News

Edo: Ijaw Community Cries Out Over Marginalisation, Neglect, Others

Published

2 years ago

November 30, 2023

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Okomu

The indigenous people of Okomu in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State have decried what they described as “continuous neglect and marginalisation” of the area.

They lamented that despite being an ancient community that plays host to a National Park and an international oil palm company, the community and the ones under it are completely neglected and oppressed.

Speaking with INFO DAILY, Mr. Friday Atele, a community leader said what the Indigenes expected from Okomu Oil Palm Company when it came on board in 1976 is quite different from what is being experienced presently.

“When the Okomu Oil Palm Company came in 1976, we expected development and impact in our communities, but rather, we are experiencing the other way round. Now, all our communities have been driven to the river,” he said.

On the National Park, Atele said: “When the National Park came up with their expansion bid, the people of Okomu told them that the land belongs to them, and that they don’t need to expand it, but they refused. Our communities are being threatened day and night.”

He further lamented: “The National Park presently uses arms and ammunition to threaten our communities that they want to take over the land, and that the government said they want to make use of the land. When we are not from Ghana, we are Nigerians for crying out load. If not that we are peace-loving people, there would have been crisis in the state as experienced in the North.”

According to him, Okomu community has over 35 communities under it with an estimated population of over 15,000, yet no government presence, neither do they have telecommunication to communicate in the area.

“...Despite the large population and a host to the oil palm company and National Park, we have no network in our communities.

“For instance, due to lack of network, we were unable to register many persons during the last voter registration. We have about 15,000 population, all put together from our different communities, but we managed to have only 1,000 persons registered during the last registration. These are the challenges we are facing in this kingdom,” he lamented.

On his part, Chief Freeman Cousin, while lamenting the neglect of the area, identified Edo State Government’s refusal to recognise the Okomu people as a unique and indigenous people, as a major challenge the area is facing.

He added: “I want to say irrespective of the Ijaw man’s position in government, he should be recognised. As you can see, we have no access road to take us to the city. We are being marginalised. Is it because we have no people in power?

“Okomu is an ancient community not only in Nigeria but in West Africa. It is a recognised ancient community. Significantly, we have our own native authorities, even in the then pre-colonial era, so why giving us the needed recognition in the state a rocket science?” he questioned.

He, therefore, “called on the Federal Government to intervene because the state government claims we are tenants, but I dispute that claim. We are not tenants to anybody; we did not meet anybody here, we came on our own.”

Also, Chief Tamarauetunemi Makilolo, added: “Come to Okomu, you can’t see any government projects. We are being neglected and oppressed. They call us tenants but I make bold to say that we are not tenants to anybody. We are aborigines here. Our forebears were here even befy the colonial masters came. Our forebears ferried them with boat to the interland. So, how come a people who have occupied a place for centuries are tenants? Those claiming this must be jokers!”

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

11 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

12 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.