Kuwekuzi Aigbe
The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) has warned those behind the deliberate scandalous reports over alleged perjury and unfounded charges against the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content, Development, Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote.
They warned that they will resist any attempt by these symbols of corruption to sponsor a smear campaign against Wabote and his years of achievement which is visible even to the blind in the country, and indeed the African continent.
The body of Ijaw youth worldwide said it has observed and carried out a discreet investigation into the sources of these unfounded, wicked, and baseless news published in some news sites and discovered that the campaign against Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote was sponsored.
A statement by the Spokesman of the group, Ebilade Ekerefe, said the alleged perjury case was sponsored by those who are threatened by the rising global profile as a result of the unprecedented performance and achievements of the NCDMB boss in the oil and gas sector since he took over as the Executive Secretary under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Hence, the anger and the campaign of calumny by mischief-makers.
The statement reads: “The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide undoubtedly want to put it on record that Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote is our son. And we are proud to stand up anywhere to defend his honour as a hardworking, committed, and upright Ijaw Man.
For us, as progressive-minded youths of the region, we are proud to say it was under Engr. Simbi Wabote’s watch that various achievements were recorded in the oil and gas industry under President Buhari. He ensured that the NCDMB Corporate headquarters located in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State was completed and commissioned.
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Also, the board ensured investments in the composite cylinder factory, completion of 10MW power plant, the establishment of FPSO integration facility, initiated project 100 initiative, construction of oil and gas parks scheme, and the creation of US$350M Integration fund.
“For us, who are focused and believe in our own, Wabote’s activities in the Oil and Gas industry has re-affirmed Nigeria’s position as the ‘Giant of Africa’ in the continent with the enabling 50 percent domiciliation of $12billion NLGN Train 7 project, promotion of African Local Content and the introduction of Nigerian Content 10years strategic roadmap.
“Most importantly, thousands of women and youths from the entire states of the region have benefitted from training, skill acquisition, empowerment, and human capacity development from the vision and upright posture of NDCMB under Wabote.
“Even though we are not politicians, but activists interested in performance, achievements, and development, the NCDMB under Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote has attained 70 percent of Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.”
“They, therefore, call on those known dissident Niger Deltans who have become tools in the hands of those corrupt elements and specialists in the “Pull Him Down” syndrome to stop or they will move all out to make life unbearable for them in their homes and communities.
“It is even shocking for an acclaimed indigene of the region to allow himself be used as a “Judas” to bring down a man of impeccable character such as Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote!.
“The IYC is also unaware of the reasons for the excitement by these enemies of development and pragmatic performance. Instead of praising Engr. Simbi Wabote for not allowing a known blackmailer and extortionists to drag him in the mud of murky and yellow journalism, Timi Frank and his group of sponsored boys are busy calling for the sack of Engr, Wabote. They should hide their faces in shame.
“The Ijaw Youths in the Nine States of the Niger Delta region are ready to stage a peaceful rally to warn those involved in the frivolous, unwarranted, and libelous allegations to desist or face the anger of the youths of the region. This is a political year, politicians should face their politics and leave the technocrats to continue with the technical aspects of keeping the Niger Delta and Nigeria together through a policy framework in the oil and gas sector.
“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari not to allow these sponsored attacks on Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote to stand.
“President Buhari, should by now, know the likes of Timi Frank and Jackson Ude. They want to blackmail one of Niger Delta best on the platter of sustaining their corrupt practices.
“Ijaw Youths will never allow corruption win where men of upright and good standing sway”, the statement added.
