•Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State
Following the dispute over the ownership of the oil-rich Eba Island, the Olatunde Awonuga Foundation has reaffirmed that the island falls under the Ogun Waterside Local Council, Ogun State, based on maritime experts’ research, historical documentation, and verified government records.
This position follows the recent approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the commencement of commercial oil drilling in Eba, a development that positions Ogun State among Nigeria’s oil-producing states and opens a new chapter of economic opportunity for the region, reports Saturday Guardian.
As an authority with deep expertise in maritime geography and waterways across Nigeria, the founder of the foundation, Olatunde Awonuga, in a statement, said he has conducted extensive research and analysis on the territorial and hydrographic boundaries surrounding Eba Island.
The foundation noted that prior to the presidential approval, relevant federal institutions including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and regulatory authorities carried out rigorous due diligence to determine the exact location of the oil well.
These investigations, he said, confirmed that the approved drilling site is located on Eba Island.
He said: “In addition, the jurisdiction of Ogun State over the island is further reinforced by the 1950 Colonial Government Gazette (No. 660), which clearly delineated the boundary between the former Ijebu and Ondo provinces, placing Eba Island within what is today Ogun Waterside Local Council.”
The foundation also recognised that institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have long acknowledged Eba as part of Ogun State through the registration of polling units and administrative inclusion under the Makun/Irokun Ward in Ogun Waterside.
Similarly, educational and administrative structures in the community have historically been managed by the Ogun State government.
The foundation said while it respects the long-standing peaceful coexistence between communities in Ogun and Ondo states, it expresses concern over recent misleading claims and threats attributed to certain groups seeking to dispute the ownership of the island.
He, therefore, called on the federal government and relevant security agencies to pay urgent attention to the reported threats against national economic assets and ensure the protection of lives, property, and investment activities in Eba Island and surrounding communities.
It applauded the visionary leadership of Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, whose administration has worked diligently to position the state for energy development and economic expansion.
