The Ijaw Youth Council, Western Zone, has urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to be magnanimous in his attempts to provide succour to victims of the lingering crisis between Okoloba and Okuama communities.
The youth body lamented over the failure of the Delta State Government to pay attention to the plight of Ijaws of the Okoloba community.
Information Officer of the Zone, Comrade Tare Magbei, who serves as spokesperson for Ijaw youths in Delta, Edo and Ondo States, said this while reacting to the ‘one-sided’ moves by the Governor to settle residents of Okuama.
According to Magbei, the Oborevwori-led government must prioritise the safety and welfare of residents of Okoloba, ‘who have been subjected to persistent threats of total annihilation’ by their counterparts from Okuama
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The youth leader stressed that such was necessary ‘for the sake of justice, equity and fairness’, in line with the governor’s mandate of ensuring peace and security among all citizens of the state.
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In a statement on Monday, Magbei said;
“The Ijaw Youth Council commends Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his sustained efforts to resettle victims of Okuama community following the invasion by men of the Nigerian military.
“The Governor has greatly shown commitment towards the welfare of the affected residents and we give him the credit he deserves in that regard.
“However, we frown at the continued silence of the Delta State Government towards the plight of Ijaws of Okoloba community, who are also victims of the lingering crisis.
“By our observation so far, the plight of Okoloba residents has been paid with nothing but deaf ears by the government.
“Our people are faced with persistent attacks and threats of total annihilation, but that has been treated with kids gloves by Governor Oborevwori.
“Ordinarily, one would have expected His Excellency to visit the Okoloba people to ascertain the true state of things as he did with the case of Okuama.
“It is a sad tale that in the face of resumed attacks on harmless residents of Okoloba in their farms and fishing boats, the government has been silent.
“We urge His Excellency to extend his magnaniminity to the Okoloba people, who are law abiding citizens of the state, and are victims of the ongoing communal crisis.
“We also call on the Delta State Government to prioritize the security and welfare of the Ijaws of Okoloba in fulfilment of his responsibility as Chief Security Officer of the state.
“Again, we commend the Governor for his efforts at providing respite for residents of Okuama. We call for that arm of succour to be extended to the Ijaws in Okolaba,” Magbei said.
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