Security
LAND DEMARCATION: Ogbe-Ijoh Community Writes His Excellency, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori, Express Worry of Intimidation of Survey Team
By Divine Perezide,
The Ogbe-Ijoh Community Council has written an open letter to the Governor of Delta State over alleged threat to life of the State Government Survey team by Alaja indigens.
They further demanded resumption of work at the Ogbe-Ijoh Bypass Road to enable indigens of Ogbe-Ijoh and staff of the Warri Southwest Local Government Council to access Ogbe-Ijoh by land without having to pass through Aladja town.
Read full text of the letter below:
“His Excellency,
Chief (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori,
Executive Governor of Delta State,
Government House,
Asaba
Your Excellency Sir
“OUR WORRY AND CONCERN ABOUT THE ONGOING DEMARCATION WORK BETWEEN ALADJA AND OGBE-IJOH COMMUNITIES
“We write, to draw your attention to the ongoing demarcation work between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh Communities and to express our worry and concern as it relates to the land in dispute. From available Government records, vis-a-vis the various panels of inquiry, it is the undeveloped parcel of land between the two communities which was estimated to be about 289 hectares that are being disputed. The 289 hectares of land were Government independent findings by the Prof. Okoko led panel which the Delta State Government accepted as the area in dispute in an expanded Stakeholders meeting held in Government House, Asaba at the Unity Hall on the 16th of December, 2016. In attendance were the then Governor of Delta State, Sen. (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, representatives of Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh Communities including traditional Rulers of Ogbe-Ijoh and Udu. The Orodje of Okpe, Major General Felix Mujakpero (Rtd.) who was then First Vice Chairman and now Chairman of Delta State Traditional Rulers Council led Urhobo Traditional Rulers as well as the Pere of Akugbene-Mein who was then Second Vice Chairman and now First Vice Chairman of Delta State Traditional Rulers Council led Ijaw Traditional Rulers. Others include members of the Delta State Advisory Committee led by its Chairman, Prof. Sam Oyovwaire, top Government functionaries and the various Security Heads in Delta State that collectively took the decision of 289 hectares of land.
“Therefore, 289 hectares of land was not a minority report, but what was collectively agreed by stakeholders after the briefing of the panel led by Prof. Okoko.The point needs to be cleared as the records are there for verification. Furthermore, the shared portion of land up to the ‘Borrow Pit’ falls within the 289 hectares of land, which is lying and situated in Ogbe-Ijoh Warri South West Local Government Area. But unfortunately, our neighbors, the Aladja people are deliberately misleading the survey team by making fresh claims beyond the 289 hectares of land and this is completely unacceptable and the Ogbe-Ijoh people reject in its entirety. Also, we have been reliably informed that some persons from Aladja in the presence of Security personnel threatened to kill staff from the office of the State Surveyor General who were on the field to carry out Government directive, were ordered to stop forthwith the demarcation work. This has been their trade in stock, the aim is to pressure the Government to deviate from the agreed 289 hectares of land and again we say NO!
“The Government of Delta State must stand firm and arrest those Aladja people that have the courage not only to stop work but threaten to kill anybody at sight including security personnel. Furthermore, from March 16, 2016 to date, the Ogbe-Ijoh people/visitors can’t access Ogbe-Ijoh, Headquarters of Warri South West Council through land. We therefore demand that the Delta State Government should look into the abandoned Ogbe-Ijoh bypass road awarded to Broad link to avoid passing through the heart of Aladja town to access Ogbe-Ijoh town.
“Our worry and concern is further affirmed by the inability of the Delta State Government both in the past and present to demonstrate the needed political will to once and all take a definite stand and resolve this issue irrespective of which ox is gored. The failure of Delta State Government both past and present to decisively deal with promoters of native war in the Aladja community is largely responsible for the incessant attacks on law abiding Ogbe-Ijoh citizens and other Nigerians including Military personnel and this can’t certainly continue.
“For the records, Aladja lawlessness started with the destruction of the two Local Governments boundary pillars of Udu and Warri South West Councils that were erected by the then Panel of Inquiry led by Prof. Okoko inline with its term of reference number one (1), established pillars marked ‘UDU/WSW 01-20 DT’ starting from the Warri River (UDU/WSW 01 DT and terminating at the Forcador Flat with UDU/WSW 20 DT). These pillars were destroyed by Aladja people. Since then Aladja has been in the killing spree without the authorities doing anything about it. Hence, they have the effrontery not only to stop the demarcation work but chase out security personnel as well. This recalcitrant attitude of Aladja people is another sad reminder of the unfortunate “Okuama Killing incident” that is waiting to explode one day except the Delta State Government and Security personnel live up to their responsibilities in this regard.
“Once again, we pledge our unalloyed support to the Government of Delta State and look forward to Government reactions as regards to Aladja stoppage of the ongoing demarcation work between the two communities.”
Chief Samuel Eyoroengagha,
Chairman,
Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom Governing Council
Chief Joel Ogbona,
Chairman,
Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom Land Allocation Committee
Chief Harris Gbenekama (JP),
Leader of Thought
Chief David Omare
Leader of Thought
Hon. Michael Oweikpodor,
Leader of thought
Comrade Edwin Aken,
Former President,
Ogbe-Ijoh Warri kingdom Youth Council
Comrade Ebimobowei Kenneth Ikoro,
Youth President,
Ogbe-Ijoh Warri kingdom Youth Council
Cc:
The Commanding Officer,
Nigerian Army,
Effurun Barracks
The Commissioner of Police,
Nigerian Police,
Delta State Command
The State Director,
State Security Service,
Delta State Command,
Asaba
Chief (Dr.) Sen. E. K. Clark, OFR, CON
The TONKEPA of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri kingdom
By Admin
Abuja – A proposal to create 31 additional states across Nigeria is currently under consideration by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review. According to the committee, the move aims to address concerns about representation, governance, and regional development across the country.
The proposed states are distributed across various geopolitical zones, with six states suggested for the North-Central region, four for the North-East, five for the North-West, five for the South-South, and seven for the South-West. The committee has indicated that the proposal is in line with Section 8(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which outlines the requirements for state creation.
Proposed States by Region
North-Central
1. Benue Ala (Benue)
2. Okun (Kogi)
3. Okura (Kogi)
4. Confluence (Kogi)
5. Apa-Agba (Benue South Senatorial District)
6. Apa (Benue)
7. Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (as an autonomous state)
North-East
8. Amana (Adamawa)
9. Katagum (Bauchi)
10. Savannah (Borno)
11. Muri (Taraba)
North-West
12. New Kaduna (Kaduna)
13. Gurara (Kaduna)
14. Tiga (Kano)
15. Kainji (Kebbi)
16. Ghari (Kano)
South-East
17. Etiti (New)
18. Adada (Enugu)
19. Urashi (New)
20. Orlu (Imo)
21. Aba (Abia)
South-South
22. Ogoja (Cross River)
23. Warri (Delta)
24. Bori (Rivers)
25. Obolo (Rivers & Akwa Ibom), possibly a renamed Oil Rivers State
South-West
26. Toru-Ebe (Delta, Edo & Ondo)
27. Ibadan (Oyo)
28. Lagoon (Lagos & Ogun)
29. Ibeju (Ogun)
30. Ife-Ijesha (Ogun, Oyo & Osun)
31. Oke-Ogun (Ogun, Oyo & Osun)
Constitutional Process for State Creation
The proposal will require approval through a series of legislative steps. The Nigerian Constitution stipulates that for a new state to be established, it must be supported by at least a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, the State House of Assembly, and local government councils in the affected areas. Additionally, a referendum will be conducted, with the final decision forwarded to the National Assembly for ratification.
This proposed restructuring has generated mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a step toward decentralization and regional autonomy, while others question its feasibility given Nigeria’s economic and political landscape.
What are your thoughts on this development? Share your views!
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INC Demands the Creation of Toru-ebe and Oil Rivers States to Address the Underdevelopment of Ijaw Nation.
By Admin – Yenagoa
Ijaw National Congress (INC), the highest socio-cultural body representing the Ijaw people globally, has renewed its call for the establishment of two homogeneous Ijaw states—Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers—citing persistent infrastructural under-development, political marginalization, and environmental neglect.
This was disclosed during a press conference held on Wednesday at Ijaw Ware in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, emphasized that despite being Nigeria’s fourth-largest ethnic group and hosting some of the country’s key oil export terminals as the single highest producer of oil and gas, the Ijaw people have endured systemic neglect, both in infrastructure and politics.
“We call on the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and all distinguished members of the National Assembly to seize this moment in history and act in the interest of justice,” Prof. Okaba stated.
He described this demand as a crucial step toward achieving justice, equity, and lasting peace in the Niger Delta, stressing that it would help redress historical injustices, drive economic progress, and secure a better future for the Ijaw people.
According to the INC, the creation of the proposed states would not only address issues of political exclusion and under-development, but also strengthen national unity. The organization urged all Ijaw people, along with other well-meaning Nigerians, to support the move towards the actualization of this critical milestone for fairness and equity.
By Divine Perezide
In a developing environmental crisis, residents and concerned stakeholders have raised alarms about an ongoing issue threatening marine life in Alakiri (Ofiemina Ama), Okrika.
According to reports, the cause of the problem remains unknown. However, its impact is severe, as it is actively destroying the sea life in the affected region. A call for urgent intervention has been made to prevent further damage.
In a statement issued by a concerned source, it was noted: “Matter of Urgent Repair. Location: Alakiri (Ofiemina Ama) Okrika. Reason: Unknown. Status: Not yet stopped. Impact: Destroying our sea life.”
The exact nature of the issue has yet to be determined, but local authorities and environmental agencies are urged to investigate and address the situation promptly.
This report is credited to MEDBOSS, with the hashtag #MEDBOSS signaling a wider appeal for awareness and action.
As the crisis unfolds, environmentalists and community leaders emphasize the need for swift measures to mitigate further harm and preserve the delicate marine ecosystem of Okrika.