Theirs is an agrarian community surrounded by water. Isolated from the rest of the world, life for the people of Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State has been gloomy, reports Precious Igbonwelundu.
The closest they’ve got to a school are two delapidated buildings with no chairs and boasting of fallen roofs and burst zinc. These buildings serve as classrooms for children in primary one to six in the community’s primary school, which the highest certificate warding institution on Tongeji Island.

During a recent visit by our correspondent, the people claimed a lot of their kins have died in the last five years, while expectant mothers are either ferried to Port Novo in neighboring Benin Republic to be delivered or they get delivered of their babies at home in very crude ways by local birth attendants.

Of course, there is a community health centre commissioned in 2001 by former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, but it has been in ruins for so many years until the Nigerian Navy (NN) recently renovated the structure. And more frightening is the fact that the first time in five years that the people of the Island had contact with anything like orthodox medicine was on May 23, this year, when the NN extended medical assistance to the area as part of efforts to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
With a land mass of approximately 200 hectares and a population of over 500 people, Tongeji Island is situated less than five minutes drive from Port Novo in Benin Republic, and 150 minutes by speedboat from the Western Naval Command (WNC) headquarters in Apapa, Lagos. Surrounded by aquatic splendour, the island with its enormous palm/coconut trees, white sand, greenery, humid weather and most recently discovered crude oil should ordinarily be a tourists’ paradise.

But sadly, all there is in the community are ruined structures. It boasts of no access roads, no electricity and not even a market for the people to readily sell their livestock and other farm produce. Commercial boats from Badagry, The Nation gathered, come to the Tongeji jetty once in five days and charges as much as N800.
To the people of the community, being born in Tongeji is akin to being cursed because aside the obvious neglects and alienation, they have been plagued by smugglers, pipeline vandals and other criminal elements who see the island as a safe haven. And despite a report published by The Nation in December 2014, detailing the plight of the people, nothing has been done by the government to give them succour.

This reporter who was privileged to follow the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) WNC, Rear Admiral Fergusson Bobai, his Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), as well as the Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commordore Abraham Adaji, to the Island recently, observed that the only painted structures there are the renovated medical centre, the monarch’s palace and the Catholic Church.

At the entrance to the community, a green sign post welcoming people to island was sighted with the NN’s logo on it. The narrow road with white sand that leads to the village collapsed where palm trees began, which leads straight to the palace of the monarch, Oba Bi Olorunkosi.
There are about 20 houses on the Island with an uncompleted bungalow situated behind the monarch’s palace described as the home of one of the richest men on the Island. Also, there are two 50KVA generators recently provided by the navy to power the medical centre and provide the entire community with electricity for at least two hours a day.

Although the inhabitants claimed over 500 people were still resident in the community, not many people, not even school children, were seen. It was gathered from the residents that hardship has forced a handful of their kins to migrate to other places, just as families who can afford the financial burden, have moved their wards to Augustine School in Port Novo.

According to the King’s interpreter, Rochas Idowu, who also manufactures wooden boats, children who school outside the community were usually transported by canoes and wooden boats. Idowu was at the jetty to welcome the monarch’s guests with a group of women chanting welcome songs in Yoruba and using aluminium plates and spoons as drums.

“Our community has been forgotten and isolated from the rest of Nigeria. They only remember us during elections when they come with lofty promises. Our people have relocated to other places because the hardship is too much. We have begged the government to make this Island look like other cities.

“We are basically farmers here. We engage in fish and animal farming, crop farming too. Our land is very fertile but our challenge is not being able to sell our produce. There is no market here. No road connecting other communities. The nearest Nigerian market to us is Badagry and boats that ply that route come once in five days. We also pay as much as N800 for a trip,” he said.
Disturbed by the hopeless state of the island, the monarch lamented the difficulty his people go through to live normal lives.

“Government should help by constructing a road that will link us with other cities. People are relocating because of the hardship. Whenever I am summoned from Abeokuta, I usually leave here by 5a.m because the journey will take about five hours.

I have to cross to Otho Topa in Benin Republic, where they will bring my car and then take me to Ajase through Igbolo before going to Idi-Iroko and then proceeding to Abeokuta. A road should be constructed from Whekan (a bother community about 50 minutes away). There can be a bridge, we have swampy areas where the bridge can be done.
The government has come to look at it and promised that work will start, but we have not seen them. That is why all our children left this community; they have gone to look for work outside. If we had a road, there will be commercial activities here and our youths will be around to build this place. But everything is like this because our economy is down and there’s nothing for the youths to do,” he said.

Hope in sight?
Despite the despair, the visit of the navy boss, the people believe, could be the beginning of a new dawn. For starters, Bobai who said he was sent by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, to survey the Island ahead of the establishment of a naval unit there, promised to get his boss’ approval for the renovation of the school.

He also promised to discuss the issue of access road with the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun whenever he has audience with him. To Bobai, the establishment of the base, aside deterring criminals and intruders, will establish federal presence and bring economic activities to the Island.
“I visited Tongeji Island on the directives of the CNS because the navy is very particular about this place. I came to determine the infrastructure on ground ahead of the establishment of a naval observation unit.
“Between March and June 1, the FOB Badagry has arrested 17 Benoinese for alleged smuggling and crude oil theft. It is a clear indication that criminal elements exploit the vulnerabilities of the Island to achieve their aims. That is why the navy wants to increase its presence here by establishing a unit.

“Already, the community has offered land to the navy for that purpose and we are positive that aside providing security for them, the base will attract development and expand the place,” said Bobai

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thenationonlineng.net/tongeji-island/amp/

Pics of the oil rich island

Tongeji island has been confirmed to have many oil reserves but d community is neglected by ogun state government
Lalasticlala seun mynd44

Tourists on d island

Navy protecting d island

Unlimitk:
[s]Theirs is an agrarian community surrounded by water. Isolated from the rest of the world, life for the people of Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State has been gloomy, reports Precious Igbonwelundu.
The closest they’ve got to a school are two delapidated buildings with no chairs and boasting of fallen roofs and burst zinc. These buildings serve as classrooms for children in primary one to six in the community’s primary school, which the highest certificate warding institution on Tongeji Island.
During a recent visit by our correspondent, the people claimed a lot of their kins have died in the last five years, while expectant mothers are either ferried to Port Novo in neighboring Benin Republic to be delivered or they get delivered of their babies at home in very crude ways by local birth attendants.
Of course, there is a community health centre commissioned in 2001 by former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, but it has been in ruins for so many years until the Nigerian Navy (NN) recently renovated the structure. And more frightening is the fact that the first time in five years that the people of the Island had contact with anything like orthodox medicine was on May 23, this year, when the NN extended medical assistance to the area as part of efforts to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
With a land mass of approximately 200 hectares and a population of over 500 people, Tongeji Island is situated less than five minutes drive from Port Novo in Benin Republic, and 150 minutes by speedboat from the Western Naval Command (WNC) headquarters in Apapa, Lagos. Surrounded by aquatic splendour, the island with its enormous palm/coconut trees, white sand, greenery, humid weather and most recently discovered crude oil should ordinarily be a tourists’ paradise.
But sadly, all there is in the community are ruined structures. It boasts of no access roads, no electricity and not even a market for the people to readily sell their livestock and other farm produce. Commercial boats from Badagry, The Nation gathered, come to the Tongeji jetty once in five days and charges as much as N800.
To the people of the community, being born in Tongeji is akin to being cursed because aside the obvious neglects and alienation, they have been plagued by smugglers, pipeline vandals and other criminal elements who see the island as a safe haven. And despite a report published by The Nation in December 2014, detailing the plight of the people, nothing has been done by the government to give them succour.
This reporter who was privileged to follow the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) WNC, Rear Admiral Fergusson Bobai, his Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), as well as the Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commordore Abraham Adaji, to the Island recently, observed that the only painted structures there are the renovated medical centre, the monarch’s palace and the Catholic Church.
At the entrance to the community, a green sign post welcoming people to island was sighted with the NN’s logo on it. The narrow road with white sand that leads to the village collapsed where palm trees began, which leads straight to the palace of the monarch, Oba Bi Olorunkosi.
There are about 20 houses on the Island with an uncompleted bungalow situated behind the monarch’s palace described as the home of one of the richest men on the Island. Also, there are two 50KVA generators recently provided by the navy to power the medical centre and provide the entire community with electricity for at least two hours a day.
Although the inhabitants claimed over 500 people were still resident in the community, not many people, not even school children, were seen. It was gathered from the residents that hardship has forced a handful of their kins to migrate to other places, just as families who can afford the financial burden, have moved their wards to Augustine School in Port Novo.
According to the King’s interpreter, Rochas Idowu, who also manufactures wooden boats, children who school outside the community were usually transported by canoes and wooden boats. Idowu was at the jetty to welcome the monarch’s guests with a group of women chanting welcome songs in Yoruba and using aluminium plates and spoons as drums.
“Our community has been forgotten and isolated from the rest of Nigeria. They only remember us during elections when they come with lofty promises. Our people have relocated to other places because the hardship is too much. We have begged the government to make this Island look like other cities.
“We are basically farmers here. We engage in fish and animal farming, crop farming too. Our land is very fertile but our challenge is not being able to sell our produce. There is no market here. No road connecting other communities. The nearest Nigerian market to us is Badagry and boats that ply that route come once in five days. We also pay as much as N800 for a trip,” he said.
Disturbed by the hopeless state of the island, the monarch lamented the difficulty his people go through to live normal lives.
“Government should help by constructing a road that will link us with other cities. People are relocating because of the hardship. Whenever I am summoned from Abeokuta, I usually leave here by 5a.m because the journey will take about five hours.
I have to cross to Otho Topa in Benin Republic, where they will bring my car and then take me to Ajase through Igbolo before going to Idi-Iroko and then proceeding to Abeokuta. A road should be constructed from Whekan (a bother community about 50 minutes away). There can be a bridge, we have swampy areas where the bridge can be done.
The government has come to look at it and promised that work will start, but we have not seen them. That is why all our children left this community; they have gone to look for work outside. If we had a road, there will be commercial activities here and our youths will be around to build this place. But everything is like this because our economy is down and there’s nothing for the youths to do,” he said.
Hope in sight?
Despite the despair, the visit of the navy boss, the people believe, could be the beginning of a new dawn. For starters, Bobai who said he was sent by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, to survey the Island ahead of the establishment of a naval unit there, promised to get his boss’ approval for the renovation of the school.
He also promised to discuss the issue of access road with the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun whenever he has audience with him. To Bobai, the establishment of the base, aside deterring criminals and intruders, will establish federal presence and bring economic activities to the Island.
“I visited Tongeji Island on the directives of the CNS because the navy is very particular about this place. I came to determine the infrastructure on ground ahead of the establishment of a naval observation unit.
“Between March and June 1, the FOB Badagry has arrested 17 Benoinese for alleged smuggling and crude oil theft. It is a clear indication that criminal elements exploit the vulnerabilities of the Island to achieve their aims. That is why the navy wants to increase its presence here by establishing a unit.
“Already, the community has offered land to the navy for that purpose and we are positive that aside providing security for them, the base will attract development and expand the place,” said Bobai[/s][s][/s]

Afonja have no oil. Stop deceiving Nigerians that you have oil. Where is Lagos oil after 4 yrs? The only oil in SW is the oil stolen from Ijaw area carved into Ondo state by Obasanjo.

Lalasticlala oautemitayo sarrki
Ogun has been confirmed by nnpc to have oil but no drilling has started as government is wasting money on oil drilling in northern nigeria

johndoexxx:


Afonja have no oil. Stop deceiving Nigerians that you have oil. Where is Lagos oil after 4 yrs? The only oil in SW is the oil stolen from Ijaw area carved into Ondo state by Obasanjo.

What is wrong with people?
Here’s a community been neglected by its government & all you could think off is been a tribalist?

johndoexxx:

[s] Afonja have no oil. Stop deceiving Nigerians that you have oil[/s]. Where is Lagos oil after 4 yrs ? [s] The only oil in SW is the oil stolen from Ijaw area carved into Ondo state by Obasanjo. [/s]

Maybe if you can travel down to Lagos to you will actually see Lagos Oyel

Op do you mean you guys favorite red oil?

Many are mad but few are roaming

Unlimitk:
Lalasticlala oautemitayo sarrki
Ogun has been confirmed by nnpc to have oil but no drilling has started as government is wasting money on oil drilling in northern nigeria

Why you worried about NNPC prospecting the oil? You can go test your luck their. If you find anything the government will gladly follow behind you to extract the tax money and get their JV stake. Is it NNPC drilling the oil in lagos or some private company that bringing it to market.

johndoexxx:


Afonja have no oil. Stop deceiving Nigerians that you have oil. Where is Lagos oil after 4 yrs? The only oil in SW is the oil stolen from Ijaw area carved into Ondo state by Obasanjo.

I don't have your time

Blue3k:


Why you worried about NNPC prospecting the oil? You can go test your luck their. If you find anything the government will gladly follow behind you to extract the tax money and get their JV stake. Is it NNPC drilling the oil in lagos or some private company that bringing it to market.

Permission from fg first
Go read about d island on google

Unlimitk:

Permission from fg first
Go read about d island on google

Just apply for drilling license or whatever they ask for. It should be similar to applying for mining licenses. If the island has oil in commercial quantity private investors will find their way sooner or later.

If your heart is set on NNPC good luck to you. I'll give the island a read. It might be interesting place to visit.

Beautiful place

Nairaland has turned everyone to age mates insults and tribalism flying upandan

Eeyah..another week of sadness just hit your household upon realizing that Afonjas too have oil and not palm oyel. Bitterness and hate will never cease in your household

johndoexxx:


Afonja have no oil. Stop deceiving Nigerians that you have oil. Where is Lagos oil after 4 yrs? The only oil in SW is the oil stolen from Ijaw area carved into Ondo state by Obasanjo.

Northern Nigeria has a large deposit somewhere.

Studies have shown that larger deposits are found in their terrain

If much work is done, I believe it can be discovered in massive quantity.

Same oil

very good at the same time bad makes environment polluted and people greedy
check my signature for properties in Ikorodu Lagos

Useless Ogun Oil

Very soon Ogun State will turn out to be like Bayelsa State in Crude Oil land

Oil in Africa; a BLESSING or a CURSE. Looking at the Niger delta as a case study. Pls debate