Tompolo
WARRI- National President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide, Barr. Eric Omare has hailed Niger Delta freedom fighter, high Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) on the occasion of his 47th birthday. He also appealed to federal Government to close Tompolo’s case file for enduring peace in Niger Delta.
The National IYC President also expressed joy and excitement for the commencement of full academic activities of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Warri South Local government of Delta state; even though, according to him, federal government abandoned other key areas in Niger Delta. He said Buhari has done well for giving full approval of academic take-off at the University campus which deserves commendation.
Barr. Eric Omare made this in a press statement issued on the congratulatory message on Tompolo’s 47th birthday ceremony.His words ‘‘On behalf of the Ijaw youths council (IYC) world-wide, I congratulate you on the occasion of your 47th birthday 12th day of April, 2018. As you clock 47 and heads towards the golden age of 50, the IYC state that Tompolo has made 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 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 relocation of the corporate headquarters of multinational oil companies to the Niger Delta region. However, we note with dismay that this very sensitive presidential pronouncement which was made by then Acting President Yemi Osinbnajo is almost going the way of previous promises by the federal government to the Niger Delta people.’’ He said
Omare noted 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.
Daily Watch gathered that more than two hundred pioneer students have resumed for academic activities at the university. IYC expressed their excitement towards federal government decision which the IYC President had described as a show of statesman and display of good faith by the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Omare called on President Buhari 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 recommencement of construction activities at the permanent site’’
IYC urged President Muhammadu Buhari to drop the charges against Chief Government Ekpemupolo by the federal government for mutual relationship between federal government and Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka (Tompolo) which will benefit the both the government and people of Niger Delta.
‘‘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 as kick-off campus of the maritime university and at the same time trying High Chief Ekpemupolo in court for the sale of the same property.’’ Omare admonished.
