News
Isoko women seal oil firm, say we no longer need Heritage Energy in our land
Women from Emede, Oleh and Olomoro, in Isoko South Local Government Area, numbering over 200, have sealed the Olomoro/Oleh flow station of Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited.
The women, who carried placards with different inscriptions, barricaded the entrance gate of the company and vowed to remain there until their demands were met.
Speaking on their grievances, Mrs. Helen Obrogo alleged gruesome marginalization of the Olomoro/Oleh cluster 5 by Heritage Energy, which she said had come to a head.
Mrs. Obrogo averred that as the proverbial goose that lays the golden egg, they could no longer tolerate the diabolical orchestration by the oil company and its cohort against the interest of cluster 5.
She said they had, therefore, declared HEOSL a persona non grata, stressing that the company was no longer needed as it had become an oppressor in their land.
According to her, they were not happy with Heritage Energy because the infield surveillance contract duly advertised by the company, bided for and won by a solely indigenous company owned by an Oleh indigene and Chief of the kingdom bided. CMD Limited, following which the company received an offer letter and was duly invited for a kick off meeting which he attended and modalities for kick off agreed.
Despite being host to several oil companies, Isoko communities have remained in darkness for decades – Isoko youth activist says
2023: It’s obvious Delta Central cannot wait for 24 years – PDP chieftain
JUST IN: Delta youth endorse Uduaghan for senate
Mrs Obrogo said on the strength of that, CMD mobilized men and resources to the entire OML 30 Isoko area infield on January 2024 and had effectively secured the infield till date with an outstanding record of performance and stoppage of crude oil bunkering along the Uzere-Emede-Oleh line, down to Iyede and even Enwhe
Provocatively, she continued, HEOSL had refused to release payment to CMD Limited nine months running.
Also speaking, Mrs Ann Ogiale alleged that HEOSL working with the greatest conspirator and threat to peace in OML.30 and the entire Isoko nation, one Chief Iduh Amadhe and an interest driven traditional ruler wanted to impose a non indigenous contractor on them.
Mrs Ogiale pointed out that the owner of the said company was not an indigene of Oleh, as his great grand father, grand father and father all lived and were buried in Ofagbe, a community not related to OML 30 in any shape or form.
She accused HEOSL of continually engaging quack and fake contractors for fixing and maintenance of valved spots so much so that repaired valved spots frequently got bad for other rounds of repairs leading to avoidable pollution of arable farmland.
Mrs Ogiale further alleged that they had it in good authority and they affirmed that very top HEOSL personnel were insider collaborators to crude oil theft and contract fixing.
Another of the protestors, Mrs Theresa Umuneruo, said inline with the PIA law, NPDC hosted a training, induction and inauguration of the PIA Board wherein a cluster representative and indigene of Olomoro, Deacon John Oteri, was elected to lead the Board, following which he was handed a letter of incorporation as a symbol of authority.
She said sadly HEOSL had refused to acknowledge the symbolic event and authority, rather it was bent on superimposing a representative from another cluster on the Board, windering the crime of cluster 5.
In summary, the women, outraged by the excesses and inglorious manipulations by HEOSL against cluster 5, resolved to shut down oil exploration activities in their land and demanded immediate payment of the infield contractors, CMD Limited for his efficient infield surveillance service.
They also asked for the recognition of Deacon John Oteri as Chairman of the PIA Board, the evacuation of HEOSL from the OML 30 asset, while urging NPDC to look inward and, like most divested asset, engage from the pool of eminently qualified local professionals to manage the OML 30 asset.
The women said NO to a British company management of their resources and No to exploration of crude oil in all facilities in cluster 5 until their demands were affectively met.
Efforts To get the reaction of Heritage Energy personnel on ground proved abortive as they claimed they did not have the authority to speak.
The Senator representing Taraba Central, Manu Haruna white washed officials of NAFDAC for poor budget presentation during 2025 budget defense on Friday.
In a video, Senator Manu a former Deputy Governor of Taraba State opened the underbelly of NAFDAC on improper presentation of figures in the outlines.
He pointedly told the officials that the presentation was designed to mislead senators.
Watch video below:
The Kano State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Tajo Othman, who was recently in the news for returning N100 million excess fund to the state government, has revealed the reason behind his action.
The commissioner while addressing newsmen in Kano on Friday said his action was influenced by the state governor’s “exemplary leadership style,” adding that in an ideal situation, leaders are always a pace setter for others to follow.
He said he did not expect Governor Kabir Abba Yusuf to reveal the act to the public, but the governor chose to do so during the flag-off of the free uniform distribution to encourage the future generation to be transparent.
He said, “In an ideal governance setting, the leader is a pace setter for others to follow. We have seen the governor’s body language and as such we fall in. That is what exactly happened. it is the wish of the governor that everybody should be as transparent as possible.
“He is a transparent governor and therefore we should be transparent as well. I never expected the governor to go public with it, but I believe the reason behind his announcement is indeed genuine.”
The commissioner added that as the head of the committee for school uniform distribution, the state governor entrusted him with the task and advised the committee to execute it to the best of their ability.
The commissioner who was a retired customs officer was in the news when the Governor Yusuf publicly commended him for returning N100 million in unspent funds from a N2 billion budget earmarked for the production of 798,000 uniforms for pupils of primary 1 in the state.
A new global survey report from Ipsos and Google has shown widespread use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools among Nigerian online population.
The study, tagged: “Our Life with AI: From Innovation to Application,” surveyed 21,000 people across 21 countries, and observed that global AI usage has jumped to 48 per cent and excitement about its potential now exceeds concerns (57 per cent vs. 43 per cent, up from 50 per cent / 50 per cent last year).
According to the report, in Nigeria, AI adoption and enthusiasm are even higher, as 70 per cent of the Nigerian online population used generative AI, surpassing the 48 per cent global average. Moreover, 87 per cent are excited about AI’s potential and see its benefits outweighing the risks.
Analysing the report, President of Global Affairs, Google & Alphabet, Kent Walker, said: “AI is starting to deliver magic at scale, making people’s lives easier and better. The survey results show the more people use these tools, the more excited they get about the possibilities and about the personal, professional, and scientific breakthroughs on the way.”
The survey results indicate that optimism about AI is growing within the surveyed online community in Nigeria. Key findings from the survey, show that among survey participants in Nigeria, 70 per cent reported using generative AI in the past year, which is significantly higher than the global average of 48 per cent. A substantial 87 per cent of Nigerian respondents feel that AI’s potential benefits outweigh the associated risks, suggesting a strong belief in the positive impact of AI. A significant 81 per cent of surveyed Nigerian adults believe AI will positively change the economy.
Furthermore, 90 per cent of the survey respondents in Nigeria anticipate AI having a positive impact on science and medicine, demonstrating the widespread belief in the potential of AI to drive progress in these sectors.
According to the report, Nigeria’s online population demonstrates a higher level of excitement and adoption of AI when compared to other regions. The survey indicates: Nigeria is among the top countries in terms of AI usage and excitement about its potential.
This contrasts with more cautious sentiment in some European and North American countries.
The report also said the Nigerian online community saw immense potential for AI in science and medical advancements:
“A significant 90 per cent of survey respondents expect AI to have a positive impact on science and medicine. This is one of the highest rates globally, highlighting the strong anticipation of breakthroughs in these fields through AI,” the report said, and onlinerd that the population in Nigeria recognised AI’s potential to enhance personal and professional development:
“Many believe AI can make people’s lives better by boosting productivity and providing access to resources. Within the Nigerian online population surveyed, there is a prevailing sentiment that supports the fostering of AI advancement rather than restrictive regulations. This suggests that those surveyed are keen to embrace innovation,” the report further said.
The survey results highlight the strong enthusiasm and optimism of the surveyed online population in Nigeria about the role of AI in various aspects of life, particularly in the economy, healthcare, and scientific advancement. The findings suggest that Nigeria’s online community is among the most enthusiastic globally about the transformative potential of AI.
Google has been pursuing AI boldly and responsibly for years. In 2018, Google was one of the first companies to establish AI Principles grounded in beneficial use and avoidance of harm. Two years ago, it unveiled its opportunity agenda, which shard concrete recommendations for governments to ensure AI benefits the broadest range of people possible.
Video: Watch moment Senator Manu tasks NAFDAC officials on poor budget presentation
Why I returned N100m excess fund to Kano Govt Commissioner
Funke Akindele express shock after fan ask about sex life
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
Sports23 hours agoSAD: Footballer slumps, dies during match in Osun
-
News15 hours agoHow my 34-Yr-Old graduate son took his own life after NYSC Service Year – Mother
-
News23 hours agoHoR minority caucus sad over demise of principal officer, Onanuga, says lawmaker was quintessential, pragmatic in her duties
-
News22 hours agoMAPOLY may expel 49 final year students over fake results
-
News18 hours agoJust In: TikTok to be yanked off in the US from Sunday, Supreme Court rules
-
News18 hours agoJust in: AIG’s wife kidnapped in Ogun
-
News23 hours agoNorthern youth groups decry politicisation of tax reform bills
-
News21 hours agoPolice bust illegal weapons factory, arrest cultist, two murder suspects