Metro
Delta: Aggrieved Youths Protest Alleged Marginalisation By Govt, Oil Firms
Published
3 years agoon
By
Editor
Scores of aggrieved youths of Isoko ethnic nationality in Delta State under the auspices of Isoko Development Union, Youths Wing, on Monday, barricaded the ever-busy Emevor-Iyede-Ughelli Asaba expressway as they staged a peaceful protest over alleged marginalisation by the State Government.
Consequently, economic and official activities were disrupted along the area for several hours as most travelers got stranded, with other commuters compelled to make diversions through other routes as the protesters caused gridlock on the expressway.
The protesting youths carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘We demand the release of the N10 million Social Security Fund’, ‘Isoko youths tell Okowa to respect Isoko tradition’, ‘Okowa failed to meet with Isoko Youths’, etc.
READ ALSO: Police Neutralize Three Kidnappers In Delta, Recover Weapons
Speaking with journalists, the President of the IDU, Youth wing, Comrade Obokpaino Fidelis, who led the protest said that “the protest is as a result of the marginalisation of the IDU, Youths wing, by the Delta State Government and the Multinational Oil Companies operating in Isoko land.”
According to him, the multinational oil companies operating in Isoko land have been denying the host communities of their corporate social responsibilities and whenever they are approached for dialogue, the oil companies refused granting us the audience.
He said, “Isoko Development Union, Youths Wing was created 16 months ago, saddled with the responsibilities of handling all youths activities in Isoko nation.
“But since its creation till now, the State Government has resolved not to give IDU Youth Wing attention for interaction.
“We are being denied of our Corporate Social Responsibilities by the Multinationals Oil Companies operating in Isoko Land. And whenever we approached the Oil Companies for dialogue, they refused granting us audience.
“Even the Commissioner of Police, the Army, and DSS, including the State Government, they all denied having audience with us, which is the major reason why we barricaded the road today in a peaceful protest over the marginalisation being done to IDU Youths Wing by the Delta State Government and the Multinational Oil Companies.
“We the Isoko Youths are being marginalised of the N10 million Social Security Fund which the State Government is giving to other ethnic nationalities across the State.
“Also, we are being marginalised of the Social Corporate Responsibilities which all Oil Companies exploring Oils in Isoko land is supposed to perform to our Youths, women, and men.
“That’s why we are here to express our displeasure to the State Government and all multinational Oil Companies operating in Isoko that enough is enough. We, the Isoko Youths, say no to marginalisation.
“We are therefore demanding an interactive session with the State Government to present our demands to the Executive Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa. And also, with the multinational oil companies operating in Isoko land.”
The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, who later met with the protesters on his way to Asaba, appealed to them to remain calm assuring that he would present their case to the State Governor, Dr. Okowa, for positive action.
PUNCH
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Metro
Sealing Spree: FCTA Sledge Hammer Hits FIRS Office, Bank, Fuel Station, Others
Published
7 days agoon
May 26, 2025By
Editor
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, on Monday, sealed an Access Bank branch and a Total petrol station located in Zone 6, Wuse, Abuja, over non-payment of ground rent spanning 34 years.
The property occupied by Access Bank is officially allocated to Rana Tahir Furniture Nigeria Limited, not the bank directly, according to official documents.
A letter dated March 13, 2025, signed by the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, stated: “The Minister of Federal Capital Territory has in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, revoked your rights, interests and privileges over Plot No. 2456 within Wuse I, Cadastral Zone A02, Abuja.”
READ ALSO: JUST IN: FCTA Staff Seal PDP National Headquarters
The letter cited the continued default in ground rent payment as the reason for the revocation.
“The revocation is in view of your continued contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Right of Occupancy by failing to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for Thirty-Four (34) years,” it stated.
FCTA also shut down the Federal Inland Revenue Service office in Abuja for similar violations.
The closures are part of a larger enforcement campaign targeting defaulting property owners across the FCT.
According to officials, several notices and publications have been issued since 2023, warning all allottees to clear outstanding ground rent obligations.
Metro
Explosion Near Abuja Barracks Causes Panic, One Injured
Published
7 days agoon
May 26, 2025By
Editor
An explosion sound was heard on Monday near the Abacha Barracks located along the Nyanya-Maraba road in Abuja, causing panic among residents and passersby.
Sources told The PUNCH that one person sustained injuries in the aftermath of the explosion.
“There was an explosion around our area today. I can’t categorically say, it was a case of sucide bombing has been peddled. But what is sure is that there was an explosion, ” One of the sources said.
Efforts to reach the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Onyechi Anele, for comments were unsuccessful.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, confirmed an explosion that occurred on along the Mararaba-Nyanya bypass in Abuja.
According to a statement by Adeh, the incident happened at about 2:50 PM and prompted an immediate response from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, which was deployed to the scene.
She said the area was quickly cordoned off for clearance and analysis to ensure the safety of commuters and residents.
READ ALSO: Gas Explosion Kills Two, Injures Six In Anambra Market
“One male victim was rescued at the scene and promptly taken to the hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention,” Adeh said.
She added that a comprehensive investigation, including forensic analysis, has commenced to determine the exact cause and nature of the explosion.
The police have urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, assuring the public that there is no cause for alarm. They also encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or via the following emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08028940883, and 07057337653.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, on Monday, sealed the headquarters of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons in Abuja.
This action follows the FCTA’s announcement on Sunday, stating its intention to reclaim property affected by the revocation of 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of ground rent spanning 10 to 43 years.
According to The PUNCH, officials from the FCTA similarly sealed the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party, the Federal Inland Revenue Service office in Abuja, an Access Bank branch and a Total petrol station located in Zone 6, Wuse, over non-payment of ground rent.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: FCTA Staff Seal PDP National Headquarters
The closures are said to be part of a larger enforcement campaign targeting defaulting property owners across the FCT.
According to officials, several notices and publications have been issued since 2023, warning all allottees to clear outstanding ground rent obligations.
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