Press Release
PRESS STATEMENT: IYC Expresses Disappointment in Governor Oborevwori’s One Year in Office for None Performance in Ijawland.
PRESS STATEMENT: IYC Expresses Disappointment in Governor Oborevwori’s One Year in Office for None Performance in Ijawland.
- May 29th 2024 will mark exactly one year that His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori will be ruling over the good people of Delta State for a year as a democratically elected governor of the state.
- The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide will not accept any further political manipulation, strangulation, and underdevelopment of the Ijaws in Delta State, particularly in the Oborevwori led administration. The IYC at this point, is sounding it clearly that the Ijaw people in all the states that they are balkernized into are not strangers in these States, hence they deserved to be treated fairly and blessed with the developmental vision and agenda of the state across all fronts and proper political inclusion.
- As a council, we thought that as the Governor is gearing up to celebrate his one year in office on May 29th 2024 which will be few days from now, the Ayakoromo bridge would have crossed and would have been counted as an achievement in his one year in office but that did not happen as the bridge is still struggling to come to limelight.
- The Ijaws in Delta State are not only contributing politically in shapping the state but are also the economic life wire of the state and beyond, hence they have every right to demand for the proper development of the Ijaw area. The call for the development of Ijaw land in Delta State and fair treatment should not be treated with Kidsglove.
- Hitherto, Ijaws are wondering why in the past one year, they are yet to get any commensurate developmental attention despite their immense contribution to the election of Oborevwori as Governor of the State. While other parts of Delta seem to be recording some level of development, the Ijaw area remains stagnant and highly unattended to.
- From the look of things, the Ijaws are the most marginalized ethnic nationality under the Governor Oborevwori led administration in Delta State as there is no reasonable project to point at within the last one year. This is really sad considering their political participation that brought in Oborevwori as Governor of our dear State.
- The Ijaw people have called for the urgent establishment of the Coastal Areas Development Agency (CADA) just as the Warri/Uvwie & Environs Special Area Development Agency and Asaba Capital Development Agency were established by the administration of Okowa. The Ijaws want the urgent establishment of CADA to take care of the developmental needs of the Coastal parts of Delta State. The call for the urgent establishment of CADA must not be treated with levity this time around.
- Burutu Local Government should have two commissioners in the state executive Council because Burutu has one federal and two State Constituencies, hence Burutu should produce two commissioners. The IYC cannot think of any logic that places some local governments in Delta that are given two commissionership slots. We want this political anomaly corrected as soon as possible.
- Beyond, Burutu Local Government, Patani, Warri South West, and Warri South should each have two commissioners since Warri North is already having two commissioners. The political imbalance in Warri North wherein all the two commissioners are from Itsekiri instead of balancing it with the Ijaws of Egbema. This should be remedied so that the Ijaws will have a strong sense of belonging and political participation.
- The Ogulagha/Odimodi road project is very key and important to the Ijaw people, it is the only link road between the two communities, the Okowa administration approved the road, as a legacy project. The governor should be liberal enough to mobilize the contractor to site. If oil bearing communities cannot enjoy development, we wonder what should be happening to other communities.
- The Delta State Maritime Polytechnic, Burutu, which was established in 2006 and began its academic activities in 2011, to date, is still struggling for survival. It is regrettable that despite being the only state owned tertiary institution that the Ijaws have in Delta State, there is no single completed structure in the permanent site of the school neither the temporary site since its establishment. Governor Oborevwori can do well by addressing this by massively building structures for the institution.
- The political inclusion, and appointment of Ijaw Youths into the Oborevwori’s Government in Delta State is totally nothing to write home about compared to other ethnic groups in the state. The Ijaw Youths can not continue to be useful only during elections and dumped after elections. The activities of Governor Oborevwori have not been favourable to the Ijaw people within the last one year, and we don’t know how long we are going to endure this ethnic silencing and invisibility.
- We are calling on the Governor of Delta State to make plans to upgrade the Bomadi Isena-ibe Teacher training college that had since been downgraded to a secondary school instead of a tertiary institution, to at least a state owned degree awarding college of Education, to assuage the educational taste of the Bomadi people, Ijaws and Deltans in general. Bomadi is a highly populated Ijaw community and a fast rising historic town. The option for a higher institution for the ijaws in Bomadi can not be overlooked.
- However, just the way the Governor has activated plans to relocate a faculty from the Delta State University to Osubi, the Ijaw people are calling on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to relocate faculties from the newly established universities in Delta State, with particular reference to the Okowa’s administration to Ogulagha, a major oil producing Kingdom in Delta state in the Interim before the establishment of a university in the nearest future for Ogulagha Kingdom.
- Finally, the IYC as the apex Ijaw Youth body will always speak truth to power at all points in defending our people, anytime and anywhere. We have watched the activities of the governor keenly. Hence, there is a need for us as a council to draw his attention to these critical issues confronting the Ijaw people in Delta State. We cannot continue to guarantee that the Ijaws will keep quiet for a long time. Going forward, the needful has to be done before the IYC will be forced to lead a massive protest against the governor for alienating the Ijaws in Delta State.
Signed.
Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill
Spokesman Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide.
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Press Release
PRESS RELEASE: Otuaro Appreciates President Tinubu GCFR Over Solid Support Towards the Success of PAP Programme
* Presents Laptops To 663 Scholarship Beneficiaries
By Favour Bibaikefie
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has expressed unreserved gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR over what he describes as a totall support towards the success of the programme.
This was conveyed via a Press Release Otuaro made through his media aid, Igoniko Oduma at the conclusion of the offive’s distribution of laptops to final year beneficiaries of its scholarship scheme aimed at enhancing their academic research in universities across Nigeria.
The campagin which commenced in April saw the presentation of laptops to the last batch of final year students. Otuaro announced that a total of 663 laptops were presented to the beneficiaries in the 26 partnering and 72 non-partnering universities at the end of the exercise, which lasted until May 2025.
The PAP also carried out physical verification and orientation programme for the newly deployed 3,171 beneficiaries in the resumption list for the 2024/2025 academic session.
Various teams coordinated by the PAP’s Head of Education, Dr. Charles Ariye, visited the schools to distribute the laptops to the beneficiaries and perform the verification and orientation programme.
Speaking on the laptops distribution, the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, reiterated that the decision was based on the realization of the usefulness of the mobile computing device to the students’ academic pursuit and overall success.
He said the gesture was in fulfillment of his promise to the scholarship beneficiaries during his tour of partnering universities in 2024.
While expressing optimism that the laptops would help the beneficiaries a great deal, Otuaro urged them to make good use of them and justify the government’s huge investment in their education.
He also said the physical verification and orientation programme was part of his leadership’s policy of due process, transparency and accountability to ensure a headcount of all beneficiaries, and enlighten the fresh beneficiaries on the PAP’s education policy.
Otuaro advised all PAP scholarship students to take their studies seriously and shun acts capable of putting their academic pursuit in jeopardy and ruining their bright future.
He restated his leadership’s unwavering commitment to implementing the programme’s objectives for the advancement of the Niger Delta and in support of President Bola Tinubu’s avowed commitment to the region’s peace, stability and development.
“We will continue to partner with the institutions and create access to university education for our youths, thereby reducing the human capital gap in the Niger Delta and contributing to national manpower development.
This is also with a view to deepening efforts to ensure sustainable peace, stability and socio-economic growth in the region in line with the renewed hope agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR”, Otuaro said.
The PAP helmsman expressed profound appreciation to the president for his massive support for the programme, noting that it demonstrates his undiluted love for the Niger Delta and the youths in particular.
Signed:
Mr Igoniko Oduma
Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme
21/05/2025
“The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone condemns in strong terms allegations made against High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo and Dr Dennis Otuaro by the Itsekiri Progress Group (IPG) and other faceless groups within the Itsekiri ethnic nationality.
“Ordinarily, Council would not react to mischievous allegations such as the ones raised by these elements who are frustrated by the outcome of the recent delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency, but doing so could allow falsehood to appear as truth.
“To set the records straight, High Chief Dr. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) and High Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro are sons and distinguished leaders of Ijaw nation who have contributed immensely to the progress of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his first two years in office.
“It is evidently clear that the efforts of Tompolo’s Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has caused the country to attain stable daily oil production volumes. Not only is Nigeria’s daily oil output approaching the two million barrels mark, Tantita is leading the charge for environmental cleaningness in the creeks in the face of a heavy degradation occasoned by oil bunkering activities in the past.
“Also, the company has overseen the employment of thousands of youths in the Niger Delta Region, with a huge chunk of that number taken from the Itsekiri ethnic nationality.
“On the other hand, Dr. Otuaro has reformed the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) from its lost days to an entity of hope and solution to the Niger Delta region, drawing accolades and commendations from the Presidency, NSA and critical stakeholders in the region.
“Council, thus finds it unacceptable that multiple faceless groups under the guise of agitating for a review of the outcome of the delineation exercise would condescend to mischievousness and blackmail against two illustrious sons of the Niger Delta working hard to see that the President succeeds.
“We take full responsibility of the recent Boro Day celebration held in Warri, wherein thousands of Ijaw youths marched across our territories in the city of Warri, in memory of our late Hero, Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro. The event is a yearly ritual for the Ijaw people, and Dr. Otuaro’s appearance at the last outing was at the behest of Council, who beckoned on him to make a guest appearance as a critical stakeholder to the body.
“We therefore find it unreasonable and illogical for both Tompolo and Otuaro to be fingered for a joint statement by the Ijaws and Urhobo’s calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission to speedily implement its recommended outcome from the delineation exercise, and urging the First Lady not to influence the process as she is mother to all.
“May we remind the Itsekiri nation that as First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu is mother to the entire country, and not solely owned by the Itsekiri nation. Hence, every Nigerian is obliged to make demands of her, which the Ijaws and Urhobos illustrated through their statement.
“Finally, The Ijaw Youth Council urges the Olu of Itsekiri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, and other leaders to call their youths to order and refrain from beating the drum of war in Warri and environs.
“While protest is a right for every Nigerian, the Itsekiris should take a cue from the Boro Day procession organized by the Ijaw Youth Council Western Zone that was peaceful in every way.
“We also condemn actions of the uncontrollable Itsekiri youths who protested in territories outside their jurisdiction, blocked major roads with tyres, destroyed properties, and attacked peaceful Ijaw people; all actions that could lead to retaliation and a breakdown of law and order.
“Council, therefore, urges President Tinubu to order INEC to implement the delineation outcome without any further delays to avert a looming crisis that may impede the progress and success of his administration.”
Signed:
Comrade Nicholas Igarama
Chairman, IYC Western Zone
Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo Esq
Secretary, IYC Western Zone
Comrade Tare Magbei
Information Officer, IYC Western Zone
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has called on the people of the Niger Delta to reflect on the essence of Easter and show love to one another.
In his Easter message, on Sunday, Otuaro urged stakeholders of the region- men, women, youths and all ex-agitators- to imbibe the spirit of peace, unity, and sacrifice embodied by the Lord Jesus Christ.
He noted that the Easter season was a period to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as God’s precious gift of peace to the world and reconciliation to Himself.
Otuaro urged the people of the region to use the season to deeply reflect on the virtues of the Lord and walk in them to ensure peace, stability and harmony in the Niger Delta.
He stressed that Easter called for a re-commitment to the cherished values of peace, forgiveness, kindness and service.
The PAP boss expressed the unwavering commitment of his leadership to the implementation of the programme’s mandate for sustainable peace, security, stability and development of the region.
He also enjoined stakeholders of the Niger Delta to continue to support President Bola Tinubu and his administration’s noble reforms aimed at achieving economic recovery and shared prosperity for all.
Otuaro added, “I will like to heartily greet all stakeholders of the Niger Delta on this joyous occasion of the commemoration of Easter. It is a time to reflect on its essence and the values of love, peace, forgiveness and sacrifice exemplified by the Lord Jesus Christ.
“I urge all youths, ex-agitators, men, and women to imbibe the virtues embedded in Jesus Christ and the significance of His death and resurrection as God’s perfect gift for redemption and reconciliation of mankind.
“Let us love one another, promote unity and peace in the interest of the Niger Delta. I felicitate all stakeholders and wish you a Happy Easter celebration.”
Signed:
Mr Igoniko Oduma,
Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme.
20/04/2025