READS PRESS STATEMENT,
EGBESU BOYS WORLDWIDE BACKS EGBEMA YOUTH COUNCIL PEACEFUL PROTEST,
Says, Ijaw Leaders Bear Witness to Egbema’s Sacrifices for Niger Delta Development,
Egbesu Boys Worldwide have thrown their full weight behind the Egbema Youth Council’s planned peaceful protest over the abandoned Udo–Ofunama Road Project, following the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum issued to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The project, awarded in 2012 during the administration of former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, was designed as a central network road linking Egbema, Olodiama, Okomu, and Gbarun Kingdoms in Edo and Delta States. Its abandonment has crippled business activities, deepened hardship, and left oil-rich Ijaw communities to suffer as though they were third-class citizens in their own region.
This resolution was announced in a statement issued by Comrade Tamara Denyefa Idaji, Egbesu Central Priest (Egbesu Igologolo-lewei Worldwide), after wide consultations with Niger Delta stakeholders, including Egbesu priests, Ijaw freedom fighters, resource control agitators, the YanYanbo Boys of Niger Delta, and the Nine Egbesu Kilekilewei of Ijaw Nation.
The statement recalled that Egbema Kingdom paid the supreme price for the peace and development of the Niger Delta and for the establishment of interventionist agencies such as the NDDC, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (now South-South Development Commission), Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), and other state development bodies.
Our past heroes and living legends are witnesses to Egbema’s sacrifice,” Idaji declared.
“The late His Majesty Pere Isaac A. Thikan Bini Pere, Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom; Late HRM Eperetu, Agadagba of Arogbo Ijaw Ibe; Late DSP Solomon Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; Late Chief Edwin Clark Kiagbodo; Late Oronto Douglas; Late Presido Gomoria of Patani; Late Akurusa of Gbaramatu Kingdom; Late Capt. Samson Funpuwei and many others gave their all to the Niger Delta cause.
Living leaders who also witnessed these sacrifices include High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Hon. Timi Alaebi, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Gen. Asari Dokubo, HRM Ateke Tom, High Chief Gen. Bibopre Ajube, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, Amb. Godknows Igali, Comrade Joseph Evah, Sen. Henry Seriake Dickson, Sen. James Manager, Chief Michael Johnny, Chief Kestin Pondi, Rep. Julius Pondi, Amb. Dennis Otuaro (PAP Administrator), Hon. Emmanuel Omoko (Bolowei of Egbema Kingdom), Hon. Capt. Smart Asekutu, Comrade David Reje, Gen. HRH Henry Binidodogha, Hon. Chief Siemens Nisor Beke, Chief Gen. Okubo Robert, Gen. Ezekiel Akpasibewei, Gen. Aroni Oputu, Comr. Hon. Felix Toudolor, Comr. Chris Ikiyo and others.
Egbema Kingdom — one of the oldest Ijaw thrones in Southern Nigeria and the largest Ijaw kingdom in the Niger Delta — spans Ovia South-West and Ikpoba Okha LGAs of Edo State and Warri North LGA of Delta State.
The kingdom is host to major oil and gas companies including Chevron, NPDC, SPDC, Conoil, Elcrest, OML-40 Sarah Energy, yet remains without meaningful federal or state development projects.
During the resource control struggle, Egbema communities faced military invasions, bombings, and mass killings under successive administrations from President Obasanjo through President Buhari. Ajakurama, Ogbinbiri, and Ogbudugbudu were burnt down, while Late King Isaac Thikan was arrested during President Yar’Adua’s administration and later released after the signing of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Despite these sacrifices, Egbema Kingdom has been deliberately sidelined in political appointments and agency leadership, while tribal bias by government power blocs allegedly allowed Bini and Itsekiri interests to marginalize Ijaw people for decades.
Egbema Kingdom is the heartbeat of the Niger Delta,” Idaji said. “When the region needed a voice against oppression, deprivation, and marginalization, Egbema stood up. The management of NDDC and other interventionist agencies must recognize this historic fact.”
The statement condemned the total neglect of the Udo–Ofunama Road Project, noting that it remains a vital hub road connecting oil-rich Ijaw kingdoms whose communities are left stranded.
This peaceful protest will not just be an Egbema affair,” Idaji stressed, that “It will be a worldwide Egbesu demonstration against injustice, deprivation, and marginalization by the very agencies created to serve the Niger Delta. We call on all Egbesu boys, Niger Delta youths, and lovers of justice to come out massively in solidarity with the Egbema Youth Council.”
E-Signed:
Comrade Tamara Denyefa Idaji
Egbesu Central Priest (Egbesu Igologolo-lewei Worldwide)
Traditional Headquarters of Egbema Kingdom, Ajakurama Town, Ovia South-West LGA, Edo State
Comrade Ebi-egberi, Ama-ebi, coordinator Delta state, Egbesu boys worldwide,
Commander Ikpekure Abadipere, Diaspora coordinator Egbesu boys worldwide,
Commander Funkeama-Ebiju Uge kilekilewei coordinator of Egbesu boys worldwide,
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