Mohammed Shosanya

The Executive Secretary of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, HEDA Resource Centre, Sulaimon Arigbabu, has implored the Attorney General of Nigeria to
act on the order of the Supreme Court, that the IOC should pay Nigeria the amount of over $50 billion between 2004 and 2019, when they ought to have revoked the profit-sharing formula on oil revenues.

Besides,human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN has said that illegal mining activities are also fuelling terrorism, because the terrorists also make a lot of money from mining to buy weapons.

The duo spoke on Wednesday during the First International Anti-corruption and Climate Change Conference with the theme; “National Stakeholders’ Engagement for Transparency and Accountability in Addressing Climate Change, Energy Transition, and Oil Licensing for Sustainable Development.” organized by HEDA Resource Centre in collaboration with Hawkmoth and supported by the MacArthur Foundation in Abuja.

The HEDA chief,who said he will write formally to the current Attorney General, lamented that Africa continues to suffer illicit financial flow.

He added:”We talked about monies that have been owed to Nigeria, over $50 billion by international oil companies, that the Supreme Court of Nigeria have actually ordered that the former Attorney General should retrieve, but nothing was done. So from this, our organization will be writing to the current Attorney General to act on that order of the Supreme Court, that the IOC should pay Nigeria the amount of over $50 billion between 2004 and 2019, when they ought to have revoked the profit-sharing formula on oil revenues.

“Corruption is a big issue. Monies are looted, recovered, and relooted.
I think also a major takeaway from today’s conversation is that the biggest argument by African governments, which is practical, is that there’s going to be a transition.

” We need a huge investment, we need a whole lot of money. And the response by most African countries, of course we’re in Nigeria, is that we have done more investments in oil extraction, in hydrocarbon extraction.
And it’s not good for the planet, we know that, but these are existential issues for us. So the counter-argument we are putting on the table is that resources actually exist outside of the hydrocarbon investment to help bring development fast, to help Africa transit in terms of our energy requirement for now and the future”.

He noted that contracted procurement in Nigeria and most Africa countries is about the most expensive in the world.

“So we are saying the African leaders need to look into what we can mobilize finances without necessarily investing, because the reality is that whether we like it or not, the world is going to eventually have to transit away from fossil fuel.”

According to Falana,; “Gold is taken out of the country. It is estimated that about $9 billion worth of gold is smuggled out of Nigeria yearly. Not by ordinary people, but by highly placed criminal elements, who even sometimes use private jets and helicopters.

“The government doesn’t listen to advice. My suggestion is that organizations like HEDA and other progressive civil society organizations, including the labor unions, will have to mobilize Nigerians to challenge those who are destroying the environment, including the government. We must now be able to challenge those who are felling trees and taking them to Europe and America.

“We must be able to challenge some traditional rulers who support illegal mining activities. We must now mobilize Nigerians to reject the companies, including oil companies, that are polluting the environment. That’s the way to go.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria,TUC has implored the Federal Government to reverse the recent hike in petrol and electricity costs in the country.

President of the union,Comrade Festus Osifo,conveyed this in a statement made available to Premium News on Wednesday.

He maintained that the sudden hike in fuel and electricity costs will only exacerbate these challenges,leading to further hardship and potential social unrest.

He emphasized the need for the government to promote policies that will strengthens the naira and take decisive steps to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.

According to him,thegovernment must act swiftly to restore confidence and prevent further deterioration in the living conditions of its citizens.

He added:”The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria remains committed to defending the rights and interests of Nigerian workers and will continue to advocate for policies that promote social justice, fair wages, and a decent work environment”.

Lamenting the increase in fuel price,Osifo said the sudden hike, implemented without consultation with critical stakeholders, represents a blatant disregard for the welfare of the Nigerian people, particularly the working class who bear the brunt of such decisions.

He added:”The disturbing news of the increase in PMS pump price all over the country has sent a wave of apprehension and depression across the length and breathe of the nation. This is in the wake of an already existing unprecedented hardship upon citizens.

“In addition, we are deeply troubled by the further hike in electricity tariffs to 250%, a service that is essential for the survival of the poorest in our society. The timing and magnitude of these increases, in the absence of any meaningful social security measures, demonstrate a lack of empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians.

“Why does it have to be the common Nigerians bearing all the pains of high cost of living while those in power enjoy increased allocation and affluence?

“The government has not made any concerted efforts to reduce the cost of governance or personal effects, nor have they focused on directing resources or effecting policies that would strengthen the naira and improve the standard of living of our citizens.

“The Congress has long posited several strategies that should be activated towards improving the strength of the Naira and give value to every kobo spent by Nigerians as this is one of the root causes of all the economic woes we face as a country today. Yet much hasn’t been done about these recommendations.

“Congress stands with the working people of Nigeria who are struggling under the weight of rising inflation, a high cost of living, and a deficient work environment that fails to provide the basic standards of decency and dignity. The sudden hike in fuel and electricity costs will only exacerbate these challenges, leading to further hardship and potential social unrest”

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has offered free legal representation to #EndBadGovernance protesters with court cases in the country.

President of the NBA,Afam Osigwe,annoynced announced this on his X handle on Wednesday,and ordered NBA branches to monitor the legal proceedings against protesters across the country.

He said, “I have directed the branches of the Nigerian Bar Association to monitor the trials of the #EndBadGovernance protesters.Additionally, I have launched a pro bono support initiative for protesters who lack legal representation.

“The Nigerian Bar Association Citizens’ Liberties Committee (NBA-CLC) has been tasked with liaising closely with the chairmen and human rights committees of NBA branches in regions where protesters are currently being prosecuted. This ensures that no defendant suffers injustice”.

He said,the NBA legal team will continue to monitor court proceedings to ensure that trials are conducted with strict adherence to due process, safeguarding the legal rights of all defendants.

He added that,the Nigerian Bar Association legal teams are in courts and will continue to monitor proceedings to ensure that the rule of law is upheld, the human rights of defendants are protected, and justice is served.