News

[ADVERTORIAL] Okomu Crisis: Our Displeasure, Rejection Of Okaba-led Reconciliation Meeting

Published

12 months ago

August 11, 2024

Editor

It is no longer news that our dear community – Okomu has been embroiled in crisis recently which has led to burning of several houses and gun attacks on some military personnel, Edo State Security Network personnel and the most sacrilegious shooting of our revered king.

Consequently, early this month (August 2024) president of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) summoned us to a meeting with a view to resolving the crisis between we (Okomu community) and Lawrence Yanbor, the man who has been terrorising the whole Okomu and its environs. In his invitation, the INC President, in person of Prof. Benjamin Okaba informed us that three Ijaw top kings (one from Delta and two from Bayelsa) would be in attendance to carry out mediation roles while the Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Bayelsa State, Chief Godspower Oporomo would host the supposed reconciliation meeting.

The meeting was slated for August 7th, so we took off as early as possible from here in Edo State en route to Bayelsa State. Our King, who has been in the hospital for treatment for all these months after the shooting by Lawrence Yanbor, also traveled to Bayelsa State (Yenagoa) even with his health condition. We are not resistant to reconciliation and putting an end to the lingering crisis in our community. This is why we were all happy to honour the invitation by the INC President; this is why our King, despite his present health challenge risked his health to travel to Yenagoa to attend the supposed reconciliation meeting.

On getting to Yenagoa, we moved to the hotel we were informed as the venue of the meeting, but we were later told that the venue has been changed to Ijaw House which doubles as the national secretariat of the INC. When we got to the secretariat, in no distance time the meeting kick started, but to our uttermost surprise, the kings mentioned in the invitation as mediators in the reconciliation meeting were not present. The Commissioner who was mentioned as the host of the meeting in the invitation sent to us was not in attendance. The people we saw on the high table to mediate in a supposed reconciliation meeting where the other party in the crisis was not in attendance were Prof. Okaba, the National Financial Secretary of the INC and a few other persons. Where we initially suspected a foul play in the said reconciliation meeting was in the fact that Lawrence Yanbor, who has been perpetrating evil in Okomu, attacking our people and burning our houses was not in attendance in a supposed reconciliation meeting. He only sent representatives whose inconsequential names we will not mention because they played their master-payer role. The question every right thinking person will ask is, how can a reconciliation meeting be held when one party is absent.

Back to the meeting. The INC President gave our king a two minutes to narrate what had happened, and truly our king narrated how Lawrence Yanbor surrounded his palace with his gang and shot him to the point of death. The king also added that Lawrence Yanbor has been truly terrorising the community and its environs which has led to many indegenes fleeing the community. Prof. Okaba also gave room for representatives of Lawrence Yanbor to speak which they did. After that, the INC President in person of Prof. Okaba commenced his speech with a very undemocratic and dictatorial tone. We will quote him in a few lines: “This is Ijaw House, the headquarters of all the Ijaw homes and abroad; whatsoever I say here binds on all of you because I am the president of all Ijaw. I will be forced to lock this hall and the entire building until you agree to whatever decision is taken here.” He thereafter asked for those whose houses were burnt and we identified ourselves. Chief Freeman Cousin was about speaking as one of the victims but the INC President interjected that he does not want to hear how houses were burnt or how attacks were carried out, that what he wanted was the way forward. We then said, if you called us not to hear from us but to impose your will on us there wouldn’t have been a need to invite us here. Chief Nanaghan Rickson also said in the meeting that if Lawrence Yanbor was not in attendance we would not have anything to say because he was the one that attacked and razed our houses, but Okaba shut, humiliated him and asked him to sit down. Prof. Okaba thereafter said we all know why Lawrence Yanbor was not in the meeting. In a nutshell, our king, and the entire natives of Okomu were humiliated at the meeting.

We, therefore, want to draw the attention of the Bayelsa State governor, His Excellency, Douye Diri, our national leader, Pa Edwin Clark and the entire Ijaw nation to this development and the role the Okaba-led INC is playing currently in the Okomu crisis. We wish to reiterate that we are not opposed to reconciliation neither are we against the INC, but it must be stated that Okaba’s role in the Okomu crisis calls for concerns.

Our Position

We wish to state unequivocally as follows:

1. That we acknowledge and respect the INC as the umbrella body of all Ijaw sons and daughters. This is why we honoured the invitation. However, we want to state that the Prof. Okaba-led INC has taken side in the crisis. We, therefore, reject the outcome of the said meeting.

2. That the National Representative Council (IRC) which is constitutionally empowered to checkmate the INC should call Prof. Okaba to order.

3. We also reject the fact-finding committee to Okomu set up by Prof. Okaba during the meeting. Our reason for rejecting the committee is based on the fact that the secretary of the committee as set up by Prof. Okaba is the lawyer to Lawrence Yanbor, so there is no way the committee will come up with the true position of damage done to our community.

4. In the course of the meeting, the Lawrence Yanbor who was said to be in the bush was communicating on the phone with the INC President and his representatives.

5. That late Sani Abacha, former Head of State of Nigeria who was a dictator was more democratic than Prof. Okaba.

6. That Okaba gave opportunities to Lawrence Yanbor’s representatives to insult and humiliate our king while we were not given such opportunities to speak. Those of us who were given opportunities to speak were given a few minutes when compared to Lawrence Yanbor’s representatives.

7. The INC President giving room to some individuals to insult our king is unacceptable, sacrilegious in Ijaw culture and tradition.

8. That Prof. Okaba’s claim in the initial stage of the meeting that an outcome of a meeting held in Arogbo, Ondo State in 2022 in which a decision was taken that Lawrence Yanbor from that date of the meeting should stop attacking any Ijaw community including Okomu, and that if he carries out any attack, Ijaw kings and Edo State Government would declare him wanted, was what he (Okaba) would use as a guide was not touched. He only waved the paper of the meeting at the commencement of the meeting and thereafter did not make any reference to it.

Signed:

Chief Edwin Denmene,
The Ibe-uyadonwei of Okomu kingdom

Chief Rickson Nanaghan,
The Otugbu

Hon. Omokachi Perete,
SSA to Edo State governor on Waterways and Security Surveillance

Chief (Dr.) Atele Biriodoubrah,
The Ibe Bolowoniwei of Okomu kingdom

News

NAS Offers Free Medical Services To Over 800 Residents In Imo Community

Published

4 hours ago

August 3, 2025

Editor

National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has provided free medical services to more than 800 residents of the Orogwe community in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State as part of the association’s humanitarian service.

The medical mission, held at the National Primary Healthcare Centre, was part of the association’s 49th National Konverge and Annual General Meeting in Owerri.

The event offered diagnosis, treatment, and essential medications to hundreds of community members, many of whom had been unable to access healthcare due to financial hardship.

NAS Cap’n, Dr Joseph Oteri, said the initiative was part of the confraternity’s broader vision to support vulnerable communities and bring healthcare directly to those most in need.

“This programme targets those who ordinarily cannot afford basic healthcare, especially treatment for non-communicable diseases,” Oteri said.

“Today, we attended to a child with a serious condition. Thankfully, we had a paediatrician on the ground who stabilised her and referred her to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri. We’ve also identified a few cases that will require surgery, and we plan to support their hospital bills.”

He emphasised that NAS, formed in 1952 by seven young idealists including Imo-born Ralph Opara, has evolved into a formidable force for social advocacy, committed to humanitarian and civic interventions.

Dispelling common misconceptions about the association, Oteri said: “We are not a cult group. We exist to protect the downtrodden and drive positive societal change.”

The association’s Chief Programme Officer, Chief Bart Akelemor, echoed this commitment, stressing that the NAS legacy is one of access, equity, and community service.

“Our mission is to promote a just society where citizens can access resources such as healthcare, education, and employment,” Akelemor said.

“With Nigeria’s growing population and the acute shortage of doctors and functioning medical facilities in rural areas, bringing this medical outreach to Orogwe is both timely and necessary.”

According to him, 41 volunteer doctors, drawn from across Nigeria and the diaspora, participated in the programme, attending to hundreds of patients with ailments ranging from malaria and hypertension to vision and dental issues.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Chizoba Igwe, who received treatment for malaria, described the initiative as a “life-saving intervention.”

“With the way things are in the country now, I couldn’t afford hospital bills or medication,” she said.

“This free treatment is a big relief. Many people here share the same feeling.”

Another resident, Mrs Mmesoma Njoku, received medicated glasses after undergoing an eye test.

“I’ve been struggling with my sight for a while, but couldn’t go to the hospital because of money. Today, I not only got tested, but they gave me glasses that now help me read tiny print. I am truly grateful,” she said.

NAS Medical Pyrate, Dr Chiazor Odoemene, confirmed that over 800 residents were treated during the outreach, with critical cases referred to public hospitals for further management.

Beyond healthcare, the association also launched an arts exhibition aimed at promoting awareness around good governance, security, poverty alleviation, and Nigeria’s path to a more prosperous future.

The medical outreach has been lauded as a meaningful complement to the efforts of the Imo State Government in improving healthcare access and delivery, particularly in underserved areas.

News

2027: Otuaro Urges N’Delta Youth To Resist Politicians’ Ploy To Destabilise Region

Published

6 hours ago

August 3, 2025

Editor

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has warned ex-agitators in the Niger Delta to resist being manipulated by desperate politicians plotting to destabilise peace in the Niger Delta, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of a three-day strategic Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation training organised by the PAP in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, Otuaro expressed concern over the recent rise in politically-charged rhetoric and some politicians’ coordinated attempt to pit ex-agitators and beneficiaries of the programme against the Federal Government.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, on Sunday, he added that such moves were “reckless and unnecessary,” especially in light of President Bola Tinubu’s demonstrable commitment to the region.

“There is no basis for anyone to cause destabilisation. We can all see the commitment of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to the Presidential Amnesty Programme. Ex-agitators and beneficiaries in general should not be deceived and distracted by some politicians,” Otuaro told the ex-agitators and stakeholders.

He cautioned that any calls for confrontation or disaffection at this time were “not only misplaced but also harmful to the gains we have recorded,” urging stakeholders to focus on peace, stability, and progress in the region.

According to Otuaro, the Tinubu administration has backed its support with tangible action.

“Be assured that nobody will do it better than President Tinubu. As Niger Delta people, we have to thank the President for his genuine love for the Presidential Amnesty Programme and our region as a whole.

“The President has expanded the budget of the programme, allowing us to reach more beneficiaries and strengthen our reintegration and rehabilitation initiatives,” he stated.

He also pointed out that the inclusion of Niger Delta citizens in key federal positions was further evidence of Tinubu’s goodwill.

“Furthermore, Niger Deltans have been appointed to strategic positions in key ministries and agencies. This level of inclusion is unprecedented and deserves acknowledgement. All we need to do is to be united for the President,” Otuaro declared.

The PAP boss, who presented certificates to participants of the training and later hosted them at a reception at the PAP headquarters, reiterated his commitment to sustaining peace and building human capital in the region.

He further called on traditional rulers, community leaders, and other stakeholders to keep sensitising the youth to reject political manipulation, stating that “Lasting progress can only be achieved through cooperation, not conflict.”

News

Afenifere Hails UN For Declaring July 7 World Amotekun Day

Published

7 hours ago

August 3, 2025

Editor

The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Sunday, commended the United Nations following its declaration of July 7 of every year as “World Amotekun Day.”

Afenifere’s position was contained in a statement released by its national publicity secretary, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

It would be recalled that Amotekun’s formal recognition by the UN was made public last week by the President of the World Peace, Ambassador Peer Stafsen, while presenting the certificate of affiliation to the Commandant of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, in Akure, the state capital.

Represented by the Director of Information and Communications of the association, Ambassador Markwili Mgbara, Stafsen said the recognition was due to the activities of Amotekun corps in “promoting safety and protecting lives and property across Nigeria’s South-West region.”

The affiliation certificate was issued under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the International Association of World Peace Advocacy.

Afenifere’s statement said the recognition of Amotekun by the UN was unprecedented in this part of the globe.

“Amotekun’s invitation to attend meetings of the body’s affiliates on security and human rights is a big morale booster.

“It is also a testament that those who brought it about and have been sustaining it were exemplary, as further attested to by some states in Nigeria who have shown interest in replicating the concept in their respective areas.

“The World Peace is part of the global body, the UN. Ondo State is significant on the issue of Amotekun as its former Governor, late Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), was pivotal in the establishment of the corps.

“With this recognition, the South-West Security Network (Amotekun) will now be officially attending the United Nations’ annual general meeting starting with the one coming up in New York, United States of America, on September 22, 2025, which will mark the 80th anniversary of the global body,” the statement partly read.

Afenifere said the certification of the security outfit confirmed the affiliation of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps as a trained security unit recognised by the UN.

Ajayi also lauded the late former Governor Akeredolu, who, along with his fellow governors in the South-West, then were steadfast in ensuring that the security outfit took off and was sustained, in spite of the obstacles placed on its ways in various guises.

“Amotekun was launched on January 9, 2020, in Ibadan, Oyo State, by the governors of the South West, i.e. Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States.

“The establishment of the security outfit emanated from the regional security summit that took place in Ibadan in June 2019 under the auspices of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission,” Ajayi stated.

Afenifere’s spokesperson submitted that the formal invitation to attend annual security meeting is a clear indication that the establishment of the outfit was a very good step to take.

He recalled that Amotekun, in its early formation, faced a lot of avoidable challenges, especially from the Federal Government then led by the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ajayi praised the governors in the region for not succumbing to intimidation then.

In his words, “Their not succumbing to intimidation has helped greatly in checking crimes in the region and in reducing the menace of armed bandits, including unscrupulous Fulani herders who are making going to farms perilous.”

The national publicity secretary then called on the governments of the southwestern states to leverage on the latest international recognition.

“We seize this opportunity to also call for an expeditious action on the establishment of state police and the provision of all that is needed to ensure that crime and banditry are reduced to the barest minimum,” he added.