Itsekiri youth issue 14 days ultimatum over site of Nigerian Maritime Varsity
The recent claim by the Itsekiri to ownership of Okerenkoko, a community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, where the Nigerian Maritime University is sited may lead to serious face-off between the Itsekiri and the Ijaw of Gbaramatu kingdom.
A group of youth of Itsekiri extraction under the aegis of Niger Delta Omega (NIDO) has issued a 14 days ultimatum to the Federal and Delta state governments and all International Oil Companies operating in their land to rename the location of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko as Okerenghigho as allegedly recognized by the law of Nigeria.
They also demanded for immediate provision of licenses to Itsekiris to own and operate oil blocs and Modular refineries in their land; completion of the Koko-Ogheye-Lagos road project; pilling of all Itsekiri riverine communities; employment of Itsekiri indigenes by the IOCs; provision of light, drinkable water, hospitals as well as motorable roads with bridges to connect Itsekiri areas in the Niger Delta.
Spokesman of NIDO, Agbogunyo Oliriogun, warned that failure to meet their demands within 14 days would attract wrath on all assets of the Federal Government and that of the IOCs.
He advised that it would be better for the IOCs to move all their personnel, equipment and installations before the end of the 14 days if they (IOCs) know they won’t be able to meet up with the demands within the stipulated days.
NIDO lamented that Itsekiris cannot continue to sit and watch the wickedness, underdevelopment and oppression of their people by the Government at all levels and the International Oil Companies.
Going further, NIDO took swipes at some youth organisations of Itsekiri extraction for their discordant tune in fighting for the upliftment of the ethnic nationality.
“We note with dismay how both factions of the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) are using the present situation in Itsekiri to
do their private self-centered business to the detriment of the tribe. The Youth leadership of the Itsekiri people that is supposed to provide leadership have ended up been hijacked by politicians who now use it at will to satisfy their interest.
“It is most shocking that both factions of the INYC don’t care about how the tribe is fairing, neither do they think of what their actions may cause the tribe in the long run rather they are only concern in power tussle and how to use the tribe to hustle for political relevance.”
The statement warned that “in line with the foregoing, we call on all Nigerians at large and Itsekiri in particular not to take any action from both factions of the Itsekiri National Youths Council (INYC) serious because they are both hustlers and jobbers who are not to be taken serious, hence all their threat and ultimatum should be ignored as it is merely a tool to gain government patronage. We warn the two factions of the INYC to keep clear from all activities for the survival of Itsekiri by NIDO or they should be ready to face our wrath”.
Recently, the senate passed a bill which endorsed the establishment of the institution a move to placate some restive youth of the Niger Delta region.
A few days after the senate’s proclamation, the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, announced plans to ensure that the institution comes on stream by October.
