IYC decries marginalisation in appointment to state exco

Etim Ekpimah

The Ijaw Youth Council has alleged marginalisation of the Eastern Obolo Council in the appointment to the Akwa Ibom State Security Council for over ten years.

According to the group, successive administrations, beginning from Udom Emmanuel, had yet to appoint any person from the IYC as commissioner to the state executive council.

The group issued the communique in Uyo on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, after a meeting to inaugurate new chapters as Operational Areas.

They noted that their demand for the surveillance contract was propelled by the company’s failure to fulfil its pledge to Eastern Obolo over the years.

The communique, which was endorsed by its chairman, Michael Jaja, Secretary, Ezekiel Uneadasi, Assistant Secretary, Matthew Uraniyok and 23 others, emphasised that the situation had denied youths the opportunity for meaningful engagement and employment.

“At the inception of their operations, Sterling Global/Natural Oil Field Services committed an award surveillance security contract to the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) when the blueprint is ready.

“This promise remains unfulfilled, denying our youths opportunities for meaningful engagement and economic empowerment. We demand the immediate award of the surveillance contract to Ijaw Youth Council, Eastern Obolo clan, as pledged,” the communique reads in part.

“At the inception of their operations, Sterling Global/Natural Oil Field Services committed an award surveillance security contract to the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) when the blueprint is ready.

It also demanded immediate provision of electricity to the communities, establishment of an exclusive Host Community Trust Fund and proper employment of Eastern Obolo sons and daughters in line with Local Content Law 2010.

On political marginalisation, the youth body commended the governor of the state, Umo Eno, for his timely intervention in the crisis between the company and its host community, which it noted had resulted in the reopening of blocked creeks of Obianga and Ikonta communities.

However, it expressed worries over the neglect of the council in terms of both appointments into the state executive council and the board of Niger Delta Development Commission, in spite the huge contributions of the LG to the growth and development of Akwa-Ibom State.

“IYC wish to extend our deepest gratitude to His Excellency Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, for his timely intervention in the cry of the people of Eastern Obolo LGA on the issue of Creeks closure within the Obianga and Ikonta Communities and has long ordered the Company to re-open the Creeks which is on going. We say Bravo and express confidence in your leadership.

“However, Your Excellency, it’s on record that for over 10 years counting, the people of Eastern Obolo have never been appointed as commissioner in the state and as Board of NDDC, despite our huge contributions to the economic growth of Akwa Ibom state and Nigeria at large.

“Therefore, we demand immediate appointment of a Commissioner from the Eastern Obolo oil-rich community,” the communique added.