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January 21, 2025 Tinubu, Wike, and Fubara Meet with Ogoni Leaders at Aso Rock

Tinubu, Wike, and Fubara Meet with Ogoni Leaders at Aso Rock

President Bola Tinubu, alongside Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, is hosting a closed-door meeting with a delegation of Ogoni leaders led by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The meeting follows demands from a coalition of civil society organizations urging the Federal Government to allocate $1 trillion for the cleanup of the Niger Delta and compensation for lost livelihoods before resuming crude oil production in Ogoniland.

In a joint statement, groups including Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), and Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) expressed strong opposition to the government’s reported plans to restart oil activities in Ogoniland. The coalition emphasized the environmental devastation caused by decades of oil extraction, referencing the 2011 UNEP report that documented severe pollution of Ogoniland’s land, water, and air. They criticized the government’s failure to fully implement UNEP’s cleanup recommendations or prioritize environmental restoration.

The organizations made several demands, including suspending oil production plans until meaningful consultations with the Ogoni people are held and environmental remediation is completed. They called for the exoneration of environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni leaders executed in 1995, alongside the return of the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Bus sculpture. They also pressed for immediate and transparent execution of cleanup measures, accountability for oil companies like Shell, a transition to renewable energy, and an end to military intimidation in the Niger Delta. Decisions regarding Ogoniland, they emphasized, must respect the principle of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC).

The coalition described the government’s approach as a disregard for the Ogoni people’s fundamental rights and warned that resuming oil production without addressing past injustices would deepen mistrust among the government, oil companies, and local communities.

Present at the meeting are key government officials, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited Mele Kyari, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and other ministers and aides. The discussions aim to address concerns and explore solutions for justice, environmental restoration, and sustainable development in Ogoniland.

 

January 21, 2025 UI Students Plan Peaceful Protest After 7-Day Ultimatum to FG Over Blackout

UI Students Plan Peaceful Protest After 7-Day Ultimatum to FG Over Blackout

The University of Ibadan Students’ Union has announced plans for a peaceful demonstration following the expiration of a 7-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to address the prolonged blackout at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

Led by the union's president, Aweda Bolaji, the protest is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, January 22. Participants will gather at the main gate of UCH before proceeding to the Secretariat.

In a statement, Aweda expressed solidarity with students affected by the 80-day blackout, particularly those residing in Alexander Brown Hall and Ayodele Falase Postgraduate Hall.

“Following the expiration of our 7-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria to address the blackout at UCH, we are inviting you to join a peaceful demonstration," he said.

He further urged students and supporters to participate in the march, emphasizing the need for collective action to bring attention to the issue.

The demonstration aims to highlight the challenges faced by students and push for a swift resolution to the power outage that has disrupted academic and residential activities at the medical institution.

January 21, 2025 POS Operators Plan Fee Increase Following 50% Telecom Tariff Hike

POS Operators Plan Fee Increase Following 50% Telecom Tariff Hike

The Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN) has indicated that its members might have to raise service charges in response to the recent 50% increase in telecommunications service tariffs approved by the Federal Government.

Ogungbayi Ganiyu, AMMBAN’s National Public Relations Officer, shared this during an interview on Monday, highlighting the challenges posed by the tariff hike.

Ganiyu explained that the operations of mobile money agents are heavily reliant on telecom services, particularly data, making them highly susceptible to the impact of the increased costs.

“The telecom tariff hike will impact the operations of our members. I am afraid this may also have a multiplier effect on service charges,” he said.

Despite the situation, Ganiyu noted that POS operators might attempt to absorb the additional costs rather than immediately passing them on to customers. He added, “We have not sat down and looked at the latest tariff hike.”

In a related development, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has expressed strong opposition to the tariff increase, threatening to take legal action against the Federal Government.

This marks the first telecom tariff hike since 2013, sparking concerns about its broader implications on businesses and consumers nationwide.

January 21, 2025 WHO Expresses Regret Over U.S. Decision to Withdraw

WHO Expresses Regret Over U.S. Decision to Withdraw

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, expressed regret on Tuesday over the United States' decision to withdraw from the organization.

This announcement came after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order formalizing the withdrawal from the global health body.

In a statement, the WHO conveyed its disappointment, saying:
“The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the organization.”

The statement also emphasized the importance of collaboration and urged the U.S. to reconsider its decision:
“We hope the United States will reconsider, and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”

The WHO's call reflects its commitment to fostering global cooperation, particularly during critical times for public health worldwide.

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