PRESS STATEMENT BY AFERIRE-O’NE ON THE ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY VISITATION TO NDDC:

IWERE CONSULTATIVE FORUM

ISAIAH ROAD, UBEJI

WARRI SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, DELTA STATE

NIGERIA

13^th November, 2023

PRESS STATEMENT BY AFERIRE-O’NE ON THE ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY VISITATION TO NDDC:

A DECEITFUL AND DESTRUCTIVE MOVE AGAINST ITSEKIR BY ITSEKIRI.

We read with dismay call on the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILOT) by a group that styled themselves as Aferire –O’ne to sanction the secretary of the Itsekiri foremost socio political group on the ground that the ILOT secretary, Sir A. S. Mene introduced himself as the secretary of ILOT during the visit to the NDDC Managing Director/CEO by the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality led by Chief Ayiri Emami in Port Harcourt.

It has never been in our characters to respond or join issues with such statement but on a second thought, we decides to “dignify” the Aferire –O’ne group with this response owing to the fact that there is the high tendency of un challenged misnomer  becoming the new norm.

It is against this backdrop that we are speaking up against the self contradictory, deceitful, destructive and vexatious verbiage of the Aferire-O’ne group that fits only for the dust bin.

Looking at the age of those signatories to the trash of a press statement, one will be tempted to asked; what will the signatories generation bequeath to the upcoming generation other than lies and deceits?

It is funny and laughable that such old men in their usual characteristic manner once again designated themselves as “Princes” of Warri kingdom, a situation that radically negate the custom and tradition of Itsekiri nation.

 For the avoidance of doubt, the Itsekiri custom and tradition recognizes two sets of citizens in the Kingdom to wit: (1) the Oton-Olu (Princes) and  (2) Omajaja. For this we take refuge in the declaration made pursuant to the 1979 edict.

The declaration went ahead to define Princes of Warri Kingdom as the descendants of the last three Olus while descendants of all other Olus have fallen into the Omajaja company. (see paragraph 2 of the Declaration.)

Flowing from the above, for anyone who is not within the bracket of the last three Olus to arrogate to themselves Princes of the kingdom is a classical definition of insane delusion and as such, should not be accorded any value.

Sir A. S. Mene’s introduction of himself as the secretary of ILOT as source of headache for the Aferire-O’ne is another funny and laughable parody of absurd displayed by the group and therefore, should not be accorded any probative value.

It is a statement of fact that Sir A. S. Mene is, as at today the secretary of ILOT, it is another fact that Sir A. S. Mene only introduced himself at the NDDC Headquarters as such, it is also a fact that Sir A. S. Mene read the speech of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality for and on behalf of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality that visited the NDDC MD/CEO without more. What then could be the cause of the headache for the so called Aferire-O’ne group? Is this Aferire-O’ne a member of ILOT? Are they the spokespersons for ILOT?

Our research with the chairman of ILOT revealed that none of the signatories to the press statement is a member of ILOT neither is Aferire-O’ne a member. What then gives the Aferie-O’ne group the boldness to question Sir Mene’s introduction of himself as the secretary of ILOT while at the same time arrogated to themselves the position of the spokesperson(s) of ILOT?

The answer to the above posers is not farfetched, it is only a deluded mind that can interlope into the affairs of another in the manner Aferire-O’ne did with ILOT.

The innuendo  “…Benin based private school proprietor” by the Aferire-O’ne for a man that has positively touched numerous lives is most unfortunate. Our research shows that Sir A. S. Mene as a private school proprietor has imparted over forty thousand lives. What do members of the Aferire-O’ne have to their credit to show to the world to equate what Sir A. S. Mene as a private school proprietor has to his credit?

That the “issues raised in the address to the MD/CEO of NDDC are issues of critical concern to the entire Itsekiri nation” according to the Aferire-O’ne themselves is more than enough reasons to salute the courage and astituteness of the Itsekiri group that went to the NDDC, rather than laboring in vain to cast aspersion on the group for embark on trip for the good of Itsekiri, thereby attempting to destroy what the group has packaged for the betterment of Itsekiri.

Another deceitful character displayed by the Aferire-O’ne and their co travelers is the attempt to turn Ginuwa 1 Ruling House into a standing association. For crying out loud, Ginuwa 1 Ruling House has never at all, in the about 500 years of the existence of Warri Kingdom been a standing association. It comes into existence upon the passage of an Olu for the singular agendum of selecting an Olu designate without more. Upon the completion of this sole function, it stands dissolved automatically. It has never, in the history of Warri Kingdom be a standing association / organization speaking for the Kingdom.

We do not think there is need to elucidate on the fact that those who constitute themselves into the Ginuwa 1 Ruling House speaking as such today are all Omajaja as against Oton-Olu.

The Aferire-O’ne also spoke of how some well-meaning Itsekiri patriots are working assiduously behind the scene to ensure that unity, peace and sustainable progress are achieved in the interest of the entire Itsekiri nation but failed to tell the world who these imaginary well meaning Itsekiri are and the step(s) they have taken to achieve the peace.

Again, there is another question begging for answer in relation to the fallacious peace by the Aferire-O’ne faceless well-meaning Itsekiris; how well-meant are these well-meaning Itsekiris that exist only in the figment of imagination of Aferire-O’ne? Is Papa Ayo Oritsejafor whose peace effort was thrown into the wind an ill-meaning Itsekiri?

Aferire-O’ne need not be told that such cheap and weak blackmail is no longer captivating to Itsekiri people.

Using the Palace as a platform for scavenging for what to eat is not in any way an impartment on the lives of Itsekiri sons and daughters neither is it an achievement for the Itsekiri nation, they must be told.

The Aferire-On’ne must be told to stop misadvising the King with fallacious believe of the King is to reign and rule at same time.”

        PRINCE CLEM. ADE OMOTOYE,ESQ.

                  CHAIRMAN

 ARUBI AJOFOTAN

    SECRETARY

TUOYO CHARLES OFOYAEKPONE

CO-ORDINATOR

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