ogoni postgraduate students, saying the expansion of the grant coverage from the initial 300 to 500 scholars reflects empathy, foresight and unwavering commitment to the educational and intellectual advancement of Ogoniland.
The Convener of the forum, Mr Bariatonlo Ken Nnaane, who gave the indication in a media statement, said for expanding the livelihood programme of the Project to include scholarship support for Ogoni postgraduate students, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey deserves not mere recognition but the profound commendation of a grateful people.
“As Brian Tracy once remarked, “The value of a promise is the cost to you of keeping your word.” On the 4th of November, 2024, Prof Zabbey declared that the postgraduate grant would become an annual intervention. The just concluded sensitisation and the opening of the application portal stand as incontrovertible evidence of that commitment, a testament to integrity in leadership,” he said.
According to him, “In this regard, Prof Zabbey aligns with the great John F. Kennedy, who declared that he would rather be accused of breaking precedents than breaking promises.
Nnaane noted that the enlistment of the scholarship grant in HYPREP’s livelihood programme to accommodate researchers of Ogoni ethnic extraction, an oil-rich yet historically marginalised ethnic nationality, reinforces the policy consistency and clarity that define Zabbey’s administration, stressing that this act is more than symbolic, as it is an affirmation of confidence in the intellectual capacity of the Ogoni people and a strategic investment in their future.
He said Zabbey’s stewardship has delivered transformative outcomes like the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration; the Ogoni Specialist Hospital; Buan Cottage Hospital; potable water scheme across numerous Ogoni communities; among others, saying the shoreline remediation is so effective that marine biodiversity, periwinkles, oysters and fish have returned to the creeks of K-Dere and Bomu communities.
“These are not mere achievements, they are milestones etched in the annals of Ogoni history”, he intoned.
The forum, therefore, called on Ogoni leaders both at home and in the diaspora to close ranks and rally their support behind HYPREP to safeguard this shared heritage borne out of the collective struggles and sanctified by the ultimate sacrifice of the Ogoni martyrs.
It appealed to HYPREP to continue to deepen research collaborations, particularly in the Environmental Sciences and prioritise the forum members in training and employment opportunities.
According to the forum, “it  is regrettable that many of our kinsmen today possess advanced academic qualifications, yet remain underutilised in the national workforce.”
The convener also called on HYPREP to maintain the tempo applied in the maiden edition of the postgraduate scholarship support grant screening/verification exercise, by keeping the door closed against any sort of interference and influence that would hamper the conduct of a seamless process and deprive eligible would-be beneficiaries.
He said the forum members would in turn provide the necessary feedback mechanism for the screening process, to report its transparency and integrity, as well as clear any iota of doubt about its integrity.
The forum said while it is confident that the Ogoni students are not neophytes on the academic corridors, it urged the  scholars to avail themselves of the present opportunity, and wished them success in the computer-based test, verification and screening exercise.
Nnaane equally solicited for more scholarship support and research collaborations from other agencies, national and international bodies and public-spirited individuals for Ogoni scholars.
By: Donatus  Ebi
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Ndume condemns killing of soldiers, immigration officers, 58 civilians in Borno

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Senator Mohamme Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) has condemned fresh Boko Haram attacks in the Darajamal Community of Bama local government area and Monguno local government area of Borno State.

In Darajamal village, five soldiers with 58 civilians were killed while an unspecified number of people, mostly women and girls, were abducted, even as ground troops of North East Joint Task Force ‘Operation Hadin Kai ‘ with support from Air Component responded swiftly and killed over 30 of the attackers while fleeing into the bush last Friday night.

The attack in Monguno last Thursday also claimed the lives of two Immigration Officers.

Darajamal, a newly reconstructed and resettled community situated along Bama-Banki road in Borno Central is over 100 km, while
Monguno is approximately a 136 km drive from Maiduguri, the state capital, and is located in the heart of the Northern Borno Senatorial District.

In a press statement signed by Ndume, a copy of which was made available to our Correspondent on Sunday, expressed shock over the unabated renewed attacks and killings in some parts of the state.

He sympathized with the Government and the people of Borno, especially the families of the victims, including those of the soldiers and Immigration officers, and prayed to Allah (God) to grant all souls of the deceased Aljannatul Firdaus.

The Senator also called on the federal government to prioritise the security, safety and welfare of all Nigerians in this trying moment.

He, however, commended the troops of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ and other security agencies for their sacrifices in making Borno safe and peaceful,  but lamented that, in the past few months, several communities in Borno South, North and Central Senatorial Districts have been under siege by Boko Haram attacks. A situation he described as worrisome.

Ndume advocated for Armed Community Defence to continue in complementing efforts of the military, stressing that men of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters and vigilantes have been doing their best, but they have limitations, as they only carry den guns, sticks, which makes it very difficult to confront the terrorists.

The Southern Borno Senator, who was one time Chairman Senate Committee on Amry also reiterated his call on the federal government and the Nigerian Military to deploy drowns, Attack Helicopters to be stationed in the Theatre Command, Technology, Equipment, Arms and Ammunition, Motivation (TEAAM), which is the only way to end the over decade Boko Haram atrocities in Borno, North East and other parts of the country.

” In the past few months, several communities in Borno South, North and Central Senatorial Districts remained under siege by Boko Haram/ISWAP. The situation is worrisome.

“Let me therefore use this opportunity to advocate for the setting up of Armed Community Defence to complement the efforts of the military. This is because men of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters and vigilantes have been doing their best, but they have limitations, as they only carry den guns, sticks, which they find very difficult to confront the terrorists.

“More so, I want to reiterate my calls on the federal government and the Nigerian Military to deploy Technology, Equipment, Arms and Ammunition, Motivation (TEAAM), which is the only way to end the over decade Boko Haram atrocities in Borno, North East and other parts of the country”. Senator Ndume stated.

He also called on the people of the state to continue to cooperate with the military and other security agencies, particularly in information sharing on the modus operandi of terrorists.

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