General News
OKPE LEADERS REJECT ABIGBORODO OIL FIELD NAME, FAULT UDUAGHAN’S CLAIMS IN DETAILED REJOINDER
Leaders of the Sapele Okpe Community have issued a comprehensive statement rejecting claims by the Alema of Warri Kingdom, Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, regarding the ownership and naming of the proposed Abigborodo Oil Field in Petroleum Prospecting Licence 220. The leaders insist the land belongs to the Okpe people.
The statement, a response to a Facebook post by Uduaghan asserting the oil field was rightly named after Abigborodo Community, was jointly signed by Chief Onoriode Temiagin, Chief Austin Arieja, Chief Lt. Col. Babuba Moses Abeke (rtd.), Hon. Chief Godwin Atose and Chief Patrick Akomovba, representing the Sapele Okpe Community in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State.
The Okpe leaders described Uduaghan’s claims as misleading and contradicted by colonial records, government White Papers and legal instruments. They called on the Federal Ministry of Environment to heed the protest of the Udogun Okpe, the highest decision-making body of Okpe Kingdom, over the naming.
“We wish to state for the umpteenth time that the area of land covering PPL 220 does not belong to the Abigborodo people. The White Paper of the Delta State Government produced in 2020 after an extensive judicial panel of enquiry unambiguously affirms this position,” the statement read.
The leaders cited colonial-era documents, stating that a 1932 petition by the Olu of Itsekiri claiming ownership of the land was dismissed by colonial authorities. “The Colonial Masters found the claim of the Olu as lacking merit. The claim was dismissed and the Forest Reserve constituted,” they stated. They noted the reserve was named the Okpe-Urhobo Forest Reserve and administered by a Native Authority comprised of Okpe indigenes.
The statement directly challenged Uduaghan’s assertions. “The Claim of Chief Uduaghan that Okpe authorities informed the Colonial Administrators that they have no land to contribute to the proposed Forest Reserve is one of the weakest and illogical fallacies ever proposed,” the leaders said.
They also addressed a claim regarding Chief Alema Okonedo, an ancestor of Uduaghan. “Okonedo’s petition did not lead to any recommendation or legal instrument, nor was it upheld as falsely claimed by Chief Uduaghan,” the statement said, referencing a 1941 colonial government letter they say ended Itsekiri agitations over the reserve.
The Okpe leaders asserted that the name Abigborodo Oil Field is a recent manipulation. “All existing records show that Abigborodo has no land in the Reserve, how then an oil field covering Okpe-Urhobo Forest Reserve is being designated as Abigborodo Oil Field without the input of local authorities or of the State,” they questioned. They revealed that in an October 2025 meeting with Navante Exploration and Production Limited, two Delta State commissioners directed the company to ensure the oil field’s name reflects the true land owners before commencing an Environmental Impact Assessment.
The statement further denied that land was ever released to Abigborodo by the government. “Chief Uduaghan is aware that the land released by the Delta State Government was released to Otonyasere people… The government instrument enlarging Otonyatsere enclave by adding 200 acres in favour of Otonyasere people is contained in Delta State Legal Notice 11 of 1996,” they stated, adding that another 1200 hectares was de-reserved for Sapele Okpe Community.
The leaders concluded by advising the Federal Ministry of Environment and Navante not to be deceived. “The ownership of what does not belong to Abigbordo is what the leaders of Abigborodo have been asking for since 1932. It is an impossible request. FME is not competent to grant this request through Oil field naming,” they stated. They challenged Uduaghan and Abigborodo people to file a court action for declaration of title, stating, “In the absence of this, the imaginary historical records being cited over and again by Chief Uduaghan are not, and cannot be recognized as conferring ownership.”
This rejoinder follows Uduaghan’s earlier statement which asked the Federal Ministry of Environment to disregard Okpe protests, maintaining the oil field rightly belongs to Abigborodo Community. The dispute has reignited longstanding tensions over the Okpe–Urhobo Forest Reserve, with federal and state authorities expected to review the competing claims.
General News
Alue-Do Festival Assault: First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Condemns Attack on Women, Calls for Justice
The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has strongly condemned the reported assault of women and girls during the Alue-Do Festival in Ozoro, Delta State, describing the incident as “horrific” and unacceptable.
Reacting to viral footage from Ozoro, the First Lady expressed outrage over scenes showing young girls being physically and sexually assaulted, as well as subjected to degrading treatment during what was meant to be a cultural celebration.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity, Mrs. Tinubu stressed that no tradition or custom should be used as justification for violating the dignity and rights of women and girls.
She commended the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force for making arrests in connection with the incident and urged authorities to ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice.
The First Lady also called on victims to seek immediate medical and psychological support, offering prayers for their healing, peace, and strength in the aftermath of the ordeal.
The incident has sparked widespread concern and renewed calls for stricter measures to protect women and girls during cultural and public events across the country.
General News
World Water Day 2026: Oluremi Tinubu Calls for Gender Equity Through Improved Water Access
The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for collective action to promote gender equality through improved access to water and sanitation, as the world marks World Water Day 2026.
In a message commemorating the day, Senator Tinubu highlighted this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” emphasizing the strong link between water access and gender equity.
She noted that in many communities, women and girls bear the burden of sourcing water, often trekking long distances to streams, a situation that negatively impacts their education, health, and economic opportunities.
“When we ensure safe, clean, and accessible water, we do more than quench thirst; we open doors for girls to stay in school, for women to pursue livelihoods, and for families to live healthier lives,” she said.
The First Lady urged Nigerians to work together to ensure equitable access to water resources across the country, stressing that improved water systems can drive social and economic development.
She concluded by encouraging citizens to embrace the spirit of the global observance and reaffirm commitments toward building a more inclusive society.
“Let us work together to ensure that where water flows in Nigeria, equity truly grows,” she added.
World Water Day is observed annually on March 22 to raise awareness on the importance of freshwater and advocate for sustainable management of water resources worldwide.
Fresh hostilities in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict intensified early Sunday, with Iran launching strikes near Israel’s main nuclear research centre, leaving dozens injured and raising fears of wider regional escalation.
According to reports, missiles hit areas close to the nuclear facility in Dimona and the southern city of Arad. Rescue services confirmed that nearly 70 people were injured in Arad alone, with several in serious condition and multiple residential buildings severely damaged.
The Israeli military said it had begun retaliatory strikes targeting locations in Tehran, further escalating the conflict, which has now entered its fourth week.
Iran warned that any attack on its energy facilities would trigger retaliatory strikes on U.S. and Israeli infrastructure across the region. The threat followed a statement by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned that the United States could target Iranian power plants if Tehran fails to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Iranian authorities described such threats as provocative, vowing a firm response if carried out.
Saudi Arabia also confirmed that its air defence systems intercepted missiles and drones targeting its territory, including areas near key oil installations, with no casualties reported. In a separate incident, a projectile struck near a commercial vessel off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, causing an explosion but leaving the crew unharmed.
Iran’s state media reported that the death toll within the country has surpassed 1,500 since the conflict began, raising humanitarian concerns. Legal experts have also warned that targeting civilian infrastructure such as power plants could violate international law.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the situation as “a very difficult moment,” as emergency teams continued search-and-rescue operations in affected areas.
In Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi rebels warned they could join the conflict if attacks against Iran intensify, cautioning that further escalation could disrupt global energy supplies and economic stability.
Despite diplomatic signals, including a temporary U.S. move to ease sanctions on Iranian oil shipments, there are no clear signs of de-escalation, with both sides continuing military operations. Analysts warn the conflict risks expanding into a broader regional war with significant global implications.