Maritime University, Our Activism Was Not In Vain, Says Ezekiel, Ozobo

Maritime University Okerenkoko, Our Activism Was Not In Vain, Says Ezekiel, Ozobo

Francis Tayor

Warri______ The former spokesman of the foremost Niger Delta based human rights group known as ljaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI), Comrade Daniel Pere Ezekiel and the incumbent President of the group, Comrade Austin Ozobo has said the fully operation of academic activities at  the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Warri South-West LGA of Delta State, is a clear testament that their human rights activism over the years has yielded positive result, and that it was not in vain.

The duo, who are now Senior Special Assistant (SSA) and Special Assistant (SA) to the executive governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sen Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on Security/Political Matters made the statement during the weekend at Kurutie, the temporary site of the institution stressed that, after the foremost Niger Delta freedom fighter, High Chief. Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo had influenced the University to the region in 2015, some jealous enemies of progress from Niger Delta in collaboration with Nigerian government tried to thwart the institution from existence, thereby caused unnecessary delay for academic activities to kick off.

They stated that due to the ill intentions of those unscrupulous elements trying to quenched the institution at then, the likes of IPDI join its voice with other human right groups in the Niger Delta region to consistently engaged President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government in what it called intellectual battle to a stand still, whereby the government have no other choice than to release funds for the smooth running of academic activities in the institution.

In his reaction, Comrade Ezekiel emphasized that he was arrested and detained at DSS custody, Abuja for two years due to his activism struggle against oppression, bad government, traitors and fighting for justice for GOC Tompolo when he was declared wanted by the Nigerian government.

" Today, l am happy to see that our hard labour in the past had yielded fruit. Here is the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko we fought for over the years is now fully established with over three thousands (3,000) staff gainfully employed. Our people unlike in the days of our fathers, now have access to quality education within our domain without travelling down to the far Western, Northern and Eastern part of Nigeria to study. This is the Lord's doing. When you fight for a just cause, God will fight for you, and justice must prevail at the end despite the tribulations along the way, Ezekiel stated."

In another reaction, Comrade Ozobo reiterated that more good things are coming to the Niger Delta region if only we as a people are united in the struggle.

" Our next level in the struggle is Resource Control, Restructure, True Federalism and a call for Referendum for Nigerians to decide which way to go. We cannot remain in this battered nation whereby a particular ethnic group will claimed ownership of the entire country when there are over two hundred and fifty (250) ethnic nationalities. Enough is enough, Ozobo concluded.

However, among the entourage of the two political appointees include; Comrade Oyinbi Onduku, CEO/Publisher Niger Delta Mirror News Online, Comrade Paul Akpowaide, National President Ijaw Political Watch Dog, Comrade Uluku Obed, Senior Correspondent Coastal Time News Media, Comrade. Olu Priye Oyeh,  SSA Security to Edo State governor, Comrade Bright Semienghan, SA to Edo state Governor, Comrade. Endurance Ogbise SA to Edo state Governor and Comrade Ogidigba Ebierin respectively.