ELVIRA’S PEN

The Africa Just Transition Network (AJTN), Nigeria Chapter, has convened its meeting with a call for Nigeria to place greater value on environment, safety and the lives of frontline communities affected by extractive activities. The meeting, held under the theme: Building Collective Power for a Just Transition in Nigeria, brought together civil society actors, community advocates and energy justice campaigners to chart a common position for engagement with government ahead of COP31 in Brazil. Speaking at the meeting, the Coordinator of AJTN Nigeria Chapter and Executive Director of Lekeh Development Foundation, Friday Barilule Nbani, said the impact of environmental pollution on community health requires urgent strategic action. He noted that while life expectancy in countries like the UK, US and Ghana stands at 78 years and 68 years respectively, communities in Nigeria's oil-producing regions experience far lower averages, with some estimates as low as 41 years. "We need to f...

Benin -based singer, Beckley Irumudomon, popularly known as Lilbeck King (LBK), is marking his birthday by reaching out to children at Aid People Change orphanage in Benin City, Edo State.  Beckley who is also the co-founder of Lilbecking Development Foundation said the visit is driven by his belief that every child deserves love, care, and a chance at a better future. According to him, birthdays should be more than parties at homes, restaurants or clubs. > "Other people celebrate their birthday with a party, but I decided I want to make a change, do something different and more creative. I want to share my joy with them and put smiles on their faces," he said. Lilbeck King said he chose to be around children because they represent hope. > "Children are the heritage of Christ. I want to feel that love from them and also tell them that I care, because they are the leaders of tomorrow," he added. He noted that the outreach is not just about gifts, but about show...

The Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, James A. James, has called on councilors to strengthen community engagement, promote unity and ensure that governance has a direct impact on residents. James made the call during the commissioning of internal roads at the council headquarters and the presentation of 10 vehicles to councilors, the council secretary and other officials in Opobo Town. The event formed part of activities marking his first year in office. The chairman described the projects as important steps towards improving administrative efficiency and service delivery at the local government level. “This is a major step forward in building functional, efficient local governance. Good governance requires both infrastructure and administrative mobility, which we have taken that step further to construct internal roads leading to the headquarters of this great local government. The provision of these vehicles will equip our legislators and my executive team with the mobil...

The Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Hon. James A. James, has described the coronation of King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja, Jeki VI, as a historic event and a new beginning for Opobo Kingdom. Speaking in an interview after the coronation ceremony, James said the occasion was particularly significant because an Nkoro indigene was among those who supported and participated in the historic event. The council chairman said the coronation had generated excitement across Opobo/Nkoro, describing the traditional institution as a symbol of unity and peace that brings the people together. He expressed optimism that a strong traditional institution would contribute to the development of the kingdom and create new opportunities for the people of Opobo/Nkoro. James also called on the new monarch to build partnerships with the Federal, State and Local Governments to attract investment and unlock Opobo’s tourism potential. He said Opobo’s historical and architectural heritage could a...

The State Advocacy Team of the TB Network–Rivers has raised concerns over infrastructure challenges at the Primary Health Centre, PHC Erema, and barriers to National Identification Number, NIN, registration affecting access to the Rivers State Contributory Health Insurance Programme, RIVCHIPP, in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, ONELGA. The concerns were raised during an advocacy visit by the team to the Medical Officer of Health, ONELGA, Dr Emmanuel Pelebo, where the group discussed gaps in health-service delivery and ways to improve community access to health insurance services. The advocacy team highlighted the dilapidated roof at PHC Erema and the absence of an adequate client convenience facility as major infrastructure concerns. Speaking during the visit, State Coordinator of TB Network–Rivers, Mr Messiah Fyneface Muzan, said the condition of the facility could affect the safety, comfort and quality of healthcare services provided to residents. He also noted that the abse...

The Rivers State Government is moving to establish a unified system for tackling gender-based violence, with plans to develop a Standard Operating Procedure, SOP, to coordinate prevention and response efforts across the state. The initiative, led by the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, CEHRD, in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, is expected to clearly define the roles of government agencies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders involved in GBV response. Speaking at a fact-finding meeting organised by CEHRD and the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, said the SOP would reduce duplication of efforts and ensure survivors receive timely and appropriate support. Davies-Dimkpa called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, stressing that a coordinated approach would improve the fight against gender-based violence. She also urge...

The call to preserve and revive indigenous languages as repositories of cultural wisdom and tools for addressing environmental challenges took centre stage at the 2026 Wisdom Gathering Session held in Kaani, Ogoni, Rivers State. The gathering, organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) in collaboration with Miideekor Environmental Development Initiative (MEDI), brought together stakeholders to examine the role of language and indigenous philosophies in advancing socio-ecological justice. Speaking at the session, Executive Director of HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, linked the loss of indigenous knowledge and the persistence of environmental injustice in the Niger Delta to the manipulation and erosion of language. Bassey said, “All the environmental injustice meted out on the people of Niger Delta have been achieved through the manipulation of language to confuse the common people and sell false solutions to them.” He urged participants, particularly young people, to return to the...