Follow Us on Google
• Threaten shut down of oil facilities
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Niger Delta youths under the auspices of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, have issued a final 60-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and all relevant agencies to immediately commence full-scale remediation and clean-up of all crude oil polluted Ijaw territories.
The youths categorically threatened that upon the expiration of the ultimatum , they would collectively and decisively shut down all oil and gas facilities operating within Ijaw territories if there was no visible and concrete action.
They further warned that Ijaw nationalities would no longer tolerate the destruction of their lands, waters, livelihoods and future.
The council, however, passed a vote of confidence and endorsed Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State to re-contest for a second tenure in the 2027 general election, extending the endorsement also to President Bola Tinubu.
The council made its decisions known in a communique signed by its President, Dr. Alaye Theophilus yesterday after its national convention held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The communique read: “The Convention unequivocally condemned the continued ecological violence, oil pollution and environmental degradation inflicted on Ijaw territories through decades of reckless oil and gas exploitation.
“The Ijaw Youth Council, hereby, issues a final and non-negotiable 60 days ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria and all relevant agencies to immediately commence full-scale remediation and clean-up of all polluted Ijaw territories.
“This Convention makes it clear that the Ijaw people will no longer tolerate the destruction of their lands, waters, livelihoods and future.
“Upon the expiration of this ultimatum, and in the absence of visible and concrete action, the Ijaw Youth Council shall collectively and decisively shut down all oil and gas facilities operating within Ijaw territories, drawing precedence from the Ogoniland’s no remediation, no oil and gas exploration and exploitation approach.
Other News
“Accordingly, the National President of the Ijaw Youth Council announced the constitution of a mobilisation and sensitisation committee mandated to visit all Ijaw territories, clans and communities to educate, organise and prepare the people for a coordinated and total shutdown of oil and gas operations should the Federal Government fail to act,” the youths emphasised in the communique.
The IYC further stressed that Ijaw resources could no longer be extracted from Ijaw land at the expense of Ijaw lives.
The youths stated that while they appreciate the work carried out in Ogoniland, they, however, noted without equivocation that: “We hold no grudges against any tribe in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large for what they benefit from the Federal Government based on what they contribute.”
The ijaw youth body, therefore, urged the Federal Government to sack the project coordinator of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarin Zabbey, who has shown that he lacks understanding of the mandate given to him and essence of the establishment of HYPREP.
“We also call on the Federal Government to also relieve the appointment of the Minister of Environment, who is the supervising minister of the HYPREP activities,” the group demanded.
While endorsing Governor Fubara and President Tinubu for second term ahead of the 2027 elections, the communique noted: “Through a resounding voice affirmation, the Convention unanimously passed a vote of confidence and endorsement on Governor Fubara, and President Tinubu, for second tenure in the 2027 general election.
“This position was taken in recognition of the leadership qualities the governor has shown over time. The governor’s commitment to a peaceful Rivers State for sustainable economic growth and development cannot be overemphasized.
“The maturity he displayed when faced with challenges shows that he is well prepared for leadership. The Governor, as of today, is a living hero of democracy, an ambassador of peace and a detribalized leader par excellence.
“Mr President, on his own part, has won the heart of the Ijaw youths, hence our declaration of total support for his re-election bid in 2027 is solely on his show of genuine love and commitment in making sure that there is peace in Rivers State in order for our governor, Fubara, to govern Rivers people in peace.
“Mr president has told us why he should be trusted and we have seen it with the way he managed the Rivers State political impasse. Mr President has given us reasons the Ijaw youths should support his re-election bid and we have seen reasons with him. Hence, the Ijaw youths hereby declare our unalloyed support for Mr President come 2027,” the communique read.
