Niger Delta: Why we suffer untold neglect, underdevelopment under govt —Olu of Warri
ON November 11, 2017 8:35 AM / IN News / BY Nwafor Polycarp / Comments…Condemns Avengers, split of PANDEF
…Says no pretense about my unity advocacy
By Egufe Yafugborhi
AGBON – THE Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, has said the level of neglect and underdevelopment the people of the Niger Delta suffer under federal government would not have been so pathetic if the various ethnic groups were not bound by primordial acrimony and disunity.
The Olu was harping on the imperative for unity in the region yesterday as he renewed unity building advocacy with his ethnic neighbors in a colourful visit to His Royal Majesty, Ogurimerime, the Ovie of Agbon kingdom at Otorho-Agbon, Ethiopia East local government area, Delta state.
Both monarchs grew up as intimate friends and schoolmates at St. Kelvins Grammar School, Kokori, Ethiopia East Council area, before transforming to monarchs in their respective domain.
His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse II The Olu of Warri Photo by
George Osodi
The Olu was accompanied by members of his traditional Council and Princes including Chief Ayiri Emami, Ologbotsere of Warri, Chief Johnson Amatseruleghe, Iyatsere of Warri, Chief Gabriel Awala, Uwangue of Warri, Chief Billy Besigiwa, Chief Solomon Areyika, Chief Winifred Egbejule, Chief Olivia Agbajo and Chief Eugene Ikomi.
The Warri monarch said, “Why are we being so treated unfairly and unjustly? It is because there is not unity among us.. Delta is blessed, but because of primordial hatred, we don’t grow as we ought to. When Delta was to be created, we rejected because we didn’t feel loved. The state capital was to be in Warri, Itsekiri said no because of mutual suspicion. Government see su’s as unserious.
“During Jonathan’s era, no Itsekiri man was selected for the National Conference while others got multiple representation. It took Chief Tunde Smooth, an Ijaw with the new thinking of peace for collective unity, who wrote in the papers condemning the action. We then had a representative.”
Condemns Avengers, split of PANDEF
Ogiame Ikenwoli, condemned the planned renewal of oil assets destruction by the Avengers just as he flayed the proliferation of militant groups and the multiplicity of leaders forum in the region.
“I am reiterate my call on the Avengers to shun acts of violence and destruction of oil assets with associated massive damage to our own environment, endangering lives of our unborn generation. In the guise of militancy, we have self styled Generals and Commanders every where more than we have in the Nigerian Army put together.
“The inclination to violence is not the answer. It is not the answer. But I also recognize that government must keep promises. The Vice President said so many things when he went round. Though government grinds slowly, but promises must be kept, and I know they will keep it.
“It beats my imagination that people went to form parallel PANDEF. I was in Aso Rock during PANDEF meeting with President. We had robust engagement, but no sooner than PANDEF came, people started fighting them and went to create another body. Government will not see us as serious.
“I support PANDEF, the 16 point agenda. Let us all embrace peace. What we are looking for will not elude us for long in the atmosphere of unity.”
New thinking for collective growth
“I am going round preaching love and unity across the land.. I am not pretending about it. I have visited several palaces among my immediate neighbors and those afar. What I hear like today is that this is the first time an Olu would visit. This will not be my last visit here.
“All I preach is, let’s not live in the past. Let’s live in the present we know, use the opportunity of today to work for a better tomorrow. By the time you trace your roots to your great great grandparents as an Itsekiri, Urhobo, Isoko or Ijaw man, you will discover you are related to the other tribe you hate relating with.
“My great grandmother is an Okpe Woman from Ugbokodo. The mother of the five prominent Itsekiri royals is Ijaw from Isaba. This is what we should be doing, regular togetherness, so when an outsider see us, they will say they are brothers you can’t come between them
The new thinking is unity for all. There is bound to be arguments when we cohabit, but we must show understanding and reconcile. Let us work for peace living for one another. If Urhobo man has problem, Itsekiri man should say no, this is my brother. That way outsiders will be afraid to come between us”
Encomiums on emergence of Ayiri as a Ologbotsere
The Olu’s Chief host on the occasion, the Ovie of Agbon thanked the Warri monarch and his people on rečent emergence of Chief Ayiri Emami as the Ologbotsere of Warri as well as the appointment of new Iyatsere and Uwangue for the Warri kingdom.
“I am happy for you and your people for making Chief Emami Ologbotsere. I thank the Olu profusely to for emergence of the new Iyatsere who speaks Agbon fluently and has been a son of the soil.
“All things that eluded us before we came to the throne will never elude us anymore. Anything that will bring progress to Urhobo and Itsekiri nation, we will collectively support.
“I thank the government of Delta for also supporting our kingship. We assure government that with us at the leadership of the grassroots, the sky would be our state in the quest for peace.
The Agbon monarch was joined in hosting the Warri monarch by subjects including Chief Moses Faith Orogun, Otota (Spokesman) of Agbon kingdom, Chief Bernard Edewor, Chief J.O. Eruvwetagware, Prof. Onigu Otite, Chief Uloho Otite, Chief Steve Eruotor, Chief M. O. A. Adotomre, and Chief Faith Majemite, immediate past chairman, Ethiope East LG.
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