Connect with us

Latest News

Taraba State Task Force Warns Of Land Degradation Caused By Unregulated Mining

Published

on

Taraba State Task Force Warns Of Land Degradation Caused By Unregulated Mining....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Taraba State Task Force has raised concerns over the unregulated practices of miners within the state, which have resulted in the deterioration of fertile agricultural lands.

Additionally, the Task Force highlighted the troubling trend of mining companies employing teenagers as a source of inexpensive labor, contributing to a rise in school dropouts.

Gen. Jeremiah Faransa (retired), the Chairman of the Task Force, addressed these issues during a briefing held in Jalingo, the state capital, on Monday. He emphasized that some communities in the state have abandoned farming altogether due to the severe degradation of their lands caused by mining activities.

Read Also CBN And NIRSAL In Panic As Tinubu’s Special Investigator Jim Obazee Takes Charge Of Investigation

Faransa stated, “There are currently more than 20,000 individuals, both legal and illegal miners, operating in Taraba State. Illicit miners often disguise themselves as laborers working for legitimate mining companies.”

He expressed deep concern for the communities of Arufu and Akwana in Wukari local government area, where extensive excavation and destruction by both legal and illegal miners have left the land unsuitable for agriculture or construction. These communities have now completely forsaken farming, with every household engaged in mining activities.

Furthermore, in Dogon Yasu, the exploitation of teenagers who should be attending school has become rampant, as mining companies employ them as low-cost labor. Interviews revealed that these young workers are compensated with meager daily wages, ranging from N500 to N1000, leading to a surge in school dropouts in Northern Nigeria.

Faransa clarified that the state does not oppose mining investment but is deeply concerned about the lack of due diligence and environmental protection. He stressed that miners bear certain responsibilities, particularly regarding environmental preservation and public safety. Under the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation of 2007, miners are obligated to refill excavated land up to 80%, but most mining sites inspected by the Task Force have failed to meet even 10% of this requirement.

Advertisement

latest

Police Break Silence On Ijebu Ode Gas Leakage, Assure Public Situation Is Under Control.

Published

on

The Ogun State Police Command has reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding lives and property while urging residents to remain calm after the gas leakage incident along Agoro/Okunowa Road in Ijebu-Ode.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Friday incident reportedly impacted more than 100 students and teachers across at least seven schools, including Our Ladies Grammar School, Epe Garage; Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende; Titilayo Agbaje Comprehensive High School, Imosan; Ifesowapo Comprehensive High School, Imosan; St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School, Imosan; St. Anthony Grammar School, Esure; and Orphanage Primary School, Imosan.

The development comes just six weeks after a similar chemical odour incident at Our Lady of Apostles Primary and Secondary Schools (OLAS), where 30 students and two teachers were hospitalised.

In a statement released through the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, assured residents that the situation has been contained.

Ojajuni disclosed that the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit and other tactical teams were immediately deployed to secure the affected locations, assist emergency responders, and protect the public.

He stated that the situation is now under control, while monitoring and technical evaluations are ongoing.

According to him, the incident came to light when patrol officers in the area received reports of a suspected chemical emission affecting students and residents in parts of Ijebu-Ode.

He added that all affected victims were swiftly evacuated to the General Hospital and private medical facilities for urgent treatment, confirming that no deaths were recorded and that all victims are responding well to medical care.

Preliminary environmental checks from the state’s Air Quality Monitoring infrastructure reportedly detected elevated methane gas levels within the affected zone, while experts and emergency agencies continue investigations to identify the exact source and evaluate possible environmental dangers.

Meanwhile, the General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Kehinde Bello, described the incident as more of a security matter than a direct safety threat.

Bello dismissed claims that widespread air pollution caused the incident, stressing that the situation was limited to certain schools rather than the entire Ijebu-Ode community.

Speaking during visits to St. Anthony Grammar School, Esure, the State General Hospital, Esure, and a private hospital in the town, Bello urged parents, guardians, and residents to stay calm, assuring them that the government is actively working to resolve the situation.

Continue Reading

latest

Inside Adekunle Gold’s Heartbreaking Struggle: The Pain That Made Him Wish For Death.

Published

on

Afrobeats star Adekunle Gold has spoken candidly about the stigma he has faced as someone living with sickle cell disease.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

During a recent interview with media personality Angela Yee, the Orente singer shared that people often react with pity or assume he may not live long whenever he reveals his health condition.

Reflecting on one of the darkest moments of his life, Adekunle Gold recounted how, at the age of 20, he endured an intense sickle cell crisis that left him wishing for death because of the unbearable pain.

He explained that the episode was so severe that even his mother, who would usually caution him against such thoughts, was unable to do so that night because of the seriousness of his suffering.

Recalling the experience, he said at the time he felt overwhelmed by pain and believed death was the only relief.

Despite those painful struggles, the singer expressed deep gratitude to God for giving him the strength to keep fighting and survive while living with sickle cell disease.

Continue Reading

latest

2027 Shock Twist: Ex-APC Governorship Hopeful Joins Labour Party, Backs Tinubu For President.

Published

on

Former Executive Director of Housing, Finance and Accounts at the Federal Housing Authority, Abuja, Mathias Byuan, has officially obtained the Labour Party’s expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the 2027 governorship election in Benue State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Despite his move to the Labour Party, Byuan has openly declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The governorship aspirant visited the Labour Party national secretariat on Friday alongside other hopefuls seeking tickets for Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly seats across Benue State’s three senatorial zones.

Speaking with journalists after obtaining the forms, Byuan said that although he would pursue his governorship ambition under the Labour Party platform, he remains committed to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He stated that Tinubu’s administration has initiated significant developmental projects across the country, including in Benue State, and deserves another term to complete them.

Byuan urged his supporters to vote for Tinubu in the presidential election while also supporting him and other Labour Party candidates in Benue during the 2027 polls.

He explained that his decision to contest under the Labour Party was driven by his determination to address insecurity and what he described as poor governance in Benue State.

Byuan criticized the current state administration for allegedly failing in key responsibilities, including the payment of workers’ salaries, which he said has contributed to industrial actions by health and local government employees.

He promised that if elected governor, his administration would prioritize security, citizens’ welfare, healthcare, education, housing, road infrastructure, and rural development.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Akange Nyagba, party leaders and supporters at the Labour Party secretariat expressed confidence in his ambition and pledged their support.

Byuan had previously sought the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before later defecting to the Labour Party.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2023 NIVONEWS