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Dickson expresses deep concern over heavy metal poisoning infecting Bayelsians
**Says scientific report should be a lesson for new oil bearing communities
**Asks FG, States, LGs to put an end to reckless deforestation
Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Seriake Dickson, has expressed deep concern over heavy metal poisoning many residents of the oil-rich Bayelsa state have been exposed to.
Dickson who is also a former governor of the State, blamed the development on the activities oil exploration by the various multinational oil companies in the Niger Delta region.
Dickson, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday when the Global Initiative for Climate and Environmental Sustainance (GICES) conferred on him, an excellence in environmental leadership award 2023.
The representative of GICES, Mr. Ogueri Mbah, explained that the Senator, during his tenure as governor, empaneled an International Commission on Oil Spills to assess environmental damages, determine responsibility, and developed a new legal framework for accountability and compensation in the area.
Dickson in his speech explained that the panel he constituted as governor, took samples of blood of residents of the oil producing areas and after laboratory tests it was discovered that there were heavy metal poisoning in their bodies.
“As Governor I got tired of the environmental degradation that I was seeing in Bayelsa on daily basis. I have seen first hand the effect on the communities, on the livelihood of the people and indeed on the lives of the people and I empanelled this high profile report.
He said he caused an international Commission of Enquiry to be constituted made up of Political leaders and experts, scientists of no mean repute drawn from around the world.
According to him, the panel took samples of soil and blood samples. It was discovered that there was heavy metal poisoning in the body system of the natives as a result of air and water pollution.
Fishes they caught from polluted water and consumed also infected the natives he explained further.
Elaborating more on the pathetic situation he said the plights of the residents of the oil bearing communities in Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta in general were brought to the fore by the scientific report produced at the end of the exercise
The former Bayelsa governor said upon drawing the attention of the multinational oil firms to the development, rather than proffering solution, they started fighting him.
According to him multinational oil companies were not cooperating, they were fighting him and he did not mind them as he said he enjoyed the fights that are for Justice.
“I used my powers under the commission of enquiry of the laws of Bayelsa State to empanel them and to commission them and to do an indebt, thorough and comprehensive investigation and report.
“They went to communities, took samples from spilling sites, took samples, even blood samples from people in Bayelsa. You will be shocked at the findings.
“The amount of heavy metals that the people in Bayelsa and the Niger Delta oil bearing communities are carrying. You will be shocked the heavy metals in their systems, from the air that is polluted to the water that is polluted that they drink, from the fish that is contaminated that they consumed and so on and so fort over the years. “
He said he wanted a report on scientific bases.
“When we say it is pollution and the activities are destroying the environment, our way of life and infact detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the people, we wanted to establish a scientific base and that was what we provided.”
“They did all of that for years and presented this report. I know that government continued from where I stopped but today I want to remind Nigerians about this report. Try to get a copy of this report. Everything about the scientific details and the effect of pollution over the decades in Bayelsa and across the Niger Delta.
He said the report should also serve as a lesson for those States that are jubilatiing that they are oil producing States.
“We welcome them to the fold, let them come and see what we have been seeing for the past six to seventy years and feel what we feel but in all, this is a call to further action.
He lamented that the situation was still reoccurring even as he urged the attention of his successor to the unfortunate situation and asked him to take action.
He also explained how he recruited 250 graduates to protect the environment, especially the forest resources.
“The step I took by employing 250 graduates for the sole purpose of protecting the environment, our forest resources, and we take these things for granted.
‘Most of the wood that produces all the planks and other things that people buy and even ship outside Nigeria come from places like the forest of Bayelsa, prestine forests of Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Akwaibom, Crossrivers and Edo, Ondo and other States.
“We have to stop reckless deforestation while we encourage afforestation to combat desertification as a result of global warming and climatic changes that are causing floods and erosion across the continent.
“We should keep our eyes on preserving the trees that our ancestors did not cut but preserved for us. Even as we are speaking in the forest of Bayelsa, my community and all the communities in all other States where that is taking place, I want to use this opportunity to call on the governments, the Local governments and community leaders and Federal agencies to pay attention to the reckless deforestation that is ongoing.
“People fell trees anyhow, and within few years from now, you may not see any tree that is 10, 15, or 20 years old. They have finished felling all the big old trees that added to the beauty and nature’s way of controlling the climate of the world.
“I hope that this also should be one area people should leverage on.
Earlier, the representative of the group said, “His Excellency Senator Henry Seriake Dickson believes that the Environment is the collective heritage.”
Mbah said, “So as governor to the good people of Bayelsa state, in his multi-pronged approach towards protecting and preserving the Bayelsa environment, his excellency employed over 200 forest protection officers, that were recruited into the ministry of environment.
“The aim is to monitor deforestation and stop the reckless fallen of trees in the state.
“His excellency further took his mission and vision to a higher level, towards tackling the issues of environmental terrorism and degradation caused by oil companies in the Niger Delta region.
“These team of world leaders brought together by Senator Henry Seriake Dickson includes; The former President of Ghana, Emmanuel Kuffour, the Archbishop of York Dr. John Setanmu, as well as notable academicians to address the harrowing issues of environmental despoliation as well as related challenges in the oil industry.”
News
CUPP lampoon Reps over move to investigate Ugochinyere, others for visit to Fubara

**Calls for reversal of the ill-informed Move by the House of reps
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has Condemned the attempt by the House of Representatives to refer Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and other members to the Committee On Ethics for probe over their Solidarity Visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Fifty members of the House of Representatives hadq paid a solidarity visit to the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to celebrate his one year in office.
The lawmakers, who consist of members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Labour Party ( LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) also include the spokesman of opposition coalition, in the House, Ikenga Ugochinyere..
Ugochinyere had explained on the sideline of the thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt that federal lawmakers were in Rivers to solidarilize with Fubara and celebrate with him on his one year of transformational leadership.
But the House had referred the Honourable members to the Committee on Ethics for disciplinary action over their visit
However, the chairman,
Media Committee of the
Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) Chief Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika in a statement has tackled the leadership of the House for the action which he said clearly cast doubt on its integrity in the observance and or adherence to the laws which they enact/promulgate.
“Relying on the point of order/ privilege raised by Yusuf Gagdi of the All Progressives Congress, Plateau State to arrive at such decision is erroneous and grossly misleading.
“The House, by this very action, has impugned on the integrity and sacredness of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) especially Sections 39 and 40 which guarantee Freedom of Expression and the Press as well as that of Peaceful Assembly and Association respectively.
“We, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), hereby call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to, without further delay retract its ongoing steps in the purported probe of these Honourable members by its Ethics Committee and not engage in any act that may violate the fundamental rights of its members or any member of the public.
News
Kano Police counter reports that Emir Bayero will lead Jumma’t prayer

the Kano State Police Command has countered reports that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano, where Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, leading prayer at the moment.
The reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have been laying claim to the throne, creating confusion in the city.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had dethroned Ado Bayero and asked him to hand over within 48 hours.
But the dethroned monarch in defiance returned to the town under military protection and has been operating from the mini palace since then.
In a statement by Abdullahi Kiyawa, spokesman of Kano Police Command, said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
“The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.”
The emirate tussle has continued to linger since the reinstatement of Sanusi and dissolution of the five emirates.
There have been cnflicting court orders for and against
Based on the conflicting orders, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, had summoned the head of the Federal High high Court and Kano Chief Judge.
The Police statement reads,
KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND
31ST MAY, 2024
The Kano State Police Command is hereby advising all residents to disregard the false information circulating on social media that Emir Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano.
2. The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
3. The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
4. Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.
SP ABDULLAHI HARUNA KIYAWA, ANIPR, MNISMA,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATONS OFFICER,
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, KANO STATE COMMAND.
News
Royal turbulence gets messier as emirs Sanusi II, Bayero move to hold prayer at Palace Mosque

As the royal turbulence continue to shake the foundation of the city of Kano, the ancient city is tension soaked as the two contending Emirs- the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have indicated their determination to hold Jumaat prayers at the Palace Central Mosque.
A press statement issued Thursday night, signed by Danburan Kano, Munir Sanusi Bayero, spelt out the itinerary of the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to the Mosque to lead the Jumaat Prayers.
The statement explained that Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, who resides in the Palace, and is closer to the contending Mosque, is expected to lead the two rakat Friday prayers.
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has been leading the Jumaat Prayers at the Palace Central Mosque as the Amir of the City, a statement explained.
The statement by Danburan invited Kano residents to come and listen to the sermon to be delivered by the Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II.
However, another statement from an aide of the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero invited residents to join him at the Emir’s Palace Friday Mosque to observe the Juma’at prayer.
It stated that the movement to the Emir’s Palace Mosque starts at 12.30 pm.
However, the police are yet to comment on the development.
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