The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) apologised to passengers on the Abuja-Kaduna afternoon service after a safety-related engine issue forced the train to return to Rigasa shortly after departure.
In a statement issued in Lagos, the managing director of the corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, dismissed reports that suggested passengers were stranded, describing them as misleading. He said the temporary halt in service resulted from a procedural safety decision triggered when the backup engine began to lose power less than thirty minutes into the journey.
According to him, although the train could have continued, the prevailing security concerns along the corridor made it safer to pull back to Kaduna for checks.
“Though the train could push through, for security concerns on the route and since they were less than thirty minutes into the journey, it was advisable to pull back to Rigasa for safety reasons,” he said.
The train later resumed its trip at 4 pm, one hour after the incident, and arrived at Idu at 18.52 hours, about eighty minutes behind schedule. Passengers were kept informed throughout the delay through the public address system on board and at Rigasa station.
Dr Opeifa compared the decision to standard aviation practice, where an aircraft diverts to the nearest airport when faced with engine trouble. He said that had the fault occurred in the morning, the train might have continued and shunted at the nearest stations, Jere, Rijana, or Gidan, but the evening timing made a return to Kaduna the more secure option.
He apologised for the inconvenience caused and urged media organisations to seek clarification before rushing to publish sensitive operational reports that could misinform readers.
The Managing Director reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to maintaining high safety and reliability standards across both its narrow and standard gauge corridors, adding that the NRC remained focused on ensuring that all passengers reached their destinations safely.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has lamented the devastating impact of misinformation, saying it has become a silent time bomb.
The police chief noted that a single false post was capable of causing chaos faster than a bullet can travel.
Egbetokun said this when the leadership of the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association of Nigeria (BAVCCA) visited him in Abuja.
The IGP said, “Misinformation has become a silent bomb; it does not destroy buildings; it destroys trust. A single false post can cause chaos faster than a bullet can travel.”
According to a statement signed by the National President, BAVCCA, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, and National Secretary, Tabuko Kennedy, the organisation noted that the spread of falsehoods was not a bloggers-only problem but a national security threat that demands collective action.
The group said it would submit the Digital Content Practitioners (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2025, to the National Assembly.
“The bill seeks: Mandatory registration of all bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, social media influencers, and online journalists with a National Digital Content Registry.
“Annual licensing tied to verifiable identity, ethics training, and compliance with the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023, and NUJ Code of Ethics.
“Criminal penalties for unregistered operators who publish content that incites violence, spreads health disinformation, or undermines national security.
“This bill is not about censorship; it is about accountability, traceability, and professionalism in Nigeria’s digital space,” the statement said.
It added, “BAVCCA pledges full support to law enforcement. Under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, any person—member or non-member—who knowingly spreads false information that endangers public safety will face arrest and prosecution. We shall submit a list of 47 repeat offenders to the Nigeria Police Cybercrime Unit.
“Starting 1 January 2026, BAVCCA will offer nationwide free workshops (physical and virtual) on spotting deep fakes, algorithmic bias, and responsible content creation. Certification will be required for registration under the new bill.”
Thembi Portia Shilenge, a leading African figure in digital finance, has been named Best CEO in the Crypto Industry at the 2025 She Millionaire Awards.
The international award recognizes female executives driving significant transformation in business and technology.
The award acknowledges Shilenge’s strategic leadership of Crypto Dimensions, a global educational initiative aimed at enhancing blockchain literacy. The organization focuses on equipping young Africans, women, and emerging entrepreneurs with the knowledge to participate in the digital economy.
This recognition highlights a clear trend of growing African influence in the global financial-technology sector. Shilenge’s win follows a previous honor at Africa’s Under 40 CEOs Awards, cementing her status as a key leader in continental entrepreneurship and technology.
Her role as an industry leader was further demonstrated at the recent Crypto Content Creator Campus in Dubai, where she joined other global blockchain strategists and Web3 brands. Her participation there solidified her position as a primary African voice in the international conversation on digital finance.
Shilenge’s work exemplifies a new standard of leadership, focusing on democratizing blockchain access and expanding financial literacy to foster broader participation in digital wealth creation.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has decried the dwindling value of pensions received by retirees in the oil and gas industry, describing it as worrisome and unsustainable.
The union said it was disturbed that many pensioners who retired under the defined benefit schemes decades ago now earn stagnant and inadequate benefits despite rising inflation and currency devaluation.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement on the state of closed pension fund administrators (CPFAs) in the sector, PENGASSAN President, Comrade Festus Osifo, said, “We have observed with deep concern that many of our retirees are going through hardship because their pensions have remained static for years.
“Some retired as far back as 1990 or 2010, but what they take home monthly today has lost its value due to inflation and the fall of the naira.
He noted that while a few CPFAs reviewed pension payments periodically, the majority left retirees’ welfare at the discretion of management.
“In about 90 per cent of the closed pension schemes, the benefits do not grow. The retirees depend solely on the goodwill of management for any form of increment,” Osifo stated.
The PENGASSAN president urged the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and oil companies such as Chevron, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil, and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to review actuarial assumptions and ensure fair adjustments in pension payments.
Osifo added, “We are going to engage the management of these organisations and advocate for reforms that will restore dignity to our retirees.
“Today’s pensioners were once union veterans who fought for workers’ rights. It is now our duty to fight for their comfort.”
Osifo commended PenCom for its professionalism and urged the commission to maintain its transparency and strengthen oversight of the CPFAs to guarantee retirees’ long-term security.
“We still believe PenCom remains one of the most credible regulatory institutions in the country. We urge them to stay true to that reputation and protect the interests of pensioners,” he said.
Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Omolola Oloworara, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring that CPFAs remain stable, compliant, and transparent in all their operations.
Oloworara, who was represented by the Head of Investment Supervision Department, Mr Abdulqadir Dalhatu, said PenCom had introduced new supervisory mechanisms and compliance frameworks to strengthen the governance of CPFAs and ensure that contributors’ funds are adequately protected.
The DG said, “Our goal is to maintain public confidence in the pension system while driving innovation and sustainability.
“We are continuously reviewing the investment guidelines to align with global best practices and ensure the long-term safety of pension assets.”
The DG noted that the commission was open to collaboration with organised labour, pension operators, and employers to enhance benefit adequacy and promote retirees’ welfare.
“We recognise the challenges caused by inflation and exchange rate fluctuations, and PenCom is exploring measures that could ensure that retirees’ purchasing power is better protected,” the DG added.
Also speaking, Managing Director of TotalEnergies CPFA, Mr. Benjamin Okeke-Agedi, said CPFAs had comparative advantages in investment flexibility and portfolio diversification.
Okeke-Agedi, who was represented by Mr. Wale Olasoji, Chief Finance Officer of the company, said: “CPFAs have the advantage of conditional approval of investments under the fund provisions, which allows for global partnerships and diversification.
“This provides a hedge against policy shocks and enhances long-term sustainability.”
Okeke-Agedi said CPFAs must leverage technology, innovation, and sustainable investment strategies to remain relevant in modern financial ecosystems.
He said, “Adopting digital platforms for member services, data analytics, and real-time reporting will enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve transparency.
“Artificial intelligence can support portfolio optimisation and predictive risk assessment.”
He further emphasised that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles should guide future pension fund investments.
Okeke-Agedi said, “For CPFAs to thrive, they must integrate ESG reporting and invest in impactful asset classes such as infrastructure and green housing to support Nigeria’s energy transition goals
He urged all stakeholders — employers, regulators, and unions — to work together to uphold strong governance, risk management, and transparency across the sector.
“The sustainability of CPFAs depends on collective responsibility, sound regulation, and continued innovation.”
The Ibadan Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Friday warned that a full-scale strike may be imminent, citing what it described as the federal government’s discourteous and lackadaisical handling of the ongoing industrial dispute.
Addressing journalists at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, the zonal coordinator, Professor Biodun Olaniran, accused government officials of misleading the public with false claims while frustrating efforts to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement.
According to ASUU, the Union’s core demand is the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement—currently being handled by the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed-led committee—to produce a new salary structure that will replace the Consolidated University Salary Scale (CONUASS), which has been eroded by persistent inflation.
ASUU had declared a two-week warning strike on October 13, 2025, but suspended it five days before expiration following what it considered genuine interventions from students, parents, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the media, and other stakeholders. The Union then allowed a one-month window, aligning with the NLC’s ultimatum to the government to conclude the renegotiation and address all outstanding issues.
The Ibadan Zone comprises the University of Ibadan; University of Ilorin, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso; Osun State University, Osogbo, Kwara State University, Malete, and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo. Professor Olaniran was joined at the press conference by the respective branch chairpersons: Adefemi Afolabi (UI), Alex Akanmu (UNILORIN), Ben Olujimi Dada (LAUTECH), Olaosebikan Wende (UNIOSUN), Shehu Abdulganiyu Salau (KWASU), and Michael Bamidele Ojo (EAUED).
Olaniran criticised the Federal Government’s approach, saying, “ASUU had expected that a government committed to national development, technological innovation, and advancement would work within the deadline by giving a marching order to its agents; unfortunately, the Federal Government has been engaging with the Union without the seriousness these issues deserve.”
“Regrettably, just about eight days to the expiration of the one-month window, nothing significant has been done other than the usual misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda.”
ASUU, while acknowledging “the release of part of the four-year promotion arrears, third-party deductions such as union dues, cooperative and pension deductions being flaunted by the government, however, maintained that these should not be misconstrued by Nigerians as having resolved the demands of ASUU.
The Union boss disclosed that, “The just concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of ASUU held at Taraba State University, Jalingo on Saturday, 8th and Sunday, 9th November 2025 clinically X-rayed the state of our engagements with the Federal Government and Visitors to state universities.
“The current state of insecurity and excruciating economic situation in the country and its negative impacts on the welfare of the members of our ASUU call for great concern by all stakeholders in the educational sector.
“The role being played by government functionaries in the process of renegotiating the Agreement with the Union is negatively worrisome, to say the least.
“Unless the Federal Government holds the bull by the horns, by offering a competitive salary structure within the remaining timeline, our students in the public universities across the nation may have their academic calendars disrupted, once again.
“ASUU, Ibadan Zone, therefore, identifies the urgent need to prevail on governments to avert this looming crisis.
“The counter offers made by the Government through the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed-led Committee have been firmly rejected by our Union because it is inappropriate and unacceptable to make such ridiculous offers to academics who have been taking the same salaries for sixteen years.
“This falls below what many West African countries pay their academics, while Nigerian politicians are the highest paid political office holders in Africa, if not globally. What is lacking is the political will and not the resources to fund qualitative education in Nigeria.”
Professor Olaniran stated that the three-and-a-half months’ salaries of our members in federal universities, held on account of the federal government that provoked the strike of our union in 2022, are still being withheld by the government.
“Many State Universities are yet to pay the withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and Earned Academic Allowances (EAA). For the avoidance of doubt, the Osun State University is yet to release the withheld salaries of the members of the Union from 2018 and 2020, and the arrears of the reduced 2015-2019 EAA.
“The story is the same at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, where EAA and promotion arrears are still outstanding, KWASU has not benefited from EAA, and, like some other state universities in the country.
“Our Union strongly frowns at this indifferent, anti-progress, anti-labour, and inhumane act. We, therefore, demand the unconditional payment of all withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and outstanding EAA to the academic members of staff of universities who are members of ASUU.”
The Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) hosted its African night on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, as part of the 43rd annual international conference and exhibition in Lagos.
The event marked a leadership transition, as Mrs. Cecilia Olajumoke formally assumed office as NAPE president, succeeding Johnbosco Uche.
Olajumoke, who had served as president-elect for the past year, became the substantive president after overseeing a successful conference.
Ahead of the African night, Olajumoke explained that Nigeria’s high operating expenditure (OPEX) stems from elevated transportation costs, significant security spending, and reliance on diesel-powered operations.
She highlighted a case where a Nigerian oil company drastically reduced transportation costs by switching from diesel to compressed natural gas (CNG).
She said, “The game changer was that all their barges were converted from diesel to CNG. Since CNG is a gas, they now use gas to power the means of transporting their oil to the point of sale. That single move drastically reduced cost.”
At the African Night, she reaffirmed NAPE’s visibility and outlined her priorities.
She said, “NAPE is not hidden; it is out there, you can’t hide it anymore.
“Under my leadership, NAPE should expect capacity building, and we’re also looking at exploration. We are going to advocate for more exploration so that we can bring in more barrels. One other thing I’ll focus on is professionals and students because we must plan for them.”
At the event, veteran actor Afeez Oyetoro, popularly known as Saka, and actress Tina Mba were recognised for their exceptional contributions to the entertainment industry.
Reacting to his award, Saka expressed gratitude and surprise, stressing the importance of humility, dedication, commitment, and prayer in achieving success in the creative sector.
He also urged the association to help ensure that premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly called petrol, becomes more accessible to ordinary Nigerians.
Saka said, “I never knew that they would come and invite me and honour me today. It is a great honour to be a NAPE recipient of an award. Well, I just want to say that NAPE is doing well.
“And I want to encourage them to have petrol, the situation of petrol in Nigeria. It has a very positive impact on the masses. But with this, I guess, the future is bright.
“I want to thank NAPE. It’s another sign that I’ve been recognised by this international association. And I feel so honoured. And I want to thank NAPE for this privilege and honour me today.”
He further emphasised the value of humility among creatives, noting that respect enhances rather than diminishes a person.
He said, “Humility does not remove anything from you. It doesn’t remove anything.
“It only increases you as a matter of fact. My people believe that prostrating for a dwarf does not reduce your height. So if you do that, you only get more honour, more blessings for yourself. Humility has played a very great role in my life.”
The 43rd conference brought together industry operators, analysts, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for revitalising Nigeria’s petroleum exploration and production sector to ensure energy security and long-term sustainability.
A member of the Conference Planning Committee, Alakuko, Emmanuel Olukorede, praised the success of the event, especially the African Night celebration.
He said, “As one of the Conference Planning Committee members for the 43rd NAPE AICE, I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a conference that continues to set the standard for excellence in our industry. African Night, for which I was one of those responsible, was a remarkable success. I must also acknowledge that none of these achievements would have been possible without the exceptional leadership and organisation of our now President, Mrs. Olajumoke Ajayi, who is also my mentor.”
The conference, which also celebrated NAPE’s 50th anniversary, explored avenues to strengthen Nigeria’s oil and gas industry under the theme “Revitalising the Nigerian Petroleum Exploration and Production Strategies for Energy Security and Sustainable Development.”
Shell’s Executive Vice President for Nigeria and Country Chair, Marno de Jong, reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment during the exhibition.
He stated, “Shell has powered progress in Nigeria for over 60 years through our businesses and social investments… Our exhibition tells this story of progress and partnership.”
The Shell stand attracted several dignitaries, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, and Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who served as Special Guest of Honour.
Governor Aiyedatiwa used the opportunity to advocate for local solutions that would reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel and lower domestic costs. He noted that Ondo State, which produces roughly 60,000 barrels of crude oil daily, also holds Nigeria’s largest bitumen deposit — the second-largest globally — yet remains underdeveloped.
He also highlighted a landmark agreement signed in July 2025 between his administration, Backbone Infrastructure Limited, and NNPCL to build a 500,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Ilaje Local Government Area.
The facility is expected to enhance national refining capacity, create employment, and support federal efforts toward energy sufficiency.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to make arrangements for a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, to contest its chairmanahip position in its planned national convention.
Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgment on Friday, ordered the party to provide an opportunity for Lamido to obtain the nomination form for the position and prepare for the election.
Justice Lifu restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of any convention the party would hold without the inclusion of a former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, as a contestant.
The judge said evidence before his court showed that Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest for the National Chairmanship position of the party, contrary to both the Constitution and Regulations of the PDP.
He declared that the PDP was under an obligation to create opportunities for its members to serve by putting deliberate measures in place to enable them to realise their aspirations.
Justice Lifu ordered that the planned convention must be put on hold to allow the plaintiff (Lamido) to obtain the nomination form, mobilise his supporters, and conduct his campaign.
The judgment was on a suit by Lamido, in which he complained, among others, of being denied the opportunity to contest the party’s chairmanship position.
The immediate past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has dismissed allegations that he defrauded the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, in relation to the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project.
Obaseki clarified that he was neither a trustee of MOWAA nor involved in any fundraising activities on its behalf.
According to him, he never intended to build a museum personally but sought to create an enabling environment for Edo State to generate revenue through culture and creative arts.
Speaking in an interview monitored by our correspondent, the former governor said the Benin Royal Museum was conceived as part of a broader plan to develop a cultural district, which would also include the MOWAA Institute.
He added that he had proposed the establishment of a Trust comprising the Benin Palace, the federal government, and the state government to ensure a unified voice and coordinated effort for the cultural district project.
According to him, “You mean the donors will not read about who they want to give money to, or they will not understand the purpose. I cannot speak for MOWAA because I didn’t go with them to raise money. When they asked for our support, we gave them.
“There is a plan for a cultural district for the Benin Master plan. There was supposed to be a plan that would redefine the city centre. You had the MOWAA Institute, the Rain Forest Gallery, the 1897 memorial, the National Museum, and the Royal Museum. All these things have been planned for. The Oba told me has acquired land for the purpose, and we said we will support the project and any activity that promotes Edo as a cultural hub.
“As far as I am concerned, I am not a trustee of MOWAA. My role as Governor is to support institutions. Whether it is EMOWAA or MOWAA, what is Mr Business about that? Is it my own? That is their decision. The important thing is the objective, and we gave support as a government.
Narrating what transpired with the Benin Monarch, Obaseki said, “The roles of the Edo State government under my watch are clear. We did things in the way we do in a certain way. Building museums was not a priority of the state government. I cannot take the money I want to use to build schools to go and build museums. What I will do is to use that money to create an enabling environment and allow people who know how to build museums. I will collaborate with them to build museums.
“MOWAA has raised over €80m. Does Edo State have that kind of money? I will not use that money for the museum. I will support the initiative. Give them land, an enabling environment, and funds.
“We carried the palace along. We told the palace that we will have more say if we have something that represents the federal government, the state government, and the Palace. I said we should set up a trust of the National Museum, the Palace, the foreign museum, and the state government. That was what we started with. I nominated the Crown Prince, gave him a letter, he took it to his father, and the father gave him his blessings. We set up a non-charitable trust. The foreigners need someone they can see through. Let the Crown Prince represent the Trustee from the Palace, and there was no objection. At a certain point, there was misinformation. We went to Germany, and that was where the whole thing went south. I don’t know what happened internally, and the Monarch was not happy. The Palace then withdrew from the Trust. I said ok. He said he wants to have his own Royal Museum, and we said we will support. I understand the Oba acquired land opposite the palace.
“MOWAA is not my own, just like many of the things we invested in are not mine, but as long as it brings investment to Edo State and grows the economy of the state, it is incumbent to support MOWAA. Government money cannot develop a state.
“How many states can attract that kind of investment in MOWAA today? With that investment being there, see how much that would have come to Edo over that weekend. We can have another economy that is not dependent on oil revenue. The money to be received will be local revenue. This is one thing that could lead to tourism revenue. Look at the injection into the economy, and the original capital is not Edo money. We should have advanced beyond where we are now. It is unreasonable for any Edo man to justify what happened that weekend.”
The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, has officially kicked off the federal government’s Technical Vocational Education and Training (FGN-TVET) Skills Training and National Skills Qualification (NSQ) Certification programme.
The ceremony, which was held at the Institute’s main auditorium, drew the attendance of the Institute’s top management team, industry leaders, staff, students, and other stakeholders from the technical education sector.
The event marked a major milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen Nigeria’s technical education and skill development framework.
In his keynote address, Dr. Samuel Onoji, Principal and Chief Executive of the Institute, underscored the importance of hands-on technical training in today’s highly competitive global economy.
“We are at a pivotal moment where technical skills are the lifeblood of the oil and gas sector, and our commitment at PTI is to ensure that our graduates are industry-ready,” he stated.
He explained that the FGN-TVET Skills Training and NSQ Certification Programme would benefit thousands of young Nigerians by providing them with essential vocational and technical skills through a structured and standardised framework.
The NSQ certification, he added, would serve as a reliable measure of competence, improving the employability and global competitiveness of participants.
Dr Onoji further stressed the need for technical and vocational education to drive Nigeria’s economic transformation.
“This initiative is crucial for equipping our youth with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive job market. The FGN-TVET programme aligns with our commitment to fostering a skilled workforce ready to meet both local and international demands,” he said.
The FGN-TVET programme, launched by the Federal Government, is designed to upgrade the skills of Nigerian youths through specialised training across various fields of study while facilitating the attainment of National Skills Qualification certifications.
The initiative complements PTI’s mission of advancing quality technical education and producing professionals capable of meeting the evolving needs of the oil and gas industry and other related sectors.
Speaking further, Onoji highlighted the crucial collaboration between the school and its industry partners, noting that such partnerships would ensure that the training offered remains relevant and responsive to current market demands.
“By working closely with industry stakeholders, we can ensure that our training is relevant and aligned with market needs,” he added.
The flag-off ceremony featured live demonstrations of various skills training modules as well as inspiring testimonies from former PTI graduates who have benefited from the Institute’s vocational programmes.
As the programme gets underway, PTI plans to collaborate closely with local businesses and community stakeholders to ensure that the training it provides meets the dynamic requirements of the job market.
This initiative, according to Dr Onoji, not only strengthens PTI’s reputation as Nigeria’s leading centre for technical and vocational training but also represents a renewed national commitment to skill development, job creation, and economic growth.
The ceremony also featured goodwill messages and presentations from key officials, including the Institute’s Registrar, Mr Isaac Fregen, who reaffirmed the government’s dedication to promoting vocational training and enhancing employability among young Nigerians.
Participants were briefed on the wide range of training modules available, covering fields such as welding, instrumentation, mechanical maintenance, and other critical technical disciplines.
Students and aspiring trainees in attendance expressed excitement about the programme, describing it as a life-changing opportunity to gain practical skills and certifications that would enhance their career prospects both locally and internationally.
Stakeholders under the auspices of Ogoni Business Owners in America (OBOA) have called for the declaration of armed herdsmen as a terrorist organisation.
The president of OBOA and traditional ruler in Ogoniland, Chief Anthony Waadah, lamented that armed herdsmen and bandits were unleashing violence on rural communities, destroying farmlands, and killing innocent citizens across Nigeria.
Waadah, in the statement tagged “Ken Saro-Wiwa Lives On: the unfinished struggle for justice, dignity, and accountability in Ogoniland,” emphasised that the Ogoni people would no longer fold their arms in the face of victimisation.
He said, “Let it be known that Ogonis will lawfully defend themselves, their land, and their families with every legitimate means available. Self-defense is not rebellion; it is a universal human right.”
The monarch called for proper clean-up of the polluted environment, remediation, and justice for the Ogoni people before the resumption of oil exploration in the area.
Waadah warned against an attempt to resume the oil business in the area without fulfilling the conditions
The monarch said, “Do not be in a hurry to reopen oil operations in Ogoniland. Do not impose policies or decisions upon a people still bleeding from the wounds of environmental destruction and injustice,” he cautioned.
“First, clean the land, account for how the one billion dollars and the missing three hundred million dollars were spent. Third, rebuild the trust that has been destroyed for decades. Our land is not for sale, our conscience is not for rent, and our heritage is not negotiable”.
Waadah said that despite $1bn spent so far, the Ogoni environment had not been properly cleaned.
He said, “If you walk through Ogoniland today, it does not look like a place where such a humongous amount of money has been spent. The water remains polluted, the soil is poisoned, the air is toxic, and our people continue to die of preventable diseases.”
He asked the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) to remember the vision of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni struggle and demanded accountability and transparency in its operations.
He called for an investigation into the alleged disappearance of an additional $300million from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
He also used the platform to call for educational and developmental reforms in Ogoniland and urged the Federal Government to establish a Federal Government College in Ogoni to complement the Federal University of Education.
“The future of Ogoni cannot be built on oil pipelines alone; it must be built on knowledge, skills, and opportunity,” he said.
