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Effects of oil spill in Niger Delta reason for radicalism, resentment – Prof Owolabi

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4 months ago

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A University Don, Professor Abdulrazaq Owolabi Abdulkadir, of the University of Ilorin, has identified the major cause of resentment in the Niger Delta of Nigeria.

He also noted the negative effect of the situation on the blue economy policy of the federal government, saying the harmful effects of the oil spill on the marine environment, has increased the tension between people living in the region and the multi-national oil companies operating in the areas.

Professor Abdulrazaq, made these submissions while delivering the 280th inaugural lecture of the University of Ilorin, on Thursday titled “Radicalism, Rascality and Resentment In The Ebb Of Marine And Blue Economy.”

The Professor of International Maritime Law, Department of Private and Property Law, further noted that the high level of distrust between the people and the government on one hand and the people with multi-national companies is aggravating the already tensed situation as displayed by the radicalism, rascality and resentment within the Nigerian maritime domain.

“Invariably, the systemic causes of radicalism, rascality and resentment must be fully addressed in order to achieve a long term decrease in illicit maritime activities.”

To tame the scourge of radicalism, rascality and resentment bedeviling proper exploration of the blue economy, Professor Abdulrazaq, recommended among others, that “military capacity should not often be invoked but rather good governance and political regime are the main determinants of the non pervasiveness of piracy in the region.

He also called for re-orientation of the Nigerian armed personnel, such as the marine police and naval officers to appreciate the onerous responsibility of upholding the integrity and oath of office in discharging their responsibilities.

“Corrupt practices by these personnel are generally responsible for some avoidable importation of arms, ammunition and illegal unreported and unregulated fishing.”

According to Professor Abdulrazaq, “there is need to amend the provision of Sections 2 and 22(5)(m) of the Carbonate Act 2003 to specifically include oil drilling rig for the purpose of paying two percent surcharge.

“This is because shippers or investors have been taking advantage of this lacuna in the Act,” he added.

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‘I entrusted over $9billion (N13.9 trillion) to Dauda Lawal Dare, the current governor of Zamfara State’: Ex-Petroleum Minister Diezani

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19 hours ago

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September 18, 2025

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ByIbrahim Bamidele
•
Sep 17, 2025, 7:20 PM WAT

Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, who served under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and later fled to the United Kingdom over fears of investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has alleged that she entrusted $9 billion (approximately ₦13.9 trillion) to Dauda Lawal Dare, the current Governor of Zamfara State.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is reportedly battling stage two cancer, is pleading with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to permit her return to Nigeria to confess her alleged financial misconduct while in office.

Speaking to journalists in London after a medical appointment, Mrs. Diezani admitted she is now prepared to disclose details about the billions of dollars she is accused of misappropriating during her tenure as Minister of Petroleum.

‘’I am a born again Christian and currently suffering from second stage cancer, which my United Kingdom’s physician adviseded me to continue taking medication for the rest of my life. Yes, no human is perfect, but some time, God Almighty allows some of such to happen

I have been accused of misappropriation when I was the petroleum minister, which is true! but I would like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians to forgive me to come back home and offer my contribution because life is temporal”, a statement from EFCC says Diezani said in tears

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The statement from EFCC further reads;

“My husband and my entire family members including My Nigeria lawyer based in the United Kingdom knew my relationship with Dauda Lawal Dare, the current Zamfara State governor whow I entrusted over 9 billion dollars for safe keeping while he was the Executive Director of the First Bank Nigeria PLC .

“Sadly, it has reached a point where Mr. Dauda Lawal no longer answers my calls and has even collaborated with the UK police to place me under surveillance, perhaps with the intention of claiming the money I entrusted to him after my death,” she said.

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Court restrains NUPENG from going on strike, disrupting Dangote refinery’s operations

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20 hours ago

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September 18, 2025

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The National Industrial Court has granted an interim injunction restraining the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) from blocking Nigerian roads, or frustrating and shutting down the operations of Dangote refinery, MRS Oil Nigeria Limited, and MRS Oil and Gas Company Limited.

The court also restrained NUPENG and other drivers’ associations from embarking on an industrial action or compelling other truck drivers to join in its industrial action.

Emmanuel Subilim, the presiding judge, delivered the ruling on Wednesday following an ex parte motion filed by George Ibrahim, the refinery’s lawyer.

Granting the ex parte, the judge said ‘irreparable damage” may be caused to Dangote refinery if the necessary orders were not granted.

Ibrahim approached the court with an ex parte motion filed alongside the originating processes and a motion on notice, dated and filed September 15.

The lawyer prayed the court to direct NUPENG and its members to continue petroleum trucking services to the refinery, MRS, and the Nigerian public pending the determination of the motion on notice.

In an affidavit deposed by Ahmed Hashem, the group’s general manager, government and strategic relations of the refinery, the applicants provided an undertaking of damages to the organisation if the court ultimately rules against the restraining request.

After hearing Ibrahim, the judge held that “this court, having satisfied itself that there is a serious issue to be tried, that the balance of convenience tilts in favour of the Applicants (Dangote Refinery), that irreparable damage may be occasioned if the necessary orders are not granted, and that the Applicants have given an undertaking as to damages”.

He ruled that NUPENG ought to be restrained, granting interim injunction on the refinery’s request.

‘RESTRAINING ORDER TO LAST FOR SEVEN DAYS’

The judge noted that the restraining orders would remain in effect for seven days.

He further directed the applicants to serve the respondents with the motion on notice and all accompanying processes in the suit within seven days from the date of the order.

The judge also noted that the court’s authority to sit during the ongoing vacation would expire on September 23.

Consequently, he ordered that the case file be forwarded to the president of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria for reassignment to another judge, who will hear and determine the motion on notice as well as the substantive case on its merits. 

On September 11, NUPENG placed its members on red alert for the resumption of its nationwide industrial action — two days after it suspended its strike action, in protest against Dangote refinery’s “anti-union practices”.

The union said it made the decision after Sayyu Dantata, the owner of Mrs Oil, allegedly instructed his truck drivers, who had been NUPENG-Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) members for several years, to remove union stickers from their trucks.

NUPENG said the action led to an altercation between the truck drivers and its officials.

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Edo Govt rescues citizen poisoned in Burkina Faso

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21 hours ago

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September 18, 2025

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The Edo State Government has successfully repatriated an indigene, Godstime Uwoghiren, who has been battling life-threatening health complications after allegedly being poisoned in Burkina Faso.

Uwoghiren, who was said to have been poisoned out of jealousy for purchasing a motorcycle, had been struggling with paralysis and deteriorating health for over three years before Governor Monday Okpebholo intervened to secure his return.

According to the Director-General of the Edo State Migration Agency, Lucky Agazumah, the matter was first brought to the agency’s attention four months ago, prompting the governor to act swiftly in collaboration with the Nigerian Embassy.

Uwoghiren arrived at Benin Airport around 1 pm on Wednesday aboard a flight from Burkina Faso. He was received by Agazumah and officials of the agency before being rushed by ambulance to the Edo Specialist Hospital, Benin City, for emergency medical attention.

Agazumah revealed that the rescue mission faced initial resistance from some family members but emphasised that the state government remained committed to saving his life.

“If not for Governor Okpebholo’s quick intervention, this young man would have died quietly in a foreign land. He was poisoned out of sheer envy because he bought a motorcycle. We caution Edo youths not to be deceived by the illusion of greener pastures abroad, as many Nigerians are being lured into hardship and modern slavery,” Agazumah said.

Uwoghiren’s mother, Mrs Susan Uwoghiren, expressed gratitude to the state government for stepping in to save her son. She disclosed that before travelling to Burkina Faso, Godstime had trained as an automobile mechanic in Nigeria.

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