A declaration that the failure of the Defendants to establish any adequate monitoring of the human impacts of oil-related pollution – despite the fact that the oil industry in the Niger Delta is operating in a relatively densely populated area characterized by high levels of poverty and vulnerability, is unlawful as it violates the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Sources close to the negotiations had said in April that the two sides were nearing a $75 million agreement, including the payment by Pfizer of $10 million legal fees, $30 million to Kano State and $35 million to victims and families.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Dr. Joy Emodi, who made the plea during a courtesy call on Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State at Government House, Minna yesterday said even though the agitation of the union was justifiable, the way they were going about it was not justifiable.

Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF), who is also the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday reviewed socio-cultural developments in the North and lamented that the area “had opportunities to have done better for our people for the better part of Nigeria’s independence but we appeared to have squandered those opportunities.”

President Umaru Yar’Adua has assured that the religious crisis in Bauchi State would be contained in such a way that it would not spread to all parts of the country.