Connect with us

News

IYC President Talks Tough, Warns Edo Ijaw Marginalisation Will No Longer Be Tolerated

Published

on

 

The newly elected President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, Comrade
Timothy Peter Igbifa says the long marginalisation of Ijaw people in Edo State will no longer be tolerated.

The President who was in a thank you tour to the Ijaws in the state after his election, expressed anger that inspite the population and being oil producing areas, the Ijaws are yet being marginalised and treated as strangers in the state they co-owned.

Advertisement

He noted that even before his election, what he told everyone during his electioneering was that his major cause will be the liberation of the Ijaws in Edo and Ondo states.

IYC leaders seated with the 8th President (4th left) at the thank-you meeting.

Stating that the Ijaw people are one worldwide, the 8th IYC President noted that ill-treatment to one Ijaw man is an ill-treatment to all, and will be fought by all Ijaws worldwide.

REAS ALSO: IYC, NDDC Disagree Over N3.8bn Non-existing Contracts

He said, ” I am particularly passionate about the Ijaws in Edo and Ondo states axis particularly the Edo Ijaws and how they are being marginalised and ill-treated. Marginalisation of the Ijaws in Edo State will soon come to an end. We cannot be producing the crude oil and still be backward.

Advertisement

” The Council will stand by Ijaws ìn Edo State, and every form of oppression would not be tolerated. The battle for your liberation will not be exchanged for any coin. The attitude of Edo State Government towards Ijaws in the state has to change. In hunger, in plenty, we will not be moved until will make change.

“We will walk with Edo State Ijaw that never will marginalisation be allowed. An ill-treatment to one Ijaw man in anywhere is an ill-treatment to the entire Ijaw nation, we will not tolerate that.”

Speaking on the abandoned East-West road which has become dead trap to commuters, the 8th IYC President said the Council will soon issue a statement with ultimatum to rehabilitate the road, adding that failure to meet the ultimatum will lead to shut down.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: IYC, PHEDC Face-off: Bayelsa Govt On Intervention Mission

While noting that Niger Delta resources are used in constructing flyover bridges and other good roads in Abuja and other states outside the region, the number one Ijaw youth noted that the entire Niger Delta can no afford to be having enough at disposal yet live in scarcity.

” The first thing I said when I emerged winner at the election was that the deplorable condition of the East-West road would be addressed. You cannot be taking much from us and leave us in hunger and scarcity, that will not be allowed! We are going to make sure East-West road is rehabilitated.

Advertisement

” If you have lost trust in the Council, please this is the time to regain trust in the Council. It is no longer business as usual.
I want to assure you that the Council is back at its feet! On Kiama declaration I stand.

Members from the 5 clans in Edo State seated at the meeting

“I will very soon issue a statement with ultimatum for the rehabilitation of the East-West road, and it shall be followed up. And after the ultimatum and nothing is done, the authorities will see the other side of us,” he said.

Earlier, welcoming the 8th IYC President to Edo State, Chief Don Ben, an IYC leader expressed confidence in the President, just he said the number one youth will fight the cause of the Ijaws in Edo State and take them to their promise land.

READ ALSO: Alleged Plot To Return Niger Delta Amnesty Boss, Youths Send Protest Letter To Buhari

Advertisement

Describing Igbifa as a dogged, resilience and bold fighter, Ben said electing Igbifa to lead the entire Ijaw youths was never a mistake, adding that result will soon be seen by all.

News

AGILE Leads 200 Girls On Road Walk To Create Awareness In Bauchi

Published

on

The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), has commemorated the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child by leading 200 girls on a walk to the Bauchi State Government House.

The International Day of the Girl Child is an international observance day declared by the United Nations. The day is also called the Day of Girls and the International Day of the Girl.

The observation of the day supports more opportunities for girls and increases awareness of gender inequality faced by girls worldwide based upon their gender.

Advertisement

Speaking shortly before leading the girls on the road walk, Hajiya Ladi Muhammad, the AGILE Project Coordinator in the state, said that since the inception of the project, more girls had been enrolled in schools.

READ ALSO: Bauchi Begins Production Of Exercise Books, Chalks For Schools

According to her, through AGILE, this year’s celebration could be emphasised by showcasing how education equips girls not only to navigate crises but to lead recovery and transformation within their communities.

Advertisement

She explained that the celebration in Bauchi State has the objective of showcasing AGILE’s role in empowering girls through education, life skills, and inclusion programmes.

She added that it was also meant to promote inclusive education for all girls, including those out of school and girls with disabilities as well as demonstrate learning-to-lead pathways through digital literacy, life skills, and climate action initiatives.

“The celebration was further to strengthen engagement between girls, leaders, and policymakers through interactive dialogue.

Advertisement

“Most importantly, it was to raise awareness of AGILE systems, Conditional Cash Transfer and Life Skills that sustain access to quality education and build resilience among girls and their communities.

READ ALSO:AGILE: Bauchi Govt. To Recruit 3,000 Teachers

“The celebration aligns that when girls are educated and empowered, they not only recognise their worth but also become active agents of change, leading responses, driving recovery and building resilience within their communities and beyond,” she said.

Advertisement

Also speaking, Dr Mohammed Lawal the state’s Commissioner for Education, reiterated the state government’s commitment to girl child education and welfare.

He explained that the AGILE project has improved the enrolment of more girls into the schools across the state especially , through the conditional cash transfer system which he said, has mobilised more girls to access education.

Mohammed assured that the government would not fail in creating a conducive atmosphere for the girls to acquire education and attain their potential.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Japan In Political Crisis As Coalition Collapses

Published

on

Japan’s ruling coalition collapsed Friday as junior partner Komeito quit the alliance, putting in peril Sanae Takaichi’s bid to become the country’s first woman prime minister.

Takaichi became head of the Liberal Democratic Party less than a week ago and had been expected to be approved by parliament as premier this month.

But Komeito’s decision to end the alliance that has governed Japan almost uninterrupted for 25 years plunged Japan into a new political crisis.

Advertisement

The yen dropped against the dollar following the announcement, while the Nikkei closed down 1.0 per cent.

READ ALSO:Two Japanese Boxers Die From Brain Injuries At Same Event

“We want the LDP-Komeito coalition to go back to the drawing board for now and bring an end to our relationship,” Komeito party chief Tetsuo Saito told reporters after talks with the LDP.

Advertisement

Given that we have not received clear and concrete cooperation from the LDP regarding our demands, and if these reforms prove impossible to achieve, I said (in the meeting) that it would be utterly impossible for us to write Sanae Takaichi’s name in the nomination,” he said.

In particular, Saito told Takaichi that her answers on the LDP’s recent slush fund scandal were unsatisfactory, media reports said.

Saito said, however, that Komeito would still support budget plans and other legislation that the two parties have prepared.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Two Japanese Boxers Die From Brain Injuries At Same Event

Takaichi was due to replace Shigeru Ishiba, who took the reins last year, but whose coalition lost its majority in both houses of parliament, in part because of voter anger at inflation and the LDP slush fund scandal.

Komeito was reportedly also unhappy about Takaichi’s more conservative politics.

Advertisement

This includes her previous regular visits to the Yasukuni shrine honouring Japan’s war dead, including war criminals.

READ ALSO:Japan Plane Turns Back After Man Bites Cabin Attendant

The last visit to Yasukuni by a serving prime minister in 2013, by the late Shinzo Abe — Takaichi’s mentor — prompted fury from China and South Korea and disquiet from Washington.

Advertisement

Media reports this week said that Takaichi might skip going to the shrine during the upcoming autumn festival, which will be held from October 17 to 19.

Takaichi, 64, whose hero is Margaret Thatcher, had hailed a “new era” Saturday after becoming head of the LDP.

She had won a runoff leadership contest against the telegenic and more socially progressive Shinjiro Koizumi.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Over 400 Earthquakes Rattle Japanese Island Chain

Koizumi, 44, would have been Japan’s youngest prime minister in the modern era and represented a generational change for the LDP.

The LDP has been haemorrhaging support as backing grows for smaller parties, including the anti-immigration Sanseito.

Advertisement

If Takaichi becomes premier, she faces a host of complex issues, including an ageing population, geopolitical upheaval, a faltering economy and growing unease about immigration.

One of Takaichi’s first official duties as premier will be receiving US President Donald Trump, who is reportedly set to make a stopover in Japan in late October.

AFP

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

BRC Sympathises With Edo NSCDC, Family, On Painful Death Of Commandant 

Published

on

Benin Recreation Club 1933 (BRC) has sympathised with Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo State Command, over the painful demise of the state commandant, Agun Gbenga Joseph.

In a statement issued by the club’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Edoko Wilson Edoko, president of the club, Mr. Osayi Courage Osamuyi, described the death of commandant Gbenga as shocking and a painful loss to the security community and the state at large.

“The late Commandant’s death is indeed shocking and a painful loss. He was jovial, very accommodating, and an initiative-driven individual,” Mr. Osayi stated.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:JUST IN: NSCDC Commandant, Slumps, Dies In Edo

I recall our Club’s visit to his office, where I led members of my Executive Committee to meet with him. We discussed areas of collaboration between Benin Recreation Club and the NSCDC, Edo State Command”, he said.

Osayi further urged the bereaved family and the NSCDC to draw strength from the late Commandant’s legacy of service, professionalism, and dedication to duty.

Advertisement

He prayed that God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

Recall that the Commandant reportedly slumped and died on Thursday, 2nd October 2025, while delivering a goodwill message at an event organised by the International Association of World Peace Advocates held at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre in Benin City.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending