Women from the oil-rich Ilaje region of Ondo State have called on President Bola Tinubu to end what they describe as longstanding marginalization and neglect of their community despite its significant contributions to Nigeria’s oil wealth.
Under the umbrella of the Niger Delta Network for Ondo Indigenous Women, the group expressed deep frustration over the lack of development projects in their region compared to other Niger Delta communities. In a statement signed by their President, Chief (Mrs.) Otunba Funmileyi Omogbemi, and Secretary, Adetoke Owoyemi, the women decried the “grave injustices” faced by Ilaje residents.
“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 accused the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), led by Dr. Dennis Otuaro, of excluding Ilaje communities from key engagements and benefits. They claimed that despite Ilaje’s crude oil production of approximately 60,000 barrels per day and an estimated 4 billion barrels in reserves, the region has received little to no attention in terms of resource allocation and economic development.
“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 group recalled that Ilaje youths were disarmed under an amnesty agreement in 2017 but have since been sidelined while their counterparts in other regions continue to receive benefits. They warned that the growing frustration among the youth could lead to heightened agitation if urgent action is not taken.
The women urged President Tinubu to:
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Ensure that the Presidential Amnesty Programme is administered fairly.
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Implement a transparent and equitable distribution of benefits across all Niger Delta regions.
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Hold Dr. Otuaro accountable for the perceived exclusion of Ilaje communities.
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End administrative favoritism and unfair allocation of resources.
“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 statement warned.
They called for swift intervention from the presidency, demanding a clear response on steps to address their concerns. “A timely intervention is crucial,” they concluded.
