Where should one really start? Ugborodo? Omadino? Koko? Ubeji? IRDC? NAIG? INYC? Traditional Chieftaincy titles? That things are not quite right currently in Itsekiri Land is not latent to even a minor. All strata of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality seem besieged by some kinds of yet-to-be identified forces. Getting out of this quagmire in Warri Kingdom can only be by a collective but deliberate effort. The entire system needs to be shutdown and rebooted for it to function properly again! Anything outside this would amount to motion without movement – one step forward, two steps backward!
The very controversial traditional chieftaincy titles issue and the ongoing acts of criminality in Ugborodo are already our cover stories so, I shall not bore you with details here again. However, I shall zoom in to the Chieftaincy issue as it concerns the Ologbotsere title in a sub heading as we go along. As for Omadino, thank God sanity seems to have returned and I can only hope that the current leadership will not return the people to Egypt. So much is expected of the leadership of Dr. Robinson Eyekosi-Uwatse. I suspect he will deliver. Ah! What of the issue of fraud and embezzlement of public funds in the reserve account belonging to Koko, my maternal community? I know that this is already a subject of petition at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). I trust the truth shall be rooted out at the end of the day. What of the Itsekiri Regional Development Council (IRDC), which is an integral part of the Chevron-conceptualized Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) in her areas of operation? It is now a public knowledge, or so it’s being alleged that the “IRDC has N2.1 billion in 7 accounts in Keystone bank.” Just wondering how this money can transform Itsekiri oil-producing communities and Itsekiriland generally. But will the so-called “12 Disciples” (I am told they are more than 12 now!) allow this happen? What is the Olu-in-Council doing about this? What are you, yes, you and I doing about this? Thanks to our own living legend, Chief (Mrs.) Rita Lori-Ogbebor for following up this matter at the appropriate quarters. We all must support her until victoria acerta!
What of Ubeji? From missing computers, to missing transformer and now tanker explosion destroying property worth millions of naira. Folks in that community (indeed all Itsekiri communities) need to put on their thinking caps so as to know what time it is nationally and internationally. Even our neighbours have since left us behind! Kudos to the current leadership of the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG). They are doing a damn good job amidst all kinds of intimidation from left, right, center, front and back. Na men una be! Keep it up. What of the Itsekiri National Youth (s?) Council (INYC), you ask me? “If you aaaaaaaaaaask meeeee, na who I go aaaaaaask? The matter wey you se so ooooo, e tey wey e start…” Na so our sister, Omawumi Megbele sing am ooo! Seriously, which INYC? The Ayiri-powered Esimaje Awani-led INYC or the Tonwe/Reyenieju powered Weyinmi Agbateyiniro-led INYC? Confusion everywhere! The earlier these two INYCs come together, the better for the Itsekiri nation. They both have their areas of strength and weaknesses. Coming together can only add value because a house divided against itself cannot stand. Aja mo kin aghan!
