The Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC), the apex youth body of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality Worldwide held it’s first ever world congress at Ode-Itsekiri, the Ancestral home of the Itsekiris. The congress was attended by youth leaders, critical stakeholders scattered in over twelve LGA and three states in Nigeria.
The congress with the theme: “To determine the future of Itsekiri ethnic nationality in the Nigerian equation”, discussed in details critical issues concerning the survival of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality in the Nigeria project in general and particularly our survival in the hostile environment we find ourselves in Delta State. At the end of the well co-ordinated deliberations, the congress resolved as follows:
To honour our king, His Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli, the Olu of Warri, owing to his engagement with the Federal Government on all the issues raised by the council that led to the 21-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government and IOCs, the council hereby suspends indefinitely all intended actions in this regard and in this vain, call on all aggrieved bodies, groups and community based associations to accordingly sheath their swords.
In reciprocation to this great gesture of ours, we anticipate that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will immediately put in place mechanism to quicken the massive integrated development of all our land as the golden hen that continues to lay the proverbial golden eggs upon which the Nigerian economy is sustained.
That the Itsekiri as a tribe is an endangered species that is being oppressed, suppressed and grossly marginalized by both the Federal and State Governments including our dominant majority ethnic nationalities.
That we have come to realize regretfully that the only language the government of Nigeria seem to understand and reward abundantly is VIOLENCE.
That as a result of these many years of oppression, deprivation and gross marginalization, the leadership of the INYC is determined to take steps to right these callous and deliberate wrongs against the Itsekiri nation.
That since our oil and gas were not given to us by any resolution of the National Assembly, we take exception to the recent outburst of the House of Representatives in this regard and accordingly demand without any hesitation as directed by the presidency, that all IOCs should move their headquarters to their area of major operation.
Consequently, the management of Chevron Nig. Limited (CNL) should not invoke the wrath of our ancestors by dishonouring the directive of the president. As such, they should move their headquarters from Lekki which produce no drop of oil to the appropriate location in Itsekiri land.
That “VIOLENCE IS NOT” the preserve of any group, tribe or system as can be seen in the brigandage called militancy, Boko-Haram insurgency and others.
That we have agreed in unison to confront these life-threatening challenges head-on, henceforth intelligently with all the brains available to us to get our rightful share from the commonwealth.
That all major oil companies operating within the Warri Kingdom must as a matter of urgency enter into fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with their host communities to correct the lopsidedness inherent in the current MOUs if they want to operate in an atmosphere of peace.
That we do not have problems with any of our neighbours in this regard and therefore they should not in any way distract our struggle.
That the era of complacency has come and gone.
The DEGHELE DECLARATION to mark the beginning of the struggle will soon be made public.
We are prepared to pay the supreme price but the struggle as enunciated in the declaration remain unshakable, irreducible and for eternity.
That all our people in other Local Government Areas in Delta State and elsewhere shall no more suffer unnecessary humiliation and oppression in whatever guise.
GOD BLESS IWERE KINGDOM
GOD BLESS OUR KING
GOD BLESS DELTA STATE
Comr. Weyinmi Agbateyiniro
President (INYC)
Comr. Appearance Afejuku
Secretary (INYC)
Comr. Lucky Futughe
Dir. Of Media/ I.T (INYC)
Comr. Joseph Uwawah
P.R.O (INYC)
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