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PIA: ‘There’s No Backing Down’ – Ugborodo Community Vows As Clock Tickling On NUPRC’s Two-week

Published

2 years ago

December 10, 2023

milcah

By our Correspondent

The people of oil producing host communities of Ugborodo, Deghele and Ugboegungun in Warri South-west Local Government Area of Delta State have again vowed never to back down on their quest for both Chevron and Shell to follow due process and the law in the registration of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) for the implementation and operationalization of the Petroleum Industry Act, (PIA) in their domain.

It was gathered that the communities affirmed their resolved during an emergency Congress held at the weekend to appraised the two- week deadline reportedly handed down to Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, (NUPRC) to implement its verdict on the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA as it relates to the Itsekiri host communities.

Deliberating on the issue during the congress, the indigenes were informed of the earlier directive of a meeting held November 28th,2023 at the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, between the Commission, representatives of Chevron Nigeria Limited, the host communities of Ugborodo, Deghele and Ugboegungun as well as the representatives of Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.

A leader in Ugborodo Community, Mr. Alex Eyengho, who read the NUPRC’s report to Ugborodo indigenes at the congress, said Chevron Nigeria Limited was asked to convene a meeting to be midwife by the Warri office of Commission with a view to examining closely how the delineation of Host Communities was conducted, to ensure it was in accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.

According to Mr. Eyengho, the NUPRC, in its letter signed by Mr. Benjamin Ogunubi, on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, had directed that membership of the Host Communities Development Trust, HCDT, be amicably thrown up by the host communities, advising all parties to mutually work out a formula to select the nine members in each HCDT.

Parts of NUPRC letter reads: “The settlor and the Host Communities, should re – examine the name (s) and unanimously resolve on the name (s) for the HCDT.

“That Chevron Nigeria Limited, transmit to the Commission, a report on the implementation of the rulings within two weeks.

“The report should be fully signed and certified by representatives of both parties (CNL and the Host Communities

Among prominent Ugborodo indigenes that spoke during the well-attended congress were Itsekiri Opinion leader, Chief Ayirimi Emami, former Executive Director of Projects in Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli, Prince Perry Atete and Mrs. Oritsematosan Nuko, woman leader of Ugborodo.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Eyengho said; “As well advertised in national and local media, today is congress of Ugborodo community. Congress of Ugborodo holds once or thrice a year where Ugborodo indigenes from allover come to discuss issues of importance but this one is more like an emergency Congress because it’s a one agendum congress which is the issue of proper implementation and operationalization of the PIA as it concerns Ugborodo community and other neighbouring communities.

“So we have met today to give a report to the Ugborodo congress of the journey so far regarding the implementation and operationalization of the PIA in Ugborodo land.

Giving a chronological details of what had transpired before now, Eyengho said; “Recalled that we had issues with the settlors – that’s the oil companies particularly Chevron and Shell where we shut down the Otumara flow station for almost a month which now led to the regulator, that’s NUPRC summoning a meeting of the protesters, then it was Ugborodo, Deghele and Ugboegungun communities and then they also summoned Chevron and Shell…
“..Sometime August this year, I think August 30th this year we met the regulator, NUPRC, they mediated and came out with a resolution giving Chevron and Shell two weeks to do ABCD…which they never did, they never followed the resolution. We were very patient. Since August, this is December . That shows how patient the Communities are. We were trying to engage Chevron and Shell they were not listening, they were still going ahead with the illegal host communities trust they had constituted so we have to shut down Chevron because that seem to be the only language the oil companies understand – protest, shut down and all of that. We’re not happy to be shutting down but whereby Chevron and Shell just want to proceed on illegality somebody somewhere or host community somewhere have to say no and that’s what we have done.

“And in the process of this protest the regulator NUPRC called again, they summoned us to Abuja toward November ending and we went to Abuja. Chevron was there but Shell didn’t come. Maybe Shell was not invited because Shell was pretending to be complying but they were not complying even as we speak. So whatever the last happened in this new directive is that..and this meeting was presided over by the Chief Executive Officer himself, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe of the NUPRC unlike the first one where he just gave an introduction and his deputy presided but this time around he presided.

“He was very specific and this is very important for emphasis seek. He made it clear because the palace of Olu of Warri sent two representatives, they were not even allowed to talk because Engr. Komolafe made it manifesting clear that Palaces, traditional rulers, and ethnic groups are unknown to the PIA and regulations guiding it. He was very clear that these are unknown entities. The only entity known to the PIA as far as it’s implementation and operationalization is concerned are the host communities and he defined host communities in tandem with the law that for you to be socalled host communities you’re not host to a palace, not host to an ethnic group but host to an oil facility in your land. That’s it and that put an end to all this talk of PIA meetings holding in palaces, traditional rulers presiding over it, and compiling names and sending it to palaces and all of that is unknown to the law.

“That has been made manifesting clear and Chevron which is applicable to Shell have been directed again that within two weeks meet with Ugborodo people and first constitute the nine members board of trustees and then agreed with the community on a name, the host community should be called and we said abi ni tio that what we want as Ugborodo people is Ikpere Host Community Development Trust (Ikpere-HCDT) and there we stand and the regulator has agreed with us so Chevron, now they have called us, we hope they will obey this directives again because the clock is already tickling”.

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TAU reaffirms commitment to globally competitive learning

Published

2 days ago

November 29, 2025

Our Reporter

As 16 graduands make First Class

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), Oko-Irese, in the Irepodun local government area of Kwara State, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening quality education, innovation, and globally competitive learning.

Speaking at the institution’s 2nd Convocation ceremony in Oko-Irese, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Francisca Onaolapo Oladipo, said TAU is living up to its ranking as the fastest growing institution in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine, and Innovation (STEM-i) ecosystem by surpassing more than 100 percent in its number of graduating students at the second convocation.

She said: “TAU emerged on April 8, 2021, as Nigeria’s fastest-growing Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Innovations (STEM-i) ecosystem. Today, we rank 1st among the 20 private universities that were licensed in
2021, 4th among the 14 Universities in Kwara State, 5th among Nigeria’s over 170 private Universities and 50th nationally, an impressive rise reflecting our unwavering commitment to excellence.

”What a Moment of Extraordinary Significance today, we stand at a crossroads far more significant than words can adequately capture. Exactly one year ago, we gathered at this very Auditorium to celebrate our inaugural Convocation, a ceremony that marked the graduation of 26 pioneering students who dared to believe in a vision when others saw only impossibility. Those 26 trailblazers proved that Thomas Adewumi University was not just a dream, but a reality rooted in excellence. Today, as we honour 63 outstanding graduates, we witness something far more profound than numerical growth.

“This 142% increase in our graduating class is not merely a statistic to be recorded in annual reports, it is a declaration that Thomas Adewumi University has transcended the realm of promise and entered the domain of proof.

“We have moved from potential to performance, from aspiration to achievement, from vision to velocity.
This year, 63 graduands from 4 Faculties and 11 academic programmes are being conferred. It is noteworthy that we have 16 First Class graduates, 40 in Second Class Upper Division, and 7 in Second Class Lower Division. These results reflect the quality of training and mentorship provided at Thomas Adewumi University, and we are proud to contribute these innovators to both the Nigerian and global workforce, confident that they will make a meaningful
impact.

”Preparing Globally Competitive Graduates, these 63 graduands are not merely degree holders, they are comprehensively prepared global professionals equipped with exceptional advantages that set them apart from their peers nationwide. Through our international partnerships, these graduates have obtained additional microcredentials from MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Berkeley, and Yale, world-class certifications from Alison, UK, RUDN professional University, Russia, World Bank’s Saylor Academy, Google, ICAN, and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development initiatives in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

“Our Coursera collaboration provided them with additional industry certifications, while partnerships with Microsoft, IBM SkillsBuild, and MIT OpenCourseWare through our Global Campus initiative democratize access to cutting-edge knowledge. They are thus fully equipped to embark on meaningful and innovative careers in today’s technology-driven world.”

Earlier in his Convocation Lecture, titled “Crowdfunding Opportunities forstartups: Equiping Nigerian graduates for a sustainable future”, Dr. Bayo Williams Olugbemi charged the graduads on the mindset of job creation, saying “as a graduate, your future is not defined by what Nigeria gives you, but by what you create. The idea of crowdfunding is the idea of hope. It is proof that when people come together, ideas once impossible become achievable.

“I urge you not to think only about searching for jobs. Instead, think about creating value, and if capital is a barrier, remember: “The crowd can be your first investor.”

In his goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, represented by Esther I. Eyo, Esq commended the resilience of TAU management said “NUC acknowledges TAU sustained progress in advancing quality teaching, impactful research, innovation, and community engagement, all of which align with our national aspiration for a globally competitive and knowledge-driven university system.

“It would interest you to know that, in the accreditation exercise conducted in 2023, Thomas Adewumi University achieved a 100% Full Accreditation status across all programmes assessed a laudable feat that reflects the University’s strong commitment to maintaining high academic standards.”

Also speaking, the Founder/Chancellor of the institution, Dr. (Engr) Johnson Adewumi, urged the graduands to be good ambassadors of the University, adding: “Remember that your degree is not an end but a beginning, go forth with courage, humility, and a sense of responsibility. Strive to illuminate whatever space you occupy with the light of integrity, excellence and service.”

Highlight of the event was the conferment of an honorary doctorate degree on two distinguished personalities; Engr Oluseyi Afolabi and Pastor Oladokun Olatunde.

End

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photo

Published

2 days ago

November 29, 2025

Our Reporter

L-r Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the dinner for members of the National Assembly by the First Lady yesterday. Photo: Senate President’s Office.

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JUST IN: Even Tinubu moves with too many police escorts – Senator Ndume

Published

2 days ago

November 29, 2025

Our Reporter

By Hassan Taiye

Senator Ali Ndume has criticised what he described as the excessive use of security convoys by top government officials, including President Bola Tinubu, warning that the practice leaves ordinary citizens exposed and vulnerable.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Thursday, Ndume said many public office holders move with security details that are unnecessarily large, even when their positions do not warrant such heavy protection.

He recalled visiting the residence of a colleague and finding “more than 10 policemen” attached to him, despite the lawmaker being junior to him in the National Assembly.

Ndume further argued that the presidential convoy itself is excessively large, stressing that security efforts should be focused on protecting the overall environment rather than individual personalities.

He said: “I went to one of my colleagues’ house for dinner. And I saw more than 10 policemen. He is even my junior in the National Assembly. Some of them, if you see them coming, you will pull back thinking that maybe it’s the President or the Vice President that is coming.
“

You can see even the president, the convoy that the president goes about with is too much. Secure the place and when the president goes, you withdraw. Secure Abuja and the president can even drive out, you know, himself.

But when you secure personalities, and this is what is happening in Nigeria, then others, common people, as we call them, become vulnerable, and we don’t care. So if you secure Abuja, then you can drive at night. And let me tell you, this is what is happening in most countries”.

The lawmaker’s comments come just days after President Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police officers from VIP escort and guard duties.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the directive was aimed at redeploying police manpower to core law enforcement responsibilities.