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• April 1, 2025
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Akwa Ibom: CSO demands remediation, compensation from Seplat over unusual gas flare at QIT

Worried by what it described as an “unusual gas flare” at the Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT) in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State, the Ibom Peoples’ Empowerment and Ecosystem Restoration Foundation (Ibom PEER Foundation) has called on oil giant Seplat Energy PLC to remediate and compensate the local communities in the area. Seplat operates at the Qua
Akwa Ibom: CSO demands remediation, compensation from Seplat over unusual gas flare at QIT

Worried by what it described as an “unusual gas flare” at the Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT) in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State, the Ibom Peoples’ Empowerment and Ecosystem Restoration Foundation (Ibom PEER Foundation) has called on oil giant Seplat Energy PLC to remediate and compensate the local communities in the area.

Seplat operates at the Qua Iboe Export Terminal (QIT) in Ibeno, which experienced a tremendous gas flare on March 25, 2025.

Alarmed by the incident, Ibom PEER Foundation, in a statement on Tuesday by its Executive Director, Mr. Mfon Gabriel, said the oil company should put measures in place to ensure that such a hazardous incident does not repeat itself.

Gabriel, who stated that his team and other community actors witnessed the flare, explained that the heat was felt several kilometers from QIT, burning as though it was an explosion caused by leakage from an oil well, beyond what the flare stack could handle.

He regretted that such an incident occurred when oil and gas companies should be implementing their natural gas elimination and monetization plans submitted to the NUPRC in accordance with Section 108 of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, aiming to end routine gas flaring in existing sites by 2030 with the Zero Routine Flaring target for 2030.

The CSO, therefore, called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to provide data on the volume of gas flared and methane emitted.

It further called on the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to impose stiffer sanctions on Seplat Energy PLC to serve as a deterrent to other companies operating outside acceptable safety practices.

The statement partly read, “We call on Seplat Energy PLC to come clean and explain the cause of this unusual flare, and state the measures they have put in place immediately to remediate the environment and compensate the local communities in the Ibeno area, as well as prevent the recurrence of this environmentally destructive incident.”

“The unusual gas flare at QIT is outside acceptable safety practice under established regulations. As stewards of the ecosystem, we condemn this irresponsible act that is further depleting the ozone layer and driving all varieties of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms in the QIT area and Ibeno into extinction or making the environment uninhabitable for local people.”

“Local communities in Ibeno are already at the frontline of climate impact and continue to face the devastating effects of gas flaring and sea-level rise due to the heat generated from Seplat Energy PLC’s operations in Ibeno and the shallow waters of the Gulf of Guinea.”

Akwa Ibom: CSO demands remediation, compensation from Seplat over unusual gas flare at QIT

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• April 1, 2025
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Lagos reaffirms legality of speed limits, warns against false information

Amid growing public concerns over the enforcement of speed limits on select roads, the Lagos State Government has reaffirmed the legality of the regulations, emphasizing the need for motorists to comply in the interest of road safety. The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, cited Section 28(2)(a) of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law
Lagos reaffirms legality of speed limits, warns against false information

Amid growing public concerns over the enforcement of speed limits on select roads, the Lagos State Government has reaffirmed the legality of the regulations, emphasizing the need for motorists to comply in the interest of road safety.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, cited Section 28(2)(a) of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law (2018) as the legal foundation for imposing penalties on drivers who exceed prescribed speed limits.

Clarifying the regulatory framework for traffic signage, Osiyemi stressed that the Ministry of Transportation holds exclusive authority over the design, size, and color of traffic signs across Lagos State.

This, he noted, ensures uniformity and compliance with international standards.

Addressing misinformation surrounding the speed limit enforcement initiative, the commissioner urged the public to refrain from spreading false claims.

He clarified that speed cameras are currently operational only on Alapere Road and Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, following extensive studies identifying the need for such measures in these locations. He also revealed that additional areas will be considered based on further assessments.

Osiyemi reiterated that the primary objective of the speed cameras is to enhance the safety of both motorists and commuters.

He encouraged Lagos residents to seek accurate information by visiting the official website of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, verifying details through official social media channels, or consulting relevant traffic management authorities.

Lagos reaffirms legality of speed limits, warns against false information

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• April 1, 2025
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Blindness: Nigerian govt may establish Federal Institute for Vision, Optical Research across six geopolitical zones – Rep Obuzor

The House of Representatives member representing Ahoada West/Ogba Egbema/Ndoni, Victor Obuzor, has disclosed that the Nigerian government may subsequently replicate the establishment of the Federal Institute for Vision and Optical Research in Rivers State across the six geopolitical zones of the nation. The Rivers lawmaker, who sponsored the bill for the establishment of the Institute,
Blindness: Nigerian govt may establish Federal Institute for Vision, Optical Research across six geopolitical zones – Rep Obuzor

The House of Representatives member representing Ahoada West/Ogba Egbema/Ndoni, Victor Obuzor, has disclosed that the Nigerian government may subsequently replicate the establishment of the Federal Institute for Vision and Optical Research in Rivers State across the six geopolitical zones of the nation.

The Rivers lawmaker, who sponsored the bill for the establishment of the Institute, addressed journalists on Monday, saying the support the bill received during and after the public hearing recently held at the National Assembly was encouraging.

“The House is delighted with the bill and has asked that the Institute, since it’s one of its kind, should be replicated in the six geopolitical zones,” he said.

He called the establishment of the proposed institute an urgent necessity.

“As guardians of public health, we must address the escalating prevalence of vision impairment, particularly in underserved communities,” he added.

With an estimated 50 million Nigerians currently affected by visual disabilities and over seven million already blind, the need for decisive action has never been more pressing.

“The proposed institute represents a crucial step towards mitigating this growing public health challenge and ensuring a brighter future for our citizens,” he stressed.

Earlier in his presentation at the public hearing, he explained that “vision disorders are reaching epidemic proportions in Nigeria, exacerbated by limited access to ophthalmic care, particularly in rural locales,” adding that projections by the World Health Organization suggest that the current figure may double by 2050 without the right interventions.

On the proposed bill to establish the Federal College of Optometry to provide courses leading to the award of designated degrees, diplomas, and certificates in Optometry and related courses, which he also sponsored, he said the desire of any government is to have a population of healthy citizens.

“This is why governments all over the world, including Nigeria, continue to fund health-related infrastructure as well as basic health and eye care services to ensure that health sector objectives are actualized.

“The impact of optometric care is growing worldwide, and countries have devoted huge resources toward the development of infrastructure and human capital to ensure that this vital organ of the human body is given its pride of place, because without the eyes, life and living would be difficult,” he stated.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, had during the hearing assured that the bills, if considered and passed into law, “will address the current low-level scientific research and development in vision healthcare and ensure a phenomenal increase in the number of qualified professional manpower and the establishment of more specialized eye care facilities across the country.”

Also in his remarks, Chairman of the Committee on Specialty Healthcare, Hon. Alex Egbona, while expressing support, said the bills generally seek to increase public access to healthcare for Nigerians in the area of eye care, vision, and optical health.

Blindness: Nigerian govt may establish Federal Institute for Vision, Optical Research across six geopolitical zones – Rep Obuzor

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• April 1, 2025
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Zamfara: Coalition reacts as Gov Dauda removes 2,363 ghost workers from payroll

The Coalition of Rescue Support Groups in Zamfara has lauded Governor Dauda Lawal for fishing out and removing from the state’s payroll 2,363 ghost workers who were illegally receiving a total of N193,642,097.19 monthly. The Coalition noted that this has made the Governor’s swift implementation of the N70,000.00 new national minimum wage to civil servants
Zamfara: Coalition reacts as Gov Dauda removes 2,363 ghost workers from payroll

The Coalition of Rescue Support Groups in Zamfara has lauded Governor Dauda Lawal for fishing out and removing from the state’s payroll 2,363 ghost workers who were illegally receiving a total of N193,642,097.19 monthly.

The Coalition noted that this has made the Governor’s swift implementation of the N70,000.00 new national minimum wage to civil servants easier.

In a statement signed by Alhaji Rufai Ahmed Gusau, Zamfara State Coordinator, the Coalition noted that the new minimum wage will bring greater financial stability, improved service delivery, and a better standard of living for all government employees.

“It’s a departure from the vicious cycle of salary bondage imposed on workers by previous administrations in the state,” the statement said.

“Only hardworking and genuine employees are recognized and rewarded. Today, Zamfara State has 28,273 workers verified and cleared, while 2,363 ghost workers who were illegally receiving a total of N193,642,097.19 monthly have been removed from the payroll.

“This has saved the state the sum of N200 million that will now be deployed to make Zamfara State great and prosperous again.”

“And salvaged Zamfara from political hirelings and reactionary forces that have impeded its development.”

“With improved security and economic activities, Zamfara people now enjoy the dividends of democracy and good governance. This is what democracy is all about.”

“We further urge all workers, union leaders, opposition parties, and the good people of Zamfara to stand with the government in this unprecedented journey of reform, progress, development, and advancement.”

Zamfara: Coalition reacts as Gov Dauda removes 2,363 ghost workers from payroll

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• April 1, 2025
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Bans on Durbar: Emir Sanusi returns to 1903 traditional Hawan Nassarwa

Following the security prohibition of the traditional Sallah Emir’s Durbar activities, the 16th Fulani Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has strategically abandoned horse riding and instead uses vehicles to pay Sallah homage to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the Government House in Kano. The Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who also changed the usual routes
Bans on Durbar: Emir Sanusi returns to 1903 traditional Hawan Nassarwa

Following the security prohibition of the traditional Sallah Emir’s Durbar activities, the 16th Fulani Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has strategically abandoned horse riding and instead uses vehicles to pay Sallah homage to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the Government House in Kano.

The Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who also changed the usual routes of state roads to the Government House while carrying out the traditional Hawan Nassarwa, drove in a convoy of vehicles to undertake his tradition.

Explaining the difference in what Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II did with the normal Hawan Nassarwa, Professor Tijjani Naniya, a Professor of History and former Head of the Department of History at Bayero University, Kano, pointed out that before 1940, the Emir, as head of the Native Authority (NA), would only visit the Resident and return to his palace.

He said, “Before 1940, there was no Wajen Kano, which is the outskirts of the city, and the Emir, as the head of the NA, would only pay a visit to the Resident at the Government House, be briefed on the yearly happenings in the city, and return to his palace.”

“But by 1940, when the outskirts of Kano, Wajen Kano, were created and populated by people, most of whom were Hausas but not of Kano extraction, the Emir needed to go round and see them. The present-day Hawan Nassarwa, using horses, was introduced.”

Professor Tijjani Naniya clarified that what the police banned was horse procession in any form, but Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II used vehicles to pay homage to the Governor, which is not in any way a violation or breach of the security position.

He said, “What was stopped was for the Emir to ride on horses and pass through state roads, which would definitely create problems. But now that he has returned to the original means of the Hawan Nassarwa tradition, there is no violation.”

“And the Emir is only coming to the Government House, as opposed to the usual Hawan Nassarwa, where he would ride horses, go around Kano to greet everybody, and then return to his palace.”

Professor Naniya noted that “in compliance with the security position, Sanusi has avoided large crowds and escorts, instead simply driving his few cars to the Government House in the 1903 Traditional Sallah festivities.”

Bans on Durbar: Emir Sanusi returns to 1903 traditional Hawan Nassarwa