From Ben Dunno, Warri
A member of discussant panel at the 3rd Coronation Anniversary Lecture of the Olu of Warri, Ogiamme Atuwatse III, Chief Robinson Ariyo, the Egogo (Mouthpiece) of Warri Kingdom, has urged the Federal Government to set up a commission to protect the interest of Micro- Minorities in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking on the anniversary lecture’s theme: “The Challenges of Ethnic Minorities Within The Nigerian State,” yesterday at the Olu’s Palace Auditorium (Aghofen), Chief Ariyo, decried the conceived oppression and marginalisation of the ethnic micro minorities by the majority ethnic groups even at the sub-regional level.
He lamented the present arrangement where all three ethnic nationalities would collectively agitate for dividends of democracy either in terms of infrastructure or political appointments, but when such finally comes, the majority ethnic groups within the region would hijack it, leaving the micro-minorities with nothing to show for it at the end of the struggle.
The Egogo of the Iwere kingdom suggested the need for the various micro-minorities to begin to come together to synergies on how to chat a common course of liberating themselves, urging the Itsekiri nation to see the Ogoni and other ethnic groups they share this same status with as allies, in order to protect their interest.
Ariyo, a legal practitioner, also stressed the importance of proper implementation of existing laws and policies to protect the rights of micro-minorities and ensure their survival in a landscape dominated by more prominent minority groups, noting that Nigerian constitution guarantees the survival of all ethnic nationalities in any part of the country.
However, the itsekiri who occupy three local government within the region, such as the Ecules, who predominantly reside in only three local government areas, argued that the definition of “minority” has been too broad and fails to capture their unique challenges.
According to him, “Within the Niger Delta, there are relative majorities who have benefitted significantly from the struggles of the so-called minorities.
“This, they argued, has led to the oppression of micro-minorities by larger minority groups, particularly when it comes to accessing benefits from initiatives such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Amnesty office”
Continuing; “The Amnesty office, established in response to the demands of the Niger Delta region, has been dominated by these larger minority groups.
“This has led to the marginalisation of micro-minorities, such as the Ogoni people, who now seek to form alliances with other micro-minorities to ensure their voices are heard and their rights are recognised.
“The Itsekiri people, who are a minority within Delta State, have been systematically excluded from key positions in the state government.
“Over the past nine years, itsekiries have been absent from top executive roles, including the positions of governor, deputy governor, and key commissioner posts in Delta State
“The call to redefine “minority” is not just about semantics but about ensuring that all groups, particularly micro-minorities, receive fair representation and access to the benefits intended for marginalized communities.
The ceremony witness Itsekiri sons and daughters in Delta State, paid homage to the Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse III as he celebrates his third (3rd) coronation anniversary. A delegation all over itsekiri lands
The Itsekiri indigenes, who paid homage to the monarch were from Sapele, Bobi and Obonteghareda communities.
Others who paid homage to the monarch were the Holy Covenant Church, Ugboegungun, Aja-Etan, Dibi Field home-based women, Itsekiri Staff College of Education, Warri, Ugbajo-Itsekiri, delegation from Warri South Council and members of the University of Benin Alumni Association, Warri chapter.
The different groups entertained the King with elegant dance steps and Itsekiri cultural songs, paying allegiance to the King’s reign on the exalted throne.
The Olu of Warri Kingdom, flanked by his Queen, Olori Atuwatse III, later offered prayers to his subjects, including palace chiefs, who greeted him as tradition demands.
Other panel of discussants included Daniel Reyenieju, Sir A. S Mene, while Prof Benson Osadalor, former acting Vice Chancellor, Ambrose Ali University (AAU), delivered the main lecture of the day.