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Nigerian Widows Confront Shell In The Hague

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The widows of four Nigerian activists executed by the military regime in the 1990s launched a court case in the Netherlands today,  against oil giant Shell for complicity in their deaths.

Esther Kiobel, whose husband Barinem was hanged in 1995 along with famed writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and seven others, said the “horrible” experience had left her “traumatised”.

The widows allege that Anglo-Dutch Shell helped in the arrest of the men, who had sought to peacefully disrupt the oil giant’s work in Nigeria’s Ogoni region because of health and environmental impacts.

Shell said it was “inconceivable” that it could have been involved in the death of the men.

Kiobel and one of the other widows, Victoria Bera, were in court in The Hague for opening arguments in the case against Shell, while the other two women whose husbands were killed were denied visas to attend.

“My husband had a good heart. Now I am a poor widow who has lost everything,” Kiobel was quoted as telling the court in The Hague by Dutch news agency ANP.

“The abuses that my family and I went through were a horrible experience that has traumatised us to this day,” added Kiobel, who fled Nigeria in 1998 and now lives in the United States.

Kiobel added: “We need justice, it’s not about the money… I have been fighting for my murdered husband for 22 years now, so he can be acquitted of a crime he never committed.”

Bera, who now lives in Canada, said her husband was guilty of nothing except protesting against Shell.

“We wanted a fair share of the profit, but we got nothing, no light or water yet. Shell and Nigeria took the oil and we got nothing,” she said.

– ‘Brazen self-interest’ –
Saro-Wiwa, president and founder of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, and eight fellow activists were executed on November 10, 1995, after a military tribunal convicted them of the murder of four traditional Ogoni chiefs.

The men denied the charges and human rights groups slammed the trial as a sham.

The widows’ case is being backed by rights group Amnesty International.

“These women believe that their husbands would still be alive today were it not for the brazen self-interest of Shell, which encouraged the Nigerian government’s bloody crackdown on protesters even when it knew the human cost,” Amnesty’s Mark Dummett said.

Shell denied all involvement in the men’s executions, saying it was “inconceivable” that it would have interfered in a criminal trial in a foreign country.

“We are not blind to the terrible and radical loss that the women have suffered,” a lawyer for the firm said. “But Shell is not responsible for these events.”

The lawyer added that the Dutch court did not have jurisdiction over the matter.

Shell said in a separate statement that it had asked the Nigerian presidency for leniency for the men and “we regret that no response was given”.

“The executions carried out by a military government at that time have deeply affected us,” a spokesman for the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited said.

The Ogoni movement was set up in 1990 to fight against pollution and the destruction of the ecosystem of the 500,000-strong Ogoni community, which lives on an oil-rich parcel of land on the northern edge of the Niger Delta.

The executions provoked a global outcry and led to the suspension of Nigeria from the Commonwealth. The West African country was readmitted with the return of civilian rule in 1999.

In 2009 Shell agreed to a $15.5 million payout in the United States to settle a lawsuit brought by relatives of Saro-Wiwa that alleged complicity in abuses by Nigeria, without acknowledging responsibility.

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Ileya Festival: Olori Afolabi launches food bank, distributes rice to Apomu people

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Ileya Festival: Olori Afolabi launches food bank, distributes rice to Apomu people


AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Olori Janet Afolabi, CNN award winning journalist and Queen of Apomu Kingdom, has distributed 150 bags of 50kg rice to Apomu people for the celebration of Ileya Festival, just as she launched a foot bank in the ancient city in Osun State.

Olori Afolabi said the food distribution is in response to the pressing issue of hunger in rural communities.

She said: “It is aimed at providing immediate relief to those in need and support rural families.

“Every package of rice represents a moment of relief.

“As we distribute the food we are not just meeting a basic need we are offering compassion, care and kindness.

“We are not just filling stomachs, we are filling hearts with hope because every act of kindness no matter how small can have a profound impact.”

The rice was distributed at the launch of Olori Janet Afolabi Foundation Food Bank on June 3, 2024 at the palace of the Alapomu of Apomu, the headquarters of Isokan Local Government Area of Osun State.

Olori Afolabi said: “We are honoured to launch this food bank to address hunger and promote well being in our community.

“We recognise that hunger is a reality for many in our community and we want to do something about.

“The food bank will offer a range of services, which include: food distribution to indigent families and support programmes on nutrition education and counselling.

“Our Food bank is more than a pantry.

“It is a symbol of hope.

“We are reminding those in need that they are seen, heard, and valued.

“The food bank is a testament of our dedication to serve the community.”

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Minister of Information to Chair GOCOP Book Launch in Abuja

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Minister of Information to Chair GOCOP Book Launch in Abuja

Lago

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, is to chair the public presentation of the book Nigeria Media Renaissance: GOCOP Perspective on Online Publishing, a publication of Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).

The event is scheduled for 110am on Tuesday June 17, 2025 at the Continental Hotel, Abuja.

President of GOCOP, Maureen Chigbo, who confirmed this development said the book presentation will be graced by eminent personalities from all walks of life, including government officials, captains of industry, media practitioners and other professionals, representatives of international organisations, directors of non-governmental organisations.

Alhaji Idris was sworn in as Minister of Information and National Orientation on August 21, 2023, following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. With over three decades of experience in broadcasting, newspapering, public relations, and advertising, Idris has brought a wealth of expertise to the role.

His academic background includes degrees in English Studies from Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto, and Bayero University, Kano. As an entrepreneur, he established notable media outlets such as Blueprint, WE FM radio station, and Rapid Television in Abuja. He is a prominent figure in professional associations such as National Institute of Public Relations, African Public Relations Association, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria, and Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria.

As the founder of Bifocal Communications, a leading public relations and communications consultancy, Idris has served both local and transnational corporations.


Beyond his professional endeavours, Idris is committed to social responsibility through the Mohammed Idris Malagi (MIM) Foundation, which has positively impacted many lives. As a reward for his contributions to the development of his immediate environment and beyond, The Etsu Nupe conferred “Kaakaki Nupe” on him.

A press statement by the GOCOP Publicity Secretary, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, quoted the GOCOP president as saying that the proceeds of the book will be used to fund the N2.3 billion GOCOP MEDIA CENTRE, a multi-purpose resource centre comprising a secretariat, a 21st Century library and event halls, among others.

Nweke further noted that the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) was established to promote professionalism in online publishing, ensuring its members uphold the fundamental principles of journalism.

Comprising seasoned editors and senior journalists with distinguished career in print and electronic media, GOCOP’s membership has traversed the online publishing, recognizing its pivotal role in shaping the future of journalism globally. With 120 corporate publishers as members, GOCOP continues to uphold the highest standards of online journalism

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Lagos Island Lawmaker, Afinni Picks Patient Surgery Bill

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Lagos Island Lawmaker, Afinni Picks Patient Surgery Bill

Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim

sponsored by: H&H

“May you never experience such, May God be with you and your household, may you never fall sick, your enemies will never overcome you, These are the prayers from the heart of a resident of Lagos Island constituency ll, Mr. Abiola Shuab when favour falls on him during and aftermart of his successful surgery Operation been sponsored by Lagos Lawmaker, Hon. Lanre Afinni.

August24news.com gathered that Mr. Abiola Shuab was suffering from a premium Nasal Nose Blockage and as been placed under drugs and treatment before his doctor prescribed him for a Surgery Operation.

The surgery Operation was carried out successfully by a team of medical expert at the Ilorin General Hospital last Friday.

Upon reaching the Lawmaker for Financial support for the surgery, Hon. Lanre Afinni who represent the good people of Lagos Island Constituency ll at the Lagos State house of Assembly quickly reacted to the request and ask his Committee on Health to rally round Abiola and carry out all the necessary action claiming the bill should be credited on his account.

Commenting on the Goodwill done by Hon. Lanre Afinni is the Apex Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos Island Constituency ll, Chief Babajide Damasio commended Affini for the prompt and good act describing him as a lawmaker of the people who is always at alert for the good gesture.

On his own Part Hon. Lanre Afinni who doubles as the Chairman house committee on Environment at the Lagos State House of Assembly told Our Correspondent that “health is wealth, “we remain committed to our constituents members healthcare, their health is Paramount to us and that is why we have to come to their aid when needed.

According to Afinni, When we came into Office in 2023, we inaugurated several committees to look into the needs of our consistency members in different capacity and appoint professional to head the team in various offices such as Education, Sport, Security, Empowerment, Job Creation and Health.

“On our Health Committee desk, we have been able to organize series of medical talks, we also help with medical bills of our constituency members, We have done 3 editions of the medical outreach program, which includes dentals and distributions of free eye glasses with over 2,000 Two thousand in every edition and the 4th edition will be held in December this year. Afinni Stated.

Mr. Abiola Shuab is an Higher National Diploma holder in Banking and Finance from the prestigious Ibadan Polytechnic, Oyo State and resident of Number 17 Ajanaku Street, Lagos Island East LCDA.

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