Author: Nefisetu Yakubu

Criminals

By Nefishetu Yakubu

Benin, June 9, 2024(NAN) Edo Government says plans have been concluded to flush out criminal cult groups and ‘Okaigheles’(youth leaders) from the state.

The state government reacted on Sunday to recent attack on soldiers in Okomu community by criminals and cultists.

Chris Nehikhare, the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, spoke at the Military Base Hospital in Benin during a visit to wounded soldiers and a police officer who were shot by suspected cultists.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that two soldiers and a police officer were on June 7, shot in Okomu community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state by suspected cultists.

Nehikhare pledged the Edo Government’s support in footing the bills of the wounded military officers receiving treatment at the Military Base Hospital.

Nehikhare, who disclosed that Gov. Godwin Obaseki frowned at the attack on military personnel, said a task force led by the Director of the State Security (DSS), had been set up to combat cult groups in the state.

“It is not right in any way for the military to be attacked in any community in Edo.

“A few weeks ago, we were all aware of what happened in our neighbouring Delta, where no fewer than 20 soldiers were killed by some youths.

“In Edo, we have a bad case of cultism and what we also call Okaigheles(Youth Leaders) in Benin and across Edo South Senatorial District.

“The data available to us provided to the State Security Council has shown that these people are mostly responsible for the threat to the security in Edo.

“That is why this group of people were banned and a task force set up to neutralise their activities.’’

The commissioner said that the governor placed a ban on the Okaigheles (youth leaders); however, some people told them to ignore the government ban.

According to him, there can only be one government at a time.

He said it was regrettable that the banned group was emboldened to go into Okomu forest to attack soldiers protecting the assets.

“One of the soldiers is on the bed in critical condition and two soldiers were badly injured.

“The gun boat they were in were destroyed and riddled with bullets; this is happening in Edo.

“We do not want a situation where we will be losing soldiers to civilians or to reckless and dangerous cult groups.’’

The commissioner pleaded with leaders in Edo South to rein in their children and the people that they had armed one way or the other.

“We have come to quickly visit the wounded officers and the army to assure them that Edo Government will not tolerate this untoward behavior.

“We don’t want what happened in Odi Community in Bayelsa  to happen here in Edo or a repeat of what happened recently in Delta to happen here.

“It is a serious matter and all Edo people, irrespective of political affiliations, must support the government in this fight against cultism and killings going on.

“Since January to date, we have lost no fewer than 150 people in cult related violence,’’ he said.

He commended the army for being a responsible organisation which did not take the laws into its own hands. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

NY/ CJ/

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

WED: Institute advocates tree planting culture to mitigate climate change effects

By Nefishetu Yakubu

Benin, June 7,2024(NAN) The Institute of Environment Practitioners of Nigeria(IEPN) has urged all to engage in building projects, such as tree planting, to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, President and Chairman, Governing Council of the institute, made the call at an event it organized to commemorate 2024 World Environment Day on Friday in Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the event was organized in partnership with Benin City Window on America(BCWOA) with the theme: Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience.

Ezemonye said that the United Nations (UN) had warned that over 40 percent of planet land had been degraded and had affected half of the world’s population.

He noted that the theme of the event was to remind stakeholders on the need to collectively heal the planet.

“Since WED was celebrated in 1973, the anniversary has become a platform to raise awareness about critical environmental issues and proffer lasting and sustainable solutions, ” he said.

Ezemonye, who is also the Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada, Benin added that 2024 WED came at a critical time when the world had triple planetary crisis such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

According to him, by focusing on land restoration, we can mitigate these crises, enhance carbon storage, protect species from extinction and ensure a healthier planet for future generations.

“According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),restoring degraded land can significantly improve livelihoods, reduce poverty, and build resilience to extreme weather.

” Every dollar invested in restoration can make up to$30 in ecosystem services, making it a vital strategy for sustainable development,” he said.

A Director in BCWOA, Dr Georgina Erifetal urged participants to take responsibility for the survival of their immediate environment to bring positive effects to the global habitat.

The event also hosted stakeholders, who participated virtually across the globe, to proffer lasting solutions to issues affecting the planet. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)
NY/JI

Edited by Joe Idika

Trees

By Nefishetu Yakubu

Benin, June 5, 2024 (NAN) The Management of NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte. says it has planted 70 economic trees in the premises of Federal Government Girls College, Benin,  in commemoration of the 2024 World Environment Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that this year’s celebration has its theme as “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience”.

Speaking during the tree planting ceremony on Wednesday, the Managing Director, NNPC Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, said that the foundation’s mission was to support environmental sustainability through impactful initiative such as reforestation, conservation and education.

Represented by Mrs Goodnews Willie, Deputy Manager, Education and Health care Programmes, Arukwe said that NNPC Ltd. was passionate about executing positive and impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes in the country.

“The World Environment Day is a global platform to raise awareness about environmental issues and foster action for sustainable development.

“As a recently transited private company, NNPC Ltd. is positioned to align with global best practice in the energy industry and is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),

“NNPC Foundation was established as the social arm of NNPC Ltd. to be the connect between the stakeholders, who are the more than 200 million Nigerians, and the company, through the execution of impactful CSR initiatives.

“One of the key focus areas of NNPC Foundation is to undertake impactful initiatives on Environment, and in commemoration of the World Environment Day.

“We have lined up strategic programmes such as tree planting campaigns in schools and quizzes competitions to sensitise the citizenry to the need for environmental preservation.

“According to the UN Convention,  more than  40 per cent of the world’s land is degraded and is directly impacting half of the global population, and threatening economies, ” She said.

She, therefore, called for the collective affirmative action to take responsibility for the survival of immediate environment that would bring about positive spiral effects to the global habitat.

Earlier, Mrs Aghedo Osariemen, Principal of Federal Government Girls College, Benin, commended the management of NNPC Ltd/Gte. Foundation for chosing the school as one of its locations for the trees planting campaign initiative.

The highpoint of the event was a panel session by the students who discussed the important of trees planting in the society.

The students also engaged in drama presentation as well as cultural display depicting the cultural heritage of Edo, Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
NY/KAY

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Edited by Kayode Olaitan

World Environment Day: NEPL plants 1000 trees in host communities in Edo

Trees

By Nefishetu Yakub
(08035625662)

Benin, June 5,2024(NAN) The NNPC E&P Limited (NEPL), a subsidiary of NNPC Limited says it has planted 1000 trees in rural schools and host communities as part of efforts to commemorate the 2024 world Environment Day.

The theme of the this year’s World environment day was: Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience.

Speaking at an event to mark the day on Wednesday in Benin, the Managing Director, NEPL, Nicolas Foucart, urged the host communities and schools to take ownership of the trees and ensure that they were protected.

Foucart, who was represented by Mr Mark Anuku, Executive Director, Central Technical Services, said NEPL was committed to minimising environmental impact through innovative technologies, sustainable practices and key initiatives.

He noted that through its CSR programmes, the company had carried out environmental awareness in its host communities on the harmful practices that impact on the ecosystem.

“Today, we gather to celebrate World Environment Day (WED), a day that holds immense significance for us as a company.

” Today is NEPL annual tree-planting campaign, in partnership with local communities and schools, is aimed at developing effective and sustainable land management practices to limit desertification and enhance the ecosystem resistance to drought.

“This year 2024, in line with Theme of the event, we have planted 1,000 trees in communities around our operating areas.

“In doing this, we have engaged schools, women, youths and indeed the entire communities with the aim of educating them in the advantages of tree planting.

“Our host communities have committed to take ownership of this initiatives, and by the WED 2026, it is hoped that those trees would have taken firm foundation and poised for provision of countless benefits to humanity in the future, ” he said.

In his welcome address, NEPL’s Executive Director, Business Services, Engr. Telema Isokariari appealed to stakeholders to work collectively as a team to restore damaged lands and enhance farming methods.

Isokariari was represented by the Manager, Health Safety and Environment (HSE), Mr Sylvester Okwuoha.

Also, the Guest Speaker , Prof. Joel Umeuduji in his lecture titled: Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience, said over 25 percent of the global territorial surface and 3.2 billion people were currently affected by land degradation.

Umeuduji encouraged public enlightenment to stimulate public participationin conservation matters.

Highpoint if the event was the presentation of economic trees to participants. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)
NY/JI

Edited by Joe Idika

Strike

By Nefishetu Yakubu

Benin, June 3, 2024 (NAN) Economic activities in Benin were paralysed on Monday following the indefinite nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Union (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that banks, federal establishments, state Ministries, Departments and Agencies did not open in compliance with the declared strike.

Air passengers were also observed stranded while the gate leading to the Benin Airport was under lock and key.

A statement by the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Emmanuel Osodeke, directed its branches nationwide to join the strike as an affiliate member of NLC.

In compliance, ASUU Chairman, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Mr Ray Chikogu, directed its members to join the strike.

“We have now received an official directive from our national secretariat to join the NLC indefinite nationwide strike over the failure of the Federal Government (FG) to conclude the upward review of the national minimum wage and reverse the hike in electricity tariff.

“We consequently direct all comrades at the ASUU UNIBEN branch to comply fully with immediate effect.

“While the strike lasts, there shall be no teaching, supervision, conduct of any examination, attendance of board or senate meetings,” Chikogu said.

Also, ASUU chairman, Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Mr Cyril Onogbosele, told newsmen that the strike was total, adding that all academic activities had been grounded in the institution.

A visit to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) showed that some workers resumed work, while they waited for further directives from the various unions in the hospital.

Patients were, however, still being attended to at the time of the visit on Monday.

A few workers were also observed rendering skeletal services to some patients at the Edo Specialist Hospital.

According to the Edo Chairman of TUC, Comrade Peter Asemota, organised labour has many demands that have not been met.

Asemota ascribed the strike to the inability of the FG to meet the N495,000 minimum wage and review the hike in electricity tariff.

He noted that the union arrived at N495,000 due to the high cost of commodity prices and hardship in the country, saying that the FG was insisting on N60,000

He explained that the union had to obey the national directive in the state despite the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the state governor.

“We are in solidarity with the Edo State Government, but this is a national directive from the national and we have to comply,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

NY/MAS

Edited by Moses Solanke