Pullah Congratulates Gov. Okowa as he clocks 62, Describes him as Detribalized Leader

Pullah Congratulates Gov. Okowa as he clocks 62, Describes him as Detribalized Leader

The member representing the good people of Burutu South Constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Pullah Ebipade Ekpotuayerin has join other well wishers to congratulate and celebrate with the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sen Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, as he clocks 62 years today.

Hon. Pullah in his birthday congratulatory message described Gov. Okowa as detribalized leader who had greatly transformed Delta State in infrastructural development wise as well as human capital development. He further noted that His Excellency is a blessing to Deltans and pray God to increase him in all ramifications to finish strong in the second quarter of his administration.

According to him, said:

" HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HIS EXCELLENCY!

I celebrate with our dear governor, Senator (Dr) Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa and his family for the glorious new year the Lord has led him into. No doubt, this new year and the ones to come shall be blessings to Delta State.

I testify that we are blessed with a detribalized leader in Senator (Dr) Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa who sees the whole state as single constituency, who sees all Deltans as one family. He is a leader who is always interested in both infrastructural and human capital development.

I congratulate him and pray God to increase him on all good sides, the statement adds."

Hon. Pullah Ekpotuayerin Ebipade,

Burutu State Constituency ll.

Chief. Igbegbe gave out younger sister Helen, to Ekpenimi hand in marriage at Ogbe-ljoh

Chief. Igbegbe gave out younger sister Helen, to Ekpenimi hand in marriage at Ogbe-ljoh

Francis Tayor

Warri______  A renowned Niger Delta ljaw freedom fighter cum philantropist and the Ebogha 1 of Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom, Alaowei Friday Igbegbe, over the weekend gave his adorable younger sister Helen lgbegbe to Chief. Jacob Ekpenimi hand in marriage.

The colourful traditional marriage ceremony took place on Sunday 4th July, 2021 at the headquarters of Warri South-West Local Government Area, Ogbe-ljoh Town, Delta State.

The groom, Chief. Jacob Ekpenimi, who hailed from Ogbe-ljoh and Okerenkoko in Warri South-West LGA finished all the traditional marriage requirements in presence of the elders, youths, women of the lgbegbe family of Aretonghan quarters and that of Ekpenimi, Aribogha families of Ogbe-ljoh and Okerenkoko Community according to the Ogbe-ljoh tradition.

It was a celebration of joy as friends, family members, business associates and well wishers of both families turn up to rejoice with their children. The expression of joy in the faces of the latest couple knows no bound as Chief. Jonny Aribogha, Chief. Richard Oweisana, Chief. Friday Igbegbe as well as Hon. Friday Denghan among other dignitaries stormed the arena in a grand style to appreciate the couple in naira, dollars and kinds to the admiration of other guests present. 

Speaking briefly to our reporter during the ceremony, Alaowei Friday Igbegbe said he was overwhelmed to see this day come to pass. It was a dream comes through in the life of my dear sister and her hubby. " My wishes for both of them is to show unconditional love to one another, tolerate each other, forgive and understanding. They should always seek the face of God to settle their differences between themselves without involving third party. They should go and multiply the world according to the word of God written in the Bible, Alaowei Igbegbe stated".

Meanwhile, Some notable personalities present at the occasion include; High Chief. Johnny Aribogha, High Chief. Richard Oweisana, the Bulowei of Ogbolobiri Mien Kingdom, High Chief. Friday Igbegbe, Hon. Friday Deinghan, Comrade Oyinbi Onduku, (CEO Niger Delta Mirror Ndm),Joshua Orou, Comrade Ebi Joe, Senator Marvis Ogisi, Cmr.Smart Okosu, immediate past Ogbe-ljoh Clan Chairman lYC, Mr. Jerry Igbegbe, Harrison Owolo, Hon. Friday Waighan, Sir. Jude Omgbu, Kent Igbegbe, Chief. Kakanpere , MC Bakumor, Alaowei Opuro, Madam Doris Iseregbe (National Chairlady Better Life Fish Traders Union Warri ), Madam Queen, Elder Francis Boukan, Committee of Friends Ogbe-Ijoh Market among others. However, the crew of DexterityTv was live on ground to cover the colourful marriage ceremony.

Amnesty: Phase 3 Generals Accuse Dikkio on attempt to shortchange Real Beneficiaries

Amnesty: Phase 3 Generals Accuse Dikkio on attempt to shortchange Real Beneficiaries

.......Call on Delta State SSA on Security, Daniel Ezekiel to intervene

........ Insist fake beneficiaries inducted into amnesty corporatives

Timi Black

Angry leaders and stakeholders of the 3rd phase amnesty programme have cried out over what they described as an attempt to short-changed some supposed legitimate beneficiaries into the amnesty corporative programme by the interim administrator, Colonel Dikio Miland.

This is was contained in a press statement signed by Hon. Ogidigba Godstime, (Edo state), Gen. Clement Ofovwei (Delta state), Gen. Kenneth Kpea (Rivers state), Gen. Whiteman Ijiel (Bayelsa state)

Gen. Godwin Governor,

(Ondo State) on Thursday.

The 3rd phase leaders alleged that over 50% of the people in 3rd phase incorporated into the amnesty corporate society by the interim administrator were not genuine leaders, delegates or beneficiaries of the amnesty Programme.

The protesting stakeholders stated that a proper verification exercise be carried out before constituting the corporative societies to capture the genuine leaders of the 3rd Phase.

The 3rd phase leaders also called on Hon. Ezekiel Daniel, senior Special Assistant to Delta State Governor on security matters to come to their rescue by prevailing on the interim coordinator of the Amnesty programme not to fall prey to some cabals in the amnesty office.

According to them, the genuine leaders of the 3rd phase be captured into the corporative programme, instead of fake persons being incorporated into the amnesty corporative programme in as much they were not against the idea of Dikio inducting Ex-Agitators into Corporate Societies.

They accused politicians of hijacking contracts that supposed to be awarded to real beneficiaries of the amnesty programme, adding that corporatives submitted to the amnesty office do not represent the interest of the genuine leaders of the amnesty programme from the various states but were made to serve the myopic interest of some stakeholders and corrupt Bayelsa and Delta States politicians.

The protesting leaders also accused Tonye led Exco of some 3rd phase amnesty delegates of embezzling #900, 000.00 of the transport stipend that was given by the amnesty coordinator at the aborted stakeholders meeting.

However, below is the Press Statement attached:

PRESS RELEASE

That President Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria approved the verification of Thirty Thousand (30,000) delegates of the Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP) that if there is no hidden agenda by the Amnesty Office as regards the verification exercise Col. Minlland Dikio should immediately carry out the verification exercise as approved by Mr. President which we strongly believe will address all the rot and corruption in the Amnesty Program, scoping the verification exercise sent danger and very bad signal to us the genuine Leaders of the Amnesty Program.

We make bold to say that 50% of the people in 3rd phase Minlland Dikio constitutes into Corporative Societies are not genuine Leaders, Delegates or Beneficiaries of the Amnesty Program, therefore carry out the verification exercise before constituting the Corporative Societies will capture the genuine leaders of Phase 3.

The verification should be based on State Level because all the leaders have their disarmament Certificate with them and their details are in the data at their various states which are with the various Security Agencies who disarm them, which will helps to filter away these fake Amnesty Leaders who were brought in to the Program through the back door by corrupt Politicians and Stakeholders from the Niger Delta region.

That we are not against the ideas of Minlland Dikio involving Ex-Agitators into Corporate Societies, but only genuine leaders should be captured into the Program so as to avoid what happened during his predecessors administration, Prof. Charles Dokubo, who came up with Empowerment Program for the Ex-Agitator Leaders. At the end, it was hijacked by Politicians, Stakeholders and Abuja based Ijaw Youths whom were not Delegates neither Beneficiaries of the Amnesty Program were the ones gaining award letters for training Delegates and Supply of Accessories to the Amnesty Office and later, we the genuine Leaders of Phase 1-3 were just compensated with money in the name of the office monetized the contracts and paid the leaders some amount of money without issuing award letters to any of the Leaders from Phase 1-3.

That those Corporative submitted to the Amnesty office so far does not represent the interest of the genuine leaders of the Amnesty Program from the various States but rather, it represents Bayelsa State and some corrupt Politicians and Stakeholders from the Niger Delta Region.

There is no doubt that the administrative style of Miland Dikio has helped in sustaining the fragile peace we enjoy in the Niger Delta region and also his desire to change the negative narrative of the region into a better place where business can strive and investors to have confidence to invest their money in the Niger Delta region but he has to trend with caution.

That the Amnesty Program was not named after a particular state in the Niger Delta region as it has become unbearable for the other states, the ways and manners Bayelsa is seeing the Amnesty Program as their personal property and the other states have no say. On that note, we urge Miland Dikio to separately distribute whatever the Amnesty Office have for leaders or impacted communities to the various states that are captured in the Program.

That the One million, Five Hundred Thousand naira (N1,500,000) that was realized for Phase 3 leaders headed by Tonye Bobo by the Amnesty Office for transportation for the fifteenth person from five states that was to hold a meeting with Miland Dikio to address the issues affecting phase 3 Amnesty program though the meeting was cancelled for another date. As we speak, the money was confiscated by Tonye Bobo and his Exco thereby giving Delta State Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000), Ondo State, Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000), Edo State, Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000), Rivers State, Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000), the rest Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N950,000) was embezzled by Tonye Bobo and his Exco. For the sake of transparency and accountability, we urge the Amnesty Office, Department of State Security Service (DSS) and other Security Agencies, to invite Mr. Tonye Bobo and his Excoto give account on how the One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,500,000) was distributed.

Finally, we thank the DSS and other Security Agencies for their prompt intervention in managing the Ticking Time Bomb that is about to explode in the Niger Delta Region.

We are equally using this medium to call on Honourable Ezekiel Daniel, senior Special Assistant to Delta State Governor on security matters to come to our rescue by calling the attention of interim coordinator of Amnesty program to the evil game of a cabal in that office.

Sign:

Hon. Ogidigba Godstime

Edo state.

Gen. Clement Ofovwei

Delta State.

Gen. Kenneth Kpea

Rivers state.

Gen. Whiteman Ijiel

Bayelsa State.

Gen. Godwin Governor

Ondo State.

Finally, Senate passes Petroleum Industry Bill, approves 3% for host communities

Finally, Senate passes Petroleum Industry Bill, approves 3% for host communities

.....The Demon behind non-passage of the Bill finally defeated – Says Lawan 

The Senate recorded a historic feat on Thursday with the passage of the complete version of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which defied passage in previous assemblies over the last twenty years. 

The bill was passed after a clause-by-clause consideration of a report by the Joint Committee on Downstream Petroleum Sector; Petroleum Resources (Upstream); and Gas on the PIB.

The Chairman of the Joint Committee, Sabo Muhammed Nakudu, delivered a presentation on the Committee’s report moments before the upper chamber held a closed session to receive briefing by the Petroleum Minister, Timipre Sylva, and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari.

The closed session which started at 11:10am ended at 12:40pm. 

In his presentation, the lawmaker said that the Petroleum Industry Bill consists of five distinct chapters which include Governance and Institutions; Administration; Host Communities Development; Petroleum Industry Fiscal Framework; and Miscellaneous Provisions comprising 319 clauses and 8 schedules. 

According to him, the bill’s passage and eventual assent into law would strengthen accountability and transparency of NNPC limited as a full-fledged company under statutory/regulatory oversight with better returns to its shareholders – the Nigerian people. 

He added that the Joint Committee’s recommendation on Frontier Basins recognized the need for Nigeria to explore and develop the country’s frontier basins to take advantage of the foreseeable threats to the funding of fossil fuel projects across the world due to speedy shift to alternative energy sources. 

During a clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, the upper chamber approved the funding mechanism of thirty percent of NNPC limited’s oil and gas profit in the production sharing, profit sharing, and risk service contracts to fund exploration of frontier basins.

It also approved Clause 4 of the bill which seeks the establishment of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission to provide technical regulatory functions that would enforce, administer and implement laws, regulations and policies relating to upstream petroleum operations.

The Commission would, among others, ensure compliance with applicable national and international petroleum industry policies, standards and practices for upstream petroleum operations; and establish, monitor, regulate and enforce health, safety and environmental measures and standards relating to upstream petroleum operations. 

In addition, the upper chamber while adopting the Committee’s recommendation to retain provisions in Clause 29 of the bill, approved the establishment of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

Clause 29(3) empowers the Authority to be responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of midstream and downstream petroleum operations in the petroleum industry in Nigeria.

Its function include implementing Government policies for midstream and downstream petroleum operations as directed by the Minister; and to promote, establish and develop a positive environment for international and domestic investment in midstream and downstream petroleum operations. 

Others are to ensure strict environmental

implementation of policies, laws and regulations for midstream and downstream petroleum operations; and to develop and enforce a framework on tariff and pricing for natural gas and petroleum products. 

The recommendation of the Joint Committee was amended in Clause 52(7d) to ensure that all monies received from gas flaring be channeled for the purpose of environmental remediation and relief of the host communities as against the development of infrastructure in midstream gas operations. 

The upper chamber, however, retained the recommendation of the Joint Committee in Clause 53 which empowers the Minister of Petroleum Resources to incorporate the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation as a limited liability company to be known as NNPC Limited, six months after the commencement of the Act. 

Accordingly, the adopted Clause 53 mandates the Minister of Petroleum Resources at the incorporation of NNPC Limited, to consult with the Minister of Finance to determine the number and nominal value of the shares to be allotted, which would form the initial paid-up share capital of NNPC Limited.

Consequently, the Senate approved ownership of all shares in NNPC Limited to be vested in the Government at incorporation and held by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated on behalf of the Government.

The upper chamber, however, reviewed downward the Joint Committee’s recommendation that 5 percent be paid as contribution to the host community development fund. 

Senators in the majority voted for 3 percent contribution to the host communities, following an amendment to Clause 240(2) by Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita (APC, Katsina North), which was seconded by Ibrahim Gobir (APC, Sokoto East). 

The approval of 3 percent for host communities represents an upward review of 0.5 percent from the previous 2.5 percent contribution to the host community development fund. 

Efforts by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central), Senators James Manager (PDP, Delta South), George Thompson Sekibo (PDP, Rivers East), and Albert Bassey Akpan (PDP, (PDP, Akwa-Ibom North East) to demand an upward review met a brick wall from lawmakers. 

Sekibo, in a move to sustain his agitation for an increase in contributions to host communities, relied on Order 73 of the Senate Rule and called for a division. 

The Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi North), however, prevailed on Sekibo to withdraw his call for division, and reminded him of the commitment of Senators of the Ninth Assembly in fostering unity while keeping in mind their obligation at all times to protect the national interest.

The Senate Leader’s plea was accompanied by a subtle  reaction from the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, who reminded Sekibo of the overwhelming support demonstrated by lawmakers who had earlier approved that host communities receive remediation and relief from monies accruing from gas flaring in the PIB. 

Sekibo at this point withdrew his earlier call for division. 

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks after the eventual passage of the PIB, congratulated the Ninth Assembly and Joint Committee on Downstream Petroleum Sector; Petroleum Resources (Upstream); and Gas for the “tremendous and historical achievement of passing the long awaited Petroleum Industry Bill.”

According to him, the passage of the PIB was an indication that the “demon” behind its non-passage in the past had been finally defeated. 

He added, “I must commend the leadership of the House of Representatives, too, for providing leadership to ensure that our Joint Committees in the Senate and the House work together to produce the report that we have just passed.

“Let me say that the Ninth Senate and, indeed, the Ninth National Assembly has achieved one of its fundamental items on the legislative agenda.

“We promised Nigerians that we will do our best to pass the PIB that has defied passage or defied assent. At least, the demons are being defeated in this chamber.”

Lawan appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to give expeditious assent to the bill when it is eventually forwarded to him by the National Assembly. 

The Senate, thereafter, adjourned plenary till next week Tuesday, the 6th of July, 2021.

Signed:

Ezrel TABIOWO, FIMC, CMC, Fsca, MBSC 

Special Assistant (Press)

to President of the Senate 

Thursday, July 1, 2021.

lYC Calls on Gov. Obaseki to Caution Obazuwa Community Over ljaw Attack Claims

lYC Calls on Gov. Obaseki to Caution Obazuwa Community Over ljaw Attack Claims

Francis Tayor

Benin____ The leadership of ljaw Youth Council (IYC), Olodiama Clan in Edo State Chapter has called on the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki, the Nigeria Police Force, DSS and other security agencies to as a matter of urgency caution and call to order the people of Obazuwa Utugberu Community as well as one Ugbo over accusing the peace loving ljaw people of lkoro community in Ovia North East LGA, on alleged attack in their Community.

The call was made on the 1st July, 2021 by the lYC Chairman of Olodiama Clan in Edo State Chapter, Comrade Sam Ebiwana, through a Press Statement issued in Sapele at the end of a crucial emergency meeting with all Edo State lYC Clan Chairmen, stated that Obazuwa Community claims are baseless, fictitious and lies from the pit of hell, saying they are known as trouble makers from time immemorial by all their neighboring Communities in Ovia North East.

The IYC Chairman while quoting history, noted that Obazuwa community people are all strangers from Urhobo, Agbor, Calabar and Yoruba land hired by late. Chief. Ejomo to farm for his mother, so as to provide enough food for his family. He stressed that whenever Obazuwa people cause crisis among their neighboring Community, they will cry crocodile tears by quickly writing letter to the Oba of Benin and the Edo State Government to peddles lies in order to gain public sympathy.

Meanwhile, " we the five Clan lYC Chairmen have equally briefed the Edo State Governor Obaseki on Monday this week about the development, and His Excellency has promised to quickly address the issue in the shortest possible time."

The capacity Olodiama Clan ljaw Youth Council Chairman Comrade Ebiwana, has send a stern warning to Bini Communities in Edo State to stay clear from all ljaw Communities/lands, saying they will no longer tolerate any nonsense from them henceforth. He however, called on Governor Godwin Obaseki as well as the security agencies to caution Obazuwa people, and that if they are further pushed to the wall, they have no other choice than to defend themselves with the last drop of their blood, he asserted.

However, read the full details of the Press Statement below:

CANTER OF THEIR BASELESS PUBLICATION OR PRESS STATEMENT.

RE: OBAZUWA UTUGBERU COMMUNITY SEND SOS TO GOVERNOR GODWIN OBASEKI AND OBA OF BENIN OVER ATTACK FROM THE IJAW SETTLERS

RESPOND FROM THE IJAW YOUTH COUNCIL (IYC) EDO STATE CHAPTER, OLODIAMA CLAN. A VERY SERIOUS WARNING.

WE JUST WANT TO PUT THE RECORDS STRAIGHT IN RESPONDING TO THE ABOVE BASELESS PUBLICATION OR PRESS STATEMENT THAT WAS MADE BY OBAZUWA COMMUNITY. I THINK WE SHOULD MAKE IT CLEAR TO THIS SO CALLED OBAZUWA COMMUNITY AND THAT OF CULTIST UGBO FOR THE OUTER WORLD TO ALSO BEAR US WITNESS THAT, THE IJAW YOUTH COUNCIL (IYC) EDO STATE CHAPTER, OLODIAMA CLAN, HEREBY CLEARLY STATED AS FOLLOWS :

WE THE GOOD AND PEACE LOVING PEOPLE OF IKORO COMMUNITY EXISTING IN IKORO, FARMING, HUNTING AND FISHING ON THOSE LANDS EVEN BEFORE THE EXISTENCE OF THIS SO CALLED OBAZUWA COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A LOT OF EVIDENCES TO BACK UP ALL THIS FACTS. NOW THESE ARE THE FACTS. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN NIGERIA WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE YEAR 1880 IN IKORO COMMUNITY WHILE IKORO PRIMARY SCHOOL, IKORO WAS FOUNDED IN THE YEAR 1917. THE PEOPLE OF OBAZUWA COMMUNITY WAS BROUGHT HERE BY LATE CHIEF EZOMO TO FARM FOR HIS MOTHER SO THAT THERE WILL BE ENOUGH FOOD IN HIS PALACE, AND THAT WAS AROUND 1946. THE EVIDENCES ARE THERE TO SHOW. EVEN MOST PEOPLE THAT ARE CLAIMING OBAZUWA COMMUNITY INDEGENES TODAY ARE FROM URHOBO, AGBOR, CALABAR AND YORUBA. LIKE THEIR ODIONWEI WHO IS FROM ADO EKITI PATERNALLY AND AGBEDE MATERNALLY.

BUT THE IJAWS OF IKORO COMMUNITY HAS BEEN ON THIS LAND SINCE EXISTENCE, EVEN OUR GREAT, GREAT, GREAT GRAND FATHERS LIVE IN THIS LAND BEFORE THEIR DEATH AND THEY WERE BURIED IN THIS SAME LAND. I DARE OBAZUWA PEOPLE WHO ARE CLAIMING THE REAL SETTLERS IN OUR LAND TO SHOW US WHERE THEIR GREAT, GREAT, GREAT GRAND FATHER'S GRAVE IN OBAZUWA.

WE THE IJAWS BEING PEACE LOVING PEOPLE ACOMODATING THE OBAZUWA PEOPLE ON OUR LAND BECAUSE THE LAW DID NOT PERMIT  US TO CHASE  ANYBODY AWAY IN A PARTICULAR PLACE OR LAND THAT THEY HAVE SETTLED IN FOR OVER TEN YEARS. THAT IS THE MAJOR REASON WHY THIS SO CALLED OBAZUWA PEOPLE ARE STILL SETTLING IN OUR LAND UP TO THIS MOMENT.

NOW IN REGARDS TO THE FALSE ALLIGATION LEVELED AGAINST US (IKORO YOUTHS) THAT THE YOUTHS OF IKORO COMMUNITY CAME TO ATTACK THEM IN OBAZUWA WITH GUNS, CUTLASSES AND OTHER WEAPONS. I LAUGH AT THEM BECAUSE THAT IS THEIR USUAL WAY OF LIES JUST TO GET SYMPATHY FROM THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. AT THIS JUNCTURE, I THINK I SHOULD DRAW THE ATTENTION OF THE PEOPLE BACK TO THE PREVIOUS ATTACK THAT OBAZUWA PEOPLE ATTACK OUR BROTHERS FEW MONTHS AGO. I CAME ON FACEBOOK TO LET THE OUTER WORLD KNOW WHAT OBAZUWA PEOPLE DID TO SOME OF OUR IJAW YOUTHS (IKORO) ON THEIR WAY TO BENIN CITY WHERE OBAZUWA PEOPLE ATTACKED THEM WITH CUTLASSES AND OTHER DANGEROUS WEAPONS. THEY BRUTALLY INJURED THEM TO THE POINT OF DEATH. THE VICTIMS OF THE ATTACK SPENT SEVERAL DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL BEFORE THEY RECOVERED. MIND YOU, WE HAVE EVIDENCE ON ALL THIS, BOTH THE HOSPITAL REPORT AND THE POLICE REPORT ON THIS AND NONE OF THE IKORO YOUTHS, I REPEAT NONE OF THE IKORO YOUTHS WENT TO THEIR COMMUNITY OR ATTACK ANY OF THE OBAZUWA PEOPLE FOR A REVENGE. EVEN WHEN THE POLICE TRY TO CALL THIS CALL OBAZUWA REGARDS TO THIS CASE, THEY REFUSED TO HONOUR THE POLICE INVITATION. AND SOME TIME AGO, THIS SO CALLED OBAZUWA PEOPLE WAKE UP ONE MORNING TO BLOCK THE ONLY ACCESS ROAD THAT LEAD TO OUR COMMUNITY AND THE CITY WITHOUT NO REASON. IT WAS THE INTERVENTION OF POLICE AND DSS THAT LEAD TO THE UNBLOCK OF THE ROAD THAT PERIOD AND THERE ARE ALSO EVIDENCES TO THAT EFFECT. SO IF THIS PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT ATTACK, IT LOOK AS IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE SAYING OR DOING. MAY BE THEY DON'T KNOW THE MEANING OF THE WORD ATTACK, BECAUSE THIS SO CALLED OBAZUWA PEOPLE LIVE CONFORTABLE IN THEIR HOUSES, FARM ON OUR LAND WITHOUT ANY ATTACK OR ANY FORM OF OPPRESSION FROM THE IJAWS. IF WHAT AM SAYING IS FALSE, I CHALLENGE THEM TO  PROVE MY CLAIMS WRONG TO THE PUBLIC. THIS SAME OBAZUWA PEOPLE HAVE HELD SEVERAL MEETINGS NEGOTIATING AND OPEN AN ACCOUNT TO  COLLECT MILLIONS OF NAIRA'S FROM THE LAND DEVELOPERS. YET THEY COULD COME TO THE PUBLIC TO DENY AND CLAIM IGNORANCE OF SALE OF ANY LAND. I DARE OBAZUWA PEOPLE TO CHALLENGE AND PROOF ME WRONG ON THIS. LET ME ALSO SHOCK THE WORLD WITH THIS, DUE TO OBAZUWA EVIL MIND, THEY ARE NOT AT PEACE WITH ALL THEIR NEIGHBOURING COMMUNITIES AROUND THEM. EVIDENCE TO THIS FACT CAN ALSO BE CONFIRMED FROM EGBAN, EVOBLEKEP AND IGBOBI COMMUNITIES.

BASE ON THIS, WE THE IJAW YOUTH COUNCIL (IYC), EDO STATE CHAPTER, WANT TO USE THIS MEDIUM TO CALL ON ALL SECURITY APARATUS, ACROSS THE STATE, AND THE STATE GOVERNOR, MR.

GODWIN OBASEKI TO CALL THIS OBAZUWA PEOPLE TO ORDER, AND ONE CULTIST IGBO TO STOP TAGGING IJAW WITH BAD NAMES. WE ARE PEACE LOVING IJAW PEOPLE, WE DON'T TAKE WHAT DEOS NOT BELONG TO US. OUR LAND REMAIN OUR LAND, EVERYTHING ABOUT IJAW IS TRUTH BECAUSE  IJAW MEANS TRUTH. I WANT TO ALSO USE THIS MEDIUM TO PLEAD WITH THE EDO STATE GOVERNOR AND ALL SECURITY AGENCIES TO PLEASE HELP US TO TALK OR WARN ALL THE BINI COMMUNITIES TO PLS STAY CLEAR AWAY FROM EVERY IJAW COMMUNITIES OR LAND IN THE STATE. ENOUGH BECAUSE WE WILL NOT AND SHALL NOT TAKE IT LIKELY ANYMORE. THIS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PUSHING US TO THE WALL FOR LONG, WE ARE PATIENT OR CALM DEOS NOT MEAN WE DON'T KNOW OUR RIGHTS.

A WORD IS ENOUGH FOR THE WISE, HE THAT HAVE EAR LET HIM/HER HEAR.

SIGNED:

COMRADE SAM EBIWANA, CHAIRMAN IJAW YOUTHS COUNCIL (IYC) EDO STATE CHAPTER, OLODIAMA CLAN.

Delta 2023: Augoye Sets to Change the Narratives

Delta 2023: Augoye Sets to Change the  Narratives

Olokpa Nelson 

Members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta Central Senatorial District ( The Urhobos)  must defend what they stand for and the time is now.

However, in a bid to change the narratives, the good people of Delta Central must not be tired of agitating for what rightly belongs to them because  2023 is Sacrosanct.

Our people must stop the politics of self agrradazment, pull him down syndrome and should focus on the collective interest of the task ahead  as far as the gubernatorial race is concern.

Speaking comparatively, for the Delta Central to produce an  Urhobo governor under PDP come 2023,  unity, love, and steadfastness should be their watchword. 

In Delta State, the Urhobos  are  majority ethnic group by whatever criteria one determines their status. 

Similarly, the Okpe speaking clan of the Urhobo nation is the largest which compromises of two local governments; Okpe and Sapele  respectively.

In Nigeria, we share benefits, resources, appointment, etc, by a corrupt quota system, but no one can ignore excellence and no one can quarrel with success. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th positions or places can be distributed by quota or nepotism, but number one is reserved for the best.

The people of Okpe Kingdom have an obligation to be best in whatever they are involved. It is time for an Okpe man to be governor of Delta State.

Various interest groups accros the state and well meaning Deltans have unanimously endorsed the immediate past Delta Commissioner for works Chief James Augoye as the best man for the job.

 James Augoye also known as the" Agadagba of Okpe Kingdom", has also been described by many as the pride of not only Okpe Kingdom but the entire Urhobo nation. 

We therefore ureged  the good people of Delta State especially the PDP, party faithfuls, to do the needful and rally massive  support for him.

Chief James Augoye  has been tested and trusted, so we have no doubt whatsoever in our hearts that he will deliver and make Delta stronger.

INC Abuja Visit: We Are Still On Course, Says INC Spokesman Ezonebi, Calls for Support

INC Abuja Visit: We Are Still On Course, Says INC Spokesman Ezonebi, Calls for Support

My Fellow Ijaw Compatriots, home and abroad, I feel extremely obliged to briefly respond to the mixed reactions that trailed the recent INC’S visit (24/6/2021) to the President of FGN from many quarters including the leadership and representatives of our sister ethnic nationalities in and beyond the Niger-Delta region.

Many have applauded the NEC for taking our battle for resource, human and environmental justice, equity, fairness and self-actualization directly to the seat of the Nigerian government.  Others have castigated NEC and even labelled the NEC names. While many consider the motive and the content of the INC President’s, address as captivating and noble, they express displeasure over the timing, particularly at this auspicious time of our nationhood.

The NEC sincerely appreciate all shades of reactions on all sides of the divide because they demonstrate the high expectations from resulting from the huge sacrifices made by our people to resuscitate the INC and keep its ship afloat and focused after 8 years of seamlessness.

The NEC wish to take full responsibility for any error by omission or commission, action or inaction that has caused disaffection among our members.It is pertinent to emphasize that  there was no room for discussions and agreement on the issues raised by both teams (i.e. INC delegation and the Federal Government)

I wish to reassure the entire Ijaw nation that the IJAW CAUSE is still ON COURSE. 

To say the least, those who ingeniously intended to hijack the entire visitation process and turn it into a solidarity visit for purposes of derailing the IJAW CAUSE were disappointed. Rather than compromise our collective position on the Ijaw agenda, we in the midst of the circumstances we found ourselves were able to courageously speak truth to power. A feat well acknowledged by many Ijaw elders and traditional rulers. We have also received encomium from some ethnic organizations for speaking for the entire Niger-Delta and other minorities who suffers same deplorable fate as we do.

The gains and lessons learnt from this experience and exposure has made the necessity for an early convocation of the All Ijaw Summit more compelling and imperative. We want to reassure our fellow Ijaw compatriots that with the current efforts put in place, the summit would hold in the shortest possible time, and the INC NEC shall religiously abide by the decision and direction as resolved by the summit. We shall be guided by the summit recommendations and stand for and by what the Ijaws desire in the immediate, short and long term bases. We are also propelled to set up the various statutory committees of congress in addition to setting up the structures of the INC at the Community, Clan, Chapters and the NRC (at both zonal and the national levels). These committees and organs of congress shall perform their stipulated functions in the INC constitution and add enormous values to our operations and effectiveness.

 A follow up committee to consolidate on a few gains attained from the visit which include hosting the officials of the British Embassy in the Ijaw House in Yenagoa has also been set up

while we thank you for your continuous support and cooperation, we solicit your fervent prayers to enable us remain strong and focused and harmonize divergent opinions from the conservatives and revolutionists, partisan and non-partisan, selfish and selfless perspectives. 

Once more, the NEC appreciate you all for all your comments, understanding, support and prayers.

Together, we are stronger.

Thanks for your audience.

Sign:

Engr. Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha,

Publicity Secretary

Ijaw National Congress.