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We have lost our livelihood, ancestral lands – Akwa Ibom oil rich community cries out

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The Ibeno people, a community in the oil-rich Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, have been deprived of the benefits of their natural resources due to the exploitative activities of oil companies.

The primary occupations of the Ibeno people, farming and fishing, are on the brink of extinction due to perennial oil spills. Farmers are experiencing extremely poor yields, while fish and other aquatic animals are scarce in the ocean.Before the arrival of oil companies decades ago, Ibeno was a remote but fertile land with abundant food and clean water. However, the oil companies have brought nothing but misery to the community.The Chairman of the Okoro-Utip village council, Chief Thomas Atanwa, recounts that the Ibeno people were promised all-round development by the oil companies, but instead their lands have been rendered infertile and their rivers toxic.The Women Leader of Opolum Community, Mrs Elizabeth Ifum, laments that the oil companies have contaminated everything in the community, from the water to the soil. She says that it is now difficult to find even basic food items in the market.A fisherman named Elijah Abraham says that he has stopped fishing because it is no longer profitable. He says that he spends a lot of money on fuel and travels a long distance to sea, but often returns with a meager catch.A farmer and missionary named Pastor AbasiUbong John says that farming in the community is an effort in futility. He recalls that the cassava he planted for over a year has not even yielded a tuber due to the presence of oil spills in the farm.In addition to losing their means of livelihood, the Ibeno people have also lost their ancestral lands to government land grabbing. Many of their lands have been taken for abandoned projects, such as the Amakpe Refinery and the skill acquisition centre at Iwocham.The Youth President of Okoro-Utip, Mr Nsoh Nsoh, says that the youths have embarked on peaceful protests to see if the company and the government will come to their rescue, but there has been no positive response.The Ibeno people are calling on the government to take action to address their environmental challenges and protect their livelihoods. They also want the oil companies to be held accountable for the damage they have caused to their community.Extended analysisThe environmental and social impacts of oil spills on the Ibeno community are severe and far-reaching. The contamination of land and water has made it difficult for people to farm and fish, their traditional means of livelihood. This has led to widespread poverty and hunger in the community.The oil spills have also had a devastating impact on the local ecosystem. Fish and other aquatic life have been decimated, and mangrove forests have been destroyed. This has had a ripple effect on the entire food chain, and has made it even more difficult for people to survive.The Ibeno people are not alone in their suffering. Oil spills are a common problem in oil-producing regions around the world. However, the situation in Ibeno is particularly dire due to the high frequency of spills and the lack of government and industry support.The Ibeno people’s story is a reminder of the human cost of oil extraction. It is also a reminder of the importance of holding oil companies accountable for the environmental damage they cause.

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Parents Of Dead Pupil Demand Closure Of Abuja School

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The parents of a four-year-old student at BrickHall Schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, named Miguel Ovoke, are demanding the closure of the school after an autopsy suggested that their child died from electrocution rather than choking, as initially reported.

Reports indicate that accompanied by some enraged youths, the parents visited the school premises to express their dissatisfaction with the circumstances surrounding their child’s death. They were prompted by the autopsy findings, which contradicted the school’s assertion that the child died from choking while eating.

During the protest at the school, security personnel, including the police, intervened to prevent any potential damage or violence. Tear gas was reportedly used to disperse the angry parents and protesters, with allegations that security personnel threatened to shoot them if they did not leave.

The incident occurred in April when the four-year-old pupil passed away during the school’s feeding hours. The parents suspected foul play in their son’s death, leading them to seek legal representation from Abuja-based lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.

According to a death certificate issued by Excel Specialist Hospital, Abuja, the child was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state by his teachers, citing choking while feeding at school as the cause. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

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Tinubu tackling ‘bulk’ of Nigeria’s challenges – Omo-Agege

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The former deputy Senate president, Ovie Omo-Agege, asserted that President Bola Tinubu has effectively addressed a significant portion of Nigeria’s challenges. Speaking to journalists in Effurun, Delta State, over the weekend, Omo-Agege expressed his confidence in Tinubu’s capacity to improve Nigeria’s current economic situation and urged Nigerians to continue supporting him.

Omo-Agege, who was the 2023 Delta All Progressive Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, urged patience from Nigerians, acknowledging that the situation might worsen before showing improvement.

He emphasized the need for continued prayers and support for the President, stating that Tinubu has demonstrated his capability to address challenges effectively. Omo-Agege cited Tinubu’s track record as a former Governor of Lagos State as evidence of his leadership abilities.

Regarding the Coastal Highway project, which he described as a crucial infrastructure development for the South-South region, Omo-Agege highlighted Tinubu’s recognition of its importance for economic growth. He defended the project’s cost, noting that its construction using cement rather than asphalt ensures long-term durability and low maintenance costs.

Omo-Agege concluded by expressing confidence that Nigerians would soon acknowledge and appreciate the positive impact of Tinubu’s leadership, emphasizing his belief in Tinubu’s ability to steer the country towards progress and development.

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Abia: Get ready to refund Airport Project money, other looted funds – Otti tells Ikpeazu

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Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has directed the previous administration led by Okezie Ikpeazu to prepare for the restitution of embezzled funds, including allocations earmarked for the airport project. Otti, responding to the findings of a forensic audit of the state’s finances, clarified that his administration’s objective is solely the recovery of misappropriated funds to ensure effective governance.

Addressing supporters and loyalists of Rowland Chinwendu, the legislator representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, during a solidarity visit in Nvosi, Otti emphasized his commitment to the progress and development of Abia State. He asserted that since the airport project had not materialized, the funds allocated for it should be reimbursed.

Expressing disappointment at the media backlash he faced for disclosing the audit findings, Otti underscored the importance of transparency in governance. He viewed Chinwendu’s solidarity visit as a positive gesture.

Otti reiterated the necessity of recovering stolen funds to facilitate developmental projects for the benefit of the state’s residents. He emphasized the administration’s focus on infrastructure development, environmental sanitation, and job creation.

In response, Chinwendu affirmed his obligation to represent his constituents’ interests in the legislature. He expressed solidarity with Governor Otti, highlighting their shared commitment to the development of their locality.

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Chinwendu acknowledged Otti’s efforts, particularly in infrastructure development such as the ongoing reconstruction of the Umuikaa-Umuene road and other projects within his constituency.

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