IYC Spokesman, Amb. Binebai Plays Host to Barrister Smooth in Warri

IYC Spokesman, Amb. Binebai Plays Host to Barrister Smooth in Warri 

By Ndu Samuel 

Warri _____ ljaw living music legend, King of South South High life music, Barrister S. Smooth, popularly known as the paddle of Niger Delta in the early hours on Thursday paid a special visit to the office of the Spokesman Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill. 

Barrister Smooth who was accompanied to the office by a doyen of media in Ijaw, Sir Ebipade Ayabotu Victor, alias Egberigide of the universe had a very critical discussion on the way forward for Ijaw nation with the Spokesman of Council. 

Princewill who lauded Barrister Smooth for identifying and honouring him with the visit noted that he will not take the visit for granted, stressing that as Spokesman of Council, he will continue to consult leaders and critical stakeholders of council and Ijaw leaders to speak in defense of the Ijaw people and her communities. 

The Spokesman particularly commended the paddle of Niger Delta for contributing massively towards the liberation struggle of the Ijaw people via his inspirational songs. 

Binebai asserted that the entire Ijaw nation is aware of the contribution of Barrister Smooth in the Ijaw struggle for emancipation, stressing that he has truly paid his dues. 

Princewill specifically mentioned Okerenkoko Febagha-Ogbo, Meinbutu, Agelebagha-Ogbo, Olabrakopere, Febokirifagha-Ogbo, Freedom, Defend your name, Dolphin Club of Odimodi, Israel Boys of Burutu, Sacrifice, structure the base with the host of other very many interesting and inspirational songs to mention but a few as songs that will continue to stand the test of time. 

Speaking further, the Spokesman had charged Barrister Smooth never to relent with his inspirational and struggle songs, adding that Smooth has written his name in the golden book of Ijaw nation. 

Binebai also assured Barrister Smooth that the best is yet to come from the 9th NEC led by Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr as President. 

In his swift reaction, the Ijaw living music legend had particularly described the IYC Spokesman, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill as a rare treasure of the Ijaw people in Council at the moment. 

While commending Princewill, Smooth asserted that he feels comfortable with the way the Spokesman has been diligently doing his job so far without any personal interest and bias.

He particularly urged the IYC to continue to preach unity and love among the Ijaw people. 

High point of the visit was a tour round the Spokesman's office section by section.

Delta LG Polls: Burutu PDP Takes Campaign to Ward 11, 10 and 7 Ahead of Council Elections

Delta LG Polls: Burutu PDP Takes Campaign to Ward 11, 10 and 7 Ahead of Council Elections 

Francis Tayor

Warri_____ ln what could be described as intensive door to door campaign in order to retain the seat of executive chairman in Burutu Local Government, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has commenced Ward to Ward Campaign to Ward 11 Ogulagha/Odimodi, Ward 10 Obotebe and Ward 7 Ayakoromo on Thursday July 4, ahead of the forthcoming local government council elections in Delta State.

The campaign train was led by the Director General (DG) of 2024 Burutu Local Government elections Campaign Council, Hon. Ebipade Ekpotuayerin Pullah alongside the Party chairmanship candidate, Dr. Julius Takeme, his running mate, Mrs. Georgina Evah and other leaders of the party in Burutu.

Speaking at Ogulagha/Odimodi Ward 11, Obotebe Ward 10 and Ayakoromo Ward 7, the campaign DG, Pullah Ekpotuayerin thanked the electorates for their support and vote for PDP over the years. He noted that PDP is the only party that have attracted meaningful infrastructural development across the various wards in Burutu, stressing that more good things are coming as they turn out en masse to massively vote for all the PDP candidates comes July 13, 2024 council elections.

While the honourable Commissioner for Housing Delta State, Rt. Hon. Godknows Angele appealed to Ayakoromo Ward 7 to give the same support they gave him to the incoming Chairman, Hon. Julius Takeme, stressing that he will do more for them when elected into power.

In his reaction, Hon. Funkekeme Solomon charged Ayakoromo people to continue their support for PDP, stressing that Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State is committed to complete Ayakoromo bridge in the nearest future, while thanking them for their support of the umbrella party over the years.

Presenting the party flag to the councillorship candidate of Ward 7, Hon. Ebike Oromoni, chairman PDP Burutu Local Government Area also appreciated Ayakoromo people for always supporting the party over the years, he appealed to them to replicate the kind gesture comes 13 July, 2024.

Expressing gratitude to the party and Ayakoromo Ward 7 people, the councillorship candidate, Timiebi Angodideke thanked the party for given him PDP flag to fly the party. He promised not to disappoint them and Ayakoromo people when elected into office. He however, presented a brown new grass cutting machine to Ayakoromo youths and solicited for their support and votes comes July 13, the election day.

Addressing the gathering,  the local government chairmanship candidate of the party, Chief. Dr. Julius Takeme appreciated Ayakoromo people for standing by PDP in the past years. Takeme acknowledged that he also hailed from Ayakoromo Federated Community, hence he will attract unprecedented infrastructural development to Ayakoromo community when elected into office.

In her reaction, the Vice chairmanship candidate of the party, Mrs. Georgina Evah reaffirmed her commitment to carry the women along when elected into office, while appealing to the women to come out in their numbers to vote for PDP.

Responding on behalf of Ayakoromo PDP Ward 7, the party Chairman, Prince Kelvin Perekeme assured the campaign train of Ayakoromo peoples readiness to vote for PDP, adding that Ward 7 people are eagerly waiting for the Dday to cast their votes for the umbrella party.

IYC blasts ghost group for attack on Pa Clark, Tompolo, hails Tinubu for Otuaro's appointment

IYC blasts ghost group for attack on Pa Clark, Tompolo, hails Tinubu for Otuaro's appointment 

Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide 

Press Statement 

3/07/2024

IYC Lash Traducers Of Pa Clark, Tompolo,  Says The Duo Fight For The Liberation Of Ijaw, Niger Delta 

1. The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has lashed out on those, particularly a strange group operating under the auspices of Project Niger Delta writing and fighting against the duo of Chief Dr. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark and High Chief Dr. Government Oweizide Ekpomupolo, alias Tompolo to stop attacking the duo over nothing as Tompolo and Pa Clark are true living champions of the Ijaw and Niger Delta struggle for liberation. 

2. As a council, it is not in our character to respond to every Tom, Dick and Harry but the attention of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC ) Worldwide, the umbrella body covering all Ijaw Youths has been drawn to a careless, baseless,  false and envious publication by a strange group operating under the auspices of Project Niger Delta (PND) signed by its Executive Director/Coordinator,  Comr.  Princewill Timipre Ebebi against our highly revered leaders in Niger Delta wherein it said Tompolo and Pa Clark are enslaving Delta Ijaws. 

3. The IYC is warning all those trying to discredit our highly respected leaders of Ijaw extraction like Tompolo and Pa Clark that have sacrificed a lot for the development and stability of Ijaw, Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. These leaders have to be supported and encouraged by all right and positive thinking people in Nigeria and beyond. We know that some of these strange groups and their paymasters are jittery over the heroic deeds of Tompolo and Pa Clark. 

4. The little air and development that have  come to the Niger Delta region and Ijaw is only made possible because of the likes of Pa Clark, Tompolo, and other well-respected leaders. The IYC will not tolerate incendiary remarks against Ijaw nation.

5.  The Ijaw people are lucky and blessed to have the likes of Tompolo, Pa Clark, and others in Ijaw nation.  However, the IYC is commending His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for appointing Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro  as Administrator of the Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

6. As a council and as a critical Youth movement in the region that played critical role in the creation and establishment of the Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), we are  hailing President Tinubu again and again that the entire Niger Delta region is happy with the appointment of Otuaro as Administrator of the Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) as he is showing good working by revamping the programme, Niger Deltans are already feeling his positive impacts as Administrator of the programme. 

7. The Amnesty Programme is now in a very strong, stable, and safe hand under Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro, in his few months in office, he has done well in peace building and human capacity building in the region with his stakeholders' engagement. 

8. Nevertheless, people like Tompolo, Pa Clark have sacrificed all they have for the emancipation of the Ijaw people, it is Ijaw that is owing these living legends of the struggle hence every normal and right thinking persons ought to give them the needed honour and respect that they deserved. We are not also surprise because the said group and its signatory is alien to the Ijaw and Niger Delta people and her struggle. 

9. Meanwhile, the IYC is aware that proponents of such ill-fated publication are agents to those still trying to do illegal bunkering. Hence, as apostles of illegality and corruption, they are  trying to fight back. The IYC will not be kind to anyone trying to demean our leaders who  have lived all their lives for the liberation of Ijaw people.

10. Finally, the IYC will always act as a bridge builder and a symbol of unity to the Ijaw people. We will continue to defend and protect the dignity of our highly revered leaders. We will not tolerate and accept any selfish cricism against our fathers in the struggle. Tompolo and Pa Clark are not responsible for the enslavement of anybody. Rather, they are the pride of Ijaw nation and Niger Delta. We will continue to hold  them in a very high esteem. 

Signed:

Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill, Spokesman Ijaw Youth Council.

Otuaro Plays Host to Amgbare, Synergizes to Sustain Peace in N'Delta

Amnesty: Otuaro Plays Host to Amgbare, Synergizes to Sustain Peace in N'Delta

...As both Agencies plans to address food security, flood challenges in the N'Delta region 

Abuja _______ Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, NDBDA, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare in the early hours on Tuesday met with the administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Dr. Dennis Otuaro in Abuja to discuss issues of development of the Niger Delta region. 

Prince Amgbare recalled that the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority was conceived as a special purpose vehicle to drive development in the Niger Delta Basin. However, when it failed to achieve its goals agitation in the region heightened giving birth to other interventionist agencies like the Directorate of Food Roads and Rural Infrastructure, DFRRI, Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, OMPADEC, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and the latest being the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP.

The NDBDA helmsman noted that his visit was primarily to forge synergy with the PAP office to drive meaningful economic development of the region in line with the vision of the Willinks Commission of 1957.

Amgbare then informed Dr. Otuaro that his mission to PAP was to seek his cooperation to drive home the "Food Security Is The Real Security" campaign of his office.

In his response, Dr. Otuaro  thanked Amgbare for the visit which he described as maiden and quite welcomed. 

He reiterated the commitment of the PAP office to addressing the agitation of the Niger Delta people through various development strategies, noting that agriculture is one real means to achieving human and national security. 

Dr. Otuaro hinted that PAP had planned to expand its dragnet to include scholarship programmes to non-arms bearers like women to learn vocational skills in an effort towards sustaining the desired lasting peace in the Niger Delta.

The PAP boss also promised to cooperate with NDBDA to tackle the perennial flooding and its concomitant challenges in the region.

Dr. Otuaro commended Amgbare for sustaining a sterling track record and his dedication to the development of the Niger Delta, assuring that he would not work at cross-purposes with him in executing Mr President's Renewed Hope Agenda in the Niger Delta region.

Just-ln: Burutu PDP Releases Time Table for Ward to Ward Campaign Ahead of July 13, LG Elections

Just-ln: Burutu PDP Releases Time Table for Ward to Ward Campaign Ahead of July 13, LG Elections 

Francis Tayor

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, has released its Ward to Ward Campaign time table across the twenty wards in the LGA ahead of the forthcoming July 13, 2024 Council elections.

In a statement released on Tuesday by the Director of Media/Publicity, Emmanuel Gesikeme Akpule, stated that the Ward to Ward Campaign would commence on Thursday July 4th, 2024, starting from Ward eleven, ten and seven respectively.

In addition, Ward leaders and party faithfuls are hereby charged to be on ground in their respective ward headquarters to receive the DG of the campaign Council and the party Chairmanship Candidate among others leaders.

See below details of the campaign time table.

IYC Dares Gov. Obaseki of Edo State, Urges him to Present Staff of Office to Ijaw Kings in the State

IYC Dares Gov. Obaseki of Edo State, Urges him to Present Staff of Office to Ijaw Kings in the State

By Opukutu Rejoice 

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has talked tough, calling on His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki to urgently give staff of office to Ijaw kings in Edo State before the Governorship election. 

The IYC while urging the Governor to give staff of office to the five Kings in Edo State had vowed not to further tolerate the continued enslavement and political subjugation of the Ijaw people in Edo State, stressing that the Ijaw people must be treated fairly in the state.

Speaking further, the highly revered Ijaw Youth Council had called on the Governor to urgently commence the Udo-Ofunama road project and that of the Gelegele-gbene Seaport. 

Binebai had called for a proper inclusion and development of the Ijaw Kingdoms and her people in Edo State.

This was contained in a statement signed and issued to newsmen on behalf of council by the Spokesman of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill earlier today in Warri at his office. 

The statement reads in full below:

Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide 

Press Statement 

1/07/2024

Edo Guber: IYC Tackles Obaseki Over Deprivation, Underdevelopment Of Ijaws, Make Demands 

1. Edo State was formed on August 27, 1991 when Bendel State was split into Edo and Delta States. The major first languages spoken in the state are Ijaw, Edo, Etsako, Esan and Owan, Akoko Edo and Okpameri language. Edo State is home to several ethnicities, among them the Bini, Ijaw, Esan, Afemai and Emai.

2. The Ijaw people are not only found in Edo State but they are original foundation ethnic group in Edo State like others. The Ijaws have five autonomously independent Kingdoms such as Egbema, Okomu, Olodiama, Forupa and Gbaran. These Kingdoms have been politically bulkernized into three local government areas in Edo State as minorities. They are in Ikpoba-Okha, Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West Local Government areas of the state.

3. It is so shocking, shameful and appalling that successive Edo State Governors have exhibited high level of ethnic jingoism and have Governed the state as though the Ijaws are not existing while the Ijaws are equal stakeholders in the state. The Ijaw people are both culturally, politically, socially and economically viable. 

4. The demand of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) is that His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki should be proactive enough by urgently giving staff of office to the five Ijaw Kingdoms in Edo State before the Governorship election. 

5. Let us sound this clear again and again that the Ijaws in Edo State are not living in a foreign land, they are living in their ancestral land and no one should try to falsify their history by trying to annex any part of their lands. Our people must be treated fairly in Edo State with dignity and honour going forward. 

6. Our people have suffered too much political deprivation, suppression, manipulation, oppression,  strangulation and alienation in their own land. Since the creation of Edo state till date, the level of development in the Ijaw areas have been completely nothing to write home about. The IYC will not allow this injustice to fester forever. 

7. The continued subjugation of our people and Kingdoms by not giving staff of office to Ijaw kings in Edo State is something that is capable of causing disharmony and chaos, we don't know how we will continue to endure this calculated arrangement geared towards undermining the autonomy of the Ijaws in Edo State. You cannot be using our collective wealth to develop and dignify one section. This is totally unacceptable to the Ijaw Youth Council. 

8. It is our call to the Governor of Edo state, His Excellency, Hon. Godwin Obaseki to swiftly partner with relevant agencies for the commencement of the Udo-Ofunama road project to connect the rural Ijaw areas to the urban and see to the realization of the Gelegele-gbene Seaport. These projects are very dear and key to our people, Edo, Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. If completed the projects will add so much economic value to the polity. 

9. However, the IYC is calling on the Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki to act on these pressing issues of the Ijaw people as soon as possible as we have never enjoyed the dividends of being in Edo State as a founding ethnic group.

10. The Ijaw people are expecting to see that we produce Chairman in the three local government areas that we have been bulkernized into, House of Assembly members, Senator, commissioners, Speaker and even Governor of the State in the nearest future. We can't only be good at supporting people only during elections and dumped thereafter. 

11. Finally, as the Edo State Governorship election draws nearer, it is the call of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide that the Ijaw people should freely support whoever that will have the interest to develop and give the Ijaws what is due them. The proper development of Ijaw will always come first, we will not negotiate or politicise our development for anything. 

Signed:

Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill, Spokesman Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide.

Just-ln: Eselemo Family Release Statement on Father's 40 Years Anniversary, Read Details Below

Just-ln: Eselemo Family Release Statement on Father's 40 Years Anniversary, Read Details Below

Gentlemen of the press. It has come to our knowledge and /or notice  through social media. that one Fredinand Eselemo, who is the 13th child of our  late father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, signed an abvert misinforming the general public as a senior son of a purported 40th anniversary celebration of our late illustrous father Prince Wilson Merlin Eselemo without our consent and with utmost disregard to the traditionally constituted authority as the Scion of the Eselemo Dynasty, Prince Collins Okubokeyei Eselemo (AKA Owei -Akpran or Okubo himself) the eldest child of our quintessential father of great repute.

I, Prince Shedrack Eselemo, have been directed by the undersigned children, grandchildren, and great grand children to inform the general puplic that we are not part of Fred's orchestrated mentacies that has falling far bellow the standard for the likes of our late father's 40th aniversary celebration. I, on behalf of the undersigned, with due respect to our eldest brother (now our father) who held sway to  sustain our father's impeccable legacy for forty years since the demise of our father with nine won inherited controversial court cases some to the supreme Court, crave the indulgence of our late father's relatives and well wishers to remain calm for further directives and/or update for the real 40th anniversary celebration approval and blessings of the Scion himself who is currently  our late father's spiritual representative on our planet earth. 

Thanks to all that respects tradition and to those who wish the great Eselemo family well. 

May the almighty GOD bless us as we venture into this novel era of undetermined spiritual destinies. 

Signed:

Prince Shedrack Eselemo, the last child (Tupele), for and on behalf of the undersigned,

Pastor David Eselemo 

Mrs Princess Taye Olusegun

Mrs  Ebikeseiye A. Tiebebedigha

Prince Yinlayefa Eselemo 

Prince Shedrack Eselemo 

Grand children 

Prince Dafe Ovie 

Prince Efe Ovie

 Mrs Tamarapreye Genis

Princess Enie Eselemo. 

Prince Perezide Eselemo 

Prince Timidi Eselemo 

Prince Bibobra Eselemo

Ebiakpo Eze

Victoria Dorgu

Favour Dorgu

Preye Dorgu

Michel Laye Eselemo

Daniella Laye Eselemo 

Gabriella Laye Eselemo 

Joshua Laye Eselemo 

Jubilee Tiebebedigha 

Miebi Tiebebedigha 

Tamas Tiebebedigha 

Esther Arefa Eselemo

McCarthy Arefa Eselemo 

Veron Arefa Eselemo 

Ferdinand Arefa Eselemo 

Preye Arefa Eselemo

Amnesty Office Opens Portal for Undergraduates and Post Graduates Scholarship for N'Delta Ex-agitators

Amnesty Office Opens Portal for Undergraduates and Post Graduates Scholarship for N'Delta Ex-agitators 

"As part of the strategic interest of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) to reintegrate ex-agitators and persons from the impacted communities, we offer scholarships for tertiary institutions aimed at building human capacity relevant to the Niger Delta. In furtherance of this, undergraduate students will be bonded for a period of 1 year to serve the Niger Delta Community.

PAP SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA FOR 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

The eligibility criteria for PAP scholarship will be advertised on the PAP website and other relevant platforms for scholarship opportunities in different fields of study to kickstart the application process. Thereafter, the prospective student is required to go to the application portal, complete the forms and upload the necessary documents and passport photograph.

Requirements

For Undergraduate studies candidates must provide the following documents:​

WAEC/NECO with a minimum of 5 Credits including English Language and Mathematics

JAMB result

Local Government (L. G. A) letter of identification 

Letter of Admission

Birth Certificate/Age Declaration

Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies

For all scholarship programmes, the following are required:

For ex-agitators, candidates must have a UN Code.

Candidates must submit their application within the stipulated deadline given by the PAP.

Thereafter, those who meet the requirements will be shortlisted for a pre-qualification test and all documents submitted initially will also be verified.

After the pre-qualification test, only successful candidates will be awarded the scholarship.

Click the button below to apply for PAP scholarship."

 https://www.osapnd.gov.ng/scholarship/#:~:text=As%20part%20of,for%20PAP%20scholarship.

40 Years After, Eselemo Family of Ndoro Remembers their Son, Prince Wilson Eselemo of Blessed Memory

40 Years After, Eselemo Family of Ndoro Remembers their Son, Prince Wilson Eselemo of Blessed Memory

The families of late Prince Wilson M. Eselemo of Ndoro Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has announced to mark the forty years anniversary of their beloved departed father, grandfather and great grandfather who slept in the Lord since 1984.

Late Prince Wilson Eselemo was a renowned Niger Delta business mogul who invested heavily in marine transportation business in the riverine communities of Niger Delta Siuth-South, South -East and South-West Nigeria between 60s,70s and 80s.

He was born 1935 and died suddenly on the 18th July, 1984 at the age of 49years. Before his death, he affected so many lives positively in the Niger Delta region and beyond as a great philanthropist.

According to the program of events signed by Mr Fred Eselemo on behalf of the children.

1) Sunday July 14th, 2024: Golf Tournament at Shell Yard Ogunu, warri Delta State.

2) Tuesday July 16th, 2024-10AM, Wrestling Competition at Prince Wilson Eselemo Country Home, Ndoro Community in Ekeremor LGA, Bayelsa State.

3) Wednesday July 17 th, 2024-4PM, Football Match at Shell Yard Field, Ogunu Warri Delta State.

4) Thursday July 18th, 2024-12Noon, Reception Event at Chief Tunde Smooth Yard Barrack Junction, NPA Warri, Delta State. Music to be supplied by Jking Alfred Izonebi.

5) Sunday July 21st, 2024, Thanksgiving Service at Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministry, Effurun warri Sapele road, Delta State.

The general public, family and friends are hereby specially invited to join them in remembrance of their great beloved father.

Signed: 

Fred Eselemo, on behalf of the children.