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Tag: Ijaw youths

  • IYC commends Seifa for releasing DSS detainees

    …Calls for his confirmation

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide on Tuesday applauded the Director-General of the Department of State Security ( DSS ), Mathew Seifa, for making good his promise to review cases and release detainees held in the agency without trials.

    IYC also called on the Presidency to confirm the appointment of Seifa and make him the substantive head of the DSS.

    The Nation reported exclusively that the DSS commenced a process of granting freedom to suspects detained for some years without trials in its facilities in Abuja.

    Seven of the suspects, who were arrested in 2016 in Bayelsa State, were brought to Yenagoa at the weekend.

    They were brought from the DSS Headquarters in Abuja to the office of the DSS in Yenagoa and released to their family members and friends, who milled around the agency’s office.

    Some of the suspects were seen shedding tears of joy in the warm embrace of their friends when they finally marched out of the DSS facility.

    The suspects looked unkempt with overgrown bears, rough skin and dirty clothes.

    One of them, who identified himself as Clinton Ohaigbofa, confirmed that suspects held without trial were being massively released across the country.

    Read Also: IYC, Ohanaeze youths back pro-restructuring candidates

    Clinton, who hails from Ebedebiri in Ogbia Local Government Area, attributed the development to the disposition of the new DSS boss.

    He said they were held in underground cells in Abuja for over two years, adding that they untold hardship.

    The IYC in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Alfred Kemepado, expressed satisfaction and comfort with the recent strides of Seifa describing him as a true democrat.

    Kemepado said the recent release of persons detained in the custody of the DSS without trial gave hope and value to democracy.

    He, however, urged Seifa to look into high profile cases detainees like that of El-zazaky, the leader of the Shiites in Nigeria and dispense fairness to all.

    He said: “IYC has spoken to colleagues from other ethnic nationalities and most have expressed their confidence that Mr. Seiyefa will tackle the humongous security challenges facing Nigeria today from Boko Haram to the herdsmen palava and to recent activities that threatens our democracy”.

    Kemepado thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Osibanjo for considering a competent son of the South of Nigeria to head the DSS.

    “This is positively contrary to our earlier beliefs that the President disrespected us. We want to appeal to President Buhari to confirm Seifa’s appointment as we are willing to work with him and others to sustain the peace in Nigeria and in the Niger Delta especially.

    “We call on all groups to continue to support Seiyefa with information and prayers for the overall good of all. The IYC appeals to Seiyefa not to yield to the antics of politicians but to uphold the values of his service and also uphold our growing democracy”, he said.

  • IYC to Defence Minister: Apologize for anti-open grazing comment

    Ijaw youths on Thursday asked the Defence Minister, Maj.-Gen Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd) to tender an apology for asking states currently enforcing the anti-open grazing laws to stop their enforcement.

    The youths under the auspices of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide,  aligned themselves with the resolution of the National Assembly directing the minister to withdraw the statement immediately.

    Secretary General of the IYC, Mr Alfred Kemepado, in a statement in Yenagoa, described the position of the National Assembly as courageous.

    Kemepado insisted that state governments have the right to make laws for the good governance of their people without recourse to a federal minister.

    At present, the anti-open grazing law is being enforced in Benue, Ekiti and Taraba states, with Abia State passing its own version of the law.

    Kemepado said: ‘We want to specially thank the Nigerian Senate and the House of Representatives for the courage they have displayed in calling Dan-Ali, the Minister of Defence to order. These kinds of comments, only reflect a mind-set by some of our leaders who still think Nigeria is some kind of garrison.

    Read Also: Defence minister launches intelligence centre in Abuja

    “The Minister should be told in clear terms that by the dictates of the constitution, Nigeria is  still a federal system in which states can make laws for the good governance of their people.

    “Asking states to repeal the anti-grazing laws duly passed by their respective Houses of Assembly does not only smack of some level of arrogance, if not ignorance at that level, but also reveals the true state of mind of some of our leaders”.

    He insisted that Ijaw youths were gladdened by the resolution of the National Assembly, maintaining that the minister must apologise to Nigerians for such “insensitive and unacceptable” comments capable of worsening an already bad situation.

    “Our so-called leaders must weigh their pronouncements before uttering them to avoid adding fuel to an already raging fire. Asking states to rescind laws meant to protect their people who are butchered daily by herdsmen is like asking the head of a family to fold his hands while the family is being attacked”, the IYC said.

  • Ijaw youths warn against plot to destabilise Bayelsa

    Ijaw youths at the weekend vowed to resist plots by some politicians to destabilise Bayelsa State ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The youths said the politicization of the recent violence that unsettled Amassoma, a host community to the Niger Delta University (NDU) in Southern Ijaw, was an indication that some persons were promoting the crisis for political advantages.

    The Central Zone Chairman of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Mr. Tari Pori, said it was unfortunate that “unscrupulous elements” encouraged the bloodshed in Amassoma to score political points.

    Speaking in Yenagoa, Pori said: “What happened in Amassoma a few days ago was quite sad, very unfortunate and of course without a doubt, avoidable. For us as ijaw youths, there is no gainsaying that people score political goals while blood is being shed, no sane ijaw youth will pray for the death of another ijaw youth. 

    “The IYC is not happy with the way and manner in which some of our leaders are going about it. When there is crisis, the best form of resolving it in this world is dialogue. You cannot resolve crisis with violence and those who are fanning the embers of war and crisis should go and ask those who had tasted one. 

    “I call on all political leaders in Bayelsa state to come together and support government, Amassoma community, the NDU to make sure that all the crises are resolved, instead of instigating more crisis to the already crisised environment.

    Read Also: Ijaw youths support Dickson’s succession plan

    “So the IYC under our leadership is working very closely with the government of Bayelsa state, the Amassoma community and the school management to resolving all the crisis lingering in Niger Delta university and that of Amassoma community”.

    Pori said the IYC was founded to defend and protect the rights of Ijaw people and thanked Governor Seriake Dickson, traditional rulers and other stakeholders for their inputs in resolving the crisis.

    He lamented that persons instigating the crisis sent their children to the best universities abroad and were only interested in playing politics with the blood of the youths.

    “We are very pained that this is a matter that could have been resolved through dialogue but a lot of people were fanning the embers of crisis and look at where it has led us to. 

    “The crisis in Amassoma is avoidable but unfortunately a lot of people are still writing on Facebook and other social media, politicians who are interested in the internet, causing crisis, who derive pleasure when there is crisis in ijaw land. 

    “We are begging them to join the IYC, join Amassoma community, the governor and the government of Bayelsa state, with a view to resolving the crisis instead of calling for war.

     “All our leaders who are interested in using other people’s blood to make money and gain cheap political popularity, we are warning them to desist from it because ijaw youths are not cowards and we will not allow any politician in Bayelsa to deceive ijaw youths”, he said.

    Pori sympathized with the families of the slain youths and appealed to all stakeholders to work against recurrence of such violence.

    He said: “For the umpteenth time let us again warn, all those ijaw leaders across the Ijaw nation, from Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa-ibom and Abuja, Lagos who are only interested in promoting crisis in Bayelsa state to should stop. 

    “Those who cannot even raise their heads in their states when there are issues should stop because the IYC central zone will not tolerate them. The ijaw leaders who are interested in promoting peace and tranquility, we commend you, ijaw youths will stand with you anyday anytime  but those who are interested in promoting crisis, don’t forget we serve a God who is fair to all. 

    “We call on all ijaw leaders to come together and rally round the governor and other well meaning ijaw leaders in order to promote ijaw national interest because in the end, it is the young people that are still suffering. 

    “Those who have used our common patrimony, our common wealth to make monies and wealth, to send their children abroad, who are interested in promoting crisis we appeal to you to please desist”.

  • Why we passed confidence vote on Dickson, by Ijaw youths

    The just-concluded congress of the Ijaw youths at Oyakiri Clan, Aleibiri in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, came as a surprise to many people. Most people had expected to hear sounds of gunshots. They wanted to read tales of violence and bloodshed which used to characterise such

    gatherings of youths.

    But such sordid narrative did not emerge during the congress. Hundreds of the Ijaw youths, who travelled to Aleibiri on different vehicles remained peaceful throughout the exercise. Without objections, they adhered strictly to the instructions given to them by their leader and Central Zone Chairman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Mr. Tare Porri.

    Porri commanded the respect of the youth. He showed understanding but remained firm and decisive.

    Coordinating Ijaw youths in any programme is not a tea party. It requires high level of tact, strength and power. It is not a job for a gentle and soft-spoken person. The leader must shout most of the times. Porri exhibited all these.

    Why Aleibiri? The riverside community is many kilometres away from Yenagoa. Porri hails from the community. It is the first time in the history of Bayelsa that people can travel by road to the community. Hitherto, it could only be accessed by water transport amid constant attacks by pirates and sea robbers, including rampant boat mishaps.

    But vehicles can now get to Aleibiri. Governor Seriake Dickson made it possible through the construction of the Western Senatorial Road. The road, which is supposed to terminate at Agge, was on a drawing board for over 50 years. People had lost hope that it could never be constructed.

    But Dickson proved them wrong. He took the difficult terrain, bulldozing forest and sand-filling mangroves to Aleibiri, a community in Ekeremor. Though the asphalt has not been laid, the road is good enough for all kinds of vehicles to ply.

    Perhaps, Porri wanted the youth to see what their governor had done. Indeed, most of the youth stood in awe and in reverence to their governor when they drove through the road. Little wonder it was easy for them to pass a confidence vote on Dickson as part of their resolutions at the congress.

    It was a stormy deliberation. But the confidence vote was unanimous and resounding with voice votes. Porri, who emerged after hours of deliberations, said the youth, on their own, included the confidence vote in the agenda. He said they were surprised at the progress of the Sagbama-Ekeremor-Agge Road, adding that it was unbelievable that vehicles could get to Aleibiri by road.

    He said they were convinced that the governor had performed beyond expectations.

    “What he needs is our support and that is what we have assured him. We will work with him to ensure that this state doesn’t return to that era when people cornered all the resources, shared them among themselves without doing anything about development”, he said.

    Porri was flanked by some senior members of the zonal IYC. The youth leaders present at the congress were the Chairman, Bayelsa Volunteers, Prince Douye Koroye; IYC Secretary-General, Alfred Kemepado and former IYC Spokesman, Jeremaiah Owoupele.

    He said: “A governor had challenges of recession that was the worst in the history of the country; political attacks that took him to the Supreme Court where he emerged victorious and over-bloated wage bill, yet he prioritised development. He took up such massive projects. That’s Governor Dickson for you. We are proud of him.

    “The governor has well so much so that the entire youths of the Ijaw nation are behind him. For the first time in the history of the Nigerian state and that of the Ijaw nation, the road conceived over 56 years ago that we hitherto felt was impossible, the governor of Bayelsa State is constructing and taking it to Agge.

    “Today, the road has gotten to the venue of this congress. It, therefore, means that the governor meant well for the Ijaw nation and we resolved that, in order to further encourage the governor, there is need for us to stand by him”.

    Besides the Ekeremor Road, he said Dickson was also constructing a road to Oporoma and undertaking other massive projects despite the recession. He asked the Federal Government to support the efforts of the governor by assisting the state to complete some of the road projects in Bayelsa where it had been taking crude oil for many years.

    He said Dickson, who he referred to as the Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation, created opportunities for the youth. He said the governor appointed many youths into his government, adding that those who attended the congress were impressed at the number representing them in Dickson’s cabinet.

    Porri said Dickson also formulated policies to create job opportunities for the youth, even as he called on the youth to take advantage of the opportunities.

    On other national issues affecting the Ijaw people, especially the much-talked about restructuring, the youth said they decided to back the governor’s position. Reiterating his position, he they resolved that the 2019 election would be a referendum on restructuring.

    Therefore, Porri said Ijaw youths would shoot down the 2019 presidential aspirations of candidates opposed to restructuring. He advised such candidates not to campaign on Ijaw soil.

    Porri said: “In the congress, issues arising from the 2019 general elections were raised, and Ijaw youths unanimously resolved that we are standing with our governor, who is the Governor-General of the Ijaw nation and that of the leaders of the Ijaw extraction.

    “We have concluded that the 2019 general elections should be a referendum on restructuring. Any presidential candidate must first and foremost realise that Ijaw people will not support any candidate unless that candidate believes in restructuring.”

    Furthermore, the youth said they were not happy at the way Ijaw people were being treated in the oil and gas sector. They dismissed the controversies surrounding the Malabu Oil deal, saying it was persecution against the Ijaw. After deliberating on the matter, they threw their weight behind Dan Etete.

    Stating their position on the matter, Porri said: “The Federal Government should stop persecuting Ijaw people who are in the oil and gas sector and any further attempt to silence the Ijaw people in the oil and gas industry, Ijaw youths will make sure that they don’t take oil from our environment.”

    Also speaking, Koroye said the youth were proud of how the governor had conducted the national affairs of the Ijaw people, especially his uncompromising position on restructuring.

    He insisted that only presidential candidates, whose manifestoes are in line with Dickson’s position on restructuring, would be supported in 2019.

    “He has shown leadership capacity and it is only natural for us to support him. Restructuring is in the best interest of not just the Ijaw people but also the entire country. We will only support candidates with such agenda”, he said.

  • Ijaw youths support Dickson’s succession plan

    •Governor swears in aides

    Ijaw youths have backed Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson’s search for a successor.

    Dickson, who hinted that he is searching for a successor, said God would raise a team to take over after him.

    Hundreds of Ijaw youths, who gathered for a congress at Oyakiri, Aleibiri in Ekeremor, said the governor deserved their support.

    Youths, under the auspices of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Central Zone, said Dickson performed beyond expectations; they lauded him for building the road to Ekeremor, a feat believed impossible.

    The Chairman, Tare Porri, said: “Governor Seriake Dickson has done so excellently well that the Ijaw youths are standing behind him. For the first time in the history of the state and the Ijaw nation, the road conceived over 56 years ago, that we hitherto felt was impossible, the governor of is building and taking it to Agge.

    “The road has got to the venue of this congress. It, therefore, means that the governor means well for the Ijaw nation, and so we resolved that to further encourage him, we need to support him.”

    Besides Ekeremor road, he added that Dickson is building a road to Oporoma and undertaking other projects despite funding challenges.

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday swore in Mr. Guy Murray-Bruce as Special Adviser, Entertainment and Tourism Development.

    He urged Bruce to leverage on the conducive environment created by the Restoration Government to turn the state into an entertainment and tourism hub. He is also to ensure that all major events in the country hold in Bayelsa State.

    A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, added that Chief Sunday Omekwe, Andy Obed, Comrade Bobolayefa Owoupele, Ayiba Duba and Chief Netus Zebakeme were also sworn in as Special Advisers.

    A former commissioner and immediate past Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Board, Benadoumene Dein, also took his oath of office as Chairman, Bayelsa State House of Assembly Service Commission. He was replaced by Dr. Asiam Blessing Ikuru.

    The governor also inaugurated Mrs. Biboye Ogola as Director-General, Inspectorate and Special Education, while Pius Jonah was appointed as Chairman, SUBEB.

    Foremost Youth Leader, Mr. Oyinkuro Lucky Asanakpo, was sworn in as Chairman, Bayelsa State Volunteer, while Mr. Tony Ekisah was sworn in as Chairman, Education Safety Corps.

  • Ijaw youths urge Buhari to probe Maina’s claims

    Ijaw youths urge Buhari to probe Maina’s claims

    Ijaw youths on Wednesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to establish a national judicial commission of inquiry to probe all the allegations made by the former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina.

    The youths under the auspices of the Eric Omare-led Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, said the commission to be headed by a retired judge should among other things determine the veracity or otherwise of Maina’s allegations including the amount of money recovered so far and how it was expended.

    Omare, in a statement in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, argued that such commission had become imperative following Maina’s allegations linking top presidential aides to the fraud.

    He said the administration which is anchored on the war against corruption, should be bothered that Maina accused top aides of President Buhari of diverting recovered loots.

    Insisting that the allegations should not be swept under the carpet, Omare said Maina had succeeded in creating an impression that pension fraudsters were also part of Buhari’s government.

    He said: “The IYC is of the view that these allegations are grave, serious and should not be swept under the carpet under any circumstances. It seems from the allegations by Maina that top officials of the Buhari administration are looting recovered stolen funds with lorry on a daily basis.

    “In order for the federal government to justify its anti-corruption crusade, it must get to the root of the allegations. Hence, the IYC is of the view that a National Judicial Commission of Inquiry to be headed by a retired judge with impeccable character be set up.”

    Omare further called on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to step aside in the interest of the anti-graft war following his alleged involvement in the reinstatement of Maina.

    He said: “Mr. Malami cannot continue to function as the Chief Law Officer of Nigeria in the midst of the allegations of complicity in the controversial reinstatement of Maina and the possible conversion or looting of recovered loots.

    “The only way the anti-corruption crusade of the present administration can be taken serious is for Mr. Malami to step aside like the former Secretary to Government of the Federation while investigations are ongoing and all those involved in the looting of recovered funds brought to justice.”

    END.

  • Ijaw youths reject FG’s proposal on modular refineries

    Ijaw youths on Wednesday rejected the Federal Government’s proposal on the establishment of modular refineries in Niger Delta.

    The youths under the aegis of Mr. Oweilaemi Pereotubo-led Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, said allowing only two refineries in each state would not stop oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

    Speaking at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Pereotubo appealed to the government to relax its preconditions for securing refinery licenses in the region.

    He said the terms listed by the federal government were capable of taking the establishment of the refineries beyond the reach of Niger Delta people.

    Flanked by members of his executive council, the IYC boss insisted that two modular refineries per state were “grossly inadequate” and would not stop illegal oil bunkering.

    He also argued that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s statement that the Niger Delta states would “host” the refineries was laced with ambiguities.

    He said the word “host” was synonymous with the current realities in rural communities where oil blocs were allocated to non-indigenes to the detriment of their hosts.

    “I am not aware that we have up to two Ijaw sons with oil blocs, yet we have oil. People who own them do not know the colour of crude oil. The federal government must give Niger Delta people oil blocs,” he said.

    He declared that the government must ensure that modular refineries were owned, managed and operated by Niger Delta people.

     

     

     

  • N’Delta: youths knock Ijaw elders for withdrawing ultimatum

    N’Delta: youths knock Ijaw elders for withdrawing ultimatum

    …Warn militants against resumption of hostilities

     

    Ijaw youths, Saturday, faulted their elders and members of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) for their decision to withdraw an ultimatum they earlier have to the Federal Government to resume dialogue with them.

    The youths under the auspices of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide also warned militants groups against resuming hostilities in the region.

    The Eric Omare-led IYC, in a statement, insisted that dialogue and not hostilities remained the best approach to resolving knotty issues of development in the region.

    “We call on militant groups in the Niger Delta region threatening renewed hostilities to exercise restraint to still give room for peaceful resolution of the Niger Delta question.

    “It is the inconsistent posture and lack of sincerity on the part of the Federal Government towards resolving the issues that has led to agitators running out of patience and threatening to resume hostilities. However, we strongly believe that dialogue remains the best option towards resolving the issues”.

    Omare, however, said it was hasty for members of PANDEF led by the King Alfred Diete-Spiff to have withdrawn their ultimatum after meeting with the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo.

    He said the IYC believed that mere promise of dialogue and briefing on progress made with PANDEF’s 16-point demand by the government was not enough for the elders to call off their ultimatum.

    He said the only dialogue that would solve the problems of the region permanently must be centered around restructuring to allow the region control its resources.

    He said: “As far as the IYC is concerned the key issue that the federal government needs to dialogue with the Niger Delta people is the question of restructuring with a view to achieving fiscal federalism and resource control.

    “The other issues on the PANDEF 16 points demand does not require a dialogue team between the federal government and the Niger Delta people because they are routine government responsibilities.

    “Our demand for dialogue with the federal government is to primarily address the resource ownership and control question which underpins the Niger Delta struggle over the years.

    “It is only a resolution of the resource ownership question which gives the communities a stake in the natural resources found in their land that would lead to permanent peace in the Niger Delta region.

    “The other issues on the PANDEF 16 point agenda such as take-off of academic activities at the Martime University, construction of East West Road, funding of NDDC, Amnesty programme, Ogoni clean up, etc are only palliatives but not the root cause of the Niger Delta agitation.

    “Therefore, any dialogue between the federal government and the Niger Delta people must be geared toward resolving the resource ownership and control question.

    “We make bold to say that no amount of meeting between federal government and Niger Delta leaders would bring permanent peace to the region without addressing restructuring and the resource ownership question”.

     

  • Ijaw youths to militants:  Give Buhari a chance

    Ijaw youths to militants:  Give Buhari a chance

    …Youths hail President for seeking more funds for amnesty office
    Ijaw youths, Wednesday, urged militants operating in the Niger Delta region to sheathe their swords and allow President Muhammadu Buhari to implement his developmental projects in the region.

    The youths under the aegis of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, said they were excited at the recent letter the President sent to the National Assembly seeking more funding for the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

    Speaking in Yenagoa, the state capital, the President of IYC, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, said the request for more funds for the Amnesty Office portrayed Buhari a listening President.

    Eradiri said though the action of the President came later than expected, it would go a long way to calm the frayed nerves in the region adding that it was in conformity with the position of IYC.

    He advised the President to show similar commitment in improving the lots of other institutions created to develop the region such as the Niger Delta Ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    He said: “The President just sent a letter to the National Assembly requesting for more funds especially to support the amnesty programme. The breakdown of law and order in the Niger Delta is largely attributed to shortage of funding to the office.

    “We want to commend Mr. President and thank him because once we have this kind of commitment, Niger Delta question will be resolved. We look forward to doing everything possible on our part to ensure that there is peace.

    “We are appealing to the President to in the same spirits look into the Niger Delta Ministry as well as funds that are owed NDDC”.

    Eradiri further asked the President to activate his anti-corruption drive in the monitoring and tracking funds allocated to Niger Delta interventionist agencies.

    Apart from ensuring discipline in the usage of allocated funds, he said Buhari should ensure that the funds were managed by people who understood the issues and problems in the region.

    He said: “We want to also state that while approving funds to institutions like this, the anti-corruption drive must be activated to ensure that the institutions live up to expectation to ensure that funds are not diverted.

    “Those in the position to manage the amnesty office and other institutions addressing the issues of the region must be people who have knowledge of the issues. If he doesn’t have the right people to address the issues, even the funding will be misplaced”.

    While asking militants to give the president a chance, he said: “Yes, the militants should give the government a chance. But the government needs to be proactive and not falling into this stereotype attitude.

    “The President may be doing the right thing but when there is delay, his body language may be misinterpreted. Like if this current step of the President had come earlier and other steps we expect like pronouncing the resumption of the maritime university, l don’t see any sane agitator going against him.

    “The President has taken an action. But did we have to lose all these lives, economy and all the constraints and emotional crisis before such a letter should be transmitted.

    “Sometimes when you do something late, it has repercussions. If the actions Mr. President is taking now had been taken earlier, we wouldn’t have gotten to this point where the economy will be lying prostrate. We need more proaactive steps from the President”.

    To ensure general peace in the country, Eradiri further advised the President to extend Olive branches to other parts of the country and ethnic nationalities causing distractions for him.

    He suggested that Buhari should look into the issues of the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Shia Muslim cleric, Ibrahim Zakzaky to ensure total reconciliation and peace in the country.

    “We want to commend Mr.President for the bold steps; he should extend it to other parts of the country. He should make decision that will bring everybody to the roundtable.

    “The issue of El Zakzaky, the IPOB leader and other issues that are creating more divisions and distractions for the President should be looked into in the spirits of reconciliation.

    “He had negotiated with Book Haram. He is negotiating with the Niger Delta. He should extend the Olive branch to other facets of the polity creating distractions for him. We desire him to succeed because if he does, Nigeria will succeed. If he fails, all of us will fail”, he said.

  • Warri crisis: Ijaw youths urge Olu to restrain Itsekiri youths

    Warri crisis: Ijaw youths urge Olu to restrain Itsekiri youths

    Ijaw youths, under the aegis of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and Ogbe-Ijoh Clan Youth Council (OCYC), have urged the Olu of Warri to caution Itsekiri youths against worsening the communal conflict arising from the ownership of Ogbe-Ijoh Market in Warri South Local Government Area.

    The inter-ethnic relationship among youths of the three mjor ethnic groups in Warri – the Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri – has worsened because of the ownership claims to the market among them.

    The National President of the Itsekiri National Youths Council (INYC), Agbaterinero Weyinmi, said the market belonged to the Itsekiri.

    At a recent media briefing in Warri, the INYC leader urged the Delta State Government to intervene in the inter-ethnic misunderstanding over the ownership and control of the market.

    He said the Agbasa (Urhobo) and Ogbe-Ijoh (Ijaw) youths, who had contested the claim, were trespassers.

    But a statement yesterday in Warri, Delta State, yesterday, Chairman of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Clan’s youths in IYC, Smart Okosu and Ogbe-Ijoh Clan Youth Council President Edwin Aken, noted that Weyinmi’s alleged statement could further dampen the frosty relationship among Warri youths.

    Ogbe-Ijoh youths, who presented documents to prove their clan’s ownership of the part of Warri town where the disputed market is located, noted that the Itsekiri youths’ claim could compound the negative tribal sentiments in the town.

    The statement said: “In the first place, contrary to the report, the Ogbe-Ijoh territory is in Warri South Local Government Area and Warri South West Local Government Area. While the traditional headquarters of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom is also the administrative headquarters of Warri South West Local Government Area, the part of Ogbe-Ijoh, including the Ogbe-Ijoh Market, from where the township Warri was established, is in Warri South Local Government Area.

    “This fact is recognised in several legal instruments, including the instrument establishing The Delta State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict of 1999, which gazetted the Amakosu (Pere) of Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South Local Government Area, the Warri Urban District Council, WRLN 177 of 1955, where Ogbe-Ijoh areas were represented as Alders Town B3, Ogbe-Ijoh C1, C2 and Government Area F1 in Warri township, The Chiefs Laws, Cap 19 of 1957 of the former Western Region, later Cap 37 of 1977, says the Olu is the prescribed authority of the Itsekiri in Warri, excluding the territories of Ogbe-Ijoh, Gbaramatu and Egbema.

    “It is simple logic that the paramount ruler of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom could not have been recognised and gazetted as a traditional ruler in Warri South Local Government Area if Ogbe-Ijoh people and territory were not part of Warri South Local Government Area. Those claiming to the contrary are simply ignorant of the history and geography of Warri township.”

    “We call on the Itsekiri paramount ruler to prevail on the likes of Weyinmi not to remind us of our no-good distant past as the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom Youth Council will not tolerate irresponsible and careless statement that is capably of undermining the prevailing peace in Warri.

    “We also use this medium to appeal to the Delta State Government to complete the Ogbe-Ijoh Market to avoid the persistent problems arising from the management of the market.

    “Warri today has lost its glory because of ethnic rivalry and illegal land-grabbing tendencies. It is better for all ethnic groups to respect each other and live as one instead of embarking on daylight frivolous claims and creating unnecessary tension. It is our collective responsibility to make Warri great again through unity and togetherness.”