Edo State governor, Monday Okpehbolo, has inaugurated boundary committee to address persistent boundary disputes affecting communities in the state and bordering neighboring states.

Inaugurating the committee chaired by his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, the governor, who expressed confidence in the 14-man committee, noted that no doubt every boundary dispute would be settled by the committee.

“We have Ondo, we have Delta, we have Kogi State. So, we have boundary crises here and there. For this reason, I think the people before me today are the best to handle this task for the betterment of Edo people,” he noted.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Hon. Idahosa expressed gratitude for the opportunity, pledging the committee’s commitment to its crucial task.

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He noted: “Mr. Governor, I want to thank you for this opportunity and deeply hold on to accept the responsibility to serve as the chairman of the newly-inaugurated boundary committee”

“On behalf of all members of this committee, I wish to express our sincere gratitude and acceptance of this responsibility, which we pledge to discharge in fairness, transparency, and integrity.”

Idahosa highlighted the committee’s objectives: “This committee will strive to carry out our mission which is to ensure accurate boundary demarcation, promote peaceful coexistence among communities and foster development in the areas affected by conflicts while collaborating with all stakeholders and actively engaging with citizens in fulfilling our mandate.”

He added: “We appreciate His Excellency for the confidence reposed in us and with the diverse expertise of these prominent citizens of this committee. I am confident that we will achieve our goal with fairness and equality.

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“It is a privilege to contribute our quota as we are proud to serve our State and our nation with utmost dedication and professionalism.”

Members of the 14-man committee include: Dr. Samson Osagie, CP Monday Agbonika, Mr. Isaac Chikere, M. C. Monyei, Surv. Henry Aghedo, Sir Lucky Eseigbe, Engr. Emmanuel Okoebor, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu and a representative of the Oba of Benin.

Others are: Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, Hon. Abasi Braimah, and Hon. Patrick Ikhariale. Surv. Ozigbo Osayande Duke will serve as the secretary.

Gbaramatu Traditional Council (GTC), has called on security agencies including the Delta State government to provide security to the people in Ijaghala ( Zou-ala uba) and Ikantu (Kantu) communities in the kingdom.

The GTC said the call became necessary and timely over an alleged threat on the leadership of these communities by suspected Itsekiri elements after they (Ijaghala ( Zou-ala uba) and Ikantu) reaffirmed their position as Ijaw and Gbaramatu people.

Speaking at a press briefing in Warri, Delta State, the Fiyewei (spokesman) of the kingdom, High Chief Godspower Gbenekama, said the leadership of Gbaramatu Kingdom has been inundated with calls over threat to evacuate and kill members of Kantu and Ijaghala communities.

According to him, the threats were coming due to the fact that the aforementioned communities had decided to reaffirm their position as Ijaw and Gbaramatu people.

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The Fiyewei, flanked by other chiefs of the kingdom, insisted that the law provides freedom of association, adding that Ijaghala and Ikantu people should be allowed to associate with their Ijaw progenitors.

He warned against any attempts to attack Ijaw Ijaghala and kantu people, adding that they will vehemently resist such threats, and will not cede any parcel of land to Itsekiris migrants.

He lamented over the suspected murder of the Gbaramatu Ijaw illustrious son in Tebijor community in the recent time, warning that such should not repeat itself again.

The Fiyewei warned that Itsekiris who are issuing threat to Ijaw should desist, stressing that “in case they are ignorant about the ownership of such lands, they should ask their fathers about their origin and their migration history.”

He added: “In case their fathers had died, they should find any means to exhume their bodies, so they could provide a guide to modern Itsekiri youth who do not know where they came from.”

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He said the Kantu and Ijaghala ( Zou-ala uba) people had decided to trace their true origin, stating that they should be allowed to enjoy their freedom of life and association.

Gbenekama, maintained that lie had an expiry date, noting that Itsekiris were glorifying themselves with lies, and that such lies have expired.

The Ijaw leaders insisted that Ijaghala, Kantu, Omadinor and Obodo were ancestry lands of Ijaw people, adding that the elders of the Itsekiri were conversant with these facts.

He, on behalf of the traditional council, called on the federal government to investigate the Warri traditional ruler who was accused of gun running and brought him and others to book, stating that the gun running was an attempt to attack and kill the Ijaw and Gbaramatu people of Warri federal constituency.

The Gbaramatu leaders, therefore, urged INEC to complete the delineation exercise, adding that there was outright peace in Warri and its environs, stressing that the delay in completing the Warri delineation exercise wasn’t for the interest of peace.

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has approved the return of schools to missionary organizations in the state.

According to a statement by Fred Itua,
the Chief Press Secretary to governor, the decision to return the schools to missionary followed a meeting between the governor and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Gabriel G. Dunia, in Government House, Benin City.

The governor clarified that any of the affected schools currently undergoing renovation by the state government would remain under its supervision until their completion.

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The governor named the schools expected to be affected by this policy as Our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi; St. Angela’s Grammar School, Uzairue; St. John Grammar School, Fugar; St. Peter’s Grammar School, Agenebode; St. James’s Grammar School, Afuze; St. Joseph College, Otuo; St. Mary Grammar School, Eme-Ora; and St. Aloysius Gonzaga Grammar School, Ososo.

In his response, Bishop Dunia revealed that despite persistent appeals to previous administrations, the state government did not positively respond to the Church’s requests for the return of their institutions until now.

Bishop Dunia underscored the strategic importance of these educational institutions to the Catholic mission, emphasizing their role not only in the intellectual formation of children but also in fostering “ideal moral character, which constitute the bedrock of good society.”