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Okomu Oil Company Host Communities Protest Over Maltreatment, Harassment

Published

5 years ago

January 31, 2021

Accuse Company Of Blocking Their Road

Our Fishing Traps Seized By Okomu Oil – Communities

Host communities of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, yesterday, held a peace protest against what they tagged marginalisation and ill-treatment by the oil palm company.

The protesters drawn from the host communities of Gbelebu, Safargbo, Okomu, Oweike, Maikolo, etc, carried placards bearing inscriptions such as: ‘Govt tell Okomu Oil Company to open our road’; ‘Okomu Oil Company give us our fishing traps that are with you’; ‘stop polluting our stream with your agro chemical, it is our only source of drinking water’; ‘we are not terrorists, stop harassing us with military, Okomu Oil’, accused the company of blocking and positioning fiece looking military men on the only road that links them to Udo.

The protesters also acussed Edo State government of selling the whole land wherein they farm to the company thereby enslaving them, just as they lamented that they have no where to farm anymore in their land.

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Speaking to the press shortly after the protest, the Fiyewei (spokesperson) of Okomu clan, Chief Sunday Ajele, said it quite unfortunate that government of Edo State has joined in the enslavement of the people with continuous sales of the land wherein the natives farm to a foreign company.

L-R: Chief Gbadiagha Obeke, the Tunwei of Safaragbo; High Chief Enoch Sulubor, the Amananaowei of Gbelebu; Chief Sunday Ajele, the Fiyewei (spokesperson) of Okomu and Chief Wuluku Wilson of Okomu, addressing the press shortly after the protest.

“The state government sells the land to multinational where this forest people farm and even trade. If you sell the land to multinational, where do you want these people to survive? Ordinarily, we expected the state government to come to the aide of these host communities and question this multinational why the ill-treatment but unfortunately, the state government has joined them in the enslavement.

“A country that has constitution, it is unfortunate that the constitution is not working. A country with laws yet the law is not working. The law protects only the rich while the poor who are the forest people that feed the nation are suffering. Everything we buy in the market comes from the forest,” he said.

On her part, Mrs. Biobokogha Pena-ere from Okomu said the company has put the communities into bondage through their maltreatment and harrasement, lamenting that they can no longer fish nor farm.

The protesters at Gbelebu comminity on Friday

“Okumu Oil Palm is oppressing us, intimidating us, we don’t have good road, we don’t have good water. We cannot kill the fish we used to kill before because they have used their chemical to spoil our river, so no fish. The petty business we do to survive, they have blocked the road to access urban cities, so we can no longer do our businesses,” Pena-ere lamented.

Also speaking, Chief French Yabike decried the activities of Okomu Oil Palm Company, alleging that the company has been busy evacuating their villages, just he further lamented that yet “in terms of employment nothing; talking about scholarship, nothing, everything they promised, nothing was done.”

He said Okomu land is divided into two area: BC 9 and BC10, and that they the native are in BC 10, alleging that Okomu Oil Palm Company has crossed to BC 10 part of the land and intimidating them with military.

“We are tired of the activities of Okomu Oil Palm Company. The company has been evacuating our communities. Some times ago, they came with soilders to evacuate Lemon camp. After that they proceeded to Agbede comminity and evacuated them, and later extended to Oweike, they evacuated it too,” he said.

Also speaking, a chief from Gbelebu comminity, Ejueyi Segun, said the only road linking the community and others has been blocked by the company, saying the company does not owe the road as claimed.

He said, “The company has blocked the existing road before the company was founded. Since 2019, the road has been under lock and today it’s been locked completely. They used COVID-19 as an excuse to finally lock up the road with lockdown excuse. The alternative road is bad.

“The road the company is claiming is not its road, that road was constructed by British West Africa Timber Contractors of those days before Okomu Oil Palm was set up there.”

Engineer Lawani Dumofaye, from Agbede community said “Just of last week, our local farmers mills were being burnt down by Okomu Oil Palm Company. We have been suffering. Our streams are being polutted with their Agro chemicals. We are suffering. We are calling on the international comminity and the government to come to our aides. We have a lot of graduates in our communities but none is being employed.”

Calls and WhatsApp messages sent to the Public Relations Officer the company, Fidelis Olise were not replied even after reading them.

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Christmas: Otuaro Preaches Peace, Unity In N’Delta, Hails Tinubu’s Support For PAP

Published

3 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Editor

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has extended warm Christmas greetings to the people of the Niger Delta, calling for renewed commitment to peace, unity and communal harmony as the region prepares to enter the New Year.

Otuaro, in a message issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, thanked stakeholders, traditional rulers, ex-agitators, youths and communities across the Niger Delta for their sustained support for the PAP and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He described peace and unity as the bedrock upon which sustainable development in the Niger Delta must continue to be built, urging the people to remain steadfast in protecting the hard-earned stability currently enjoyed in the region.

“Peace and unity remain the strongest foundations for sustainable development. As a people, we must continue to reject violence and embrace dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect as we work collectively for the progress of our region.

“I also express my profound appreciation to all stakeholders and the people of our region for your sustained support for the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” he said.

Otuaro noted that the PAP recorded significant milestones in 2025, including improved welfare for beneficiaries, enhanced educational and vocational opportunities, and strengthened reintegration outcomes, all aimed at empowering Niger Delta youths to contribute meaningfully to society.

He attributed these achievements to the visionary leadership of President Tinubu and the institutional support of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which provides strategic guidance for the effective implementation of the programme.

Reflecting on the meaning of Christmas, the PAP boss described it as a season that embodies love, sacrifice, compassion and reconciliation, values that resonate deeply with the communal culture and shared heritage of the Niger Delta people.

“Christmas reminds us of the power of love, sacrifice and togetherness. These values align naturally with the communal spirit of the Niger Delta, where collective responsibility, mutual support and shared progress have always defined our identity,” he added.

He urged beneficiaries of the Programme and residents of the region to celebrate the season with moderation and a renewed sense of responsibility to their communities.

Otuaro wished the people of the Niger Delta a Merry Christmas and expressed optimism that the New Year would usher in greater opportunities, peace and prosperity for the region and the nation at large.

“As we step into the New Year, I am confident that with continued unity, peace and collaboration, the Niger Delta will record even greater progress. I wish our people a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year,” the PAP Administrator stated.

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Okpebholo Slams ₦25bn Libel Suit On Edo PDP Chairman

Published

3 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has given Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, a seven-day ultimatum to pay ₦25 billion in damages over alleged defamatory statements.

In a letter by the governor’s counsel, Ray Okezie, and addressed to Aziegbemi, the PDP State Chairmen was also requested to publish a public apology in three national dailies over the alleged defamatory statements.

Aziegbemi was said to have allegedly accused the governor of using thugs and non-state actors to carry out official duties.

“In the letter dated December 22, 2025, and titled ‘Demand for Damages and Apologies for Defamation of the Character of the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo,’ the PDP Chairman was said to have in a press statement of December 7, 2025 portrayed Okpebholo as an unintelligent, dishonest, and, lawless person.

“Accordingly, we have the instructions of our client to demand from you the sum of N25, 000,000,000.00 (Twenty Five Billion Naira only) being compensation for the damage you have inflicted on his reputation through your said press release.

“The above stated sum must get to our client within seven (7) clear days from the date of this letter. In addition, you are required within seven (7) days to publish a retraction of the said press release in three (3) National Newspapers which must include the Guardian and the Vanguard newspapers,” the letter partly reads.

The governor’s counsel threatened to proceed on legal action in any Nigerian court should the PDP State Chairman fail to comply with the demands

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YULETIDE: UBTH CMD Charges Nigerians To Be Hopeful In Coming Year

Published

6 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Editor

The Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu has urged Nigerians to remain optimistic about the upcoming year, despite current challenges.

Prof. Ize-Iyamu expressed optimism that the coming year would bring improvements for everyone.

The CMD made these remarks during the Nine Lessons and Carol night /End of Year Party organized by UBTH for staff and students held in Benin.

Prof. Ize-Iyamu encouraged everyone to place their trust solely in Christ to overcome the numerous challenges facing the country.

She expressed her gratitude to the hospital community for their support during her first four months in office.

Prof. Ize-Iyamu assured them that the coming years hold many opportunities and that hope in Christ would transform lives daily, just as Christ’s birth brings joy and is the reason for the season.

She also extended her appreciation to everyone in the spirit of the season.

“I want to appreciate everyone in the spirit of the season. Our commitment to excellence and professionalism remains at UBTH.

“UBTH CARES and just like Christ cares. As we celebrate Christ and the season. Let’s hope on him. When you have Christ, you have hope.We are hopeful that the coming year will be better as a people and institution,” Ize-Iyamu said.

The ceremony’s highlight featured a visit to the hospital wards where the CMD distributed gifts to patients and newborns, with management, staff, and students in attendance.