The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ilaje

  • INEC declares PDP winner in Ilaje

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday upheld the verdict of the returning officers for the April 11 House of Assembly elections for Ilaje one and two constituencies, which declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates winners.

    INEC, through the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Segun Agbaje, had earlier declared the election inconclusive based on reports from a returning officer, who said he was forced to declare the result under threat.

    A statement by Agbaje said the commission will declare the PDP candidates- Abayomi Akinruntan (Ilaje 1) and Malachi Coker (Ilaje II)- winners of the election .

    He advised those not satisfied with the outcome of the election to seek redress at the appropriate quarters.

    With this declaration, the PDP has 21 seats and the APC five.

  • Beauty of Ilaje culture

    Beauty of Ilaje culture

    Ilaje students in higher institutions have marked their Cultural Day in Igbokoda, Ondo State, TAIWO ADEBULU reports.

    It was a feast of culture and  home-coming for Ilaje students in higher institutions. They converged on Igbokoda in Ondo State to mark their yearly Cultural Day last weekend. Igbokoda, a riverine and oil-producing community, is the cultural capital of the Ilaje.

    The students under the auspices of the National Association of Ilaje Students (NAIS) were clad in Ilaje traditional attires. They marched in a carnival-like procession to Ilaje High School, where the event was held.

    The students adopted their local dialect for communication during the event, which was declared open by the AB World Life of Kegite Club International, Chief Taiwo Odidiomo, after the recitation of Ilaje anthem.

    NAIS President Victor Adeya, a 300-Level Quantity Surveying student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), hailed the organising committee led by ThankGod Okorisa, for floating what he described as the best event the association would hold in recent times.

    Victor said the event was successful despite the financial challenges facing the association. He lauded members’ enthusiasm to attend the event en masse despite their displeasure with the Ondo State government, which he said did not pay bursary to students from oil-producing areas.

    Victor said: “Our cultural day is a tradition we observe every year. It is a home-coming event for Ilaje youths, which give us opportunity to brainstorm on ways of improving our lives and our oil-rich communities. At this time, we must tell our members and the youth living in Ilaje to imbibe good values and become partners in the growth of our communities. We must not allow politics to divide us. This orientation is necessary, so that our youths will not become tools in the hands of people seeking political offices.”

    The chairman of the event, Mr Henry Ojagbohunmi, an on-air-personality with Breeze FM in Akure, decried indiscipline and greed among students, noting that the youth now embrace virtues society frown at. He said he was dissatisfied with the way some students go about, collecting money from politicians under a dishonest guise of student struggle.

    At the end, Ojagbohunmi said the money would not be channeled on the right course. He urged the students to be ambassador of truth and advised to be tolerant in moving the association forward.

    The highlight of the event was the presentation of Biripo dance by the cultural troupe of the association. The dance step is an ageless tradition of the Ilaje people.

    A youth leader, Olabode Omoyoloye, urged the students to be honest and promote the values of the ethnic group. He told the students to remember that everything they do would be part of their credentials for leadership positions in the future.

    Reacting to an allegation from a student that he embezzled more than N250,000 when he was the Ekiti State coordinator of Niger Delta Students Union Government (NIDSUG) in 2011, Omoyoloye said: “I did not embezzle any money. It was a former coordinator of the union, who could not account for the money given to the union when he handing over, resorted to blackmail me because of our differences. It was just an attempt to assassinate my character.”

    Kolade Akinjo, Special Assistant on Youth and Students’ Matters to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, condemned the prolonged blackout in Ilaje communities and urging the students to take up the challenges on behalf of the people in Ilaje to draw the government’s attention to their plight. Akinjo, who said he would mobilised the youth against injustice, said his intention was to make his doors open to students and youths in the community to chart a new course for the development of Ilaje community.

     

  • Police ‘attack’ protesting Ilaje students

    Police ‘attack’ protesting Ilaje students

    Igbokoda community in Ondo State woke up to the fury of students, who took to the streets protesting what they called protracted blackout in the community.

    The protesters, under the aegis of National Association of Ilaje Students (NAIS), said for six years Igbokoda, an oil-producing community and headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, had no power supply.

    But, riot policemen attacked the students, leaving one of them shot in the leg.

    The students, who came from different higher institutions, held a procession on a major road in the community, carrying placards with the inscriptions, such as “Bring Back Our Light”, “Let there be light in Ilaje” and “We are living in darkness and we need help”.

    The aggrieved students marched on the local government secretariat. But, no official came out to address them.

    They moved to the office of the Ondo State Oil ProducingArea Commission (OSOPADEC) but they were rebuffed by the security personnel, who shut the gates. The protesters, then, moved to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), where they were attacked by the policemen attached to the Igbokoda Police Station. The officers shot to disperse the protesters.

    In the melee, Ibukun Obayelu, a student of University of Benin (UNIBEN), was hit by a bullet. He collapsed on the road. He was rushed to the General Hospital.

    CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the students had the police permit to hold the protest. It was learnt that the police arrested the association’s leaders, including the President, Victor Adeya, a 300-Level Quantity Surveying student of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Busayo Ebiniyi, a Business Administration student of Kwara State Polytechnic (KWARA POLY) and Olanrewaju Oretan, a Biochemistry student of University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

    They have, however, been released. But the students vowed to continue with the protest until electricity is restored to the community.

    Victor said: “It is sad that Ilaje Local Government, which is an oil-producing area, is lagging behind in development. How can the area be without electricity for six years? Most of these political and traditional leaders do not live among the people, who are suffering it. We are tired of this marginalisation. As the student body in Ilaje, we won’t relent until something is done.”

    One of the protesters, ThankGod Okorisa, a student of National Open University in Akure, berated political leaders in the community for neglecting the people. He said: “Our leaders are not interested in the development of Ilaje community. Our traditional leaders are well known in the country, yet their local government has been in darkness for over six years.”

    An elder in the community, who spoke in anonymity, said the protest reflected the anger of the people living in the community over the “massive underdevelopment” Ilaje area was witnessing.

    He said the community people were in support of the protest by the students. “I salute the students’courage to speak out on what many of us are afraid to do in the past six years,” he added.

    The students gave the government up to December 20 to restore electricity in the community, threatening to disrupt elections in the area if the government failed to accede to their request.

     

  • Ilaje monarchs in leadership tussle

    The traditional council of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State has been engulfed in leadership crisis as some monarchs in the oil-rich communities have disowned the secretary of the council, Oba Obafemi Ogbaro.

    A statement signed by six of the monarchs said they were all members of the same council but denied that Ogbaro, who is also the Odoka of Obe-Ogbaro was their secretary.

    The signatories to the statement included the Olubo of Obenla, Oba Andrew Ikuesan, Alagho of Odo-nla, Oba Elias Ikuomola, the Olikan of Etikan, Oba Adedoyin Oyetakin, Odede of Igbo-Igunrin, Oba Philip Kalejaye, Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo and the Molokun of Atijere, Oba Adeoye Edema.

    Reacting to the development, Ogbaro said the argument of the monarchs was null and void as the issue of secretary of Ilaje Traditional Council has been concluded.

    He said the posts of chairman and secretary rotates between Ugbo and other kingdoms in Ilaje, adding that the Amapetu of Mahin, Oba Lawrence Omowole from Mahin land is currently the chairman.

    He said he was appointed by the two paramount rulers in Ilaje, the Amapetu and the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, who were never signatories to the statement.

    Ogbaro said Alagbo had served as the secretary of the council for three terms, adding that Olugbo nominated him during one of the meetings of the council.

    He, however, said the new chairman, the Amapetu decided to pick the secretary to work with him, adding that this would soon be settled.

    Ogbaro said: “The action of the monarchs does not hold water. The document that we send to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was signed by the Amapetu as chairman, Olugbo as a paramount ruler and myself as the secretary and the two paramount rulers never disclaimed me, the people are only aggrieved.

    “Why are they discrediting me for saying that the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) and Mr. Governor are doing fine. It means some of them have been bought over to discredit me. We never held any meeting where it was agreed that I should be discredited. The document they are branding about doesn’t have any basis since the two paramount rulers did not sign.”

    However, the statement by the monarchs said whatever opinion expressed by Ogbaro on behalf of the council in any publication did not represent their views.

    The monarchs said: “The secretary of the Ilaje Traditional Council is His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba Elias Ikuomola the Alagho of Odonla. The Chairman is His Imperial Majesty, Oba L. A. A. Omowole the Amapetu of Mahin.”

  • Ilaje- Lagos road contract gets boost

    Three roads contracts in Ondo South Senatorial District of Ondo State have received a boost, following the intervention of the senator representing the district, Boluwaji  Kunlere.

    It was gathered that the contract for the design of the network road linking Ilaje to Lagos State has been awarded by the Federal Government.

    The contract was awarded at N17,416,584 and listed on page 838 of the 2014 budget.

    A statement by Kunlere’s media aide, Kudaisi Sunday, said the award of the contract was sequel to the senator ‘s intervention in the abandoned project.

    The statement said the senator in a January 30 letter sent to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Ayogu Eze, reminded him of his earlier letter and the importance of  repairing abandoned roads in Ondo South District.

    The network road is expected to link – Araromi seaside in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State through Ode in Ogun State and to Folu in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    The road when completed would remove pressure from other high ways and give Ondo South access to Lagos through alternative road link.

    Other roads network revisited by Senator Kunlere include the abandoned 26km road linking  Igbotako- through Ayila to Araromi Obu and the 60km Olowo to Irele through Ajagba to Agadagba Obun in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

  • Crisis in Ilaje over constitution of oil funds committee

    Crisis in Ilaje over constitution of oil funds committee

    Controversy is trailing the list of the executive council members of Ilaje Regional Development Council (IRDC),an organisation saddled with the responsibility of relating with oil companies operating in the oil rich Ugbo Community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    Already, some members of the community have rejected the list which has been sent to Chevron Nigeria Limited, the major oil producing company operating in the area for the purpose of implementing some community development projects.

    The development has attracted the attention of the State House of Assembly committee on Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) which has summoned  the stakeholders on the issue following a petition forwarded to it written by the aggrieved persons.

    The petition signed by eleven leaders representing each of the communities under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) signed with Chevron, alleged that the names sent to the oil company did not emanate from the communities.

    They said the GMoU was community driven and did not need the input of government or traditional institution before an executive committee could be constituted.

    The stakeholders alleged that the Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, Oba Frederick Akinruntan unilaterally picked the people on the list and forwarded the names to OSOPADEC, which in turn sent the names to Chevron.

    The petitioners explained that the monarch connived with the government and the OSOPADEC to ensure that their cronies were chosen to represent the people on the board of the IRDC.

    However, the Ugbo Council of Chiefs and Elders in a letter to the Acting Speaker of the House faulted the invitation extended to the Olugbo on the issue.

    They alleged that the chairman of the House committee on OSOPADEC, Gbenga Edema was an interested party in the issue.

    The letter signed by the Chairman, Council of Baales of Ugboland, Chief A.T. Oyetomi and 10 others, said the monarch has the power to superintend over matters within his domains, saying Ugboland has associations that interface between host communities and oil companies without interference by the assembly.

    The letter reads, “It behoves the traditional rulers in Ugboland under the paramountcy of the Olugbo to determine the dissolution and composition of executive committee of these associations who are representatives of Obas, Baales and communities under the control of Olugbo”.

    It explained that after the dissolution of the last executive committee of IRDC, a nine-man committee was inaugurated with the mandate to demand list of representatives from Baales or heads of the communities.

    The letter noted that the Baales sent the list of their nominees following which they were screened, putting into consideration their educational qualifications and exposure.

    But while denying he has an interest in the matter, the Chairman, House Committee on OSOPADEC, Edema explained that on April 28, there was a petition that the Olugbo was trying to impose new members on the committee especially in Awoye and Molute axis that have greater stake in the oil production.

    Edema said the Assembly thereafter wrote a letter of acknowledgement of the petition based on the authorisation of the acting Speaker, Hon.Dare Emiola and also sent letters of invitation to all stakeholders including OSOPADEC, IRDC, Chevron and Olugbo in the interest of fair hearing.

    According to him, the Assembly thereafter appointed two committees on Public Accounts, Judiciary and Anti-Corruption headed by Barrister Fatai Olotu and that of OSOPADEC which he is the chairman to handle the case.

    He said on May 6, there were similar petitions sent to the Assembly by three other groups and individuals including the Frontliners, Palace of Olubo of Obenla kingdom and Alagho of Odo-nla on the same issue of imposition of Committee members.

    Edema said “there is another petition from Ugbo Council of Chiefs signed by High Chief E.O Omotoye, the Ojomo of Ugboland and nine others alleging that myself as the Chairman, House Committee on OSOPADEC had earlier canvassed that the merger of Ugbo with Mahin and Aheri oil Associations under the offshore Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering all the activities of Oil issues be brought under one umbrella like what happened in other states where Chevron has offshore operations, based on this they alleged the likelihood of bias on my part”.

    “But since I do not have any vested interest in the outcome of this investigation concerning Olugbo and IRDC issue, and in the interest of justice which must not only be done, but manifestly seen to have been done, and also to allay the fear of any of the parties especially those who alleged likelihood of bias, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw my further participation in the panel looking at the petitions”

    Edema said the panel is now being headed by Olotu, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, stressing that he has confidence in his ability to do justice to the matter.

    His words: “I have no doubt in my mind that he would be fair and unbiased in the handling of the issue on behalf of the people in the oil communities.

    The Lawmaker commended the people for not resorting to self-help, urging them to cooperate with the Committee and the State Assembly for the resolution of the lingering dispute.

  • Ilaje students mark Eja Day

    Ilaje students mark Eja Day

    The National Association of Ilaje Students (NAIS) has marked its annual Eja Day in a ceremony held at the multi-purpose hall of Ilaje High School in Igbokoda, Ondo State. Ilaje students from across the country attended the event.

    Eja Day is a yearly event organised to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Ilaje people of Ondo State and to also educate youths who have lost touch with their culture.

    The event started with Ilaje anthem and an address by the national president, Segun Ekudehinwa, who praised his colleagues’ effort to make the day memorable. The president, who spoke on the history of the Ilaje people, said: “The primary occupation of Ilaje people is fishing. It is inherent in our blood. We are here today to show the world what we do.”

    The audience was entertained with cultural display by the association’s troupes from different campuses. A boat regatta was also performed amid folksong by Oluremi Ayeyemi, an undergraduate of Osun State College of Education, Ila Orangun, Osun State.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Komolafe Egbowon, a graduate of Edo State Polytechnic in Benin City, said the Eja Day was to give an insight into values Ilaje people espouse. He described the day as symbolic to the existence of Ilaje people.

    Olarotimi Omomuwasan, 300-Level Law student of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), said the day was a home coming for Ilaje students to promote their culture. He said: “It gives us the opportunity to sit with our political leaders to chart a new course. It is also an opportunity where some of us can meet our future spouse.”

    Making closing remarks, the Senate President, Taiwo Odidiomo, advised students not to forget their origin because of their exposure to other cultures. He urged the students to team up with the association to develop Ilaje land.

  • Fire razes 100 homes in Lagos

    No fewer than 100 makeshift houses were burnt in Ilaje, Bariga, a Lagos suburb yesterday.

    It was learnt that the fire started in the early hours of yesterday and was caused by a generator explosion in one of the shanties.

    Although nobody died in the incident, all property on five acres of land were razed, rendering scores of people homeless.

    Director of the state fire service, Razaq Fadipe, said on the telephone that the firefighters spent three hours to put out the fire.

    Fadipe said the service also expended 60,000 litres of water to douse the flames.

    He said, “Around 12.33am, we were alerted of a fire in the area and we deployed three trucks from Alausa, Ikeja and Ilupeju fire stations. Each of the tankers contained 10,000 litres and we had to refill each tanker before we could put out the fire around 3.45am.

    “Upon investigation, we discovered that the fire was caused by a generator which exploded. We therefore advise Lagosians to avoid putting generators on tyres because due to the vibration, the generators sometimes fall over, spill fuel and catch fire.”

    Meanwhile, it was learnt that three stores and two shops were damaged by fire at 238 Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba while a lockup shop was also consumed by fire in Ikeja area of the state.

  • Ilaje youths deserve fruits of amnesty

    Ilaje youths deserve fruits of amnesty

    SIR: Ilaje land is an oil producing area of Ondo State. There are three kingdoms: the Ugbo, Mahin and Aheri/Etikan. As an oil producing area, the youths have been left unemployed due to the hazards caused by the oil exploitation and exploration in which both fishing and farming businesses have become a thing of the past.

    The federal as well as the state government have done their bits by considering the interests of the people especially by providing some jobs for the youths.

    However, it has become a nightmare as the leaders in the said areas have not been allowing the youths to taste the dividend of democracy as per the allotted jobs.

    The most recent is the issue of security of pipelines which came from the federal government. More than 5,000 jobs were allotted to Ilaje land but these were hijacked by our leaders who are in the corridors of power. They gave recognition only to militant groups – those who once carried arms against the government but ignored other groups. Amongst the latter group is Mahin coastal youth which was registered for the interest of the youths in Mahin Kingdom.

    Our worry is that the leaders are benefiting in quite a number of ways; so also the militant groups who are the sole beneficiaries of Amnesty Programme. We are confronted with questions such as; must youths be rebels before they could be heard? Must those who benefit from amnesty be allowed to hold the other youths down? Why should the group alone enjoy the benefits?

    Our dear President, the time has come to intervene in this matter so that peace can reign in Ilaje land of Ondo State.

    • Ebuteiwa Vincent&Egbukuyomi Segun

    Ilaje Land

     

  • Akeredolu promises to build seaport in Ilaje

    Akeredolu promises to build seaport in Ilaje

    The governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the October 20 election in Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), concluded his campaign tour of wards yesterday with a promise to transform the riverine areas by building a seaport in Ilaje to boost the economy.

    The ACN standard bearer, his running mate, Dr. Paul Akintelure and other party leaders like Chief Tayo Alasoadura, Director- General of the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO), Madam Erelu Modupe Johnson, the Women’s Leader, Mr. Wale Omojuwa, Chief Olu Tawose, Chief Ade Odoro among others were given a rousing reception by the supporters.

    The traditional rulers at the event promised to support Akeredolu and his running mate by mobilising their subjects to vote for them.

    The ACO spokesman, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, said in a statement that he cried because of the environmental degradation he saw during his visit to the Ugbo Constituency.

    He said despite the oil wealth, the people are wallowing in poverty.

    Ajanaku decried the parlous state of the people and identified with them. He promised that they would no longer be neglected if Akeredolu is elected the governor.

    Ajanaku said the electorate are justified to feel cheated by the Governor Olusegun Mimiko-led Labour Party administration.

    The ACO spokesman assured the Ilaje people that under the Akeredolu leadership, the area would be transformed, as the seaport would attract economic activities from the neighbouring countries, which would complement the operations of the Lagos ports.

    “The seaport will serve as a source of income for the government and create jobs for the people,” he added.

    Ajanaku said Akeredolu would fulfil his promise to the electorate and would not abandon projects like Governor Mimiko who could not inaugurate a road in the three and a half years of his administration and who specialised in petty projects, such as building of market stalls, town halls and motor parks, while the rural areas and cities are in deplorable condition despite receiving over N600 billion from the federation account.