…commends take-off of academic activities at Maritime University
…calls for end to FG cases against Tompolo
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide has hailed Niger Delta freedom fighter, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) on the occasion of his 47th birthday, tomorrow Thursday.
As High Chief Ekpemupolo clocks 47 and heads towards the golden age of 50, the IYC, in a statement released by its President, Eric Omare, stated that Tompolo has made an indelible mark in the struggle for the betterment of the Niger Delta region at the risk of his life and family.
In the view of the IYC, Tompolo is a true hero in the class of Late Major Jasper Adaka Boro, Harold Dappa-Biriye, Ken Saro Wiwa and other Niger Delta heroes who gave everything towards the emancipation of the people of the Niger Delta region.
Similarly, the IYC has decried the lukewarm attitude of the federal government towards the handling of the demands of the Niger Delta people. It would be recalled that at the peak of the renewed Niger Delta hostilities spearheaded by the Niger Delta Avengers, the Federal government made far reaching promises including, the relocation of the Corporate Headquarters of multinational oil companies to the Niger Delta region.
The statement reads; ”However, we note with dismay that this very sensitive presidential pronouncement which was made by the then Acting President Yemi Osinbnajo, is almost going the way of previous promises by the federal government to the Niger Delta people.
”We also note that key projects that were ongoing in the Niger Delta region have been relegated to the background such as, the deliberate non-funding of the East -West Road by the federal government, despite assertion of increased capital funding of projects. The key demand of the Niger Delta people for a federalism where they would have control of their resources, have not also been attended to.
”However, the IYC commend the Federal government for fulfilling its promise to kick-start academic activities at the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State. As at the time of issuing this statement, more than two hundred pioneer students have resumed for academic activities at the university”.
The IYC commends the Buhari-led administration for fulfilling its promise on the Maritime University.
”We commend this display of good faith by the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari and call on him to remobilize contractors who were working at the permanent site of the university to go back to site.
”It would be recalled that construction activities were massively ongoing at the permanent site of the university before they were put on hold because of purported EFCC investigations. Now that the university has started academic activities, the IYC strongly urge the former Governor Timipre Slyva- led maritime university governing council to facilitate the re-commencement of construction activities at the permanent site”.
The socio-political group also wants the Federal Government to halt its cases against the ex-freedom fighter, Tompolo.
”In conclusion, the IYC urge that the charges against Chief Government Ekpemupolo by the federal government in relation to the sale of the temporary site of the Maritime University, should be dropped.
”It amounts to great injustice for the federal government to be using the former Mekadive Diving School, Kurutie, Delta State which NIMASA acquired from High Chief Ekpemupolo to kick-off the temporary campus of the maritime university and at the same time, trying High Chief Ekpemupolo in court for the sale of the same property”. the statement concluded.
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