Ex President Jonathan Regrets Nigeria’s Backwardness Behind China In Oil And Gas Sector

July 22, 2026

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has expressed disappointment over the Backwardness of Nigeria in the oil and gas development, against the background of the Chinese rapid advancement in the sector
He is obviously upset over the enormous economic losses Nigeria has been encountering because of what he called near-total dependence on foreign expertise, equipment, machinery, production inputs and technology, among other things.
Speaking at the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Dr. Jonathan looked at how China became a major global player in oil and gas after the massive discovery of crude oil at the Daqing Oilfield in the Northeastern Heilongjiang Province in 1959, three years after a similar discovery in Otuabagi, OloibiriDistrict, of present-day Ogbia Local Government Area in Bayelsa State.
According to the former President: “almost everything used in the Chinese oil industry was sourced locally.”
Dr. Jonathan who recalled his visit to China as head of a trade delegation during his days as Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State (December 2005-May 2007), said that the China experience set him wondering why the case of Nigeria in that sector was so completely different.
The former President expressed his joy at the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, and the many benefits that have accrued to Nigeria at the national and community levels since the emergence of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
According to him, NCDMB has over time, assumed the critical role of business enabler, recalling the enthusiasm and promptness with which he signed the NOGICD Bill into law in April 2010.
Jonathan, who delivered an opening address at the SweetCrude Dialogue 2026, themed: “Through the Python’s Eye: 70 Years of Oil and Gas Production,” commended the NCDMB for its successes and the organisers of the Dialogue, De Mangrove Conversations, led by Biobele Da-Wariboko, for the concept and the zeal that had brought them thus far.
“Bringing people from all walks of life to have a conversation on the oil and gas industry is critical,” pointing out that community issues and what he termed ‘state dilemma’ demand careful attention even as the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2020, has made appreciable impact.

The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engineer Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, Barr. Esueme Dan Kikile, said that the theme of the Dialogue provided “a vital vintage point to evaluate our historical journey, analyze our current milestones, and chart an ambitious path for our energy future.”
He commended the former President for decisive action in bringing the NOGICD Act and the NCDMB into reality, pointing out that in pursuit of its core mandate – “to supervise, coordinate, and monitor compliance with local content metrics, deliberately building domestic capacities, while ensuring that a significant portion of industry spend is retained in Nigeria” – the Board has grown local content participation to 61 per cent in 2026, up from less than five per cent in 2010.
He said that the Board’s strict enforcement of its Human Capacity Development Initiative (HCDI) Guidelines has resulted in every major industry project allocating dedicated resources toward training of Nigerian engineers, geologists, technicians and seafarers, and that its flagship “60-40” Graduate Training Models and global technical certifications to specialized vocational training for host communities has “institutionalized a continuous pipeline of industry-ready professionals.”
On other key projects and accomplishments, both completed and ongoing, the NCDMB boss listed the iconic 17-storey NCDMB Nigerian Content Tower (NCT); Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMRC); Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS), an industrial park at Emeyal I in Ogbia local Government Area,and another at Odukpani, Cross River State; gas processing infrastructure in the Gbarain hub in Bayelsa State for reliable feedstock distribution to power industrialization in Bayelsa State and Niger Delta region; Polaku Gas Project Footprint, and the Brass Shipyard and Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Fertiliser Project Alignment.Others include the NCDMB Back-to-the-Creek Initiative, which is
focused on taking development, empowerment, and opportunities directly to the grassroots, where oil and gas activities have the most impact.
According to the NCDMB boss: “by anchoring these transformative initiatives, human capital development and high-level investments” in Bayelsa State, “the Board is transitioning the cradle of Nigeria’s oil history from a mere extraction zone into an active centre of commercial, technological, and industrial value retention.”
In a goodwill message, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douyi Diri, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, said that for a gathering to examine 70 years of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, there could not have been a better place for the event than where it all began, that is, Bayelsa State territory. He commended De Mangrove Conversations, the organisers, whom he described as distinguished writers, researchers, and professionals of the Niger Delta. In a related message, Delta State Governor Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prince Johnson Erijo, challenged all stakeholders to strive at all times to fulfill public expectations, stating that as evaluation of progress in the oil and gas industry was being undertaken, there was need for leaders to renew their commitment to host communities. For his part, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), represented by his Chief of Staff, Julius Oworibo, said the Dialogue should remind the audience “where we are coming from, where we are now – [achievements and benefits that have accrued to oil-and gas-producing communities] – and where we are striving to be.”
In a keynote address, Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika, of the Centre for Advanced Law Research at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, observed that for 70 years “oil has defined our economy, influenced our politics, shaped our foreign relations, financed our development, fuelled conflicts, inspired innovations, and transformed our place in the global energy landscape.”He pointed out that the Niger Delta has borne the burden of oil and gas exploitation for 70 years and that “Entire ecosystems [have] suffered irreversible damage.” Given that background, he asserted that “Environmental justice is not an optional policy aspiration; it is a constitutional, moral and developmental imperative.”
Earlier in a welcome address, the convener of De Mangrove Conversations, Biobele Da-Wariboko, said the group emerged out of the need “to ensure that Niger Delta’s enormous resources and contributions to Nigeria’s development are not swept into historical oblivion by the swift currents of ethno-religious and hegemonic politics ravaging our nation’s polity.

Spain’s Defiant Stand In Israel-Gaza Crisis, By Abdulkarim Abdulmalik

Greenbarge Reporters

July 21, 2026

In international politics, nations often find themselves balancing economic interests against moral convictions. History has repeatedly shown that this balance is rarely easy. Yet, from time to time, a government chooses a path that suggests some principles cannot be negotiated, regardless of the cost.
Recent reports that U.S. President Donald Trump warned Spain to align more closely with Israel or risk facing trade consequences have once again brought this age-old dilemma into sharp focus. Whether viewed as a diplomatic warning, a negotiating tactic, or economic pressure, the reported message carried an unmistakable implication: political choices could have commercial consequences.
Spain’s response, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has attracted global attention. Rather than retreating under the weight of possible economic repercussions, the Spanish government reaffirmed its position that humanitarian concerns should not be subordinated to economic calculations. In effect, Spain’s message was equally clear: human lives are not bargaining chips, and national conscience cannot be purchased through trade incentives.
This development reflects a broader question confronting governments around the world: Should economic interests determine foreign policy when humanitarian crises are involved?
For Spain, the answer appears to be no.
The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has generated widespread concern across continents. Thousands of civilians have been caught in the devastating consequences of prolonged conflict. Images of destroyed homes, displaced families, overcrowded hospitals, and grieving parents have stirred public opinion across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. While governments differ on political solutions, many agree that civilian protection must remain paramount.
Spain has consistently argued that concern for Palestinian civilians does not necessarily equate to hostility toward Israel. Rather, it reflects a commitment to international humanitarian law and the universal principle that innocent human life deserves protection regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or religion.
Such a position is neither simple nor politically convenient.
The United States remains one of Spain’s important economic and strategic partners. Bilateral trade, investment, defence cooperation, and diplomatic collaboration have benefited both countries for decades. Any suggestion of trade retaliation therefore carries genuine economic implications.
Yet diplomacy has never been solely about commerce.
Throughout history, nations have occasionally accepted economic discomfort in defence of values they considered fundamental. The global struggle against apartheid in South Africa required many countries to endure economic sacrifices. Sanctions imposed against oppressive regimes have often involved significant commercial losses for those enforcing them. Likewise, numerous governments have accepted political costs to defend human rights, democracy, or international law.
Spain’s current posture appears to place it within that tradition.
Supporters of Madrid’s approach argue that silence during humanitarian crises weakens the credibility of international institutions. They contend that if economic pressure can determine whether governments speak against civilian suffering, then moral leadership becomes little more than a commodity available to the highest bidder.
Critics, however, argue that foreign policy should prioritize national economic interests and strategic alliances. They caution that confrontational diplomacy could damage Spain’s economy, reduce investment, and complicate relations with one of its closest allies.
Both perspectives deserve careful consideration.
Governments bear responsibility not only for defending ethical principles but also for protecting the livelihoods of their citizens. Economic growth creates jobs, funds healthcare, supports education, and improves living standards. No responsible administration can dismiss these realities.
At the same time, there are moments when leadership requires decisions extending beyond immediate financial calculations.
Political courage is often measured not by the popularity of a decision but by the willingness to uphold convictions when doing so carries tangible costs.
This is perhaps why Spain’s response has resonated with many observers around the world.
Its position reminds the international community that diplomacy is ultimately about more than trade agreements, tariffs, or strategic partnerships. It is also about defining what values nations are prepared to defend when confronted with difficult choices.
The episode also illustrates the changing nature of global politics. Increasingly, middle powers are demonstrating greater independence in foreign policy rather than automatically aligning with larger geopolitical actors. This growing strategic autonomy reflects an evolving multipolar world where countries seek to balance partnerships while preserving independent decision-making.
Whether this trend strengthens or weakens international cooperation remains open to debate. Nevertheless, it signals that many governments wish to make foreign policy decisions based not solely on alliance expectations but also on domestic values, international law, and humanitarian considerations.
For Africa and other regions of the Global South, Spain’s position also raises important questions. Many developing countries have long argued that international responses to humanitarian crises should be guided by consistent standards rather than geopolitical interests. They have frequently called for equal concern for all civilian populations regardless of where conflicts occur.
Consistency remains one of the greatest challenges facing international diplomacy.
If civilian lives deserve protection in one conflict, they deserve equal protection in every conflict. Human dignity should not depend upon geography, political alliances, or economic leverage.
Ultimately, history often judges nations less by their economic strength than by the principles they defend during periods of crisis. Trade agreements may expire. Political administrations may change. Economic disputes may eventually be resolved.
But moral choices frequently leave lasting legacies.
Whether one fully agrees with Spain’s policy or not, its response has reignited an important global conversation about the relationship between power and principle. It challenges governments everywhere to reflect upon the values that shape their foreign policy decisions and the price they are willing to pay to uphold them.
In a world increasingly driven by strategic competition and economic influence, Spain’s reported response serves as a reminder that there are moments when conscience seeks to speak louder than commerce.
History has often remembered those who chose humanity over convenience. The present generation now watches to see which path today’s leaders will choose.

– Abdulkarim Abdulmalik, an Abuja-based Journalist, can be reached on: nowmalik@gmail.com

We’re Ready To Tackle Floods – Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger

Greenbarge Reporters

July 21, 2026

The governments of Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states have made it clear that they are set to tackle floods as the nation gets into the peak of the 2026 rainy season.
The National Flood Early Warning Centre, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had earlier forecasted that the three states could experience significant flooding between July and September.
The affected states have therefore lined up measures such as the construction of drainage infrastructure, activation of Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs), public sensitisation campaigns, mapping of vulnerable communities and strengthened collaboration among emergency response agencies to contain the looming floods.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo said that the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has adopted a proactive approach to ecological protection and disaster management.
Fanwo said that newly constructed drainage systems in Etahi, Omigbo and Olubojo communities in Ankpa Local Government Area had significantly reduced flooding by efficiently channeling rainwater away from residential areas.
“Our drains are working as designed. Rainwater is being efficiently collected and channelled away, reducing the risk of flooding. Within minutes of heavy rainfall, floodwater drains off, leaving communities safe.”
According to him, the government will sustain investments in critical infrastructure, logistics, intelligence and inter-agency collaboration to safeguard lives and property.
“Kogi is no longer merely reacting to ecological disasters; we are proactively deploying infrastructure that prevents them. This is a new dawn in our approach to flood control.”
This is even as the Executive Secretary, Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Mouktar Atimah said the agency in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), recently convened a stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja to strengthen preparedness for the 2026 flood season.
He said that Governor Ododo has approved increased budgetary allocations to improve disaster response.
Atimah said that plans have been concluded to establish Emergency Operations Centres across the state, while flood-prone communities were being mapped for early intervention.
Also, Special Adviser to the governor on Emergency Management, Alhaji Muhammed Shaibu said the government has intensified early warning campaigns and inaugurated a seven-member committee to coordinate flood mitigation efforts.
Shaibu said the state is also leveraging the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project to reclaim degraded land and strengthen flood control measures.
He said that Kogi’s location at the confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue makes it particularly vulnerable to flooding.
According to him, floods in October 2024 submerged more than 200 communities and displaced over two million people across nine local government areas, while the 2022 floods affected more than 472,000 residents and destroyed homes and farmlands.
He said that NEMA has called for stronger collaboration with Local Emergency Management Committees, noting that difficult terrain hampered about 63 per cent of emergency response operations during the previous flood season.
“Residents of riverine communities, including Lokoja, Ibaji, Koton Karfe and Bassa, have also been urged to heed early warning messages and relocate to safer locations whenever necessary.”
Director-General of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), Benjamin Akwah said that the agency has intensified early warning campaigns in the four local government areas identified as flood-prone.
Akwash said that in Lafia NASEMA has strengthened early warning systems, trained community volunteers and enhanced emergency response capacity ahead of the peak rainfall period.
He said that the sensitisation campaign in Awe, Doma, Nasarawa and Toto local government areas formed part of the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management Preparedness and Mitigation Framework developed by NEMA.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at promoting coordinated action to protect lives and livelihoods during the rainy season.
Akwash noted that the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook issued by NiMet and NIHSA identified 23 states, including Nasarawa, as being at high risk of flooding.
He attributed the vulnerability of the affected councils to their proximity to River Benue and reaffirmed the commitment of Gov. Abdullahi Sule’s administration to building a resilient disaster management system.
He appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth groups, the media and the private sector to support the dissemination of early warning messages across vulnerable communities.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), and other stakeholders have intensified flood preparedness through public sensitisation, emergency response coordination and early warning campaigns.
The measures followed forecasts by NiMet and NIHSA identifying 11 local government areas in the state as highly susceptible to flooding.
The affected local government areas are Agaie, Bida, Borgu, Edati, Gbako, Katcha, Lapai, Lavun, Magama, Mashegu and Mokwa.
Head of Operations, NEMA Minna Operations Office, covering Niger and Kwara states, Hussaini Isah said that the agency has activated the State Emergency Operations Centre in collaboration with NSEMA, security agencies and fire services.
According to him, the centre will coordinate emergency response through information sharing, resource mobilisation, situation monitoring and timely decision-making during disasters.
“Our preparedness today will determine our capacity to protect lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure tomorrow.”
Isah said that NEMA has also assessed the operational readiness of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to identify gaps and strengthen inter-agency collaboration.
On his part,, Director-General of NSEMA, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah said that the state has established an Emergency Operations Centre to enhance disaster management.
He said that the centre is yet to become fully operational due to inadequate personnel but expressed optimism that the challenge would be addressed before the peak of the flood season.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force have deployed patrol and operational vehicles across the state, while the Niger State Fire Service has 17 fire trucks, 11 of which are operational, alongside ambulances, rescue tankers and utility vehicles for emergency response.
Baba-Arah added that traditional rulers had also pledged to support the flood preparedness campaign by disseminating early warning messages to vulnerable communities.

Chief Paddy Kemdi Njoku For Burial August 13; Committee Announces Funeral Arrangements

Greenbarge Reporters

July 19, 2026

Remains of Sir Dr. Paddy Kemdi Njoku, a distinguished administrator, professional, community leader and devout Catholic knight, with the traditional title of Omenukoaku, will be buried on August 13, in his hometown in Imo State. He died in May this year at the age of 75
An official programme released by the funeral committee, headed by Engr (Dr.) Johnny O Chukwu, showed the funeral activities commencing with a Requiem Mass on August 3, at 5:00 p.m. at the Catholic Church of the Assumption, Asokoro, Abuja.
The program showed that a Service of Songs and Night of Tributes will be conducted on August 4, at 5:00 p.m. at Boardwalk Fun City, Plot 1001, Ibrahim Tahir Lane, Utako, Abuja. It said that family members, friends, associates and admirers will gather to celebrate his life, values and enduring legacy.
“The final funeral rites will take place on Thursday, August 13, 2026, beginning with a Funeral Mass at 12:00 noon at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, Okwunakuwa, Uvuru, Aboh-Mbaise, Imo State, after which Dr. Njoku will be interred..”
The burial committee extended an open invitation to friends, professional colleagues, associates, community leaders and well-wishers to join the family in paying their last respects to Dr. Paddy Kemdi Njoku.
The committee described him as a man whose life was marked by service, integrity, faith and an unwavering commitment to humanity.
“As family, friends, and admirers gather to bid him farewell, they will celebrate the remarkable life and lasting legacy of Chief Sir (Dr) Paddy Kemdi Njoku KSS, KSJI, Omenukoaku; whose legacies and contributions will continue to inspire generations to come.

Be At Alert, Relocate, Emergency Agency Boss Advises Residents In Flood-Prone Communities

Greenbarge Reporters

July 19, 2026

The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has advised residents of communities at risk of flooding across the country to take proactive measures to safeguard their lives and property as the rainy season intensifies.
A statement by the spokesperson of NEMA, Manzo Ezekiel quoted Mrs. Zubaida Umar as having said that the current period of heightened rainfall called for the activation of community-level flood mitigation measures to minimise the impact of flooding.
She called on residents to heed early warning information by relocating to safer, higher ground whenever there is a threat of flooding.
The Director General also advised members of the public to avoid driving or walking through floodwaters, refrain from dumping refuse into drainage channels and promptly report emergency situations to the appropriate authorities for timely response.
She said that preparedness and early evacuation remain the most effective ways of preventing avoidable loss of lives and reducing the impact of floods during the peak of the rainy season.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar said that NEMA’s Zonal Directors and Heads of Operations Offices have been directed to intensify community-based awareness campaigns on flood preparedness, strengthen collaboration with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), traditional institutions and other relevant stakeholders, as well as coordinate timely search and rescue operations where necessary.
She reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to continuous monitoring of the flood situation across the country and to working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure timely response and the provision of humanitarian assistance to affected persons.

How Oil Spills Take Over Our Forests In Niger Delta, By Nnimmo Bassey

Greenbarge Reporters

July 15, 2026

The Niger Delta, in Nigeria, is rich in petroleum resources with the first commercially viable oil well drilled there in 1956. The region hosts the second largest petroleum reserves in Africa, with the Nigerian economy heavily dependent on the industry. And that’s exactly where one of the most ecologically diverse regions on Earth is located.
It is also home to more than 30 million people from more than 40 ethnic nationalities. Most of them depend on farming and fishing for their livelihoods and food security, as well as their cultural identity and well-being. Deforestation in connection with activities of oil companies poses acute threats to both the environment and people.

For forest-dependent Peoples of the Niger Delta, oil has not only stolen their forests but their foods, lives, livelihoods, dignity and culture. This region has the most extensive mangrove forests in Africa and the fourth largest in the world. Mangroves play critical roles in shoreline protection, water purification, climate regulation and livelihood support.
They provide resources for construction, food and are reservoirs of biodiversity. More than 60 per cent of commercial fish in the Gulf of Guinea breed in the Niger Delta mangroves. Unfortunately, about 40 per cent of the mangrove in the Niger Delta has been lost primarily due to oil and gas exploitation. Furthermore, 27 per cent of mangroves potentially threatened by oil spills globally are found in the Niger Delta.
An aerial view of the Niger Delta shows a region criss-crossed by lines that heavily fragment the forests, making room for additional deforestation by loggers, poachers, miners and other forest resource harvesters. Generally, tropical forests in Nigeria run from the coast to between 150 and 200 kilometres inland from the Atlantic coast. The Niger Delta is a huge fan-shaped region in Nigeria fed by deposits from two major rivers, (the River Niger and the River Benue) and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. The natural vegetation here is the tropical rainforest with thick and lush canopies.
All stages of oil and gas extraction processes directly impact the forests of the Niger Delta. At the exploratory stage, seismic lines are cut through the forests and even more deforestation occurs when pipelines are being laid. Although seismic lines are temporary and the environment could recover after the completion of the survey, mangrove forests can remain damaged for decades as the lines remain open after clearing. The oil companies are fully aware of the deforestation caused by their activities.
A Shell fact book highlights the “visibility of seismic line cutting on the mangrove swamp… It is the aerial roots that are subject to most of the cutting. Recovery of the cut roots takes 2-3 years, but re-growth of mangrove trees, to make the seismic line indistinguishable from the uncut areas, may take 30 years or more”.
It is estimated that there is between 5,000 to 7,000 km of pipeline networks in the region. Considering that these pipelines have at least 100 metres right of way, the extent of the deforestation associated with these pipelines is enormous. Added to these major pipelines are smaller flow lines that connect the oil wells and that equally impact the territory.
In addition to the pipelines, there are canals built by oil companies for the movement of their equipment inland. There are other canals constructed to transport process water and other wastes from oil flow stations to rivers and to the ocean. Roads built to access oil wells, flow stations and other locations further slash through the forests of the Niger Delta.
These infrastructural developments are often accompanied by dredging and sometimes sand filling of swamps and other wetlands. Dumped dredging materials alter the topography and hydrology of affected areas and impeded the recovery of deforested areas.
Oil companies also use poorly constructed waste dump sites in the forests that further deepen the forest cover losses.
The level of pollution from oil extraction and processing is estimated to be equivalent to more than 13 million barrels of crude oil (more than 2 billion litres), causing enormous damage to the environment and posing severe health threats to the people who live in the region. Unsurprisingly, the region holds the dubious record of being one of the top ten most polluted places in the world.
Besides the oil spills, routine gas flaring equally impacts the forests of the Niger Delta through stunting of tree growth and overall poisoning of the ecosystems. The flares cause acid rain and acidification of soils and water bodies. They alter local ecological conditions including damaging the vegetation and forests, contributing to climate change, which further stresses coastal ecosystems.
Oil pollution is a major cause of mangrove forest destruction in the Niger Delta. The unregulated and destructive harvesting, conversion of mangrove covered areas into agricultural land or built-up zones, such as for housing or industrialization are also contributory factors.
The problem of oil spills in the Niger Delta has been described in several reports. (3) One of them, the United Nations Environment Programme report on the Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland of 2011, found contaminated soil and groundwater; pollution of vegetation such as mangroves; aquatic contamination resulting, among other things, in a decrease in fish; communities exposed to petroleum hydrocarbons in outdoor air and drinking water, sometimes at elevated concentrations, and also exposed through dermal contact with soil and sediments. In the community of Ejama-Ebubu, the study found heavy contamination present 40 years after an oil spill occurred, despite repeated clean-up attempts of dubious quality.
Spills happen due to a variety of reasons, for example due to corrosion of pipelines and operational and equipment failures. For example, in the Bodo Creek area, more than 1,000 hectares of mangrove forest were degraded by two major operational oil spills in 2008 and 2009 and subsequently reinforced by several spills due to pipeline breakage.
In January 1998, 40,000 barrels of crude oil (more than 6 million liters) was spilled by the oil company Mobil at their Idoho offshore production platform. Some of that oil evaporated, but the impact of the spill spread beyond the borders of Nigeria, reaching Benin Republic and causing harm to coastal communities along that stretch.
There was an offshore oil spill at Shell’s Bonga platform in December 2011. Shell and the Nigerian government announced that 40,000 barrels of crude oil was dumped into the Atlantic Ocean. At the Idoho platform incident the volume of oil spilled was also said to be 40,000 barrels. That appears to be a comfortable measure of ecological abuse by the oil companies. The Bonga spill affected 20 coastal communities in three states of the Niger Delta.
One of the largest oil spills in Nigeria was the Funima Well 5 offshore well blowout in January 1980 with a spill of at least 200,000 barrels of oil (almost 32 million litres) into the Atlantic Ocean and causing damage to 340 hectares of mangrove forest.
In 2004, Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas pipeline transversing through Kala-Akama, Okrika mangrove forest leaked and caught fire, and devastated and estimated 27 km² of the mangrove forest. Repeated contamination from aged pipelines and abandoned but not decommissioned wells repeatedly contaminate recovering mangrove forests.
In recent years, massive deforestation and ecological harms have been caused by blowout of poorly maintained, abandoned or derelict oil wells. In November 2021, for example, there was a wellhead blowout at Well 1 of the Oil Mineral Lease 29 on Santa Barbara River.(5) Crude oil was spewed into the river and neighbouring mangrove forests for six weeks. The official estimate of the volume of crude oil spewed into the environment was put at 3,000 barrels, whereas experts estimate a release of at least 500,000 barrels of crude oil (more than 79 million litres).
The incident left a trail of suffocated and dead mangroves besides the general devastated ecosystem. The wide disparity between official and independent figures of the volume of crude oil dumped into the environment raises questions about accountability in the handling of serious issues impacting oil field communities.
The mode of handling oil spills has also exacerbated ecological impacts of production. Forests have been incinerated by fires set on crude oil by oil company contractors who are not competent in oil spill clean-up. This happened at Aleibiri forest in Ekeremor Local Government Area in Bayelsa State in March 1998 and another in Foutorogbene Community in August of the same year that Shell’s contractors sought to cover the evidence of a major oil spill by setting the forest on fire.
Another factor that contributes to widespread deforestation in the Niger Delta is oil theft. It is generally agreed that the operation is at industrial scale and includes crude stolen for export and some stolen for bush or artisanal refining. Bush refining requires clearing of large areas of forests and dumps crude oil into the environment in an uncontrolled manner. The stealing process sometimes involves clandestinely breaking of pipelines and leaving them to keep leaking crude into the environment because of poor equipment handling.
A remote-sensing study, “Mapping Impacts of Crude Oil theft and Illegal Refineries on Mangroves of the Niger Delta of Nigeria with Remote Sensing Technology”, found that distressed mangrove vegetation associated with illegal or unauthorised refining activities covered an approximately 37.6 km² area.

Assault on the Deltas
Hundreds of thousands of Niger Delta residents have suffered from the impacts in the almost seven decades since oil was discovered in the region. Two crude oil spill fire deforestation incidents deserve to be mentioned here: those in Goi and Bodo. Shell was successfully challenged in courts in The Netherlands and the United Kingdom by the impacted communities over both incidents.
One spill from a Shell facility affected Goi community in Ogoniland, Nigeria, in 2004. The community and the adjoining mangrove forest caught fire, sacking the entire community. The impacts were so extreme that the residents of Goi left their homes and evacuate the community. ‘We were eating, drinking, breathing the oil,’ said Eric Dooh to The Guardian. Nearly 20 years after the spill, he returned to visit the community, which remained deserted, with decimated biodiversity.
The second community is Bodo, also in Ogoniland. A 2008 major oil spill there destroyed vast areas of mangrove forests. These oil spills destroy the lives of the impacted communities. Water contamination makes fishing impossible – the main livelihood for many of these communities –, prevents them from accessing safe drinking water, and even their lands are contaminated, often making it impossible for them to farm.
In both Goi and Bodo, an official sign warns: “Public Notice, PROHIBITION! Contaminated Area, Please Keep Off.”
The deforestation of the Niger Delta has gained notoriety mostly be the accompanying oil pollution and gas flaring. The region should be a cautionary tale to other regions where the drive for petrodollars continue to sideline care for people and the planet. This is particularly disturbing in Africa where there appears to be a coordinated assault on world heritage and other protected areas. The flash points include Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Okavango Delta in Namibia/Botswana, the Saloum Delta in Senegal – all of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites – and Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda.
But resistance to this destruction has been woven for a long time. In an article previously published in the WRM Bulletin, Ken Saro-Wiwa, a leader of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) warned about the long-term impact of the destruction of Ogoniland by oil companies. He described the environment in his community of Ogoni as having been “completely devastated by three decades of reckless oil exploitation or ecological warfare by Shell.
An ecological war is highly lethal, the more so as it is unconventional. It is omnicidal in effect. Human life, flora, fauna, the air, fall at its feet, and finally, the land itself dies.” Ken Saro-Wiwa was ‘legally’ assassinated by hanging, in November 1995. His message is as strong as ever.
The struggle to reforest and reclaim the forests is ongoing with community women leading the charge by raising nurseries of mangroves and replanting in degraded portions. Despite the huge harms wreaked on the Niger Delta forests, the people have not given up hope.

Nnimmo Bassey is the Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Nigeria

University Lecturer Challenges Journalists To Be Proactive In Disaster Reporting

Greenbarge Reporters

July 15, 2026

A geography lecturer at Bayero University Kano (BUK), Dr Suleiman Yunus has challenged journalists in Nigeria to leverage Earth Observation technology by shifting from reactive to proactive disaster reporting to save lives and reduce property losses.
In a paper he presented at a training on Earth Observation Satellite Tool, organised by BUK in collaboration with the European Space Agency and Future Earth, Yunus described Earth Observation as one of the world’s leading technologies, saying its rapid advancement had transformed virtually every sector, including journalism.
According to him, journalists have a critical role to play in communicating disaster risks and providing timely early warning information to vulnerable communities before disasters strike.
“Earth observation technology has brought significant transformation across different disciplines, including journalism.
“It provides journalists with the opportunity to communicate disaster risks and early warning information to the public.”
Yunus noted that disaster reporting in Nigeria had largely remained reactive, with journalists often covering incidents only after lives and property had been lost.
He said that the availability of satellite-based earth observation data now offered journalists the opportunity to anticipate potential disasters and alert the public ahead of time.
“The current pattern of disaster reporting is mostly reactive, where journalists visit disaster scenes to report the magnitude of destruction.
“We must now embrace a proactive approach by using earth observation technology to understand the likelihood of disasters before they occur and communicate the risks to the people,” he said.
The don explained that timely dissemination of early warning information would enable communities, emergency responders, and government agencies to take preventive measures, thereby reducing the devastating impact of disasters.
He stressed that integrating earth observation into journalism would strengthen disaster risk communication, improve public awareness, and contribute to building more resilient communities.
The training brought together academics, journalists, and other stakeholders to explore the application of earth observation technologies in disaster risk reduction, environmental monitoring, and sustainable development.
BUK, ESA in collaboration with Future Earth, capacity-building workshop is part of the project titled: “Achieving Transformative Flood Risk Management in Informal Flood Risk Management in Demystified Earth Observation”.
Earth Observation is a satellite tool designed to achieve effective climate change and disaster risks reporting. Earth Observation (EO) utilises a network of spaceborne sensors to gather precise, real-time data about our planet’s physical, chemical, and biological systems.
For continuous monitoring, its high-resolution satellites track atmospheric changes, ocean temperatures, and soil moisture levels.
It has predictive attributes by analysing multi-year patterns with which researchers and journalists can map emerging flood threats, drought cycles, and wildfire risks before they escalate.
The Project Lead, Professor Aliyu Barau, said that the training was designed to improve evidence-based environmental journalism through the use of satellite imagery, geospatial data and remote sensing technologies.
Barau said that environmental challenges such as floods, drought, land degradation, heat waves, deforestation and pollution were becoming more frequent, making accurate and timely information essential for informed decision-making.
He said that Earth Observation technologies would enable journalists to move beyond anecdotal reports by providing reliable scientific evidence for investigative and data-driven reporting.
According to him, the tools can help reporters monitor flooding, land use changes, deforestation, urban expansion, drought conditions and environmental degradation with greater precision.
“The use of independent satellite imagery reduces reliance on anecdotal information and enhances the credibility and accuracy of news reports.
“These technologies also support fact-checking, investigative journalism and compelling visual storytelling that helps audiences understand environmental issues better.”
Barau advised participants to collaborate with scientists, geospatial experts and policymakers to ensure that scientific knowledge was effectively communicated to the public.
He added that the workshop would also expose journalists to practical Earth Observation platforms and techniques for accessing and interpreting geospatial data.
Also speaking, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development), BUK, Prof. Amina Mustapha, said climate change remained one of the greatest challenges facing Northern Nigeria and the Sahel region.
She identified shrinking Lake Chad, desertification, drying rangelands and unpredictable weather patterns as some of the major environmental threats affecting livelihoods and food security.
Mustapha said journalists played a strategic role in translating scientific findings into stories capable of influencing public policy and promoting accountability.
She noted that climate reporting in Nigeria often focused on global events while paying limited attention to local environmental challenges.
“The stories that deserve greater attention include the shrinking Lake Chad, the progress of the Great Green Wall initiative, displacement, food insecurity and loss of livelihoods caused by climate change.”
Mustapha said the university remained committed to supporting journalists through access to its researchers, laboratories and research centres.
In a virtual address, the ESA Research Coordinator and Future Earth Liaison, Freya Muir, highlighted how earth observation technology can enhance climate modeling.
She said Earth Observation data generated through satellite missions provided actionable information for climate monitoring, disaster response and environmental management.
Muir said the information was processed into practical products that could support emergency response, climate research and public communication.
The workshop, with the theme: “Earth Observation for Journalism, disaster risk reduction and climate change communication” featured technical presentations.
The presentations include: “Introduction to Earth Observation for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Communication” and “Accessing Earth Observation Data for Evidence-Based Reporting.”
Participants were trained on the use of satellite imagery, geospatial platforms and digital tools to strengthen investigative journalism, disaster reporting and climate change communication.

Dangote Goes Tough, Threatens To Confiscate Illegal Goods On Its Trucks, Offers N.5 Million Reward For Whistleblowers

Greenbarge Reporters

July 13, 2026

Dangote Industries Limited has intensified efforts to combat illegal haulage activities involving its trucks by unveiling a public whistleblowing initiative that offers a cash reward to individuals who provide credible information leading to the arrest of offenders or the interception of unauthorized goods and transportation of persons.
The company said the initiative, which will reward whistleblowers with N500,00.00 cash award, forms part of its broader commitment to protect the integrity of its logistics operations and eliminate the activities of unscrupulous individuals who illegally use Dangote-branded trucks to transport unauthorized goods.
In a statement, the management called on members of the public to support the campaign by reporting any suspected cases of illegal haulage involving Dangote trucks. It said that only specifically approved products are permitted to be transported by vehicles belonging to its various subsidiaries.
According to the company, Dangote Cement trucks are authorized to carry only cement, limestone, high-grade gypsum, coal and clinker, while Dangote Sugar Refinery trucks are restricted to the transportation of sugar products.
“Trucks belonging to NASCON Allied Industries are expected to carry Dangote Salt and DanQ Seasoning products, while Dangote Packaging vehicles are designated for bags and packaging materials.
“Similarly, trucks operated by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals are permitted to transport polypropylene products, while Dangote Fertiliser Limited vehicles are authorized for the haulage of urea fertilizer.”
The company warned that any Dangote truck found transporting unauthorized goods would be treated as being involved in illegal haulage activities, adding that both the drivers and owners of such goods risk arrest, confiscation of the cargo and prosecution under applicable laws.
“Anyone with verifiable information that leads to the arrest of persons involved in illegal haulage activities or the recovery of unauthorized goods transported on Dangote trucks will receive a cash reward of Five Hundred Thousand Naira.
To aid investigations and enforcement efforts, the management of Dangote Group advised whistleblowers to provide detailed information when making reports.
“These include the truck type, registration plate number, cab number, location of the vehicle, description of the goods being transported, colour of the truck and photographs of the vehicle and cargo where possible.”
The company has therefore established dedicated hotlines across its operations to receive reports relating to illegal haulage activities.
“Members of the public can report incidents involving trucks operating from the Obajana, Okpella and Gboko plants through certain dedicated telephone lines.”
The Company stated that law enforcement agencies, including the Police, have been authorized to arrest any driver found using company trucks for unauthorized commercial haulage.
It reiterated its zero-tolerance stance against logistics-related fraud and called on the public to join hands with it in safeguarding legitimate business activities by exposing illegal operators.
Dangote Group emphasized that the initiative is designed not only to protect company assets and operations but also to strengthen transparency, accountability and compliance across its nationwide logistics network.
“Public cooperation remains critical in our efforts to eradicate illegal haulage activities. We encourage anyone with credible information to come forward and help us maintain the integrity of our transportation system.”
The company said that all reports would support ongoing efforts to protect the Dangote brand, promote lawful business practices and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.

Renaissance Signs Deal With Indorama For Long-Term Supply Of Natural Gas In Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

July 13, 2026

Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has executed a Gas Sale Agreement (GSA) with Indorama Fertilizer FZE, a subsidiary of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited, for the long-term supply of natural gas from the Assa North Ohaji South (ANOH) Gas Processing Facility.
A statement by the spokesperson of the Renaissance Energy Company, Adedayo Elusakin said that under the agreement, Indorama Fertilizer would receive up to 60 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day (60 MMscf/d) on a firm supply basis over a 16-year period.
He said that the agreement was signed by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance, Tony Attah, and the Managing Director of Indorama Fertilizer FZE, Manish Mundra, with both executives describing the deal as a significant milestone in advancing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation agenda, industrial development and agricultural growth aspirations.
“This agreement reflects our commitment to unlocking the value of Nigeria’s abundant gas resources through partnerships that create real and lasting impact, “Attah said, adding: “By supplying natural gas to a major fertiliser producer such as Indorama, we are supporting a value chain that is critical to food security, agricultural productivity, industrial growth, and economic development.”
The agreement would provide Indorama Fertilizer with a secure and reliable source of natural gas to support uninterrupted production and enable the company to meet growing domestic and regional demand for fertiliser products.
The resulting increase in fertiliser availability is expected to contribute to improved crop yields, enhanced agricultural productivity, and strengthened food security across Nigeria and Africa.
Speaking on the agreement, Indorama Fertilizer’s Chief Executive, Mundra said the deal was an important milestone for the company in its ambition of supporting Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.
“Reliable access to natural gas is fundamental to fertiliser production, and this long-term arrangement provides a strong foundation for sustainable operations and future growth,” Mundra said. “We appreciate the partnership with Renaissance and look forward to leveraging this collaboration.”
The transaction aligns closely with Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative and further demonstrates the strategic role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, supporting manufacturing, enhancing energy security, and enabling economic diversification.

Parents Lament Govt Abandonment Of School For Physically Challenged In Kuje, Abuja

Greenbarge Reporters

July 10, 2026

Parents of about 98 pupils of the School for Children with Special Needs, formerly known as the School for the Handicapped in Kuje, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have lamented the government abandonment of the school.
The school, which was established in 1999 during the administration of the former FCT Minister, Lieutenant General Jeremiah Useni (Rtd.), was created to provide free education, boarding, rehabilitation and vocational training for children with physical and intellectual disabilities. It was established under the Family Support Programme.
Management of the school was transferred to the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB) which has been in charge all the while.
Many parents who have their children in the school spoke to our reporter today, Friday July 10, narrating how the school has degenerated from bad to worse in terms of physical structure and general outlook.
They said that funding has been insufficient to meet the school’s growing needs, and that it has affected the maintenance of buildings, purchase of equipment and provision of quality services. They said that for sometime, they, the parents, were the ones that have been supporting with financial assistances to keep the school running.
The parents also complained of poor infrastructure, highlighting deteriorating classrooms, hostels, toilets most of which are leaking when it rains, and lack of water supply.
According to them, some dormitories have had broken beds, worn-out mattresses and overcrowded living conditions.

There is also the complain about insufficient healthcare and rehabilitation services, saying that many pupils require physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and regular medical attention, but that such services have not always been readily available.
Investigations have shown shortages of beds, inadequate feeding, unreliable water supply and insufficient hostel facilities for boarding students.
Investigation by Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper showed that the number of specialist teachers has not kept pace with the increasing enrolment of children with different disabilities, making individualized instruction difficult.
It was discovered that the school has frequently lacked specialized equipment such as Braille materials, assistive technologies, wheelchairs, therapy equipment, hearing aids and vocational training tools.
It was discovered that being one of the principal government special schools in the FCT, it has continued to receive more students than its facilities were originally designed to accommodate.
It was gathered that in a move to bring about greater government support, in 2024, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities called on the Federal Government to take over the management of the Kuje and Jabi special schools, arguing that stronger support and modern facilities were needed to improve education and welfare for learners with disabilities.
Greenbarge Reporters learnt that adequate provisions for the renovation of the school was provided in the 2025 and 2026 budgets were made, and the contracts awarded but that work is yet to commence.
When contacted, the Head Teacher of the school, who gave his name simply as Isaac, said that as a civil servant, he was not allowed to speak to press, even as a senior management staff of the school confirmed that contract has long been awarded for a complete overhaul of the school.
The Director in the Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB) would also not comment on the situation and condition of the school.

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