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OKOMU CRISIS: INC WADES IN TO BROKER PEACE
IduwiniVoice
OKOMU CRISIS: INC WADES IN TO BROKER PEACE
By Tobouke JEMINE
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) under the leadership of Prof. Benjamin Okaba, has moved in to broker peace between the conflicting sides in the Okomou community and the Okomou Palm Oil Company.
The INC convened a placatory meeting among the stakeholders in the Ijaw Okomu community of Edo State at the palace annex of the Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom in Warri, Delta State, on July 4th, 2024, to seek ways to restore lasting peace to the community.
After exhaustive deliberations, it was resolved as follows:
1. All factions should cease any further hostilities forthwith while the Ijaw traditional rulers further engage all critical stakeholders to resolve the crisis in the community.
2. All stakeholders in the community must commit to working together for peace to be immediately restored in the community.
3. All actions and counteractions by any group capable of escalating the present situation in the community must stop for the Ijaw Nation, through the INC, to properly approach all contending issues dispassionately.
4. The INC resolved to write and summon the Okomu Oil Palm Company to a serious engagement meeting to hear from them their role, action, or inaction in the ongoing process.
5. The Okomu Oil Palm Company is requested to account for their operations in the Okomu Ijaw domain with regard to their CSR.
6. Ijaws resolved not to be used as slaves or second-class citizens by any company or group in Edo State.
7. The INC totally condemns the divide-and-rule tactics adopted by the Okomu Oil Palm Company to continuously sow seeds of discord among our Ijaw people.
8. The INC demands that the Okomu Oil Palm Company account for what they have done for the Okomu community while paying the 12 billion naira annual tax to the Edo State government from their operations in the community.
9. The INC will mandate a delegation of traditional rulers to visit the king of Okomu to confer with him and pass these resolutions to him.
10. The meeting strongly condemned the failure/refusal of Omokachi Peretei and his group to honor the invitation and their disrespect of the INC by not attending the meeting aimed at resolving the Okomu crisis.
11. The INC strongly warns the concerned absent group to maintain peace and desist from escalating the present situation while the INC and the revered traditional rulers urgently move to get to the roots of the crisis in the interest of peace.
12. The meeting resolved that all groups involved in the crisis should not test the will and determination of the Ijaw Nation to bring the desired peace to the ancient Okomu Ijaw Kingdom and to all Ijaws in Edo State in general.
13. Stakeholders at the meeting are mandated to pass the resolutions of the meeting to their respective groups to abide by them at once.
14. All security agents are hereby enjoined to maintain law and order, respect the rights of the Okomu people, and desist from any form of harassment, intimidation, and/or indiscriminate arrest of innocent citizens of Okomu Kingdom while the Ijaw Nation deals with this situation.
15. The Edo State Police Command, DSS, and Army authorities are equally enjoined to stop the threat of declaring people and/or youths wanted while the INC seeks a lasting solution to this problem.
16. The INC hereby commends the security agencies, especially the Army at the 4 Brigade and its commander Brig. Gen. Oduyemi, for their stabilizing role towards maintaining peace in the community.
Other kings in the meeting included the Agadagba of Arogbo, the Agadagba of Gbaran Kingdom, and a representative of the state director of the DSS.
Signed,
Prof. Benjamin Okaba
President, INC
By Favour Bibaikefie
Tomorrow, Friday, May 16, 2025, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone — covering Delta, Edo, and Ondo states led by Comrade Nicholas Igarama — will solemnly mark the 57th anniversary of Boro Day at Chief Tunde Smooth Playground, NPA Warri, Delta State. The event will feature a dynamic procession through the streets of Warri, followed by an insightful symposium aimed at celebrating and reflecting on the enduring legacy of Ijaw fallen hero, Major Isaac Adaka Boro.
Major Isaac Adaka Boro remains one of the most iconic figures in the history of the Niger Delta and the Ijaw nation. Born in 1938 in the Niger Delta region, Major Boro was a Nigerian nationalist, soldier, and activist who passionately championed the rights of his people long before Biafra Republic causes.
In February 1966, Major Boro declared the Niger Delta Republic — a bold and unprecedented move — in an effort to free the Niger Delta region from the exploitation and marginalization of the Niger Delta region by the Nigerian federal government in collution with multinational oil companies. Though short-lived, this declaration sparked a significant movement for self-determination, environmental justice, and economic fairness in the oil-rich region.
Boro’s armed struggle, sacrifices, and calls for equity continue to inspire generations of Ijaws and Niger Delta activists fighting for justice, resource control, and political representation.
Major Boro, who died in combat on March 9, 1968, remains a revered Niger Delta nationalist and freedom fighter.
The 2025 Boro Day Commemoration
This year’s Boro Day celebration in Warri will bring together Ijaw youths, community leaders, cultural groups, and sympathizers from across Delta, Edo, and Ondo states to honor Major Boro’s memory. The procession will wind through key parts of Warri, symbolizing unity and resilience among the Ijaw people.
Following the procession, a symposium will convene at Chief Tunde Smooth Playground, where distinguished speakers and historians will share insights on Major Boro’s impact and the ongoing struggle for the Niger Delta’s development and recognition.
While the Warri event is the focal point for the Western Zone, Ijaws worldwide will also hold events commemorating Major Boro’s sacrifice and vision, demonstrating the far-reaching influence of his legacy.
* Tompolo doesn’t spray money; he cannot be held accountable for actions of unknown individuals – Ozobo, IPDI
A leading Niger Delta activist Comrade Ozobo Austin who doubles as the National president of the Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI), has come forward to exonerate High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, from the recent allegations of monetary abuse levied by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
The Niger Delta activist emphasized that there is no concrete evidence supporting the claims presented in the controversial and manipulative viral video that Tompolo sprayed money. He asserted that it is unjust to hold Tompolo responsible for the misdeeds of others.
Comrade Ozobo further alleged that the EFCC has been misled by individuals involved in oil theft and by naive Nigerians whose motives are grounded in envy and jealousy.
He said Tompolo who has great respect for the country’s laws will not condescend low to abuse the law, adding that it would have been better for EFCC to have looked for the unknown individuals responsible for the abuse of the naira in the viral video than dragging the innocent man to disrepute.
The Niger Delta advocate warned mischief makers to invest their time into a meaningful ventures and pursue responsible causes rather than making propaganda against the innocent Tompolo.
He emphasised that Tompolo would not respond to social media critics and unschooled individuals who take joy in manipulating fellow brothers.
Ozobo urged EFCC to be a noble organization and not to allow evil men and unscrupulous social media influencers to instigate them into commenting on unnecessary issues that were capable of threatening the fragile peace of Niger Delta.
News
Burutu LGA Chairman, Commissioner for Housing Inspect Burial Venue of Late Chief Pa Edwin Clark in Kiagbodo
By Peter Ziakegha, May 10, 2025
Kiagbodo, Burutu_The Executive Chairman of Burutu Local Government Area, Hon. Dr. Julius Takeme, in company of the Delta State Commissioner for Housing and Chairman of the Burial Venue Committee, Rt. Hon. Godknows Angele, on Friday inspected the ongoing preparations at the burial venue of the late elder statesman, Chief Pa Edwin Clark, in Kiagbodo.
The visit was aimed at assessing the state of readiness of key facilities and ensuring that arrangements are in place for a dignified and well organised ceremony. The duo expressed satisfaction with the progress of work so far.
Among the areas inspected were the main burial arena, the church slated for the final funeral rites, and the designated parking space for invited dignitaries. Workers were observed mounting canopies, setting up chairs, and grading roadways to ease access to the venue.
Speaking during the inspection, Dr. Takeme lauded the coordination and commitment of the central planning committee. He assured that all logistics would be completed in good time to honour the legacy of the late Chief Pa Edwin Clark.
Preparations are in top gear as the community, the planning committee and the local government get set to host dignitaries and mourners from across the country for the final rites of the respected leader.