Author: Constance Meju

…promises justice for the community Hopes were raised last week as Ogonis marked 30 years of the judicial murder of international environmentalist and ethnic nationality defender, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others by the Nigerian government. Following heart wrenching narration of the mindless massacre of the people of Umuechem by mobile police men drafted there by the Nigerian government in cahoots with Shell to silence a peaceful agitation for social amenities and the subsequent failure of the government to honour the recommendations of a panel of inquiry it set up over the sad incident, foremost human rights lawyer, Femi Falana SAN…

A total of 180 women entrepreneurs from across the Niger Delta region have commenced a business development training programme organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in collaboration with the Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), Port Harcourt Chapter. Speaking during the commencement of the training at the NDDC Event Centre in Port Harcourt, the Commission’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the programme was designed to strengthen the capacity of women-led businesses, improve financial literacy and promote economic independence among women in the region. Ogbuku, who was represented by the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai,…

Public Interest Advocacy Organization, PILEX, has called on oil regulatory agencies to step in and halt the abuse of human and environmental rights being perpetrated by Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited, operating in Eleme, Rivers State. In a press release, the coordinator of the Peoples Advocate dragged out the fertilizer company for denting its contract workers’ protection from harm and committing environmental damage akin to the activities of multinational and other oil and gas operators in the Niger Delta. Speaking on behalf of the centre, the Coordinator, Comrade Courage Nsirimovu, stated that the organization received an alert from…

Public Interest Advocacy Organization, PILEX, has called on oil regulatory agencies to step in and halt the abuse of human and environmental rights being perpetrated by Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited, operating in Eleme, Rivers State.In a press release issued September 12, 2025, coordinator of the Peoples Advocate dragged out the fertilizer company for denting its contract workers’ protection from harm and committing environmental damage akin to the activities of multinational and other oil and gas operators in the Niger Delta.Speaking on behalf of the centre, the Coordinator, Comrade Courage Nsirimovu, stated that the organization received an alert…

As the African environment continues to heat up thanks mainly to unregulated extractive activities scattered all over the continent, concerned civil society and community activists are demanding a continental unified position in the demand for climate justice as the world prepares for COP 30 billed for Brazil. Rising from a one-week conference on climate change impact on the Niger Delta, the third in an annual series powered by Lekeh Development Foundation in partnership with sister environment focused organisations, activists decried the continued assault on the African environment by multi-national corporations without recourse to environmental rights and compensation for losses and…

Local Government Authorities in Rivers State have been charged to set up gender desks for the Climate Change Action to facilitate the implementation of the National Gender Action Plan for Climate Change already put in place by the Federal Government. This was part of recommendations of a capacity building workshop for local government officials, community leaders and community women on localizing gender action plan on climate change. Welcoming participants to the event, the executive director of the Institute, Mrs. Mgbechi Anyakwee, disclosed that the workshop was aimed at educating the local government officials so that they will go to their…

Conflict Management and Peace-building experts have warned that the increasing numbers of out-of-school children in Lagos State have assumed a worrisome dimension and called on the state government to urgently engage stakeholders to put measures in place to address the menace. They spoke at a recent one-day meeting on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), where a Steering Committee was inaugurated in Lagos State to work out an Action Plan for preventing violent extremism. Speakers identified the influx of young adults and children from states across Nigeria into Lagos, and those within the state without parental care and guidance as…

As the state of emergency declared in Rivers State continues to receive condemnation and constitute a clog in the wheel of progress in the administration of the state, concerned citizens in collaboration of non-governmental organizations in the state have sent out a strong call to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to issue an executive order calling for the immediate recall of the elected governor, Sir Similaiyi Fubara. At a press briefing June 18, as human rights groups marched for respect for democratic tenets in Port Harcourt on June 18, Pilex Center, a frontline advocate against the unconstitutional act of the president,…

Oil infrastructure failures are endemic! On May 6, 2025, the Trans Niger Pipeline ruptured, releasing thousands of barrels of crude into B-Dere community in Ogoniland marking the second major spill in two months and highlighting neglect of aging assets. Years of spills have left soil and mangrove forests saturated with hydrocarbons and heavy metals, with 5 – 10 percent of Nigeria’s mangroves already destroyed by oil contamination and settlement. A recent study by Kebetkache revealed that communities living near polluted sites are reported to have high rates of respiratory ailments, skin lesions, gastrointestinal disorders, and elevated cancer risk due to benzene…

Oil infrastructure failures are endemic! On May 6, 2025, the Trans Niger pipeline ruptured, releasing thousands of barrels of crude into B-Dere community in Ogoniland—marking the second major spill in two months and highlighting neglect of aging assets. Years of spills have left soil and mangrove forests saturated with hydrocarbons and heavy metals, with 5–10 % of Nigeria’s mangroves already destroyed by oil contamination and settlement. A recent study by Kebetkache revealed that communities living near polluted sites are reported to have high rates of respiratory ailments, skin lesions, gastrointestinal disorders, and elevated cancer risk due to benzene and polycyclic aromatic…