Author: Emmanuel Obe

Nigeria is in mourning following the death of Chief Edwin Clark, a prominent nationalist and leader of the Niger Delta political bloc. Clark passed away on Monday at the age of 97, prompting an outpouring of tributes from national leaders and various organizations. President Bola Tinubu expressed his deep sadness at the loss, describing Clark as a “towering figure” whose influence spanned nearly six decades of Nigerian politics. He emphasized Clark’s courageous leadership and unwavering advocacy for the Niger Delta, stating, “Chief Clark spoke for the Niger Delta. He spoke for the nation. His views and interventions on national issues…

The Attorney General of Rivers State, Dagogo Israel Iboroma, SAN, has strongly denied claims that Monday’s Supreme Court ruling reinstated 27 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Iboroma, who was present in the courtroom, insisted that the court’s dismissal of the case – Governor Siminalayi Fubara Vs Martin Amaewhule and 26 others (SC/CV/1701/2024) – did not address the lawmakers’ defection and their status as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. He stated that “the Supreme Court did not make any further order whatsoever reinstating Martin Chike Amaewhule and 26…

A renewed rivalry between between the Debam and Icelanders cult groups in Obelley Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State has left about 20 people dead.The clashes, which took place on Sunday forced residents to flee to neighbouring communities for safety.Obelle, which was deserted for a very long time because of similar rivalry between cult gangs had begun to stabilize with people coming back in the last two years.But so also did the cultists, who renewed their rivalries. Last Wednesday a clash left seven people dead.The community was still mourning when Debam and Icelanders resumed their battle for…

Women from Alode Community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State have taken to the streets to demonstrate against the destruction of their farms and crops by bulldozers deployed by Rainbow Heritage Limited, the company coordinating the building of the New Port City in Eleme Local Government Area.The women, who carried placards, dared the bulldozers to run over them as they protested the destruction of their farms by the company, which they said did not consult with them before entering their farms or offered any form of compensation. The company last week began to clear the land and farms…

Despite the violence that greeted the first consultative meeting of Ogoni people on Saturday, the conveners of the meeting under the aegis of Congress if Ogoni has issued a communique commending President Bola Tinubu for initiating the consultations and the Ogoni people for demonstrating a unity of purpose to make the consultations successful. The communique, which listed a number of resolutions, was signed by the Co-Chairmen, Prof. Don Baridam and Archbishop Ignatius Kattey, and the Secretary, Mr. Tom Orange, outlined Ogoni people’s commitment to unity and dialogue with the Nigerian government. The resolutions expressed gratitude to the President and key…

The first consultative meeting called by Ogoni leaders in response to the appeal from President Bola Tinubu to discuss outstanding Ogoni issues ended in a protest on Saturday at Bori. Protesting Ogoni youths invaded the venue and chased out the conveners of the meeting, just before the meeting ended. The conveners included Senator Barry Mpigi, Mr. Ledum Mitee, Chief Victor Giadom, Prof. Baridam, Mr. Yom Orange, and Archbishop Ignatius Kattey. The meeting was scheduled at the hall of the Peace and Freedom Centre in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State. It had hardly begun when a huge crowd…

Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited has said that the oil spill that occured at its manifold at Ogale in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers on Monday was an operational accident. The admission came as the Chairman of Eleme Local Government, Brain Gokpa, demanded that urgent steps be taken to clean up the spill. The admission by Shell was made by the the company’s Head of Government Relations, Asomba Meshach, during a meeting with the council chairman at Ogale. Meshach outlined steps taken so far to contain the spill and pledged further investigations to determine the cause of the spill.…

Despite the severity and urgency of the Buguma 008 Wellhead Fire blowout and oil spill at Bukuma in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State required, the Senate on Thursday shelved taking a motion of “Urgent Public Importance” seeking an intervention of the National Assembly and the Federal Government till its next adjourned sitting.The senator representing Rivers West, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, had sought the permission of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to move the motion on Thursday. But the Senate President said the Senate could only take the motion at its next sitting date. Senator Banigo He first asked…

A fresh crude oil spill has been reported in Ogale in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.The spill, which occurred at a manifold operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited occurred during maintenance work on the manifold.The spill of crude oil flowed into farmlands and vegetation close to an area that the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) had carried out remediated work a few years ago. Sources said it first filled underground pits before overflowing to the surface.Though Shell had not responded to the spill, some people in the area attributed it o equipment failure at the site.Fyneface Dumnamene…

There has been a groundswell of celebration among the Ogoni people Rivers State after President Bola Tinubu gave his assent to the law establishing the Federal University of Environment, Ogoni.The frontline Ogoni activist, Celestine Akpobari, said, “The government of Nigeria is gradually paying for the oil that was stolen over 30 years long. This is a welcome development.Robins Pie said, “We thank God Almighty and let’s hope they continue to toe the right path. What the Ogonis are asking for is not much, given their environment that has been degraded for over 60 years from hydrocarbon pollution.”For me the total…