Tag Archives: ijaw

Ijaw Youth Council urges FG to stop investigation into Malabu Oil deal

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied media reports that he received gratification before approving the controversial Malabu Oil deal.

A statement by his spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, in Abuja yesterday said Jonathan did not send a businessman, Abubakar Aliyu, or any other person to receive a bribe on his behalf during or after the negotiation.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports published mostly by online media which insinuated, rather than presenting factual evidence, that Jonathan received kickbacks in the $1.3bn OPL 245 oil block involving oil giants ENI and Royal Dutch Shell.

“We wish to state that the negotiations and transactions for the oil block predated the Jonathan’s presidency, which began on May 6, 2010 and ended on May 29, 2015. It may interest those promoting this false narrative to also know that the documents relating to the transactions are in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.”

The spokesman further stated that Jonathan did not hold any secret meeting with the parties in the transaction, nether did anybody work for him.

“As President of Nigeria, Jonathan met with the executives of all the oil majors operating in the country to solicit support in the oil industry,” the statement added.

He urged the media to use the Freedom of Information Act, which Jonathan signed into law, to investigate stories before publication.

Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has urged the Federal Government to stop an investigation into the Malabu oil deal.

The group’s President, Udengs Eradiri said in an interview that it was designed to witch-hunt the Niger Delta region, because an Ijaw man was involved.

According to him, it was worrisome that other oil blocks that were awarded through the same process were exempted from a similar probe.

Ijaw youths kick as military arrests ex-militant leader in Delta State.

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The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) yesterday warned that the Federal Government was inciting crisis in the Niger Delta by the continued invasion of the oil-rich area, arrest and detention of its residents, especially former agitators.

The group’s spokesman Eric Omare, who spoke on the heels of last weekend’s arrest of former militant leader, Bounanawei Smith (alias King of the Forest) in Warri, Delta State, noted that such aggression was inimical to the sough peace in the region.

Bounanawei, The Guardian learnt, was arrested by a combined team of military personnel while hosting some IYC members in his guesthouse.

He disclosed that a couple of days before his arrest, the ex-militant leader had hosted Ijaw and Urhobo leaders with a view to resolving the perennial inter-communal clashes among Ogbe-Ijoh, Isaba, Diebiri and Aladja communities.

The group wondered why the security agents would arrest such a peacemaker like a common criminal in handcuffs amid sporadic shooting instead of honourably inviting him over to clear any issues with them.

Omare maintained that such invasions were fast becoming a norm, claiming that on January 1 this year, military officers stormed Gbaraun community in Southern Ijaw Local Council of Bayelsa State, shooting sporadically as well as arresting and detaining till date a youth leader, Kalami Saturday Inakemeduo.

He added that several other Ijaw youths were languishing in military detention. Omare listed them to include Aboy Muturu, Ezekiel Daniel, spokesman for the group’s Abuja chapter, IYC Victor Odogu, among others.

He alleged that the affected persons have been in Department of State Services (DSS) and military detention for more than eight months without trial.

IYC warned: “These arrests are capable of truncating the Niger Delta’s peace process. We are surprised that in one breath, the Federal Government is sending Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to Gbaramatu, Delta State to kick-start the peace process on Tuesday (tomorrow) and in another breath, invading and arresting ex-agitators like Bounanawei Smith.”

The group, therefore, called for the immediate release of Bounanawei and the rest captives.

Ex-militants are suffering, IYC tells FG.

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The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) on Wednesday called on the federal government to pay the backlog of stipends owed ex-militants.

 

Eric Omare, the council’s spokesman, made the call in a statement, saying the former agitators are suffering.

 

Omare said the IYC was not happy with the disposition of Paul Boroh, coordinator of the amnesty programme, towards facilitating  the release of the stipends.

 

He said Boroh had attributed the delay in the payment to the treasury single account (TSA) policy of the government.

 

“Niger Delta ex-militants under the amnesty programme are being owed five months arrears of stipends,” he said.

 

Omare said the non-payment had subjected the ex-militants to untold hardship and “miserable” Christmas celebration.

 

“We also call on the national security adviser (NSA), Gen. Babagana Munguno, under whose office the amnesty programme is domiciled, to take steps to immediately effect the payments to avoid unnecessary hostility,” he said.

Ijaw youths attack NIS operatives, seize riffles.

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Gunmen suspected to be Ijaw youths from Ogbe-Ijoh community in the Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, on Saturday evening attacked the patrol team of the Nigeria Immigration Service, injuring one and then collected two riffles belonging to the officers.

Our correspondent learnt that an operative of the Marine Police team who rushed to the scene to rescue the officers also sustained a gunshot injury in his hand during the attack which lasted for over 30 minutes at about 6:40pm on Saturday.

The NIS operatives were attacked by the gunmen who chanted in the Ijaw language war songs along the creeks of Fegenegbene community, opposite Ogbe-Ijoh while heading towards the Warri Main Market.

A source attached to the Marine Police Post in Warri said, “If not for the swift intervention of the police, three operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service and a civilian speedboat pilot would have been abducted by the heavily armed men numbering about ten.

It was learnt that the attack was not unconnected with the recent rivalry over the disputed land boundary between Aladja community in Udu Council and Ogbe-Ijoh community in Warri South West Council areas of the state.

One of the victims who spoke under a strict condition of anonymity said, “At about 6:40pm our patrol team was heading towards Warri Main Market when armed youths shot continuously at our boat. They demanded that we follow them after disarming us. They accused us that we were Urhobo people and they will kill us.

“As we were arguing, one of the youths confirmed that our pilot (boat driver) is an Urhobo boy and they wanted to kill him, luckily he jumped into the water. Our team leader, an Assistant Superintendent of the NIS was hit with the butt of their riffle. They also engaged operatives of the Marine Police. One of them was shot in his hand before they fled.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Delta State Command of NIS, Joy Obikwe, an Assistant Superintendent, confirmed the incident but said she has not been briefed with details.

Ijaw militants behind Lagos school kidnap – Ayorinde

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The Lagos State Government on Wednesday said suspected militants from the Niger Delta were behind the abduction of four pupils and teachers, who were whisked away from their school, Lagos Model College (Senior and Junior), Igbonla, Epe on October 6.

The state government, however, said the victims, comprising two pupils, vice-principal and head teacher had already gone through medical checkup and safely reunited with their families.”

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said this in a statement he issued yesterday, saying the state government would spare nothing until the state “is rid of criminal elements.”

After the victims were released on Tuesday, Ayorinde reiterated the resolve of the state government “to protect lives and property. The children have undergone medical check-up after which they were reunited with their families.

“The children are doing well. Also, they have gone through medical checkup. Already, they have been safely reunited with their families after they were released and undergone medical checkup.”

Ayorinde said the state government “welcomed the release of the school pupils, vice-principal and head teacher of Igbonla Model College, Epe. The victims were kidnapped by suspected Ijaw militants on October 6.”

The commissioner urged residents to be more vigilant, security conscious and report all suspected persons and objects seen within their neighbourhood to the appropriate security agencies.

“The determination of the government to ensure 24-hour security of the state is evident in the huge investment in the equipment and welfare of security agencies, especially the police,” he explained.

He said the state government “has taken adequate steps to stem the tide of kidnapping in the state, in line with the directive of the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, plans have been concluded to commence the demolition of illegal structures erected across the state waterfronts and creeks.

“Often times, the incidence of kidnapping are perpetrated through the waterways and as such, these illegal structures provide a leeway for these criminal elements to plan and execute their nefarious activities.

“This step, we believe, will go a long way to address this menace. The state government has also begun steps to boost community policing with the recent announcement by the governor that at least 5,000 neighbourhood watchers will soon be recruited to improve surveillance across the state, especially at the rural areas.”

Meanwhile, following the release of the two kidnapped students of Government Model College, Igbonla, Epe, their vice principal and teacher, late Tuesday night by their abductors, it was yesterday gathered that they were not assaulted or molested in any way.

Although one of the students was a female, she was also not assaulted by the gang, rather, her ill health facilitated their early release from captivity.

Stop persecution of Jonathan’s family, IYC tells EFCC

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The umbrella body of Ijaw youths, the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to stop the persecution of former President Goodluck Jonathan and his family members.

The IYC advised the anti-graft agency to carry out its duties through due process instead of engaging in media charade and blackmail.

The President of IYC, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, who spoke at a news conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Thursday, expressed sadness at the manner the EFCC was denigrating the former first family.

He wondered at how the EFCC had yet to learn from its poor handling of the alleged graft case involving former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.

Eradiru said instead of the EFCC to focus on facts and do their job via due process, they quickly went to the media and that incident had led the country to its current economic mess, noting that the country had lost about N2trn.

He called on the anti-graft agency to stop blackmailing Dame Patience Jonathan, saying that the call on her to explain how she made her money was a witch-hunt.

He said, “First Ladies in Nigeria do not do any work. You know what it is; a woman naturally attracts a lot of gifts from men, let alone the First Lady who has the power to recommend people for something.

“They receive a lot of ‘Thank you’ and gratification because in most cases they recommend people. Those they recommended usually come back and say thank you ma. Even when they do not recommend, people can go and say thank you with a million dollars.

“The scenario did not start with Dame Patience Jonathan. We know how influential the former First Lady before her was and other first ladies – how powerful, how rich, how wealthy they were as a result of gratification because they were Presidents’ wives. That is how they amass their wealth.

“If you say Patience Jonathan should go and show how she made her money, then, you must first start with all the other former First Ladies before her, otherwise it is a witch-hunt.”

5000 OPC Members Armed For War Against Ijaw Militants

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5000 members of the Reformed Oodua People’s Congress (ROPC) have converged in Ogun state to confront militants who have been causing havoc in the Arepo and Imushin communities.

Punch reports that the members of the group arrived the state in 100 buses, looking ready for battle.

Eyewitnesses say the OPC members, who came from Lagos and other parts of Ogun, carried all manner of charms and weapons.

A source who spoke to newsmen also said “They were over 5,000 and they filled the whole community. They carried all kinds of charms and a few of them even carried placards, protesting militant’s invasion of the South-West.

“They said they were ready to enter into the creeks to face the militants and kill them and all they needed was the permission of the traditional ruler. Some of them said they could transform to snakes and lions, once they get into the creeks.

“The traditional ruler, after thanking them for their concern, asked them to leave because he had not received authority from higher authorities to allow them fight the militants. He urged them to get approval from the government before doing anything in the community.”

The President of the group, Dare Adesope, also said “On July 19, we issued a 14-day ultimatum to the militants to end their activities in the South-West and we said if they didn’t leave, we will challenge them and defend our people. That ultimatum elapsed yesterday (Monday).

“The recent military action against the militants might have been influenced by our ultimatum, because prior to the release, the Federal Government didn’t do anything.

“We decided to go to the community in 107 buses and some cars, to show that the Reformed OPC is still on the ground and our aim is to protect the lives and property of everyone that is residing within our area of jurisdiction.

“Our silence all this while is not an act of cowardice. It is because we believe in dialogue before action. It is wrong for anyone to be kidnapping, raping, robbing and killing our people.

“We say no to that and we don’t want anything like that again in Yoruba land. After today, if we hear anything again in the area, we know what to do.”

A combined team of security forces bombarded the hideouts of the militants in the creeks of Arepo in Ogun state.

Ijaw Militants Hit As Heavy Military Bombardment Begins At Arepo Creeks, Other Parts of Lagos.

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There was pandemonium on Thursday in the Arepo area of Ogun State and some part of Lagos State after the military bombarded the base of suspected militants in the states.

 

The PUNCH learnt that scores of militants were reportedly killed in the joint military operation which lasted for more than one hour.

 

A source said the military attacked Fatola, the base of the militants, adding that houses around the area were shaken by the impact of bomb explosions on the Ijaw militants.

 

He said, “There has been a lot of commotion. The Nigerian Air Force bombarded Fatola, in Arepo, which is the base of the militants. They are shelling the place with fighter jets. Some soldiers also surrounded the area to make sure that if any of the militants should run out, they would be gunned down.”

 

A resident said people in the area had started fleeing their homes due to the bombardment.

 

Another resident in the Imushin area of Ogun State told our correspondent that two aircrafts were involved in the operation, adding that only one base of the militants was attacked.

 

He said, “An aircraft had actually been surveying the creek for the past three days. But a second one joined this evening around 6pm. All we heard was a sudden bomb blast released from the second aircraft. But it appeared that some of the militants had fled into the bush. There are four major bases of the militants in the creek and they are led by two men- OC and Agbala. If the military can get these two people, then they would have succeeded in clipping the wings of the militants.”

 

A community leader, who claimed to have spoken with one of the officers, said, “The military officer said residents should not panic because it was a military exercise. I also gathered that the casualty figure was high and that a lot of the militants had been killed.”

 

The Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, confirmed the operation, saying it involved the army and the navy.

 

He said, “The military only conducts its routine operation for the purpose of denying the vandals and other criminal elements from causing terror in the area. The operation, codenamed, Operation Awatse, was initiated by the defence headquarters to dominate the area with a view to flushing out all manners of criminals including militants and saboteurs. The operation involved the joint forces of the navy and army and it has been successful.”

 

The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the police were part of the operation.

 

She said, “The Nigerian military and policemen from the Lagos and Ogun commands are part of the operation. We are sweeping through the waterways where we share boundaries to end the activities of the militants. It is a continuous exercise and we cannot tell the number of casualties.”

 

The acting Police spokesperson, ASP Abimbola Oyeyemi, promised to call back our correspondent, but he had yet to do so as of press time.

 

Credit: The Punch

Biafra Is Ijaw, Not Igbo- Asari-Dokubo

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Leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Front, NDPVF, Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo has said that contrary to the perception in most quarters that the name Biafra which was adopted by the then breakaway Eastern region is Igbo, the phrase is Ijaw.

 He also noted it was an Ijaw man, who suggested the name at a meeting convened by the late leader of the defunct Republic of Biafra, Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu to decide on the way forward for the Eastern region after the 1966/1967 pogrom. Dokubo, who said this in a statement stated that the late Niger Delta activist, Maj. Isaac Adaka Boro affirmed that Ijaw is Biafra in chapter six of his autobiography entitled: Twelve Day Revolution. He further said that the ties between Igbo and Ijaw ethnic groups are inseparable, adding that It was another Ijaw Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson, who first played the Biafran national anthem during the proclamation of independence on May 30, 1967. His words: “Ignorance can be a terrible disease but it is curable if the sufferer is ready to humble himself to learn and accept the cure for his sickness. Biafra is a Kalabari Ijaw phrase Bia

 He also noted it was an Ijaw man, who suggested the name at a meeting convened by the late leader of the defunct Republic of Biafra, Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu to decide on the way forward for the Eastern region after the 1966/1967 pogrom. Dokubo, who said this in a statement stated that the late Niger Delta activist, Maj. Isaac Adaka Boro affirmed that Ijaw is Biafra in chapter six of his autobiography entitled: Twelve Day Revolution. He further said that the ties between Igbo and Ijaw ethnic groups are inseparable, adding that It was another Ijaw Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson, who first played the Biafran national anthem during the proclamation of independence on May 30, 1967. His words: “Ignorance can be a terrible disease but it is curable if the sufferer is ready to humble himself to learn and accept the cure for his sickness. Biafra is a Kalabari Ijaw phrase Bia

He further said that the ties between Igbo and Ijaw ethnic groups are inseparable, adding that It was another Ijaw Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson, who first played the Biafran national anthem during the proclamation of independence on May 30, 1967. His words: “Ignorance can be a terrible disease but it is curable if the sufferer is ready to humble himself to learn and accept the cure for his sickness. Biafra is a Kalabari Ijaw phrase Bia fulo meaning not properly cooked. The Kalabari of Kula named the estuary of Santa Barbara Bia fulo because of the turbulence of the sea at the estuary. The Portuguese like they did to many other names, words and phrases which they could not pronounce properly named the area Biafra. Later the coastline from the estuary of River Nun to the coast of Gabon was named the Bight of Biafra. “The doyen of our struggle Isaac Adaka Boro clearly affirmed that Ijaw is BIiafra in chapter six, page 57 of his autobiography ‘Twelve Day Revolution’. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, before the declaration of secession, convoked an Eastern Nigerian consultative Assembly to decide on the direction and way forward for the Eastern Region after the 1966/1967 pogrom against Easterners in the north. The assembly debated on many names put forward by delegates and chose Biafra which was put forward by Frank

“The doyen of our struggle Isaac Adaka Boro clearly affirmed that Ijaw is BIiafra in chapter six, page 57 of his autobiography ‘Twelve Day Revolution’. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, before the declaration of secession, convoked an Eastern Nigerian consultative Assembly to decide on the direction and way forward for the Eastern Region after the 1966/1967 pogrom against Easterners in the north. The assembly debated on many names put forward by delegates and chose Biafra which was put forward by Frank Opigo an Ijaw.”

Credit: vanguardngr

Southern Ijaw Residents Flee Over Bayelsa Polls Tomorrow

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Apprehensive of violence during the rescheduled governorship election in the Southern Ijaw Local Council of Bayelsa State tomorrow, residents of the area have been fleeing to neighbouring states.

There is even the fear among many of them that the election may not hold because the magnitude of violence will be such that past crises will be child’s play. They also fear that security forces deployed in the area will not be able to control an outbreak of violence.

As if confirming the fear of the residents, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Konbowei Benson , was yesterday reportedly attacked in Korokorosie in Southern Ijaw Local Council.

Benson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who spoke on a live telephone radio programme, claimed that some persons suspected to be members of the opposition threw dynamites that destroyed part of his house.

He claimed to have got wind of the attack in the early hours of yesterday through a telephone call. However, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Asinim Butswat,  said he was yet to be informed of the development.

Credit: Guardian

Ijaw, Itsekiri Leaders Vow To Shut Down Shell Operations

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Scores of embittered Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups in Delta State have threatened to shut down all Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, operations in their land, if the Anglo-Dutch oil company fails to comply with the agreement reached with them some time ago.

Addressing newsmen, yesterday in Warri, the people, under the aegis of their Forum also indicted Shell for allegedly instigating crisis among the host communities with its divide and rule antics.

Mr Moses Eduogha and Fregene Emiko, who jointly signed a statement, argued that they were mostly annoyed that Shell refused to honour a peace meeting summoned by Governor Ifeayi Okowa and the host communities on December 15, 2015.

“We see SPDC’s action as a big slap on both the governor’s face and ours. We decided to tell the whole world that Shell is definitely looking for trouble. Our people are already agitated and we will give them fire for fire.

“Host communities have been impoverished. You can imagine a situation where our contractors are made to renew their contract papers on yearly basis with nothing to show for it,” the forum leaders said.

They said that neither Ijaw nor Itsekiri is directly involved in any contract, rather the company staff engages their cronies to do the job local contractors are supposed to do.

“Activities of Shell were capable of causing crisis among the host communities. Nigeria’s local content law is not working in Shell as the workers have turned contractors,” they said.

According to them, aggrieved youths are already beating war drums, adding that Shell should immediately respect the agreement reached, “else they will be flushed out from our land.

“Shell’s action is an open invitation to crisis,” they added.

Credit: Vanguard

Ololade Ajekigbe: Alamieyeseigha; When Death Confers Sainthood

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The news of the death of the “Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation,” Diepreye Alamieyeseigha came out of the blue considering the fact that there was no fore knowledge or prior information of his illness from the media. The 62-year old former governor of Bayelsa State reportedly died after a protracted battle with kidney disease, diabetes and high blood pressure at the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital after slipping into a coma two days before.  Like almost every other subject in Nigeria, the news of his death has resulted in controversy as Nigerians have continued to elicit varying reactions to it. The revelation that the British Government had requested to have the ex-governor extradited to the UK in a bid to resurrect the inconclusive case of money laundering against him certainly added fuel to the ongoing debate.

The late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was controversial in life no doubt, and now in death he may have even become more controversial. A section of the populace have opined that no matter what a dead person did wrong while they were alive, it is absolutely wrong, inappropriate and disrespectful to speak ill of them. It doesn’t matter whether they were known to be a thief, fraudster or even a murderer during their earthly sojourn. As one who had the privilege of being alive, while the other person was six feet under, it wasn’t just in your place to say anything that was not in line with extolling the virtues of the person now that they were no more. While the second school of thought believe it is nothing but hypocrisy to manufacture virtues that are non existent in order to be seen as aligning with a popular maxim. I belong to the latter category.

In the case of Alamieyeseigha, even though he was the first civilian governor of the oil rich Bayelsa State, and appears to be well loved by his people; sadly, it is impossible to forget that the man was more popular and will be remembered more for the his brush with the law while he was alive than anything else. For how can the average Nigerian forget that the former governor was found with a whopping £1m in cash in his London home and a head spinning €1.8m in cash and bank accounts. Let alone the value of his real estate in the same country which was alleged to be worth £10m. The facts are there for anyone to verify; Former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was arrested and detained by London’s Metropolitan Police in September 2005. He also jumped bail from the UK in December 2005 by allegedly disguising himself as a woman, even though he denied this part of the story. He was also impeached on allegations of corruption upon his return to Nigeria. These are facts that cannot be distorted no matter how sentimental some people have chosen to be upon his death.

The Bayelsa State government and staunch loyalists of the late indigene of Amassoma, particularly his Ijaw kindred are positive that the federal government had a hand in his death. They posit that the government of the day were the ones who wanted and prompted the UK authorities to request that he be extradited to the Uk to answer to the outstanding case they have against him. In the first place, the British authorities have denied that there was any move to return the late ex governor back to England. Secondly, even if it were true that the Buhari led government planned to get Alamieyeseigha to answer for his “sins,” are we saying it is not within the rights of the government to do so? Especially with the ongoing fight against corruption in the country. Alamieyeseigha was granted a presidential pardon here in Nigeria. It never translated to him getting a clean bill of health outside the country!

If we decide not to speak ill of the dead, does it automatically erase the ills the dead did when they were alive? This was a man who pleaded guilty to six charges of corrupt enrichment, and was sentenced to two years imprisonment on each count. Yet, some have chosen to turn a blind eye to these obvious facts, and would rather run with trumped up tales of a perceived witch hunt. It is one of the major reasons why we are where we are today! Ethnic and tribal sentiments almost always get the better of us. “As long as he is my friend, brother or I have benefited from him at one time or the other, then he can do no wrong.” For those who feel that the people who are not sympathetic to a dead man’s plight are insensitive and must be offending God, what will they say to those who have lost loved ones due to the greed of one man. The huge amounts stolen could have been channeled into providing adequate health facilities or send some children who are wasting away hawking goods just because their poor parents cannot afford to pay for an education to school.

How does one quantify the multiplier effect the looting of our common treasury has on the general populace, particularly on the down trodden of the society? A looter may not be seen in the same light as a murderer who pulls the trigger on his hapless victim, but it is right up there with the crime of assassination when one takes a look at it critically. Anyone who has at one time or the other unashamedly stolen money that is meant for millions of people without a second thought as to what fate would befall them because of their action is tantamount to a murderer. It doesn’t matter if they are dead or alive. Death does not and should not automatically confer sainthood.

For the sake of clarity, I am not happy that Alamieyeseigha is dead, for one; it is sheer folly to wish anyone dead or rejoice at anyone’s death because it is a due that every living being is condemned to pay sooner or later. I am only unhappy that he escaped justice. Indeed, he appears to be the winner in all of these. What with the eulogies that have been pouring forth since his demise, one would have thought that he was one of our national heroes.

So, here is my submission; let those who want to mourn the former governor go ahead and do so. They are well within their rights to do so. Besides no matter how bad a person may be, they are bound to have done some good too to certain people and at one time or the other. But, those who have also decided not to mourn Alamieyeseigha for reasons best known to them should also not be begrudged or vilified for not doing so. After all it is a free country and everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Ololade Ajekigbe

l_ajeks@yahoo.com

Views expressed are solely that of author and does not represent views of www.omojuwa.com nor its associates