Oil Companies Have Disrupted Our Major Means of Livelihood – Yonlonfun, Sagbokoji Community Head
Chief Anthony Ovime Yonlonfun, Baale of Sagbokoji Island in this interview with JournalNG disclosed that oil companies on the Island have not assisted the community by providing them with the needed amenities; water and electricity .
These companies, through their activities are responsible for unavailability of fishes in the Lagoon.
Chief Yonlonfun also commended the Nigeria Customs Service for remodelling the only Healthcare Center and Primary School in the community.
We knew about Sagbokoji very recently when customs made some interventions through donations here and heard about the Baale for the first time. Please tell us about yourself being the chief and give us a background information about this island. What is the meaning of the name Sagbokoji and it’s origin?
I took over from the former Baale in 1976.He was here before I took over from him. This place was called Onisiwo Island and was filled with moss but I filled it up before everyone came to settle down. Sagbo means twins and Koji means community.The community was named after one of the pioneer dwellers who bears Isagbo.
Fishing was our major occupation before more people came around.Some people sell fish or water because we don’t have potable water on this Island.We have always struggled to get water.In those days, we didn’t have a school here. It was when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the Governor of Lagos State in 1999 that he built the Local Authority Primary School, thereafter, the Local Government Area built the primary healthcare center. We have some other tribes like the Igbos, Yoruba, Hausa, Ijaw , Idoma here in Sagbokoji aside from the Eguns.
It’s almost two months after the event. Tell us how the donations is helping you and your people- The school and health center.
We are overwhelmed with gratitude and truly humbled by the generous donations from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). Honestly, we didn’t expect such kindness and support from the organization, and it’s heartwarming to see the positive impact it will have on our lives. The NCS has gone above and beyond our expectations, and we’re deeply thankful for their commitment to giving back to the community.
Their selfless act has not only brought us joy but also restored our faith in the system. We’re grateful for the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the entire NCS team for their kindness and empathy. This donation is a testament to the organization’s dedication to making a difference in people’s lives, and we feel privileged to be recipients of their generosity.
What does the people of Sagbokoji do? Trade, fishing, farming and what kind of business thrives here the most?
Fishing is our main source of livelihood, but even getting water to sustain our daily lives is a challenge. Many of our residents are forced to travel to Makoko and Kirikiri just to buy water which they transport back to the island in tanks. We’ve repeatedly brought this issue to the government’s attention, but unfortunately, we haven’t seen any meaningful response.
It’s disheartening to see that some companies operating in our vicinity have access to water and electricity, yet they’ve chosen not to extend any support to our community. We’re left to fend for ourselves, relying heavily on solar power for whatever little electricity we can generate. The absence of a reliable power supply hampers our daily activities and makes life even more difficult.
The lack of basic infrastructure on our island is a significant setback for our residents. We yearn for a better life, where our children can grow up with access to the same opportunities as others. Until then, we’ll continue to struggle, hoping that one day, our pleas will be heard, and our living conditions will improve.
How much of government presence and we support do you get?
One person who stands out in my mind is Ayodele Adewale, the former Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government. He delivered on many of his promises and made a significant impact on our community. We appreciate his commitment to our development and support him wholeheartedly.
Unfortunately, other past Chairmen have not been as effective. They would come to us with grand promises, but once elected, they would forget about us. We’ve been disappointed time and time again by politicians who fail to follow through on their commitments. Despite this, we’ve continued to support those who have shown a genuine interest in our welfare.
As a community, we’re eager to see tangible results from our leaders. We want to believe that our votes count and that our leaders will work tirelessly to improve our lives. We’re willing to give those who are genuinely committed to our development a chance to prove themselves. However, we won’t hesitate to hold them accountable if they fail to deliver on their promises.
You are surrounded by water, how does the waters around you support your livelihood?
Our community has a rich history of fishing in the lagoon. For generations, we’ve relied on the abundance of fish in our waters to make a living. However, over the years, we’ve witnessed a devastating decline in fish populations due to the activities of oil companies operating in our area. The oil spills and pollution have had a catastrophic impact on our ecosystem, killing off many of the fish species that once thrived in our waters.
This has not only affected our livelihoods but also the entire community that depended on fishing. Many people came to our island specifically because of the abundance of fish, and now they’re struggling to make ends meet. The loss of fish has had a ripple effect on our local economy, and many families are feeling the pinch.
What is the security situation here? Do you suffer any form of criminal activities and how much of security support do you get?
In the past, our community was under the jurisdiction of Apapa Local Government, and their police force was responsible for maintaining law and order in our area. However, things have changed, and now Tarkwa Bay, and Alakija police stations oversee our community. Despite being part of their jurisdiction, we don’t have a police station on our island, which poses significant challenges for us.
When our community was smaller, crime wasn’t much of an issue. Everyone knew each other, and we looked out for one another. In fact, we didn’t need a formal police presence because the community itself acted as a watchdog. If anyone saw something suspicious, they’d intervene and hand the individual over to the authorities.
It’s not ideal, but we’ve learned to adapt. We’ve become a community that looks out for itself, and we’ve developed a strong sense of responsibility. While we appreciate the efforts of the police stations that oversee our area, we believe having a police station on the island would greatly enhance our safety and security.
How long have you been chief of this community? Were you born here?
I was born in Ajara, Badagry.My father brought me down to Sagbokoji Island as a toddler.I have been the Baale of the community for 49 years.
Are there possibilities of people coming to buy property and reside here?
Before, I was the only one in charge of lands on this Island what I.At a point in time, I couldn’t handle all land issues, so I appointed other Baales to take over different parts of the area. I have about eight Baales under me. Presently, I don’t have any land that is available for sale but others should have.
Do you have space for recreation and tourism for visitors wishing to come here?
We have an hotel on the island. We take pride in our community, and one of the highlights of our island is the hotel that welcomes visitors from all over. Our doors are open to people from all walks of life, and we strive to create a warm and inclusive atmosphere. Our community is built on the principles of hospitality and respect, and we take pride in ensuring that every visitor feels at home.
What is the relationship between Sagbokoji and other islands around?
We have always had associations whereby we hold our meetings on the mainland and Island.Sometimes, we visit Elegushi Island for meetings.I am the chairman of some of those associations.
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