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Tag: Okuama

  • Okuama: N2bn suit against Army adjourned until Nov 28

    Okuama: N2bn suit against Army adjourned until Nov 28

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, adjourned a N2 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Mr Lucky Okodeh, a former Caretaker Chairman, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa until Nov. 28.

    Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the case following an oral application by Okodeh’s counsel, Asmau Yunusa, to enable her respond to a counter affidavit filed by Mimi Ayua, lawyer to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa.

    Okodeh, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/590/2024 dated and filed on May 3 by Mr Femi Falana, SAN, had sued the CDS Musa and Chief of Army Staff (CAS) Taoreed Lagbaja, as 1st and 2nd respondents.

    The applicant is accusing the defendants of allegedly publishing his photograph among those wanted in connection to the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama in Delta.

    He, therefore, prayed the court to award a N2 billion in damages against the respondents for alleged violation of his rights to personal liberty and dignity.

    The applicant also prayed the court to set aside his declaration and award the fine as compensation for damages suffered over the action of the Defence Headquarters Abuja.

    Upon resumed hearing on Thursday, Yunusa:, who appeared for the applicant, told the court that the matter was slated for mention.

    She said she was in receipt of a counter affidavit by the 1st respondent (CDS) on Wednesday and that she would need little time to respond. She said the 2nd respondent (Lagbaja) was not represented in court.

    Justice Nyako, however, told the lawyer who represented the CDS, Mimi Ayua, and Yunusa that the issue is what the parties can sit down together to resolve amicable.

    According to the judge, it is not what we should waste the tax payers’ money for. Justuce Nyako then adjourned the matter until Nov. 28 for further mention. She ordered that the 2nd resoobdent be served with the hearing notice.

    In the affidavit in support of the suit, Okodeh averred that the action of the defendants had affected his political career and made him to go into hiding.

    It will be recalled that on March 14, 17 officers of the Nigerian Army were murdered by unknown persons in Okuama in Delta, causing the Defence Headquarters Abuja to declare 8 persons wanted.

    Though Okodeh’s name was not published among the wanted list, his photograph was posted on a name which was not his, which he also said no member of his family or extended family bears.

    Okodeh, who was the chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the April 11 LG elections in the state, was forced to drop his name and substitute it with another candidate following the publication of his photograph in the wanted list.

    Other prayers sought in the suit include an order of perpetual injunction restraining the CDS and CAS from arresting him as he is a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria who had never had any criminal record right from childhood.

    He equally prayed the court to order the respondents to tender an apology which should be published on both print and electronic media, so that he could have his freedom to live his normal life.

  • Peace at last between Okuama and Okoloba? – By Francis Ewherido

    Peace at last between Okuama and Okoloba? – By Francis Ewherido

    Until the killing of 17 officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, many people never knew about the tensions and skirmishes between Okuama, an Urhobo community in Ewu Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area and Okoloba, an Ijaw community in Bomadi Local Government Area, all in Delta State. Both communities have lived side by side for “over 300 hundred years,” according to the Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom, HRM Pere Kalanama VIII, who is an Ijaw monarch with some Urhobo roots, according to some sources. You can imagine the discomfort this crisis causes him and his likes who have Urhobo and Ijaw heritage. Okuama and Okoloba people have intermarried and speak each other’s language, so this crisis could have been avoided if the situation was well managed and there was restraint and level-headedness. This is a time for patience, understanding, levelheadedness and mutual respect. There is need for justice and peace to embrace so that the recently signed peace accord between the two communities will endure.

    I will not belabour you with the aftermath of the killing of those soldiers because they are already in the public domain. My interest today is on the way forward and achieving a lasting peaceful co-existence between Okuama and Okoloba communities. During the week, the leaders from the two communities, in the presence of traditional rulers and security agents, signed a peace accord. The report said the peace accord was initiated by the Bomadi Local Government Chairman and brokered in collaboration with his Ughelli South Local Government chairman.

    The Chairman of Bomadi LGA, Hon. Dagidi Andaye, who anchored the peace meeting, said it was convened with the knowledge and backing of the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, who mandated peace meeting to raise, discuss and iron out all contentious issues between the two communities. That is very important. Similar agreements have been reached in the past and breached. So, there is need to get to the bottom of what is causing the crisis. Whatever led to the failure of previous peace efforts should be unearthed and solved.

    Andaye said “The ultimate goal of this meeting is to ensure lasting peace between Okuama and Okoloba communities, and we want both communities to go back to your age-long relationship of peaceful co-existence.” To achieve this, the meeting made some resolutions. I will summarise them and discuss in brief the importance and implications of some of the resolutions: one, an immediate ceasefire and an end to all hostilities, renouncing of violence and reconciliation of both communities. This does not require much explanation because without these, the peace accord is an exercise in futility. Two, granting free access to farmlands and farming activities within the communities’ respective boundaries, considering the fact that both communities rely on farming and fishing for their livelihood. The economy of both communities was already being affected by the skirmishes before the army invaded and levelled Okuama, so this agreement is very important. Three, joint patrol along the Forcados River bank to ensure safety, security and free passage of boats and passengers along the Forcados River bordering both communities. This is another very important agreement. Before now, there had been attacks of passengers and boats. In all cases, it is blame and counter blame by both communities. Hopefully, there will be no further attacks. Also, people from other communities who want to use the past hostilities between Okuama and Okoloba to commit crimes around the stretch will be caught.

    Four, the meeting agreed on the release of properties allegedly stolen during the invasion of Okuama. This kind of restitution will be wonderful. The soldiers had scarcely vacated Okuama when some bad elements descended on Okuama to steal what the soldiers did not destroy or partly destroyed.

    Five, agreement to resolve disputes through dialogue and peaceful means. Also, agreement to engage in community outreach programmes to promote peace and understanding. This is another very important point. I was born into and spent my early years in a communal setting. As young as I was, I remember that when there was a dispute between two families, the landlord or oldest man in the compound settled the dispute. There were times when two children would fight. Sometimes, the parents of the aggressor would beat the child so hard that the other family would plead with the parents, “ehwenatere” (The beating is enough). But there were also parents who would never accept that their children were at fault. This led to family quarrels and fights. This kind of defiance can also lead to communal clashes.

    Finally, a 10-man Monitoring Committee was also set up to monitor the Peace Accord. This is like a postmortem and very important. Everything must be done to ensure enduring peace. Two days ago (September 26), I read an advertorial by Oleh Development Union on page 27 of Vanguard on the boundary dispute with Ozoro. I met this dispute in 1973 when my family moved to Ozoro. Our official residence, a small bungalow, was the last house on the Ozoro-Oleh road. It was about five miles (eight kilometres) from the disputed boundary, but concerned indigenes deemed it fit to tell us so that we could be on the alert. This is an intra-ethnic (Isoko) dispute.  Border disputes can be intractable. All hands must be on deck to resolve the Okuama-Okoloba border dispute.

    I have written four articles on this crisis. I also made suggestions which are mostly taken care of above, but I also expressed the need for the border between the two communities to be demarcated. One of the major reasons for the dispute is land. Leaving out the border demarcation means the job is not yet completed. Delta State government has an agency in charge of border demarcation. The government should not shy away from this all-important point if we truly desire a long-lasting peace between the two communities.

    On return of Okuama people to their ancestral home, I heard the contractors have started bringing building materials to site to start the rebuilding of Okuama with starting with the primary and secondary schools, community hall and health centre. I have also been informed that Ughelli South LGA is going to play a major role in the rebuilding and resettlement of Okuama people. The chairman of the local government, Dr. Lucky Avweromre, is an indigene of Ewu Kingdom, but that is beside the point. The entire Ughelli South LGA is his turf. Okuama people do not need any favourtism, but he understands what life is like in the riverine areas of Ewu, so he has his work cut out.

    I am informed that the LGA is deeply involved in the rebuilding of Okuama, but Okuama people come before physical structures. Though new in office, he has visited the IDP camp to see the Okuama people. That is not good enough. The last time he came to the camp was when he was campaigning for the chairmanship position. The chairman of neighbouring Ughelli North LGA, who was sworn at the same time, did not only visit the camp but celebrated his last birthday with the Okuama people in the IDP camp. Their joy knew no limit.

    That said, he should pursue the resettlement of Okuama people with utmost vigour. They have been in IDP camp, eating free food and living their lives devoid of their daily routine of family life, farming, fishing and trading. It is like a body builder who stopped going to the gym. The longer he does that the more his muscles disappear. Okuama people should go home soon before their bodies become too flabby.

    My last advice to the chairman is that should liaise with the chairman of the IDP camp committee, Abraham Ogbodo. Ogbodo has some wonderful ideas that will make his work easier and faster, and facilitate the return of Okuama people to their ancestral home.

  • Okuama IDPs: The long road to relief and resettlement – By Armsfree Ajanaku

    Okuama IDPs: The long road to relief and resettlement – By Armsfree Ajanaku

    By Armsfree Ajanaku

    The story of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Okuama recalls the wise words of former United States First Lady, Michelle Obama, who declared that “grief and resilience live together.” The grief of this town of farmers and fisherfolk came from disturbances, which affected the community earlier in the year. In March, there was a clash between some non-state actors and soldiers of the Nigerian Army. That skirmish led to the unfortunate loss of lives of soldiers and community members.

    Hundreds of innocent Okuama residents were caught and stranded in the cross fire. It was a case of wide-ranging humanitarian disaster, which left hundreds of vulnerable people exposed. To escape the hostilities, many residents had to hide in forests for days. It took the efforts of the Delta State Government, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to advocate for a safe humanitarian corridor to enable displaced residents find passage. Importantly, Governor Oborevwori did not stop at just creating the safe corridor for stranded residents to exit the troubled community. His administration moved decisively by going one step further, to set up a full fledge IDP Camp Committee.

    Interestingly, it is from the IDP Camp located in Ewu that the resilience part of the Okuama tragedy started to take shape. Under the leadership of Mr. Abraham Ogbodo, former Editor of The Guardian and frontline Niger-Delta thought leader, the Ewu IDP camp has been playing host and catering for the feeding, education and health needs of the IDPs. The IDP Committee has not only organized the displaced Okuama residents to make life in an unfamiliar camp surroundings bearable, it has used the camp as the rally point to explore solutions, and bring to public consciousness, the challenges faced by the displaced.

    Similarly, the daily administration of the camp, especially ensuring food rations, relief materials and medicines go round, are not the only tasks preoccupying the attention of the Committee. It has also gone a notch higher by passionately advocating for the welfare and well-being of the affected Okuama residents. By presenting their plight as a humanitarian disaster, which requires, not only the attention of government, but also the goodwill of all of society, the IDP Committee has been able to galvanize critical stakeholders to respond.

    Much emphasis has been placed on the fact that a tragedy of the scale that forced Okuama residents to flee their homes, knows no tribe, religion or partisan consideration. This focus on humanity above every other consideration has placed the activities and initiatives in the camp in the national spotlight. Consequently, the “whole of government and whole of society” approach in responding to the misfortune of the residents of Okuama has ensured this is one of the few exceptional cases, where a sub-national government in Nigeria responds to a humanitarian crisis in a comprehensive way that puts the primacy of the lives of those affected above every other consideration.

    As a result, the overarching message crafted and disseminated by the IDP Committee, which has consistently focused on the need for public spirited individuals and organizations in Delta State and beyond to support the displaced Okuama residents, key results are being achieved. The outcome of this consistent advocacy is the considerably significant quantum of donations of food and relief items, which the camp has received.

    The Delta State government led the way by sending in food and relief items to the camp in July. Subsequently, political, business, cultural and opinion leaders cutting across partisan and sectarian groups have also poured in with donations of food and relief materials to support the displaced. Top on the list of donors, whose gestures elicited joyous singing and celebration from the IDPs include the Urhobo Consultative Forum and Atamu Social Club, both of which are groups of Urhobo professionals and business persons in Nigeria and abroad. Weighing too with food and relief materials is the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Ireland. Dr. Matthew Edevbie, an engineer and key operator in the Nigeria’s electricity sector has also been commended for his generous support of the IDPs.

    The long list of political, business and cultural leaders, who showed their solidarity with the Okuama IDPs also includes; the Minster of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, Senator representing Delta Central, Ede Dafinone, Olorogun Oskar Ibru, the Executive Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area (LGA), Olorogun Jaro Egbo, former President General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Olorogun Moses Taiga, President Urhobo Social Club, Lagos, Chief Wilson Okpubigho, and the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor of Delta State Ambassador, Ese Joshua Emedifie.

    Importantly, the Ewu IDP Committee has worked round the clock to ensure life in camp is not all about being fed. Capacity building programs have been introduced to build the skills of the IDPs in various businesses, vocations and entrepreneurial ventures. The areas of practical skills focused on in the capacity building sessions include soap and insecticide making, tailoring, make-up and headgear tying. This strategy of human capacity development, while in camp has started the process of preparing the IDPs for return to their homes. For school children and the young scholars in camp, regular tutorials have been organized, following their profiling into different classes.

    Nonetheless, as the donations and impactful capacity building initiatives keep pouring in to support the welfare and well being of the IDPs, the bigger question of resettlement remains. Chairman Ogbodo has been emphatic that the IDP Camp, and its effective administrative set up, is only a stop gap. The goal is to ensure the IDPs successfully return to their communities and continue with their lives and livelihoods. It is apparent that no matter the level of comfort and amenities the Ewu IDP Camp provides, it still cannot take the place of a home. As such, the bigger question of rebuilding Okuama and the razed homes of its traumatized people remains the most critical task. From the perspective of the IDPs, it is apparent that the smooth functioning of the Ewu IDP Camp is a signpost of the rising expectation of success, as the efforts move towards resettlement. As such, there is optimism in camp that the same touch of excellence and collective responsibility will be brought to bear in the rebuilding of Okuama.

    As expected, Chairman Ogbodo has emphasized that the same whole of government, whole of society strategy, which has made the Ewu IDP Camp a place of joy and laughter despite the pain of displacement, should be adopted in the Okuama rebuilding effort. What this means in practical terms is that the collective efforts of philanthropists, home and abroad would required in addition to what the Delta State Government would provide.

    In the end, even though the physical and psychological scars from the Okuama crisis of March are yet to heal completely, the humanitarian response has validated the saying that tragedy and resilience live together. From the Delta State Government to the leadership of the Ewu IDP Camp, the efforts so far have shown what is possible when leaders put humanity first. Hundreds of Okuama residents who bore the depressing badge of being candidates for collateral damage, now have the high hopes of safe return to their homes. Their story truly exemplifies the truism is the assertion that grief and resilience cohabit.

  • BREAKING: Again, Nigerian Army allegedly invade Delta community

    BREAKING: Again, Nigerian Army allegedly invade Delta community

    There are reports that troops of the Nigerian army have allegedly stormed Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State and shot at members of the community.

    This is coming weeks after Okuama community leaders were arrested by Nigerian soldiers.

    According to a source from the community who told Vanguard that the soldiers entered through Okoloba community early Monday morning, after using drones to monitor the community on Sunday.

    The source said: “As I speak, soldiers and some youths have stormed our community, shooting at anything in sight. They parked their boats at Okoloba and came on foot. The small tents we have built are being razed.

    “Everyone is in disarray; I can’t find my child; why are we being treated in this manner?

    “Why will soldiers team up with our enemies to attack us? Our leaders were arrested weeks ago, and now they have come to sack the community,” he said.

    However, the cause of the latest invasion is still unknown.

    Details to follow…

  • As Okuama indigenes prepare to return home – By Francis Ewherido

    As Okuama indigenes prepare to return home – By Francis Ewherido

    The Delta State Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, recently told a delegation of Urhobo Traditional Rulers Council that the displaced Okuama indigenes will be going home “soon.” I got the information that the contract for the building of the primary and secondary schools and health centre had been awarded a few weeks ago, but I kept the information to myself because it was a private discussion. I decided to wait for an official announcement. I know the importance of scoops (excusive stories), but I was also taught the boundaries as an undergraduate. Social media has led to the abuse of “breaking stories” or “exclusives.” These days, unless families act fast, relatives will know about the death of a beloved family member online. In those days, having exclusive stories led to accelerated career growth of some journalists. I do not know the reward people get these days on social media, but people need to use their common sense which unfortunately is not common.

    After I heard about the building of the schools and health centre, one of the thoughts that came to my mind was where are the people going to stay. I had a discussion with the chairman of the IDP committee, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo, who told a brilliant idea. He or the government also have the responsibly to make it public. I am not into breaking news stories.

    The IDP Camp Committee has done a remarkable job. The Ewu IDP Camp is the brain child of the Delta State Government necessitated by the levelling of Okuama community in the aftermath of the unfortunate killing of 17 officers and soldiers. We are still expecting the military and other enquiries to tell us what actually happened. The soldiers not only levelled and razed Okuama, not a single soul was left behind. Some indigenes lost their lives while others ran into the forests, where they stayed throughout the period the soldiers occupied Okuama. Some lucky Okuama indigenes took refuge in homes of relatives in neighbouring communities.

    After the soldiers vacated Okuama, it took a lot of efforts for the indigenes to come out of hiding and there was no home to go back to anyway. An IDP camp became a necessity. The government had three options: the immediate resettlement of the returnee Okuama people in Otu-Jeremi, the headquarters of Ughelli South Local Government which Okuama is part of; building an IDP camp in Ewu Town, headquarters of Ewu Kingdom; while some people suggested building the IDP camp in Okuama. This did not make sense to some of us because of security and logistics reasons. Moreover, IDP means internally displaced persons, why leave them in Okuama? Settling for Otu-Jeremi would have been a quick fix, but that is another kingdom and it would be a hard sell for Okuama people. Ewu town we thought was easy turned out to be a hard sell also.

    During a flood a few years ago, which sacked Okuama people, an IDP camp was set up in Ewu. Okuama people claimed that Ewu people did not treat them well. Convincing them became a herculean task. The governor had to invite Okuama leaders to Asaba, the Delta State capital, and assured them that the new IDP camp committee will look into their grievances and avoid a reoccurrence. While all these backs and forth were on, insults were being hauled at the governor for lack of action and delay in sorting out the IDP camp issue, but I guess all public officers who are sure of what they are doing have to get used to such insults.

    Based on what the governor said, which Ogbodo, a former editor of The Guardian Newspaper confirmed, they never had a close relationship. The governor saw him talking on TV and decided to saddle him with the task of being the chairman of the IDP camp. I told the governor he could not have picked a better choice. I went on to tell him a project Ogbodo and I and a few others worked on, the Okugbe Microfinance Bank, an initiative of Olorogun Moses Taiga, the past President General of Urhobo Progress Union. It was meant primarily to make access to finance easy for ewheya (Urhobo women) and ighele (Urhobo youths). Ogbodo was the co-ordinator; I was his assistant and Dr. Benson Uwheru was the secretary. The committee also had some other bright minds. Contrary to expectations of many people, the committee surpassed the initial N300m target and raised N409m.

    Unfortunately, CBN did not give us the license. The subscribers held a meeting where the committee volunteered to refund people’s subscription. Majority of the subscribers objected and said the project must come to fruition no matter what and how long it took. But we also decided that those who wanted their money back should apply for a refund and that has gone on smoothly. After those who exited, the committee still has over N300m left.

    I do not understand why some people do not like giving others their flowers. It does not diminish you, so what is your problem? Gov. Oborevwori gave the IDP committee an initial N10m to put the camp in place. By the time he saw what Ogbodo and his committee did with N10m, he was pleasantly surprised and openly confessed about the prudence of the committee. Ogbodo has since used his personal contacts to get individuals and groups to donate five cows, many bags of rice, beans, garri and other food items to the camp. Other members of the IDP committee have assisted Ogbodo to do great job. I cannot mention all their names for lack of space, but I commend the camp commandant, Deacon Austine Ohwofaria. Those of us who did NYSC know the job of a camp commandant. Managing children and women is tough. Some of us with only one wife dey sweat; you can imagine a camp commandant managing hundreds of women and children.

    I remember in my previous article, I admonished Ewu indigenes who are members of the committee to be very diligent and upright. So far, I have not received a report about them.

    I want to reiterate what I said previously that the Delta State Government needs to demarcate the boundary between Okuama and Okoloba. The government also needs to invite Okuama and Okoloba people and drum the necessity of living together in peace into their heads. Okuama people bore the brunt of this crisis. No one knows the outcome a future crisis if both communities do not learn to live in peace. It is okay for them to intermarry and enjoy inter-ethnic sex, but ordinary living together in peace is a problem. They should know that they are like male organ (Penis and scrotal sac). The same water washes both, notwithstanding the fact that they are Urhobos(okuama) or Ijaws (Okoloba). Do you know some of the children in the IDP camp are Okoloba children. Their Okuama mothers fled to the bush and later IDP camp with them. Temper could have flared up in the camp over this but common sense prevailed because technically are they Okoloba people because we are a patrilineal society. That common sense should prevail when Okuama people return home.

    Let me also appeal to outsiders bringing politics into the IDP Camp and sundry matters to leave politics out of it. If political consideration was involved, the governor would not associate with me on this project because it is an open secret that I worked for his APC opponent in the last election. Some of the Ewu contingent in the IDP committee are APC members. The governor told me from the beginning that he was not interested in party affiliations, but committed Ewu indigenes when nominations of the IDP camp members was on. It is a humanitarian assignment, not sharing of political largesse. Those troublesome Ewu people who tried to create confusion at the IDP camp a while ago should not allow that to reoccur. The governor made it clear from the beginning that his interest is the welfare of the Okuama people in the IDP camp.

  • OKUAMA: UPU Ireland donates food stuffs worth millions to IDP Camp in Ewu to ease hardship

    OKUAMA: UPU Ireland donates food stuffs worth millions to IDP Camp in Ewu to ease hardship

    In a show of solidarity to their brothers and sisters, the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Ireland, led by Chief Dr. Richard Tiki Iyede, has provided much-needed relief to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at Okuama in Ewu, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State.

    On Friday, August 16, 2024, UPU Ireland donated essential food items valued at millions of naira to the camp, aiming to ease the hardships faced by the displaced Okuama community.

    It’s noteworthy that Chief Dr. Richard Tiki Iyede, the President of UPU Ireland, has also contributed significantly to the welfare of the Okuama people through the Urhobo Consultative Forum (UCF), including the recent donation of a large cow for the displaced individuals.

    Recall that Okuama community was displaced due to a violent land dispute with the neighboring Okoloba community, resulting in the destruction of homes and loss of lives.

    In response to this crisis, a delegation from UPU Ireland, led by Comrade Henry Ubus and Madam Deborah Oyovwariovwe, delivered the essential supplies. The donations included cartons of ice fish, 50 tubers of yam, four bags of rice, a 25kg gallon of groundnut oil, three bags of garri, half a bag of beans, and a 25kg gallon of red oil.

    Mr. Abraham Ogbodo, the camp director, expressed deep gratitude for the timely intervention, noting that the donation would significantly address the immediate food needs of the displaced families, offering them some respite amidst their challenging circumstances.

    “This act of kindness from UPU Ireland is not just a donation; it is a lifeline for many of us here who have been struggling to find food and basic necessities,” Mr. Ogbodo remarked. He praised UPU Ireland for their unwavering commitment to the welfare of their kinsmen, even from afar.

    Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Comrade Henry Ubus underscored the importance of community support during difficult times. He conveyed UPU Ireland’s deep concern for the displaced individuals and assured them of the organization’s continued support.

    “This donation is a testament to the strong bonds within the Urhobo community, regardless of geographical distance. We are one family, and it is our duty to ensure that no member of our community is left behind in times of crisis,” Ubus stated.

    The beneficiaries, who have been enduring difficult living conditions due to their displacement, expressed heartfelt thanks and prayed for God’s blessings upon the donors.

    As the Okuama community continues to navigate the challenges posed by the land dispute, this gesture from UPU Ireland stands as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the enduring spirit of unity and brotherhood within the Urhobo nation.

    Before departing, Comrade Ubus and Madam Oyovwariovwe signed the visitors’ board, leaving their signatures as a mark of UPU Ireland’s visit and support. The camp presented them with white face caps inscribed with “EWU IDP CAMP partners,” symbolizing their partnership in alleviating the camp’s struggles.

  • Delta begins rebuilding of damaged health centre, schools in Okuama – Oborevwori

    Delta begins rebuilding of damaged health centre, schools in Okuama – Oborevwori

    Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta says the state government has commenced the rebuilding of the damaged health centre and schools at Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government.

    Okuama had been in the news over the unfortunate killing of 17 Army officers and soldiers in the community.

    The governor disclosed this when the leadership of Urhobo Council of Traditional Rulers visited him at the Government House in Asaba on Thursday.

    He thanked them for the visit and for donating food and relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Okuama.

    He said the state government had awarded contracts for the construction of a health centre and six classroom blocks for primary and secondary schools in Okuama community.

    The governor added that the IDPs would soon return to their ancestral community.

    “I am happy to receive Your Royal Majesties and the leadership of UPU.

    “I am happy in the sense that you all stood by me and supported me to be governor and I thank God today that your son is the governor of Delta State.

    “I want to appreciate the role that you people played and all other things you people have been doing.

    “The last local government election was very peaceful. This is because of the fatherly role you played and the support you have been giving to this administration.

    “I want to also thank you for your visit to the Okuama IDPs camp and also the visit to Okuama village. It is not a place to go by car; you went in a boat and also gave them relief materials.

    “We are doing our best to make sure that peace returns to that place,” he said.

    He tasked the traditional rulers on need to curb the pockets of insecurity in the area.

    “We are doing our best; I want to assure the people of  Delta that we are working hand- in -hand with security agencies to ensure that the state is peaceful,” the governor said.

    Earlier, the delegation led its Chairman and Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Emmanuel Sideso Abe 1, and the President -General,  Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide, Chief Ese Gam, thanked the governor for receiving them.

    Sideso said the visit was to appreciate and intimate the governor on issues affecting the Urhobo people and Delta in general.

    Sideso, represented by the Vice Chairman of the Council and Ovie of Arhavwarien Kingdom, HRM Solomon Okukeren III, lauded the governor for his infrastructural projects.

    Sideso thanked him for the resolution of the age-long crisis between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities as well as the Okuama and Okoloba crisis.

  • Okuama killings: Ex-council boss files N2bn rights suit against Nigerian army

    Okuama killings: Ex-council boss files N2bn rights suit against Nigerian army

    Mr Lucky Okodeh, a former Caretaker Chairman, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa, has sued the Nigerian army for allegedly publishing his photograph among those wanted in connection to the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama in Delta.

    Okodeh, in the suit filed before Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court, Abuja by his lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, prayed the court to award a N2 billion in damages against the respondents for alleged violation of his rights to personal liberty and dignity.

    Falana, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/590/2024 dated and filed on May 3, had sued the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Chief of Army Staff (CAS) as 1st and 2nd respondents.

    The applicant prayed the court to set aside his declaration and award the fine as compensation for damages suffered over the action of the Defence Headquarters Abuja.

    Okodeh averred that the action had affected his political career and made him to go into hiding.

    It will be recalled that on March 14, 17 officers of the Nigerian Army were murdered by unknown persons in Okuama in Delta, causing the Defence Headquarters Abuja to declare 8 persons wanted.

    Though Okodeh’s name was not published among the wanted list, his photograph was posted on a name which was not his, which he also said no member of his family or extended family bears.

    Okodeh, who was earlier the chairmanship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the April 11 LG elections in the state, was forced to drop his name and substitute it with another candidate following the publication of his photograph in the wanted list.

    Although the matter was fixed for mention on Monday, the case could not proceed due to the absence of Justice Nyako in court.

    The judge was said to be on another official assignment.

    It was, however, observed that Okodeh’s lawyer, Falana, and the respondents’ counsel, Mike Ebah, were in court.

    The matter was, therefore, fixed for Oct. 17 for mention.

    Other prayers sought in the suit include an order of perpetual injunction restraining the CDS and CAS from arresting him as he is a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria who had never had any criminal record right from childhood.

    He equally prayed the court to order the respondents to tender an apology which should be published on both print and electronic media, so that he could have his freedom to live his normal life.

  • Okuama IDP camp bubbles with joy with newborn babies

    Okuama IDP camp bubbles with joy with newborn babies

    The internally displaced persons (IDP) camp set up in Ewu town by the Delta State Government for the displaced people of Okuama community has been thrown into a mood of celebration, following the birth of new babies in the camp.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathers that the babies were delivered, shortly after the IDP camp opened and started receiving the displaced Okuama people.

    Recall that the Delta State Government had set up the Okuama IDP camp in Ewu, Ughelli South local government area of the State to resettle displaced people of the community, pending the rebuilding of the community.

    The Nigerian army had raided the community, located in Ughelli South, after a number of military personnel were ambushed and killed in the area. The army laid siege to the community in the aftermath of the killing of 17 military personnel on March 14.

    The displaced people of Okuama, who had earlier rebuffed the State Government’s IDP camp, sited at Ewu, finally showed up at the camp.

    Deacon Austin Ohwofaria, Commandant of the camp disclosed that 1,640 persons, comprising of 209 children 68 elderly people, have been registered so far.

    “In terms of registration, we have 1,640 people here. We welcomed two newborn babies recently and the people were so excited. By implication, we are having 1,642 people here in the camp.

    “Unofficially, the camp was opened on the 15th of May. But, there were skirmishes here and there, whether the people were going to come or not. It was last week the people started coming. We started last week.

    “We have 209 children here and 68 elderly people. The newborn babies are all female. Just two of them, but we still have a number of pregnant women here in the camp,” Deacon Ohwofaria said.

    TNG observed that the camp is mostly made up of women and children. There is playground, where the children were seen playing football. There is also a clinic, a general kitchen and bathrooms, where the people clean up.

    Ohwofaria commended the State Government and said the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has shown commitment to attending to the plight of the people.

    “I must commend the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori. The State Government has been so committed to the camp in terms of funding, but as you know, money cannot be enough.

    “Governor Oborevwori has saw the camp to this stage but as you know these are people cannot fend for themselves, going by the circumstances of what happened to them.

    “The government’s effort is being augmented by a number of NGOs. We are taking records of the NGOs.

    “In terms of infrastructure, we have potable water supply. There is free flow of water. We have where the people take their bath. There are toilets. There is a general kitchen meant for all the people.

    “There is also a clinic here. But when there is emergency, we move them to the hospital. For instance, one of the women who gave birth is still at the hospital.

    “There is cordiality among the people. They know what happened to them and that has brought about an uncommon bond among them. The people are living well.

    “The children have been duly registered for schooling. We are camped in a secondary school and flanked by other schools as well. We have profiled the children and they are attending primary and secondary school,” Ohwofaria said.

    The camp commandant also disclosed that by the projection of the State Government, the displaced people of Okuama are not expected to stay in the IDP camp longer than a period of six (6) months.

    “By that time, I believe the State government must haven taken care of where they came from, that is, in terms of rebuilding Okuama community and all that. So that is the projection,” Ohwofaria.

  • Okuama: No substitute for peaceful co-existence – By Francis Ewherido

    Okuama: No substitute for peaceful co-existence – By Francis Ewherido

    During the week, the Delta State Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori; the members of the Ewu IDP camp Committee for displaced Okuama people and some leaders of Okuama Community held a very fruitful meeting in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

    Okuama, you recall, is the community in Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State that was destroyed and levelled by the army in the aftermath of the killing of 17 army officers and soldiers in circumstances that still subject of inquiry and investigation.

    Okuama people have been reluctant to temporarily move to go to the IDP camp in Ewu-Otor because of rumours that their land will be taken over. Another factor was the demonstration by Okoloba women that Okuama people should not be allowed to come back to Okuama but be resettled in Ewu!

    Let me just chip in here that Okuama people need nobody’s consent to return to their ancestral home after the army withdres from the community. In fact, some of them have already returned, living in the ruins of what they used to call homes.

    During the meeting, Governor Oborevwori allayed the fears of the Okuama people. Based on the governor’s assurance to their leaders and clarifications on some misinformation which the IDP committee had sorted out, some Okuama people started moving into the IDP camp last Monday.

    When I called the camp on Monday morning, I heard many people talking in the background and a member of the committee I spoke with confirmed that they were Okuama people. The camp has now fully come alive. The committee is dealing daily with the challenges that arise in such IDP camps.

    The governor also assured the Okuama leaders that the reconstruction of Okuama will start this month with the rebuilding of the health centre and the primary school. Someone asked me what about the homes of Okuama people. The governor did not give details. He talked about starting off with the rebuilding of Okuama primary school and health centre, but common-sense tells me that if the school and health centre are being rebuilt, the homes will also have to be rebuilt because the people will not be coming from Ewu IDP camp to get health care at the health centre, and the students will not be attending the school in Okuama from the Ewu IDP Camp. The distance and logistics make that impossible.

    I suggest that the reconstruction should have timelines: clearing of the debris, construction of the school and health centre, private residences, amongst others. The relevant government organs and Okuama people can work out the details. Whatever it will take, the school should be ready by September so that the students can resume the 2024/2025 session there.

    That said, a worrisome incident took place earlier. Some Okoloba women went on demonstration that Okuama people should not come back to Okuama but be resettled in Ewu. Why? The demonstration looks to me like something that was sponsored, the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob. The demonstrators alleged that Okuama people are tenants.

    As an Ewu indigene, I have never heard that before. Okuama has been a community in Ewu Kingdom as long as Ewu people I spoke with can remember. Some have maternal forebears dating back who were from Okuama. I called my 90-year-old mother who grew up in Ewu. She said she grew up to meet Okuama community. The first Bishop of Benin Diocese (Anglican Communion), Bishop Agori Iwe, an Ewu Kingdom man, is from Okuama.

    Documented history has it that he was born in Okuama, Ewu Kingdom, in 1906, where he also accepted the Anglican Faith at an early age. Ewu-Otor and Okuama indigenes I spoke with cannot recall any oral history where Okuama was tenant to Okoloba or anyone. Where did these women mainly under-60 years get their history from. Where is the documented evidence: receipt for payment of rents, tenancy agreement, or treaty or other documentary evidence? I am not a historian and will not delve into what I have limited knowledge of, but let those who alleged should prove legally and lawfully. But I just wonder if that is the paramount issue right now.

    Another Ijaw group has kicked against the rebuilding of the school and health centre in Okuama. They asserted that the government should have invited Okoloba people for discussion first. We all want peace in that axis and there is nothing wrong with the government also engaging Okoloba people to find a lasting peaceful solution, but they cannot tie such engagements to rebuilding the Okuama school and health centre.

    Should Okuama school children stay at home and should Okuama people die from preventable diseases and curable illnesses until Okoloba people meet with the government? All the activities can go on simultaneously. Okuama people are traumatised. If you cannot empathise with them, at least let them be. The soldiers scarcely left Okuama before people from neighbouring communities allegedly moved in to steal the remnant of what escaped destruction and what was partially destroyed. Okuama people also alleged that their food crops were harvested and stolen.

    I advice all community leaders to be very careful and think through the implications of their utterances and actions. These riverine communities are inhabited by regular locals who are engaged in farming and fishing. They have lived together and intermarried over the years. I was told that the mother of the monarch of one of the neighbouring Ijaw communities is from Okuama. Why sow seeds of discord among these people for personal reasons?

    Urhobos, Ijaws, Isokos and Itsekiri are intertwined ethnic groups. Intermarriage and inter-communal life are not only restricted to Okuama and Okoloba, but across Delta State. I am Urhobo from Ewu Kingdom, but I have links to Isoko (Enwhe and Olomoro). I remember in those days when relatives of my father, whose parents migrated from Okpare in Olomu, an Urhobo Kingdom, came to visit us in Ozoro, Isoko North LGA headquarters, they proudly proclaimed my father as “omo mi,” meaning our son).

    My maternal great grandmother is from Enwhe, while my first cousins are paternally from Enwhe.  Some of my nephews and nieces are partly Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko. In fact, the home town of my nephews’ maternal grandfather, who is Ijaw, is close to Okuama! So, when I discuss these interethnic issues, I exercise caution like someone trying to kill a tsetse fly that perched on his scrotum. Let us all tread carefully, please.

    Moving forward, I reiterate that the state government should properly demarcate the border between Okuama and Okoloba. Okuama is in Ugheli South LGA while Okoloba is in Bomadi LGA. Both communities should be made to sign a new agreement to commit to peaceful coexistence. The earlier agreement has not worked.

    Both Okuama and Okoloba people should realise that they are both vulnerable in a hostile environment and would be happy in a peaceful environment. Both of them use the same Forcados River and pass through each other’s territory, depending on where they are going to or coming from. There is only one solution: peaceful co-existence. When disagreements arise, they should seek lawful means, not taking laws into their hands.

    Taking laws into their hands has apparently not worked and will never work. Let’s put an end to the senseless loss of lives. Let reason prevail.