A former Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma in Edo State, Prof. Benson Osarhiemen Osadolor today congratulated the Olu of Warri Kingdom as he celebrated his 3rd coronation anniversary on the throne saying "over-centralisation" is a major threat to ethnic minorities like the Itsekiri nation.
The University Don also urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to as a matter of urgency restructure the Nigerian entity to give the ethnic minorities an equitable space.
Prof. Osadolor spoke at the homage/anniversary lecture organised by the Ugbarajo Iwere Leaders' Foundation,UILF held at the palace auditorium, Aghofen in Warri, Delta State.
He said," I want to congratulate the Olu of Warri, HRM. Ogiame Atuwatse III on his ascension to the throne of his ancestors. I also want to pray God Almighty to give him long life, good health and wisdom to lead the Itsekiri people."
Prof. Osadolor, who was a lead speaker at the event spoke on the topic,"The challenges of ethnic minorities within the Nigerian State".
He said the over-centralisation of the federal system had also made the ethnic minorities powerless.
Prof. Osadolor, noted that there are ethnic minorities in the South-South and North Central Regions of Nigeria.
According to him, the North Central is plagued by ethnic cleansing and genocide while the South-South region is the hotbed of violence and conflict as a result of oil exploration and exploitation activities of International Oil Companies, IOCs.
Prof. Osadolor stressed that the 1999 Constitution as amended does not recognise the rights of ethnic minorities, but the general rights of Nigerians.
He insisted that many other key challenges could be addressed by the Federal Government through restructuring of the Nigerian State to give the ethnic minorities a voice and their rightful place.
Prof. Osadolor, who identified marginalisation, neglect and forceable eliminatiin as some of the challenges of ethnic minorities in Nigeria, also said there were some structural imbalances at some point in time which also led to the fears of ethnic minorities and their agitations.
He noted that the ethnic minorities at other times had their voices, but never had their ways.
One of the discussants of the topic, Hon. Daniel Oritsegbubemi Reyenieju, who aligned himself with some points raised by the University don, urged the Itsekiris to embrace "inclusive leadership."
He said the Itsekiris must ensure they have a political leader that all Itsekiris listen to, irrespective of their differences or political affiliation.
The former member of the House of Representatives, who represented the people of Warri Federal Constituency, reminded the Itsekiris that the governorship ticket might be zoned to Delta South Senatorial District in 2037. He however urged them, especially those who claimed to be leaders to position themselves so that they can get it.
"2037, except a miracle happen. Are they (leaders) waiting and just be praying with kolanut"?
Hon. Reyenieju lamented that the Itsekiris had lost a great deal in the local government structures of the three Warris. "Before we used to have the chairman and vice chairman. But today, we struggle to have two of the local government councils. This is how far we have gone" he said.
Our Managing Editor/ Co Publisher, reports that Chief Robinson Ariyo and Dr. Paul Ireyefoju, also spoke during the ceremony.
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
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