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Tag: IYC

  • Ijaw youths speak on appointment of Otuaro as PAP Administrator

    Ijaw youths speak on appointment of Otuaro as PAP Administrator

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Chief Dennis Otuaro as the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

    The commendation was given in a statement jointly signed in Yenagoa on Friday by the council’s president, Mr Jonathan Lokpobiri, and its spokesman, Amb. Binebai Princewill.

    The statement appreciated Tinubu for not only finding Otuaro worthy of the appointment but also listening to the yearnings of the council and the Ijaw people in general.

    “With this, President Tinubu has shown that he is truly a listening president,” it read.

    According to the statement, Otuaro’s appointment is coming at a time the nation needs committed and result-oriented leaders at the helm of its affairs.

    The council, via the statement, described the new administrator as a tested and trusted leader in the Niger Delta; a man conversant with the myriad of issues bedevilling the region.

    “Otuaro is a known face who also played an active role in the formation of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

    “His appointment is significant in many ways, and the IYC is optimistic that Otuaro will bring in his experience to sustain the gains recorded by previous administrators of the programme and also improve on it in line with current realities,” the statement read.

    According to the statemet, the council expects the administrator to bring about a lot of reforms as he works closely with all stakeholders in the region to implement the aims and objectives of the programme.

  • Ijaw leaders lament presence of armed herdsmen

    Ijaw leaders lament presence of armed herdsmen

    Ijaw leaders, under the auspices of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), have cautioned against invasion of Ijaw communities by armed men, suspected to be herdsmen.

    They observed that there has been an alarming invasion of communities and farmlands of Ijaw and indeed Niger Delta people by “these intruders who wield dangerous and lethal weapons”.

    They, therefore, called on “the Niger Delta states to properly enforce their anti-open grazing laws and protect lives and property.

    They also guaranteed confidence in the people to access their farms and make a living without fear and apprehension, especially because lost lives are irreplaceable.”

    These remarks are contained in a communique issued on Wednesday by the National President of the INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba.

    The communique was signed after a one-day joint leadership meeting of the INC and the IYC held at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

    “These herdsmen have carried out gruesome killings of our brothers and sisters in their communities and farmlands across Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Ondo States, among others.

    “The gory tales of the barbaric and dastardly acts of these agents of provocation have headlined reports, especially in the past couple of years,” he said.

    Among INC national officials in attendance were Atamuno Atamuno, First Vice President; Ebipamowei Wodu, Secretary; Philip Agu, Treasurer; and Kenneth Odiowei, Financial Secretary.

    Also, IYC officers in attendance included Frank Pukon, National Secretary; Ebilade Ekerefe, National Spokesman; Clever Inodu, Central Zonal Chairman; Kroma Eleki, Deputy Chairman, Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE); Austin Enekorogha, Secretary; Gabriel Benamaisia, Clerk, National Representative Council (NRC); and Princess Ebiseri A. J, Deputy Leader, NRC.

    Okaba recalled a recent incident on January 24, when some suspected armed herdsmen were reported to have brutally murdered a father and his son at their farm in Toru-Angiama in the Patani Local Government Area of Delta State.

    He said, “On the 25th of January 2023, a woman was butchered in her farm at Sabagriea community in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa State.

    “Also in Bayelsa, suspected herdsmen, in February 2021, attacked a farmer and his son on their farm in Otuoke community, Ogbia LGA.

    “The incessant violent invasions and attacks are designed to annex and control spaces and lands by these herdsmen and their masters with the sinister plot to subjugate Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta.

    “We strongly condemn in its entirety, all clandestine attempts laced with terrorist agenda by herdsmen and their masters to take over the bushes of Ijaw nation.

    “We are resolved to resist any attempts by strange elements to terrorize and chase away Ijaw people from their ancestral lands and heritage.

    “We support all anti-open grazing laws duly enacted by the Houses of Assembly of Niger Delta states and assented to by their Governors to promote peace and sustainable development.”

  • Sylvester Oromoni: Inquisition resumes as groups plead for speedy justice

    Sylvester Oromoni: Inquisition resumes as groups plead for speedy justice

    The Ikeja Magistrates’  Court handling the inquisition into the death of Sylvester Oromoni, a student of Dowen College, Lekki in Lagos, resumed its sitting on Monday.

    The sitting was, however, held behind closed doors with only a few relations allowed in.

    Oromoni, 12, a student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos died on Nov. 30, 2021, allegedly from injuries sustained in an attack.

    The Oromoni family is represented on the inquest by Femi Falana (SAN) while Bernard Onigah is representing the Nigeria Bar Association.

    The accused persons and the Lagos government are equally represented by their lawyers.

    Meanwhile, some groups have called for a speedy inquest “in the interest of justice”.

    The groups spoke in Lagos after the sitting. Among the groups was Justice For Oromoni, whose Coordinator, Mr Regent Youmor, called on the Judiciary to ensure that the late student’s case was expiditeously concluded.

    He begged that the case should be quickly heard to ensure quick dispensation of justice.

    “To the layman, it will look like justice delayed if the case drags. This is a national issue; it is not ethnic and not solely legal. It is more of traditional and moral,” he opined.

    Mr Ebitimi Dio-Posibi, Chairman, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Lagos Chapter, who also spoke on the matter, said that his group would appreciate if judgement was delivered “as fast as possible”.

    He said an expeditious hearing was important because “the late Omoroni has not been buried”.

    “That Oromoni has not been buried a year after his demise is against the customs and traditions of the Ijaw people, particularly as he was just a child,” he said.

    Miss Winifred Ibitaka, Vice Chairperson, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), told NAN that she was not happy that the case was “taking time”.

    Ibitaka emphasised the need for justice to be delivered on time “so that the boy can be buried”.

  • Pipeline Security: IYC seeks Nigerians support for Tompolo

    Pipeline Security: IYC seeks Nigerians support for Tompolo

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has called for total support of Nigerians to Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo on the contract to secure pipelines in the Niger Delta region.

    Mr Omaghomi OluDerimon, Secretary, Western Zone of the IYC, made the call while speaking with newsmen in Calabar on Sunday.

    He said the need for support was necessary to salvage the mainstay of the nation’s economy, crude oil.

    He said the IYC had in time past, through various fora, expressed concern at the volume of oil theft in the region by some economy saboteurs.

    OluDerimon said that the IYC had commended President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government for its concern and efforts to address oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

    “There is no Nigerian that is not concerned with the situation of the economy today and they must also know that the situation is made worst by the dwindling fortune of our oil which is partly caused by oil theft.

    “Nigeria’s oil production has been on a steady decline for some time now and this is primarily occasioned by oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

    “This situation is affecting all states of the federation and not Niger Delta alone,” he stated.

    OluDerimon, therefore, appealed to Nigerians not to see the award of the contract to Tompolo as politics or ethnicity but rather as a measure to secure oil facilities in the region.

    “This has nothing to do with the region or politics; someone who knows the place and its history and backed with the experience of handling things in the region was needed to reduce the oil theft menace.

    “Tompolo or whoever had been given the contract cannot however do it alone without the support of every single Nigerian.”

    The Federal Government had renewed a multi-million dollar pipeline surveillance contract to a former militant leader and Commander of the defunct Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Tompolo.

  • Ijaws deserve infrastructural development from Obaseki not gunboats – IYC

    Ijaws deserve infrastructural development from Obaseki not gunboats – IYC

    Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has said Ijaw communities deserve more from Edo government than the procurement of gunboats to enhance security in Riverine areas of the State.

    Omaghomi Olu-Derimon, the Secretary, IYC Western Zone, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Sunday.

    Olu-Derimon, who commended Gov. Godwin Obaseki for the enhanced security across the State, said the ijaws desire infrastructural development in their communities.

    He particularly noted that the people would have been elated if the funds used for procuring gunboats were directed to addressing the huge infrastructural deficits bedeviling the riverine communities.

    The Secretary said that the first sets of gunboats procured by the government are yet to be utilised.

    “It will be wrong if we say the governor is not doing his best in terms of security as it affects the State.

    “Even the blind can attest to the fact that security in the State has improved tremendiously under the leadership of the governor.

    “Thanks to all security agencies and the Edo State Vigilante Network who are on ground in almost all communities, including our riverine areas.

    “Just recently, the government announced that it has acquired some gunboats for the riverine areas mostly occupied by the Ijaws of Edo state.

    “Edo State Goverment bought similar boats a while ago and we are equally aware these boats are still very new and are yet to be fully utilised as far as we are concerned, so why buy more?

    “We have cried out severally that ijaws are marginalised in terms of infrastructural development, political appointments and elective positions,” he said.

    Olu-Derimon said that Ijaws in Ovia South west could not access Benin City because of the deplorable state of Udo Ofunama Inikorogha Road

    He said that people in those communities had to travel through water to Gelegele or Sapele, Delta State, before embarking on a road journey to access the State Capital or their local government headquarters.

    Olu-Derimon said that Gelegele Ekewan barracks Road which served as a major access route to the State Capital is now bad.

    According to him, “we have been crying for a long time that Mr Godwin Obaseki should cover up with the infrastructural underdevelopment in the riverine areas of the State since he came onboard but the story is almost similar with that of the previous administrations in the State.

    “I know if the story does not change under this present government, a 100 gunboats will not be able to change the insecurity that will greet the water ways which will extend to the hinterlands. I am saying this based on past experiences.

    “We have over time demanded for three development centers for the three local government areas where Ijaws are domiciled.

    “We also demanded for Edo State Riverine Development Agency and a Marine Academy in the areas,” he said.

    Olu-Derimon said that their demands were to fast-track development in the communities.

    He added that none of their requests have been attended to instead they are acquiring gunboats which would be in use only when the governor visits or any other VIP visits the areas.

    “It’s a new year and we want to urge the governor to change the narrative in our area by giving us adequate development attention,” he said.

  • Buhari’s ministers, ‘high profile’ NASS members behind delay in NDDC board formation – IYC

    Buhari’s ministers, ‘high profile’ NASS members behind delay in NDDC board formation – IYC

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has accused ministers and “high profile” members of the National Assembly from Niger Delta of causing the delay in the constitution of a substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The IYC alleged that the “ministers and National Assembly members of Niger Delta extraction were bent on usurping President Muhammadu Buhari’s power by ensuring that their candidates became the NDDC board members.

    To buttress the allegation, the group alleged that the same “greedy and high-profile” politicians had in the past ensured that their candidates became NDDC’s managing directors.

    It, therefore, challenged Buhari to shun “the greedy ministers and high-profile’ lawmakers by immediately inaugurating the NDDC board.

    This was contained in a statement at the weekend by the IYC National Spokesman, Ebilade Ekerefe.

    The group advised also the President not to allow the “selfish ministers” to undermine the current peace in the region.

    The statement reads in part: “It has come to the notice of the entire youths of the region that those ministers and some high profile members of the National Assembly from the region are engaged in a selfish battle over the choice of who mounts the saddle of leadership in the NDDC.

    “These politicians are trying to usurp the powers of the President to foist a board that will work for their personal interest and not that of the region.”

  • Police confirm release of abducted IYC President

    Police confirm release of abducted IYC President

    The Police Command in Bayelsa on Thursday confirmed the release of Mr Peter Igbifa, President of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) who went missing on Tuesday while travelling to Abuja.

    Igbifa was on his way to Abuja on May 25, for a scheduled meeting with the Coordinator of Presidential Amnesty Office, retired Col. Milland Dikio when the incident happened.

    There was, however, uncertainty over the whereabouts of Igbifa as there were conflicting reports which claimed that he was abducted whereas others said he was missing.

    The Spokesman for the Police in Bayelsa, SP Asinim Butswat, however, in a statement on Thursday in Yenegoa confirmed that he was abducted by suspected kidnappers.

    Butswat also claimed that Igbifa’s freedom was as a result of pressure from the Police, even when there was no arrest.

    “The President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Peter Igbifa was released by his abductors on May 26, at Kaima, Kolokuma/Opukuma Local Government Area Bayelsa.

    “It will be recalled that the IYC President was kidnapped on May 25, on his way to the Port Harcourt Airport by suspected kidnappers.

    “Due to sustained pressure mounted by the Police, the IYC President was released at a bush at Kaima, from where he contacted the Police and was eventually rescued.

    “The Commissioner of Police Bayelsa State Command, Mike Okoli, has debriefed the kidnapped victim and investigation is ongoing to identify and arrest the perpetrators,” Butswat said.

    The abduction happened just before the expiration of the 30 days ultimatum the IYC gave the Federal Government to constitute the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board or have the region shut down by Ijaw youths.

    Igbifa issued the notice on April 26 and followed it up with a warning on May 17, asking all multinational oil companies operating in the region to vacate and peacefully shut down their oil platforms before the expiration of the notice at midnight of May 26.

  • Ijaw youths issue Buhari one month deadline to constitute NDDC Board or…

    Ijaw youths issue Buhari one month deadline to constitute NDDC Board or…

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has given President Muhammadu Buhari one month to constitute and inaugurate a substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    President of the group, Peter Igbifa, said the group may be forced to disrupt socio-economic activities in the region if the President fails to meet the deadline.

    He said the disruption of activities may include interfering with the exploration of oil and gas and shutting down of movement on both land and waterways after the expiration of the ultimatum which began on Sunday, April 25.

    The Ijaw Youth Council said the use of interim administrators to run the affairs of the NDDC is depriving the region of equal representation which undermines even development.

    “We consider the NDDC a very critical commission for us in this region. And for this cause, we want to make it clear that between and the deadline if the board is not brought it, we may not be able to guarantee the safety of oil operations in the region.

    “Council will definitely shut down the entire region if Mr President fails to deliver on or before one month from today,” Igbifa said.

    The IYC President disclosed this after their stakeholders’ and national expanded executive council meeting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Sunday.

    He also urged the Federal Government to adequately monitor the progress of work on the East-West road, saying by their observation, the standard of work by the contractor is not satisfactory.

    He added that the completion of the rehabilitation of the East-West road should not exceed three months.

  • Ijaw youths agitate over $13.5bn Zabazaba Deepwater Project

    Ijaw youths under the aegis of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), worldwide have expressed concerned over delays in the signing of the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the $13.5 billion Zabazaba Deepwater Project.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports spokesman of the Council, Daniel Dasimaka, in a statement, expressed displeasure of the IYC on Thursday in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State.

    “We do not want the Zabazaba Deepeater Project to go the way of the Brass LNG which never saw the light of the day. We want jobs for our youths. We want the local economy of the Niger Delta region as well as the national economy in general to grow.

    “We want development in the Niger Delta region. We want peace. Hence, we condemn the unnecessary delay in the signing of the FID for the Zabazaba oilfield,” said IYC National President, Barrister Oweilaemi Pereotubo.

    Oweilaemi said the IYC is deeply worried that the 2020 first production date of the Zabazaba oilfield may be compromised if the FID remains unsigned.

    “The $13.5 billion Zabazaba oilfield is located in the Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 245 offshore Nigeria in the Niger Delta of the Gulf of Guinea.

    “Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) are jointly developing the project. Nigeria Agip Exploration is the operator of the project.

    “It will be a major boost to the country’s economy and the local content initiative being promoted and prioritised by the present government. In particular, the deepwater project will support small and medium enterprises in Nigeria following the decision by the developers for in-country fabrication and integration of the topsides of the Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessels.

    “The Zabazaba deepwater field is estimated to hold 560 million barrels of oil equivalent (MBOE), which will increase the country’s daily crude oil production.

    “When it becomes fully operational, the project is expected to generate at least $8 billion for Nigeria.

    “The impact on the Nigerian economy would be unprecedented, and the multiplier effect on the local economies of the catchment areas in the Niger Delta will be huge.

    “Agip and Shell acquired OPL 245, which was named the Zabazaba field, in 2012 for $1.3 billion. The acquisition has been the subject of serial corruption investigations and prosecutions in Italy and Nigeria.

    “Only last Monday, one Nigerian NGO and three International NGOs presented a joint report in which they said Nigeria lost an estimated $6 billion to the controversial OPL 245 deal.

    “Human and Environmental Development Agency (HEDA), Global Witness, Re: Common and the Corner House commissioned Resources for Development Consulting to do the report on their behalf. Agip and Shell have consistently maintained their innocence,” the IYC statement read.

     

  • Ijaw group warns against subversion of democracy

    Ijaw group warns against subversion of democracy

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, has cautioned against any attempt to subvert democratic governance in Nigeria.

    The IYC called on the political leadership and other key players in the nation’s political space to give the requisite attention to the sustenance of democracy and avoid acts that could truncate it in the country.

    The IYC believes that democracy under President Buhari is nose-diving and the nation’s number one man seems not to care. In a statement on Tuesday signed by the President Barr Peretubo Oweilami and Secretary-General Mr. Alfred Kemepado, it said the siege on the Abuja homes of the leadership of the Senate has further confirmed that the nation’s democracy is truly under threat.

    “The exploitation of state security apparatus to harass and intimidate perceived political opponents is not a healthy development. It is a display of political desperation which should not have a place in our democracy.

    The recent developments at the National Assembly and the harassment of perceived political opponents are without doubt threats to democratic governance in the country.

    The National Assembly is an autonomous organ and shouldn’t be subjected to such a degrading harassment.

    “The blockade of the convoy of the Senate President and the failed attempt to arrest him with a view to prevent the Senate from sitting is unhealthy.

    The group added further that for democracy to thrive, the principle of separation of powers enshrined in the constitution must not be subjected to violation. The youth leaders insisted that there must be strict adherence to democratic ethos and values which should not be desecrated.

    The IYC leaders argued that the emerging political situation in the country was a further justification of the growing call for the restructuring of the country.

    According to them, the brazen violation of court orders which have become rampant in the current administration, the lingering security issues, among others would be effectively addressed in a restructured Nigeria.

    The IYC stressed that it was important for politicians to play by the rule and place the interest of the Nation and its stability above individual and selfish political interest.

    The IYC further urged Nigerians to stand by democracy and resist any attempt by any group of persons or political interest to endanger the ideals of democracy in the country.

    The IYC also commented on the disturbing state of insecurity occasioned by the herders/farmers killings across the states, called on the political leadership and security agencies to halt the killings. The Council added that Nigerians of good conscience would be disturbed by the reprehensible slaughter of innocent people across the country.

    The Council insisted that Nigeria should not be reduced to a killing field.