By Ola Kay
Scores of youths from Akwa Ibom State under the auspices of Ibom Youth Council, IYC, Saturday, stormed the Obuama residence of Alhaji Mujajid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, who is the Amanyanabo of the Source (Elem Kalabari, Torusaramapiri), Da Amakiri Tubo, the Dabaye Amakiri I, to appeal for his support and intervention over what they described as gross marginalization from the oil multinationals operating in their state.
Leader of the delegation, Sir Lord Marmon Knight, stated during the visit that the meeting with the Amanyanabo of the Source, Dokubo-Asari, known to be an activist and defender of people’s rights within and outside the Niger Delta, was to facilitate his intervention in the matter, in order to end the age-long marginalization, suffered by the Akwa Ibom people, particularly the youths at the hands of the oil multinationals in collusion with the political class and security agencies.
He lamented that the companies had completely abandoned their corporate social responsibilities and obligations to their host communities in the areas of employment opportunities, empowerment and infrastructural development, whereby only strangers benefit to the exclusion and suffering of the owners of the resources.
“Ibom Youth Council are agitating for the well-being of the people in the society in the areas of youth empowerment and community development.
“Our aim is to see how we can carry the people along, especially with the way our tenants, who are the oil companies are treating us, and to see how our people can also have a place in the government, so that their voices would be heard,” the leader of the delegation stated.
In his response, Alhaji Mujajid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, Dabaye Amakiri I, expressed disappointment at the plight of the people, while maintaining that it was unjust for community members to be excluded from the benefits of economic activities taking place in their land.
Dokubo pledged his support for the course of the marginalized people, urging unity of purpose amongst them. But he pointed out that only a non-violent approach and a united front could guarantee a favourable outcome of their struggle.
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