Speech Delivered by Comr. Toibokumoh Arigidi During Courtesy Visit to Hon. Akin Sowore, Commissioner for Land and Housing, Ondo State

During a significant courtesy visit to Hon. Akin Sowore, Commissioner for Land and Housing, Ondo State, Comr. Toibokumoh Arigidi, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Arogbo Clan, delivered a compelling speech addressing the pressing issues faced by the Ese-Odo community.

All protocols observed.

Sir, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your recent appointment by the Governor of Ondo State. Your impactful tenure as Chairman of our local government area still resonates, and we are grateful for your contributions.

Today’s courtesy visit holds significant importance to me, as since assuming the role of Chairman of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Arogbo Clan, I have been actively engaging stakeholders, political leaders, and opinion leaders to foster unity and collaboration. As the apex youth body, our mission is to enhance the welfare of our youth community.

Currently, Ese-Odo faces several pressing issues, notably the LCDA saga, which you may already be aware of. We, as a community, have vehemently protested against this creation, feeling it is unjust as it perpetuates a rotational office-sharing tradition between the Arogbo-Ijaws and the Apoi-Ijaws. Moreover, the creation of the LCDA has resulted in the ceding of parts of our land to neighboring communities, which has understandably caused concern and opposition from the outset.

As an alternative, we propose that if the state government is genuinely committed to this creation, they should also establish an LCDA for our Apoi brothers. This would honor our longstanding rotational agreement, a practice observed in other parts of the state where demographics justify such arrangements.

In light of these challenges, it is fitting for us as kinsmen to strengthen our ties through this courtesy visit. We are committed to ongoing engagement with the government to address the issues arising from the creation of the Local Government Development Area in Ese-Odo. Additionally, we urge you to leverage your longstanding relationship with the Governor of Ondo State to ensure our concerns are heard and addressed.

Finally, regarding the composition of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), it has been a concern that an Ese-Odo representative has yet to assume the chairmanship. The establishment act of the commission does not prohibit this, and we advocate that now is the time for an Ese-Odo person to rightfully take on this role.

Thank you, and may God bless you.

E-signed,

Comr. Toibokumoh Arigidi

Chairman, IYC Arogbo Clan

23-07-2024.