Women from the oil-rich Ilaje areas of Ondo State, under the banner of the Niger Delta Network for Ondo Indigenous Women, have called on President Bola Tinubu to address the marginalization of their community.
The women expressed deep concern over the “grave injustices and marginalization” faced by the Ilaje people, lamenting the lack of visible development projects despite the community’s significant contribution to Nigeria’s oil wealth.
In a statement signed by the group’s President, Chief (Mrs.) Otunba Funmileyi Omogbemi, and Secretary, Adetoke Owoyemi, the women condemned the neglect of their region compared to other areas within the Niger Delta.
“While other Niger Delta regions have enjoyed continuous developmental and empowerment projects, Ilaje-Ese Odo has remained at the tail end of these initiatives. This has hindered socio-economic progress while we battle environmental degradation head-on,” the statement read.
The group also criticized the Presidential Amnesty Programme, coordinated by Dr. Dennis Otuaro, for allegedly excluding the interests of Ilaje communities. According to the women, despite stakeholders’ engagements across the Niger Delta, Dr. Otuaro has refused to visit the oil-rich local government area, denying the community the opportunity to discuss their concerns.
“Despite the programme’s stakeholders’ engagement across the region, Dr. Otuaro has refused to visit our oil-rich local government area, denying us the opportunity to interface with him and address our concerns. This is a clear indication of the marginalization we face,” they stated.
The women emphasized that despite Ilaje’s daily crude oil production of approximately 60,000 barrels and estimated reserves of 4 billion barrels, the region continues to face neglect rather than receiving preferential attention.
“This is a great injustice!” they declared.
The group also recalled how Ilaje youths were disarmed under the guise of Amnesty in 2017, only to be abandoned and sidelined, leading to hardship, frustration, and hopelessness.
“While we watch in utter dismay, youths in other regions savour the benefits of Amnesty in perpetual succession,” the women lamented.
The group urged President Tinubu to take immediate steps to address their concerns, specifically requesting the following:
1. Fair Administration of the Presidential Amnesty Programme: Ensure the equitable distribution of benefits across all Niger Delta regions.
2. Accountability from Dr. Otuaro: Address the alleged neglect of Ilaje communities and his refusal to visit the area.
3. End to Administrative Favoritism: Implement transparent and fair resource allocation.
Warning of increasing restlessness among Ilaje youths, the women stressed the urgent need for intervention.
“The level of marginalization faced by Ondo State in the Niger Delta region is unbearable. Our agitations grow by the day, and we want change!” the group stated.
They appealed to President Tinubu for a prompt and decisive response to their demands, insisting that a timely intervention is essential to prevent further agitation.
“We request a prompt response regarding the actions you will take to address our concerns. A timely intervention is crucial,” the statement added.