News
Recognise, Elevate Ijaw Royal Stools In Edo, IYC Tells Okpebholo

Following the reinstatement of statutory authority to the Oba of Benin by Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, has called on the governor to recognise and elevate Ijaw royal stools in the state.
INFO DAILY reports that the IYC, Western Zone comprises Delta, Edo and Ondo states.
The IYC, Western Zone, in a statement jointly signed by Comrade Nicholas Igarama, Chairman; Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo Esq, Secretary, and Comrade Tare Magbei Information Officer, said the call became necessary following the pronouncement made by the governor which abolishes the Edo South Traditional Councils and reinstated statutory authority to the Oba of Benin.
According to the IYC, former Governor Godwin Obaseki, knowing well the multi-ethnic status of the state particularly Edo State Senatorial District, created the Edo South Traditional Councils, hence abolishing the body by the incumbent governor called for concern.
The IYC, while reminding “Okpebholo that Ijaws are independent and self-sufficient people who are not under the rulership of the Oba of Benin,” further reminded the governor that “Ijaws were strategically instrumental towards his emergence.”
Read full statement below:
Press Release
December 4, 2024
Abolishing of Edo Traditional Council a Disrespect to Ijaws, Other Edo Tribes
“Following the pronouncement made by Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, abolishing the Edo South Traditional Councils to reinstate statutory authority to the Oba of Benin, the Ijaw Youth Council Western Zone (Delta, Edo and Ondo) hereby express concern on the rationale behind the move.
“It is a known fact that Edo State is a multi-ethnic state with various traditional institutions well established according to the customs of these differing nationalities.
“It was on that premise the former administration led by Godwin Obaseki created the Councils under view in order to uphold sanctity and respect for customs.
“It leaves the IYC with great worry that Okpebholo is well on the way to ignite rancour, instability, and disrespect towards the cultures and traditions of the people of Edo South.
READ ALSO: IYC Commends INEC For Delineation Of Warri Fed. Constituency, Warns Saboteurs To Steer Clear
“Wth due respect to the throne, we remind Okpebholo that Ijaws are independent and self-sufficient people who are not under the rulership of the Oba of Benin.
“As peace loving and progress-driven citizens, we call on Governor Okpebholo to give regard and respect to royal stools, particularly those of Ijaw territories.
“We need not remind Okpebholo that Ijaws were strategically instrumental towards his emergence, and as such, it is a typical case of turning around to stab us in the back with his recent action.
“The IYC, therefore, calls on the Governor Okpebholo to take heed and look into recognizing and elevating Ijaw Royal stools in Edo State.”
Signed
Comrade Nicholas Igarama
Chairman, IYC Western Zone
Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo Esq
Secretary, IYC Western Zone
Comrade Tare Magbei
Information Officer, IYC Western Zone
News
Delta-billionaire Lawuru To Grace Ijaw Media Conference As Guest Of Honour
The President of Egbema Brotherhood, Alaowei Promise Lawuru, is expected to grace the forthcoming Ijaw Media Conference 2025, as a guest of honour.
The event is scheduled to hold on December 3rd, 2025, in Warri, Delta State.
The annual media conference organised by the Ijaw Publishers Forum with the theme ‘Safeguarding Niger Delta’s Natural Resources for Future Generations,’ is second edition of the series.
Lawuru, youthful politician and businessman’s willingness to appear as guest of honour was made known
when a delegation of the Central Working Committee led by Pastor Arex Akemotubo paid him a visit to inform him of the forthcoming event and his expected role.
READ ALSO:IPF Holds Annual Ijaw Media Conference December
In his presentation, Akemotubo explained that this year’s theme was chosen out of concern for the growing strain on the region’s land and waters.
The Publisher of WaffiTV stressed that the forum wants to strengthen public understanding, support honest reportage, and encourage leaders to protect what the Niger Delta holds for the next generation.
He addex that Lawuru’s history of service and steady involvement in community work made him a natural choice for the role.
READ ALSO:IPF Commends Tompolo’s Commitment To Security In Delta, Nigeria
Chief Lawuru welcomed the invitation and spoke warmly about the need for shared responsibility among stakeholders and groups such as the IPF.
He commended the forum for using the media to defend the region’s interests and promised full support for the conference.
Lawuru further urged other stakeholders across the Ijaw nation to lend their weight to efforts that safeguard the environment.
News
Senate Recommends Death Penalty For Kidnappers
The Senate has passed a resolution classifying kidnapping as an act of terrorism, stipulating that an amendment to the Terrorism Act be made to impose the maximum penalty of death.
The resolution was made during plenary on Wednesday.
Under the new law, according to the upper legislative arm, once a kidnapping conviction is established, the death penalty must be applied.
Nigeria suffers from a persistent security crisis fuelled by attacks and violence by “bandit” gangs that raid villages, kill people, and kidnap for ransom.
READ ALSO:Senate Uncovers $300bn Unaccounted Crude Oil Sales
In response to recent kidnappings and attacks by terrorists, President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday ordered a total security cordon over the forests in Kwara State.
Series Of Abductions
Bandits had struck the Isapa community of the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting 11 residents.
The attack came about two weeks after and 38 worshippers were abducted from a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in the Eruku community of the state.
Terrorists also attacked St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Niger State, abducting more that 300 school children and staff in a resurgence of the mass kidnappings that have long harrowed Africa’s most populous country.
READ ALSO:Bill To Establish Federal Oil And Gas Hospital In Delta Scales Second Reading In Senate
In the same week, 24 schoolgirls were taken from the Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, Danko Wasagu Local Government Area in Kebbi State, but regained freedom on Tuesday.
At least 50 taken from St Mary’s Catholic school also managed to escape, but more than 265 children and teachers are still being held.
Nigeria’s high-profile mass kidnapping was that of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014, when Boko Haram forced 276 girls from their dormitories in the North-East region.
More than a decade later, man of the Chibok girls are still missing.
News
FG Threatens To Seize Dana Air Assets
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has disclosed that the Federal Government may recover and sell the assets of Dana Air to refund passengers and travel agents whose funds remain trapped following the suspension of the airline’s operations.
The Minister disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday at the Ministry’s fourth quarter stakeholders’ engagement to enhance governance for effective service delivery in aviation with the theme: “leveraging public feedback to drive excellence in aviation services”.
According to him, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will be directed to probe why funds trapped by the airline are yet to be refunded.
He revealed that the Authority suspended the operations of the airline as a matter of choice between safety and disaster.
READ ALSO:NCAA Petitions IGP Over KWAM 1’s Unruly Conduct In Abuja Airport
“For Dana, the problem is that it was a choice between safety and disaster. So we didn’t take the commercial thing as priority. The priority was safety, and we all looked at the damning reports that we had met on the table.
“It was a decision of the NCAA to suspend them, but I pushed them to say, look, these are the reports we are seeing on the table about safety record, about lack of standards that put the lives of Nigerians at risk. If they continue flying, I don’t know whether most of us will be here. Many of us would have been victims of one of those flights. God forbid.”
According to him, “I have asked Najomo to dig deep to find out how those passengers and agents will be refunded. He has to dig deep on that.
“One solution will also be that if that same individual or those entities are trying to come back to aviation under any guise, whether to go and register a new AOC or use any business within the aviation sector, they have to go and settle their debts first.
READ ALSO:NCAA Seeks K1 De Ultimate’s Arrest, Petitions AGF, IG
“We should look at their assets. There are assets that are still available. Let them sell their assets. Let’s cannibalize their revenue and pay people. Let’s find a way to go after their assets and get money to pay Nigerians who are owed.
“NCAA should do that because they can’t get away with it.”
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