Oporoza Community chairman denied receiving Minister of Sports in their Community

Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung on July 15 announced that he visited and held talks with members of Niger Delta Avengers. He claimed to have taken a two-hour journey on the sea to Oporoza in Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South-West LGA, Delta state, where he met with the leadership of the NDA.

The Avengers however denied meeting with him, claiming he met with fraudsters instead. Oporoza community has also now denied being aware of such a visit. In a statement released today, Chairman of the community, Mr. Johnbull Demebi said no one was aware of any meeting and oblivious of his supposed visit. 

The statement read:

"It is pertinent to state that to the best of our knowledge, we, the leadership of the community did not receive the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports, or any other government official in Oporoza town last week. We have stated in many fora and occasions that we do not know anything about the Niger Delta Avengers. Oporoza town or any other community in Gbaramatu kingdom has nothing to do with the Avengers and their activities. We had in time past, condemned the activities of the Avengers, and therefore could not have anything to do with them in our community. As peace loving and law abiding citizens of Nigeria, we make bold to say that we are very receptive people, and have received several top government functionaries in our community, Oporoza. For the avoidance of doubt, the last government visitor to Oporoza community was the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr Abrahim Idris, and he was given a rousing welcome by the community, led by the chairman, Mr Johnbull Dumebi. And so, we doubt the claim of the Hon. Minister that he visited Oporoza community, last week, and had a meeting with members of Niger Delta Avengers and other community people.

At this juncture, we wish to warn and advise government functionaries and VIPs to be careful and mindful of persons they associate with, particularly with the intention of visiting our communities, as some persons are out to make money from top government functionaries and bring the name of the community disrepute, Hon. Minister Solomon Dalung should know that he has been deceived by mischievous persons and perhaps must have been swindled. Therefore, whoever that intend to visit our communities should make proper arrangement with the leadership of such communities to avoid any mishap in the course of such journey.”