ADDRESS TO ALL NAIG MEMBERS WORLDWIDE

It is with deep pains in my heart I write to you the intellectuals and “egg heads” of Iwere Land Worldwide.

My administration was sworn-in July 16, 2016 to uphold and defend the Constitution of the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG.

This constitution dictates that I protect the interest of Itsekiri graduates at all times especially as regards their welfare.

The constitution also entails that Job slots due Itsekiri graduates must be duly given them by Multinationals working on Itsekiri Soil.

Since the inception of this administration, I have watched with dismay how International Oil Companies especially Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC and Chevron Nigeria Limited have continuously deprive Itsekiri graduates job opportunities despite being qualified for the job. This is against the Nigerian Local Content Act, and Labour Law.

Recently, Chevron Nigeria Limited recruited 30 persons as direct staff through their Corporate Headquarters in Lekki without any single Itsekiri neither any person from the Niger Delta.

About four weeks ago Chevron recruited 24 persons through TOPLINE NIGERIA LIMITED for Jobs in Escravos without any single Itsekiri. When confronted they agreed and said they can only give us few slots as against the 60% we are supposed to get for contract staff.

The case of our VTP5/OTP2 and VTP6/OTP3 trainees is a clear demonstration of how callous and wicked this American Giant is to the Itsekiri Nation. The trainees Chevron termed as "NATIONAL" have been converted, the trainees termed “COMMUNITY” made up of 151 persons with just about over 40 Itsekiris have not been converted for over four years now. We have directed the trainees to “down-tool” since Wednesday June 21 and they have obeyed that directive to the fullest.

It is important to state that these trainees’ professional certificates which were supposed to be awarded after their training have not been given them by Chevron

In one of the meetings attended by our Executives with Chevron in their Warri Office, Chevron officials told us in the presence of some of our community leaders that employing us is a privilege as they are “an equal opportunity company”.

The National Association of Itsekiri Graduates on June 23 with “due consultation with our ancestors” issued a directive to all Itsekiri Staff (both Graduates and Non-Graduates) in Chevron Nigeria Limited to "down-tool" from Wednesday June 28, 2017. 

We don’t have power over the will of any Itsekiri son and saughter working in Chevron, we are doing this to let Chevron know that it is not a privilege to employ an Itsekiri man or woman in Chevron. 

Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh brought Gulf to Nigeria over 50 years ago which Chevron later acquired.

It is an insult of the highest magnitude for Chevron to see employing Itsekiri sons and daughters as a privilege because of the dearth of leadership in our Land.

I call on all of you wherever you are in the world to talk to your family members working with Chevron to give us Maximum Corporation as we send our strongest message to Chevron worldwide.

No Itsekiri Graduate should be kept under slave contract in Chevron, No Itsekiri Son or Daughter should be deprive of any form of employment in Chevron.

There have been blackmail and threats to my life over all these, but I am not deterred.

I want you all to be counted as we say No to Oppression of our People by Multinationals especially Chevron Nigeria Limited.

On Wednesday June 28, 2017 all Itsekiris irrespective of which location you are in Chevron should “down-tool” as a mark of solidarity to the Itsekiri Nation.

We are one Tribe, one Language and one King, 

The Itsekiri Nation was a country with well organized administrative structure before amalgamation.

We are fed up with the Delta State Government over their silence, we are fed up with the Federal Government over their silence, we need to make a mark to preserve the present and future generations.

Thank you.

Long Live Warri Kindgom

Long Live NAIG

Edema Collins Oritsetimeyin

PRESIDENT/CEO

NAIG

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