General News
OKPE GROUP REJECTS ITSEKIRI LEADER’S CLAIMS, REAFFIRMS SAPELE AS ANCESTRAL LAND
The Okpe Interest Group has issued a strong rejoinder to a publication by Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, who identifies himself as the Alema of Warri Kingdom, concerning the proposed foundation-laying ceremony of an Okpe Sub-Palace in Sapele, Delta State.
In a statement signed by Comrade Ejomafume Akpomevine, the group expressed deep concern over what it described as historical misrepresentation and provocative claims regarding land ownership and traditional authority in Sapele. The group firmly rejected the assertions made by Uduaghan.
The Okpe Interest Group reaffirmed that Sapele lies within Okpe ancestral territory. The statement insisted that the Okpe people are neither settlers nor tenants in the town. According to the group, Sapele developed as an urban centre on Okpe land, while other ethnic groups, including Itsekiri, Ijaw and Hausa, were accommodated over time under Okpe traditions of hospitality and peaceful coexistence.
Addressing boundary issues, the group stated there is a clear, natural and historically recognised boundary between Sapele and Abigborodo at Hole Creek along the Benin River, near the bridge linking the two communities. It warned that attempts to blur or reinterpret the boundary for political or ethnic reasons could be destabilising.
The group criticised the selective use of colonial intelligence reports to support territorial claims. It argued that such documents were administrative in nature and did not transfer land ownership. The group maintained that no colonial record ceded Sapele from the Okpe people to any other ethnic group.
On the long-standing legal dispute often referenced, the group rejected interpretations of the judgment in Chief Ayomano v. Ginuwa II that allegedly restrict Okpe authority in Sapele to 510 acres. The statement described such interpretations as misleading and maintained that the judgment neither declared Sapele as Itsekiri land nor extinguished Okpe territorial rights.
The group further asserted that the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom remains the constitutionally recognised and historically legitimate traditional ruler with authority over Okpe land, including Sapele. It described the planned Okpe Sub-Palace as an internal cultural and administrative matter of the Okpe Kingdom.
In a personal reference, the statement questioned the credibility of the Alema’s claims. It noted that his identification with his ancestral village became public only after the death of his father in 2015, following issues surrounding burial rites. The group described it as ironic that he would now seek to lecture the Okpe people on land ownership and history.
While emphasising their commitment to peace, the Okpe Interest Group warned against what it described as provocation and historical ingratitude. It cautioned that peaceful coexistence should not be mistaken for weakness or interpreted as surrender of ancestral rights.
The group also called on the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, to caution his subjects against statements capable of provoking communal tension or undermining established territorial boundaries. It urged traditional institutions to act as custodians of peace and restraint.
The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of the Okpe people’s commitment to dialogue and lawful engagement, while insisting they would not remain silent in the face of what they described as falsehoods or territorial misrepresentation.
“Sapele is Okpe land,” the group stated definitively, adding that “hospitality should never be mistaken for forfeiture of ancestral rights.”
General News
World Water Day 2026: Oluremi Tinubu Calls for Gender Equity Through Improved Water Access
The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for collective action to promote gender equality through improved access to water and sanitation, as the world marks World Water Day 2026.
In a message commemorating the day, Senator Tinubu highlighted this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” emphasizing the strong link between water access and gender equity.
She noted that in many communities, women and girls bear the burden of sourcing water, often trekking long distances to streams, a situation that negatively impacts their education, health, and economic opportunities.
“When we ensure safe, clean, and accessible water, we do more than quench thirst; we open doors for girls to stay in school, for women to pursue livelihoods, and for families to live healthier lives,” she said.
The First Lady urged Nigerians to work together to ensure equitable access to water resources across the country, stressing that improved water systems can drive social and economic development.
She concluded by encouraging citizens to embrace the spirit of the global observance and reaffirm commitments toward building a more inclusive society.
“Let us work together to ensure that where water flows in Nigeria, equity truly grows,” she added.
World Water Day is observed annually on March 22 to raise awareness on the importance of freshwater and advocate for sustainable management of water resources worldwide.
Fresh hostilities in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict intensified early Sunday, with Iran launching strikes near Israel’s main nuclear research centre, leaving dozens injured and raising fears of wider regional escalation.
According to reports, missiles hit areas close to the nuclear facility in Dimona and the southern city of Arad. Rescue services confirmed that nearly 70 people were injured in Arad alone, with several in serious condition and multiple residential buildings severely damaged.
The Israeli military said it had begun retaliatory strikes targeting locations in Tehran, further escalating the conflict, which has now entered its fourth week.
Iran warned that any attack on its energy facilities would trigger retaliatory strikes on U.S. and Israeli infrastructure across the region. The threat followed a statement by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned that the United States could target Iranian power plants if Tehran fails to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Iranian authorities described such threats as provocative, vowing a firm response if carried out.
Saudi Arabia also confirmed that its air defence systems intercepted missiles and drones targeting its territory, including areas near key oil installations, with no casualties reported. In a separate incident, a projectile struck near a commercial vessel off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, causing an explosion but leaving the crew unharmed.
Iran’s state media reported that the death toll within the country has surpassed 1,500 since the conflict began, raising humanitarian concerns. Legal experts have also warned that targeting civilian infrastructure such as power plants could violate international law.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the situation as “a very difficult moment,” as emergency teams continued search-and-rescue operations in affected areas.
In Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi rebels warned they could join the conflict if attacks against Iran intensify, cautioning that further escalation could disrupt global energy supplies and economic stability.
Despite diplomatic signals, including a temporary U.S. move to ease sanctions on Iranian oil shipments, there are no clear signs of de-escalation, with both sides continuing military operations. Analysts warn the conflict risks expanding into a broader regional war with significant global implications.
The monarch of Ozoro Kingdom in Delta State has denied any prior knowledge of a controversial festival linked to the alleged abuse of women and girls, as outrage continues to trail the incident across Nigeria.
The traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Anthony Ogbogbo, made the clarification when a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) visited his palace following reports of harassment during the ‘Alue-Do’ festival.
According to the monarch, he had never encountered such practices in his over two decades on the throne. He stated that he had “never heard that a festival is celebrated with girls being harassed or molested” in the community, distancing the palace from the widely condemned incident.
The controversy stems from viral videos showing women being chased, stripped, and assaulted by youths during the cultural event held in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area. The disturbing footage sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over gender-based violence.
During the palace visit, the NANS delegation; alongside student leaders from Southern Delta University, confirmed that some of the victims were students who had since received medical attention. While reports indicated no confirmed cases of rape, the students described the incidents as serious molestation and a violation of human dignity.
NANS condemned the attacks, describing them as a gross violation of human rights and a threat to the safety of students in the community. The association called on security agencies to ensure a thorough investigation and bring perpetrators to justice.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has also condemned the incident, describing it as “barbaric” and unacceptable, stressing that no cultural practice should justify violence against women. Authorities have launched investigations, with police confirming the arrest of suspects linked to the incident.
Civil society organisations, including ActionAid Nigeria, have also demanded immediate prosecution of those responsible, insisting that cultural traditions must not be used to excuse abuse or undermine the rights and dignity of women and girls.
The incident has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of laws protecting women and for a review of traditional practices that may expose individuals to harm.