Lucky Tubotu, an indigene of Bilabiri 1 community, has strongly refuted claims of having personal issues with Amb. Capt. Winston Ogoun JP, who asserts himself as the monarch of Bilabiri Mein Kingdom.

Tubotu, speaking on behalf of the Concerned Stakeholders for Truth and Progress in Bilabiri Mein Kingdom, clarified that his stance is based on facts, not personal grievances, and aims to prevent misinformation from spreading.

He questioned the legitimacy of Ogoun’s claims to the throne, stating that he has not been recognized by the Bayelsa State Government nor gazetted as a traditional ruler. “Ogoun’s claim of being presented with a staff is false,” he asserted.

Backing this claim, Tubotu cited an official statement from the Bayelsa State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, signed by the Commissioner, Chief Thompson Amule, confirming that Ogoun is not a recognized monarch. He called on the state government and relevant authorities to intervene and prevent further misrepresentation of Bilabiri’s traditional leadership.

Tubotu dismissed allegations that he has been banned from Bilabiri due to criminal activities, calling them baseless. “I have never been involved in any form of crime. My family is known for peace, truth, and progress,” he stated.

Instead, he turned the spotlight on the Abaka family, accusing them of long-standing involvement in organized crime. He challenged them to reveal the whereabouts of:

Meshack Abaka – Former youth president of Bilabiri 1 (2011), allegedly involved in a ship hijacking near Cameroon, where he and his gang were killed. He didn’t return from that mission neither did he complete his tenure.

Frankincense Abaka – Notorious sea pirate who led a gang that hijacked the Chinese vessel MV HAILUFANG II off the Ivory Coast in 2020. He and his crew were captured by the Nigerian Navy and are currently serving time in Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre, Lagos.

Tekenane Abaka – Self-proclaimed CDC Chairman of Bilabiri 1, allegedly arrested in 2013 after a vessel hijacking and kidnapping operation in the Forcados off shore .Some of his gang members were killed on that faithful day. He was arrested and spent 7 years in the Warri Correctional Centre.How he came out from prison is still questionable, whether he served a jail term, jumped bail, released or through a jail break?

Just recently, Tekenane Abaka swindled a public spirited individual, Amaisigabueze Global Resources who paid #1,350.000 to him for the WAEC enrollment of students in Bilabiri 1 and 2 communities. He forwarded 34 names of fictitious students to the donor and pocketed the money. Is that not a criminal offense ” obtaining by trick”.?

Ebimene Abaka aka Small Fire – Accused of the killing of Frank Seide in April 2021 over tenure extension issues in Bilabiri. He and his gang kidnapped three expatriates accompanying Hon. Berry Negerese, Govt and Chevron Nig Ltd that were going to commission a cottage hospital that was built by the Dodo Rural River Development Area in Amatu 2 community in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

That incident led to the death of one Paul Sebele, a son of Amatu. It was alleged that he raped the only female among the expatriates. What criminal activity can be more than this?

“The Abakas have terrorized Bilabiri for years, yet they have the audacity to point fingers at me. Instead of hiding in shame, they still try to manipulate community leadership,” Tubotu declared.

Tubotu also raised concerns about the sale of two heavy-duty generators donated to the community by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He dismissed claims that they were sold due to technical issues and high maintenance costs.

“How much were they sold for? Where did the money go? Too many unanswered questions,” he challenged, demanding transparency and accountability.

Tubotu rejected accusations of mental instability, calling them a desperate ploy to silence his advocacy for justice. He labeled his critics as criminals who have engaged in piracy, theft, and violence, jeopardizing Bilabiri’s peace and development.

“The real threat to Bilabiri is not me but those who hijack leadership for personal gain. The same individuals accusing me are the architects of criminal operations that have destabilized our region,” he stated.

Tubotu reaffirmed his commitment to truth, good governance, and the progress of Bilabiri. He vowed to continue exposing corruption and holding wrongdoers accountable, despite efforts to tarnish his reputation.

A group, Victims Right Protection Initiatives (VRPI), has called for thorough investigations into the remote and immediate causes of death of a 24-year-old upcoming artist, Paul Obukohwo, while in police custody, inorder to establish the truth in the claim and counter claim on cause of death by Delta state Police Command and deceased family.

The body in a statement signed by its national Coordinator, Dr. Kingsley Ndukwe, has therefore called for the setting up of a tripartite panel, comprising of the deceased family, Police and representatives of the Civil Society groups in the state to conduct an extensive inquest into cause of death.

The body noted that it is by so doing that the ongoing claims and counter claims in the public space can be verified and all the suspicions of alleged cover-ups and false accusations on both sides can finally laid to rest, and by so doing promote public trust and confidence in the law enforcement agency.

It warned that further promotions of the ongoing speculations, allegations and falsehood on the cause of his death would only continue to aggravate tensions and bring additional pains to the family of the deceased.

“We the members of the above named body have been following this incident since early Saturday it happened. We noted the claim of the deceased family and taken to account the defence by the Police and we have come to the realization that only a tripartite panel can resolve this issue objectively”.

“Only a panel made up of the two parties involved and a neutral body, in the civil society group can do justice in unraveling the circumstances of his death and whatever is the finds of such a panel should be binding on everyone and also correct the claims and counter-claims over his death in the public space”.

“We equally want to use this opportunity to commiserate with the family of the deceased. We pray God grant his loved ones, especially his parents the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss and may God grant his soul eternal rest”, the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, another group, Warri Urban Security Network (WUSN), has also canvassed the need for the police to make available medical forms where suspects would be made to provide detailed information about their health status before been detained at any police station in the country.

The body in a statement signed by Chief Frank Onoriode and Barrister Dafe Okpako, Chairman and Secretary respectively, the body noted that having an idea of the suspects health status before being detained would afford the law enforcers to know the kind of treatment that would be melted out to the suspects while in detention.

“The demise of this 24-year-old upcoming artist, Paul Obukohwo, should be an eye-opener to the police on the need to have a medical status of all suspects being detained in cell so as to avoid such an unfortunate incidents, as we have come to realize that many suspects have underlying ailments unknown to the police”., it stated.

It would be recalled that since the early hours of Saturday when the sad news of the victim’s death while in custody of Operatives, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) attached to Delta Command went viral on social media, there had been conflicting reports on the remote and immediate cause of his death.

While the Command’s spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, said the deceased while in detention less than 16 (sixteen) hours exhibited signs of weakness and was taken to Police Hospital, Asaba where he was diagnosed with hypoglycaemia (Low sugar), adding that due to the severity of his condition, he was referred to Asaba Specialist Hospital and later referred to Federal Medical Centre Asaba, where he died while receiving treatment.

The deceased family on the other hand, claimed that he was subjected to the worse inhumane treatment by the RRS Operatives who handcuffed, tortured and inflicted severe internal injuries on him with the wood they used in beating him for several hours before he started showing signs of weakness that led to his death.

By Abel Johngold 

Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III, the queen consort of the Warri Kingdom, has once again demonstrated her commitment to women’s empowerment through the “Established Her Enterprise” program. Organized under the auspices of Women Allying Women and the Royal Iwere Foundation, the initiative aims to equip women in Warri, Delta State, with essential entrepreneurship and leadership skills.

The training program, held on Thursday at the royal palace, provided a platform for young women to gain valuable insights into business and leadership. Addressing participants, Olori Atuwatse III emphasized the vital role women play in nation-building and the necessity for them to develop skills that will enable them to thrive in today’s world.

She highlighted that African women are custodians of culture and tradition, and equipping them with the right skills will enhance their impact on society. Through Elevate Africa and the Royal Iwere Foundation, she seeks to empower young women with practical knowledge and expertise to enable them to contribute meaningfully to their communities, the state, and the nation at large.

Participants in the Elevate Africa Fellowship, drawn from across the continent, shared their expertise in various fields, guiding the women on entrepreneurship, leadership, and business strategies. Olori Atuwatse III urged attendees to take the training seriously, as the knowledge gained would be instrumental in their personal and professional growth.

Some of the participants shared their experiences and takeaways from the program. Favour Shoba expressed appreciation for the opportunity, noting that she has acquired valuable entrepreneurship skills that will enhance her business. Esther Okorafor emphasized the importance of market access in driving business success, while Sharon Amajuwa Ekurene and other attendees expressed gratitude for the initiative and its impact on their aspirations.

In a related development, the Clever-Mind Educational Centre, a key initiative of His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, continues to make significant contributions to the education and empowerment of young people. Programme Adviser Femi Taiwo praised the royal couple’s dedication to nurturing future generations through the Royal Iwere Foundation and Elevate Africa Fellowship.

The event, which attracted participants from different parts of the world, concluded with an interactive session, including a question-and-answer segment. In recognition of outstanding business ideas, two attendees were awarded ₦500,000 each to support their entrepreneurial ventures.

Through initiatives like these, Olori Atuwatse III and Elevate Africa are fostering sustainable development, empowering women, and shaping a brighter future for Warri and beyond.

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has reiterated his strong belief in youth empowerment as a vital catalyst for sustainable economic growth and development across Africa. He emphasized the need to equip young people with cultural African values, leadership skills, and entrepreneurial knowledge to drive meaningful progress on the continent.

Ogiame Atuwatse III made this assertion in Warri on Wednesday during a dinner held in honor of the 2025 Elevate Africa Fellowship, a network of young, vibrant, and innovative minds drawn from selected African countries. The fellows, who have been touring various states in Nigeria, are on an educational and cultural exchange to explore business prospects and cultural heritage in partner nations.

Earlier in the day, the Elevate Africa Fellows paid homage to the monarch at his palace, Aghofen, where they were treated to a rich cultural display of the Iwere Kingdom and presented gifts to the revered traditional ruler.

Speaking at the dinner at his Warri residence, Ogiame Atuwatse III stressed that no nation can achieve meaningful progress without a well-structured and deliberate youth empowerment program that integrates Africa’s unique environment and cultural heritage.

“It is imperative to bring people to Warri Kingdom so they can identify with our heritage and experience aspects of our culture that symbolize African identity,” the monarch stated.

Her Royal Majesty, Olori Ogiame Atuwatse III, welcomed the Elevate Africa Fellowship members, acknowledging them as ambassadors of their respective countries. She emphasized the importance of cultural identity, stating:

“As the founder of Elevate Africa, it is important to bring these young leaders to Warri Kingdom and expose them to our rich culture. Our culture is our identity; if you don’t know who you are, you don’t know your identity.”

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Elevate Africa Fellowship, Daniel Ikuenobe, described Elevate Africa as a social impact organization initiated by His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III. He highlighted the organization’s collaboration with media and development partners, including the Royal Iwere Foundation, which is run by Her Royal Majesty Olori Ogiame Atuwatse III.

He clarified that while the Royal Iwere Foundation (RIF) focuses on empowerment, environmental sustainability, and education within Warri and its environs, Elevate Africa operates on a broader scale, focusing on leadership, trade, investment, and cultural heritage across the continent.

“We have come together as a group to identify and nurture career leaders across Africa to drive transformative change,” Ikuenobe said.

Bola Edward, CEO and Co-founder of Proud Africa Root, a partner of the Elevate Africa Fellowship, emphasized the importance of raising future leaders through education and entertainment tailored for children and teenagers.

“We are committed to nurturing the leaders that Africa has been hoping for, and we must start from the foundation—the children,” she stated.

Other fellows, including Mohammad Bihan from Egypt, Amayan from Tunisia, and Grace Nelson from Ghana, expressed their excitement about being part of the Elevate Africa Fellowship. They reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging their expertise in education, leadership, and human capital development to drive positive transformation across Africa.

The distinguished guests, specialists in various fields of human endeavor, expressed their delight at visiting Nigeria—particularly Warri Kingdom—as part of the Elevate Africa Fellowship’s mission to empower and transform communities across the continent.