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Ijaw youths laud FG on maritime varsity
A former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi has faulted a statement by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that the crude oil in the Niger Delta may soon be exhausted.
He said the statement, which has attracted reaction from people in the region was political.
Gbagi spoke with journalists yesterday in Abuja where he described the vice president’s visit to the region as fruitless.
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He accused the Federal Government of sidelining the Urhobo by not visiting the area, which is the hub of gas production in the country.
According to him: “It is unacceptable for the vice president to visit other ethnic strongholds without stopping over at Ughelli, the political headquarters of the Urhobo nation.
“Osinbajo’s claim that oil will soon finish or dry up is a political statement without foundation. The gas deposits in Otolobo will last for another 100 years.”
Gbagi further said the visit was not beneficial to the people because no official statement was made towards lasting peace in the zone.
Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has commended the recent approval by the Federal Government for the take-off of the Maritime University,
Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State.
During an interview with The Guardian yesterday, the spokesman for IYC, Mr. Eric Omale said the institution will give youths in the region the chance to assess higher education.
Omale said: “We commend the Federal Government for this and hope that it would be proactive and sensitive to issues relating to the Niger Delta region. The visit certainly is good as it would help build confidence in the people of the region.”
