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Ben Dunno, Warri
The Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse lII, has warned Itsekiri indigenes who parades themselves as community leaders before multi-national oil firms and major local operators, to divert monies meant for the development of their land and people into personal pockets to desist from such acts in their best interests
Speaking at Jakpa, an ancestral homeland of Iwere kingdom in Warri North Local Government area, Weekend, after a tour with Media Representatives to some oil installations operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited in the area, the Monarch reaffirmed that it would no longer be business as usual in his domain.
The Royal Father who obviously was not happy with the level of neglect and poverty among his people cut across these various communities, took a swipe at the indigenous collaborators whom he accused of betraying their people by parading themselves as leaders before the oil companies but ended up trading the collective destiny of the people for their selfish interests.
According to him; “Oil Companies, be they International or Nigerian, take advantage of us only when they see that those who pose as leaders among us, are willing to trade our collective destiny for their own personal gain.
“No external actor can truly undermine us, unless someone inside unlocks the door”.
Continuing; “These so called leaders worship only one god. And that god is none other than their stomach, and because they worship this false god, the land suffers. And because these people wear greed as the mask of leadership, the common people are exposed and exploited”.
“These so called leaders are the ones who have been playing the role of middlemen, and benefiting, by instigating us against oil companies, and government”.
Ogiame said, the kingdom would no longer continue to watch the people who wear greed as masks of leaders and who have given room for Itsekiri nation to be further exposed to the outside world for the purpose of being exploited.
His words:” But we have had enough of these usurpers, enough of these charlatans, enough of these opportunists who deal and trade in the name of our people”.
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The Olu of Warri therefore warned these Itsekiri collaborators who have placed their personal selfish interests above the future of Itsekiri children and the communities, saying, unless they repent, they would reap the consequences of their actions.
His words:” To every Itsekiri collaborators who continue to place selfish interests above the future of our children, if you refuse to change, if you insist on selling the people for personal gains, you will be the Jonah in every boat you enter”.
He reaffirmed that the era of tolerance for these group of people has passed as this is the time for transparency, unity and accountability for Itsekiri nation to move forward.
The king used the medium to thank Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State for his developmental strides in the Itsekiri nation especially the ongoing construction of Trans Ode Itsekiri Road and urged him to keep on with the good work in the area.
He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for giving listening ears to the development of the coastal areas in the country.
In an interview with Tebu Community Youth President, Tuoyo Alaba, he lamented the suffering they go through in the area despite the presence of Chevron, an oil company in the area. On behalf of the community, he appealed to Delta State Governor Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and Chevron to come to their aid.
He however said, he is very much aware that with the visit of Olu of Warri, things would change for the better for the people.
The climax of the ceremony was dances, songs for the entertainment of the king and homage payment by the different communities in the area to express their gratitude for the visit.
