Bilabiri Killing: IYC conderms action, calls on waring parties to sheathe their swords

 Bilabiri Killing: IYC conderms action, calls on waring parties to sheathe their swords

The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide has condemned the bloody conflict that has claimed four lives in Bilabiri in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

It was gathered that a proposed security contract triggered disagreements that led to the communal war.

But IYC in a statement signed by its President, Peter Timothy Igbifa, appealed to the warring parties to sheathe their swords saying it was irresponsible for brothers to pick arms against themselves.

Igbifa said instead of bloodshed, Council will provide a roundtable to discuss the issues and resolve grey areas of their differences insisting that dialogue remained the best tool in dispute resolution.

The IYC boss called on the police and other security agencies to immediately move into the warring community and restore order to stop further breakdown of law and order.

He said the council was willing to work with stakeholders of Bilabiri and the state government as well as the security Agencies to ensure a non repeat while the people go about their normal day to day activities.

Just-in: Atserunleghe appointed as new acting Ologbotsere of warri as Ayiri suspended

Just-in: Atserunleghe appointed as new acting Ologbotsere of warri as Ayiri suspended

It was a sad moment as Ginuwa I Ruling House suspended Chief Ayiri Emami as Ologbotsere Of Warri, appointed an acting Ologbotsere.

The controversy surrounding the most respected Olu’s Stool, took a new look on Tuesday 30th March, 2021 when the Ginuwa I Ruling House made the suspension announcement of Chief Emami as the the Traditional Prime Minister (Ologbotsere) of Warri in press briefing held at the front of Olu Palace, Warri.

In same light, the Iyatsere of Warri during the press briefing appointed Chief Johnson Atserunleghe to Act as the New Ologbotsere of Warri.

The Press briefing saw in attendance the Leadership of Itsekiri National Youth Council, many Itsekiri’s sons and daughters. Prince Toju Emiko on behalf of the Ginuwa 1 ruling house addressed the press. He claimed that the 1979 Edict on which the Ojoye-Isan acted, “was hurriedly put together by a hand few of our leaders to meet the exigencies of that time. This so called ‘edict’ exasperating as it is, was never presented to the people for discourse at a general assembly of the Itsekiris for purposes of ratification and general acceptance. But the last two Olus, were crowned using this aberration, despising protests and court cases against the law each time, the statement reads in parts;

“Now we come to another cross road. The Ginuwa 1 Ruling House, which is the only Ruling House in the land and which has exclusive powers to nominate a successor to the throne, has been meeting in the last three months, after a convocation of bonafide members of the House, to nominate a successor to the throne. In the end, Prince Tsola Emiko, was picked as the most qualified person to sit on the throne at this time. This was done only after his name was submitted to the Ruling House by majority of the descendants of the last three Olus, even in compliance with the vexatious edict”.

While the 1979 Edict was contended on the fact that it doesn’t give power to Ojoye-Isan power to disqualify any candidate presented to them by the Ruling House, Prince Emiko said, “This singular illegal action of ‘disqualification’ is now threatening the relative peace in Warri Kingdom and almost tearing apart the very fabric of our existence.

“He (Chief Emami) is to immediately step aside as the Ologbotsere and stop parading himself as such.

“The Iyatsere, who is next in Command and in-fact the most senior chief, who accompanied Ginuwa I from Benin to found the Warri Kingdom, is hereby appointed as Acting Chairman of the Council of Chiefs and the Olu’s Advisory Council. He is to take over immediately and steer the remainder of the process to give us an organized, speedy closure”.

Mr. Esimaje Awani, who spoke during the briefing on behalf of Itsekiri National Youths Council, INYC noted that the Itsekiri youths’ organ was in support of the position of the Ginuwa I Ruling House.

It was reported that Ojoye-Isan, had on Tuesday March 30, in A meeting allegedly held at the Olu Palace Warri allegedly rejected Tsola Emiko as the choice of OMOBA, presented by the Ginuwa Ruling House on the ground that the choice was not in compliance with the 1979 Edict guiding the process of selecting an OMOBA, who is usually crowned as the Olu of Warri.

There were feelers that the embattled Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Ayirimi Emami, who presided over the Ojoye-Isan meeting, the Iyatsere of Warri, Chief Johnson Atserunleghe (who interestingly had been mandated by the Secretary to Emiko Descendants Forum and member Ginuwa I Ruling House) to act as Ologbotsere, the Uwangue of Warri, Chief Gabriel Awala, the Otsodin of Warri, Chief Isaac Jemide, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, Chief Francis Omatseye and Chief Sam Omamuli A.k.A Omajaja, were in attendance at the Ojoye-Isan meeting, which purportedly rejected Prince Tsola Emiko as OMOBA.

Oromoni congratulates Tidi, Ramson on re-election, pledges continued partnership to keep Warri clean

Oromoni congratulates Tidi, Ramson on re-election, pledges continued partnership to keep Warri clean 

The Chairman Delta State Taskforce on Environment, Hon. Sylvester Oromoni has congratulated the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Hon (Dr). Michael Tidi on his re-election and assumption of office for a second term. 

Oromoni who led members of the Taskforce on a courtesy visit to the Chairman on Monday in Warri said the visit was to collaborate with the Warri South Local Government Council in keeping Warri clean and safe for living.

He stressed the need to return the metropolitan city of Warri to her original state. 

"If we must achieve this simple task, we must work together to get positive result by ensuring we keep warri and Delta State at large very clean.

"We are here therefore to seek collaboration which I believe will foster harmonious working relationship with the newly inaugurated Taskforce on beautification.

"Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa has directed us to demolish all illegal structures built on drainages and we are going to do that without fear or favour," Oromoni said. 

In his reaction, Dr Tidi thanked the state taskforce Chairman, for the timely visit and as well as his congratulatory messages. 

Tidi also commended Oromoni for the good work he was doing across the state, especially Warri and its environ in bringing back sanity to the oil city and ensuring that the environment are kept clean and safe for residents.

He however, appealed to the state taskforce Chairman to use his good office in the area of providing working equipments, especially trucks to enable the council taskforce combined team to effectively carry out the planned enforcement.

Hon. Oromoni also visited the Uvwie local Government Counci Chairman, Hon Ramson Onoyake in Effurun. 

Onoyake, in his response appreciated the team for the visit and assured them that he will work  with the Taskforce to healthier and safe Uvwie. 

The Council boss also intimated the Taskforce delegation that he had sent bill to the legislative arm of the council that will bring to an end, the indiscriminate parking of tricycles and buses on our roads as well as those driving against the traffic. 

Onoyake assured residents that his second coming would solely concentrate on environment and beautification.

Oil Spill: IYC Gbaramatu Kingdom Calls On Chevron To Take Responsibility Or Face Sanction

Oil Spill: IYC Gbaramatu Kingdom Calls On Chevron To Take Responsibility Or Face Sanction

As the Chevron Nigeria Limited continues to deny allegations of oil spill from it's facilities in Otunana flowstation in Kokodiagbene and Abiteye flowstation in Benikrukru communities respectively. Which are both situated in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State. 

The foremost Ijaw Youths Body IYC in the kingdom, has called on Chevron to without further delay, take full responsibility of the oil spill from it's facilities. Which has rendered the waterways and lands of the affected communities polluted.

The IYC Gbaramatu Kingdom Structure made the call through it's Chairman Comrade Peter Pudie, who is from the oil-rich Benikrukru Community. Who addressed newsmen in the early hours of today Sunday the 28th, March, 2021. Haven taken a personal tour round the various sites of the incident. Informed the press that, the story of the said oil spill is indeed true. Stating he has personally visited the sites of the spill, in order to get a first hand information on the situation.

Comrade Pudie hinted newsmen that, the level of damage done by the spill is so massive that the livelihood of the people of both the host communities and other surrounding communities has been entirely destroyed. Leaving the people of the communities who are mainly fishermen and women with no other mince of survival.

The IYC Chairman Comrade Peter in the course of the address, expressed his disappointment at Chevron Nigeria Limited which is the major international oil company operating in the Kingdom. For denying and trying to shy away from the reality of the spill.

Comrade Pudie in his displeasure, advised CNL to without further delay, take full responsibility of the spill. And set adequate modalities in order to curb the situation.

Going forward, the Chairman Peter Pudie warned that, any further denial of the spill by Chevron, will not only intensify the tension in the atmosphere, but will as well be considered as a deliberate action by Chevron to destroy the only mince of survival of the people of Gbaramatu. And will be met with stiff resistance.

In His Words:

"I Comrade Peter Pudie, the Chairman Ijaw Youth Council Gbaramatu Kingdom Structure, on behalf of the body, wish to use this medium to emphatically state that, the oil spill witnessed in Otunana flowstation in Kokodiagbene and Abiteye flowstation in Benikrukru Communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom is indeed true".

"It is very sad that Chevron Nigeria Limited which runs a major oil operations in the Kingdom. Had to deny the occurrence of the spill, following the massive outcry from the affected communities.

Thereby stating that "there is no oil spill emanating from any of it's facilities in the Kingdom".

"I want to state that the IYC Gbaramatu Kingdom Structure ably led by my humble self, took a deliberate tour round the exact sites of the spill. As well as visiting every affected community in the Kingdom, in order to know the state of things for myself. And it was sad discovering the level of spill, which has almost destroyed the entire waterways and landmass of each of the affected communities".

"I want to note that, this unfortunate oil spill has rendered the people of the host communities as well as other impacted communities with no hope or source of livelihood. As their only mince of survival has been destroyed. Leaving them in the hands of hunger and starvation".

"It is on this note, we the IYC Gbaramatu Kingdom Structure, are calling on Chevron Nigeria Limited to henceforth, do away with it's undue denials of the occurrence of the spill. And take full responsibility of the situation, by proffering workable solutions to curb the damages caused by the spill. As well as providing adequate compensations to every affected community in the Kingdom".

"We are charging the management of CNL to treat this call with all honesty. As any attempt to ignored or disregard it will be met with stiff resistance from us".

Engr. Yeigagha appreciates family, well wishers on daughter's marriage introduction

Engr. Yeigagha appreciates family, well wishers on daughter's marriage introduction

Francis Tayor

A renowned unionist and former two times Chairman Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Burutu Local Government chapter of Delta State, Engr. Henry Yeigagha has extended his heartfelt appreciation to his family, friends and well wishers for honouring the invitation on the occasion of his eldest daughter's marriage introduction ceremony over the weekend.

The event which took place at his private residence in Udu on Sunday March 28th, 2021 attracted many notable sons from Ayakoromo, Kiagbodo and Burutu to observe the first stage of his daughter's traditional marriage process according to ljaw tradition.

Engr. Yeigagha in his appreciation message said he was overwhelmed with the massive turnout despite the short notice, stressing that God bless everybody that honour the invitation.

It will interest you to note that, a delegation led by Kekena Jolomi Collins from Obontegeghayede Community in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, came to ask Engr. Yeigagha eldest daughter, Miss. Laurenta Timi-ebi hand in marriage before the Yeigagha extended family of Ayakoromo community in Burutu, friends and well wishers in which the daughter accepted.

However, date for the marriage proper would be disclose in the nearest future, the statement adds.