The Minister who was accompanied by his Minister of State, Mr. Sam Ode was received at the Akure Airport by the Ondo State Delegation led by Hon. Bekekhimi Idhiarhi, the special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Niger Delta Affairs. Other delegation include, Mr. Lebi Adepiti, commissioner for Environment, Chief Francis Ajih, commissioner in the Ondo State Civil Service commission, Hon Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, Chairman, Ese- Odo local government chief success Torhukerhijo, chieftain of the ruling Labour party.

In his address Elder Orubebe thanked the people of Arogbo for their hospitality and love for peace. He stated that the president of the federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was poised to developing the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. He also stressed that the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan needs the support of the people of the Niger Delta in order to carry out his good plans for the region that has suffered neglect in the past.

According to Orubebe the president was not poised to develop only the Niger Delta alone but the whole federation if given the needed support and encouragement.

The Niger Delta Minister also told the gathering that the government of Goodluck Jonathan was set to carry out the construction of the Niger  Delta Coastal road which will start very soon.

On the Agadagba – Obon – Arogbo bridge, Elder Orubebe said it was true that the contract was initially awarded but the government will do something reasonable as soon as possible.

He advised the youths of Niger Delta especially the ex – militants to embrace peace according to him, “there can be development only where there is peace and harmony.”

In his speech, High Chief Bekewei, the Secretary of the Traditional council of Arogbo thanked the Niger Delta Affairs Minister for coming to Arogbo Ibe and the citing of the skill Acquisition centre in Arogbo kingdom.

High Chief Bekewei decried the neglect of the Arogbo Ijaw people of Ondo State by subsequent governments in Ondo State. The Ibepereatoru lamented lack of electricity connection to the national grid, lack of other infrastructures in the area and the abandonment of the Agadagba- Obon – Arogbo bridge which was purportedly awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He therefore appealed to the something reasonable about the bridge.

Also in his speech, High Chief Bibopiri Ajube said he has not come to say long things but that both the Federal and state governments should create jobs for the youths of the Niger Delta and when the youths are kept busy they won’t think of fomenting trouble.

He added no youths who has something reasonable doing will ever think of robbery.

It was a gathering of political bigwigs and who is who in the political terrain of the Ondo South Senatorial District when the Arogbo-Ibe Movie Production launched its album.

The venue of the launching ceremony, the St. Patrick Catholic Church auditorium was filled to capacity as the politicians trouped to launch an album set to showcase  the rich Ijaw culture.

Senator Hosea Ehinlanwo, distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who was the Chairman of the occasion described the event as impressive.  The Senator who was represented by his son, Mr. Soji Ehinlanwo sent his words to salute the Arogbo Ijaw people whom he described as his friends.  The Senator made a donation of N100,000 while Soji Ehinlanwo also made a personal donation of N50,000.

Mr. Soji Ehinlanwo cashed in  on the occasion to declare his intention to contest the House of Representatives election under the Labour Party.  He further stated that he will work for the unity of Ilaje and Ijaws in Ondo State.

In his remarks, Prince Abayomi Akinruntan  who was the Chief Launcher of the occasion canvassed for peace and unity between the Ilaje and Ijaws and that he is going to the House of Representatives to effect a positive change. Akinruntan said he is going to the House of Representatives to contribute his quota to the development of Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, he also made a donation of N100,000.

When it was the turn of the Chief (Dr.) F.K. Ajih, the whole auditorium stood up for a man they referred to as political father and the late Echo Tokumoh memorial band could not waste its time as he gave out a special tune in honour of Dr. Ajih   titled the “Koko-Iyelayewei”, and the whole auditorium went into a dancing mood.   Ajih announced a donation of N100,000 and another  N100,000 donation on behalf of  Comrade Joseph Evah, who was the Special Guest of Honour but was unavoidably absent.

Hon Richard Kekemek a Labour Party stalwart also donated N50,000.  while Hon Rufus Omotayo, Supervisor for Education Ese-Odo local Government donated N40,000 on behalf of all he Supervisors.  Other donations came in.

In his vote of thanks, the Director of the movie titled “Nimighan” Mr. John Atakiti thanked all those who came to grace the occasion, particularly Senator Hosea Ehinlanwo who was represented by his son Mr. Soji Ehinlanwo.  Prince Abayomi Akinruntan who in spite of his busy schedule found time to honour the invitation.  Atakiti also paid glowing tribute to Dr. F. K. Ajih who is the Executive Producer of the movie for using his influence to bring these caliber of people to grace the occasion.  He prayed for journey mercies for all the invitees.

A group of youths in Arogbo axis of Ese-Odo local government under the aegis of League of Patriotic Youths of Arogbo-Ijaw land has pledged to give their total support to the aspiration of the son of the Olugbo of Ugbo Prince Abayomi Akinruntan during the House of representatives election come 2011.

The group made the disclosure during a chat with the Community Link.   Akinruntan went to launch a movie produced by a youth of Arogbo.

According to Duba Kekemeke, the Secretrary of the organisation Prince Akinruntan represents the youths of this generation and he will be able to give quality representation to the people of Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency at the National Assembly.

“The reports I have heard about him says that he is humble and respectful despite  his background that is of affluence and influential and that is the kind of person we need now”.   Kekemeke reteirated.

Kekemeke also added that the youths of Arogbo are supporting Prince Akinruntan because of their conviction that it is the turn of an Ilaje person to go to the House of  Representtives going by the rotation policy of the two local governments.  And that if an Ilaje goes there next year, by 2015, it will be the turn of Ese-Odo local government. He therefore advised that for peace, equity and justice we must allow Ilaje person to go this time around.

Speaking in the same vein, the Public Relations Officer of the youth group, Mr. Tobe Iwabi stated that the league of patriotic youths, Arogbo having x-rayed the array of aspirants in the Labour Party decided to pitch their tent with Prince Akinruntan for the singular reason that he is not going to the House of Representatives because of money but that he is going there to give quality representation and touch the lives of his people.

According to Tobe Iwabi, “if it is money we all know that the Prince will not be interested in the race because he is doing very well in his business, but just like the Prince declared, he is going to cause positive change in the federal constituency and that is why we are supporting him.”

Iwabi also added that it is true that a  lot of aspirants have indicated interest in the race and he sees in Akinruntan the man who has what it takes to fight the ‘giants’ in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”

“I  want to advise our great party the Labour Party to look at the aspirants before they pick their flagbearer in the Hose of Representatives elections.  We must pick somebody  who can give the PDP a good fight and I see Prince as someone who can do that in this circumstance”, Iwabi declared.

Ese-Odo Local Government, lgbekebo will be spending N2.5m as bursary awards to students in tertiary institutions.
According to the Supervisor for Education in the Local Goverment, Mr Rufus Omotayo who spoke to our correspondent at lgbekebo recently, the present administration in Ese Odo under the Chairman of Hon. Kennedy Peretei places a lot of premium on the education hence he resolve to the government to pay the bursary.
The supervisor also stated that already a committee saddled with the responsibility of gathering the needed data and information on students from the various higher institutions of learning had already be put in place and they were working on the necessary logistic for the successful actualisation of the programme.
He applealed to students of Ese-Odo origin to take advantage of the good gesture of the present administration at the local Government level.
He also called on the entire youths of Ese-Odo Local Government to contestant with the Peretei administration in Ese-Odo which he said was free socio- economically.