IDF Blasts Alleged ₦500m OSOPADEC Summit Spend as “Brazen Waste” Amid Community Suffering
The Ilaje Distinguished Forum (IDF) has raised concerns over reports alleging that more than ₦500 million was spent on the recent OSOPADEC Stakeholders’ Summit held in Igbokoda.
In a press statement made available to journalists, it said the following:
PRESS STATEMENT
IDF CONDEMNS ALLEGED OVER ₦500 MILLION WASTE ON OSOPADEC SO-CALLED STAKEHOLDERS’ SUMMIT
The Ilaje Distinguished Forum (IDF) strongly condemns the alleged budgeting of over ₦500 million for the recently held OSOPADEC so-called Stakeholders’ Summit in Igbokoda, describing it as a shocking display of misplaced priorities and insensitivity to the urgent developmental needs of Ilaje and Ese-Odo communities.
At a time when our riverine communities are grappling with failed roads, collapsing shorelines, unemployment, poor healthcare services, inadequate schools, lack of portable water, and widespread poverty, it is disturbing that such an enormous sum could allegedly be earmarked for a gathering better described as a feast, social reunion, and political showpiece than a genuine developmental summit.
The people of Ilaje deserve to know how a single meeting could justify such a staggering amount when communities remain cut off by bad roads, many health centres are under-equipped, schools are in poor condition, and youths remain unemployed and frustrated.
This is not the time for extravagant spending on events and public relations exercises. This is the time for direct investments in roads, shoreline protection, hospitals, schools, scholarships, youth empowerment, and economic opportunities for the people.
₦500 million could have funded meaningful projects across several communities. It could have provided transformers, renovated schools, supplied hospital equipment, supported women traders, empowered fishermen, or improved transportation access in isolated settlements.
The greatest tragedy is not just the alleged amount, but the mindset behind it — choosing comfort, celebration, and optics over pressing human needs.
IDF therefore calls on OSOPADEC to immediately provide a transparent breakdown of the alleged summit budget and expenditures. Public institutions managing resources meant for oil-producing communities must be accountable to the people.
Ilaje people are tired of grand ceremonies while basic development remains absent. We demand prudent leadership, responsible spending, and projects that directly touch lives.
The era of wasting public funds on vanity gatherings while communities suffer must come to an end.
Signed:
Ayemobuwa Idowu Hero
Distinguished Leader
Ilaje Distinguished Forum (IDF)