Chief Odeli frowns at snub of Itsekiri Nation in the constitution of South - South Development Commission

Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Delta South and Olorogun of Warri Kingdom, Chief Mike Odeli, has frowned at the snub of Itsekiri Nation in the constitution of the Board of South - South Development Commission, appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to correct the perceived injustice and appoint an Itsekiri indigene as Delta State representative in the Board.                                    

Chief Odeli, who made the call in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri, Delta State, Sunday May 11, asserted that despite being the highest producer of crude oil in Delta State and the second largest ethnic Nationality in the South - South, in terms of production quantum of the black gold, Itsekiri Nation " remains largely isolated and marginalized in the federal and state government owned interventionist agencies, responsible for managing oil and gas resources for community development in the Niger Delta."                                           

According to him, decision by the federal government to situate headquarters of the South - South Development Commission in Uyo, Akwa - Ibom State, nominate Rivers State - born Chibudom Nwuche as Chairman, Miss Usoro Akpabio of Akwa - Ibom state as pioneer Managing Director as well as the appointment of Timi Ayibatonye and Charles Enukhowhate, both Ijaw and Urhobo from Delta State, leaves the Itsekiri Nation totally alienated from the scheme of things in the region .             

Chief Odeli, averred: " With the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services of NIMASA, coming from Delta North Senatorial District, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Honourable Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Executive Director, Business Development, Nigeria Export - Import Bank, the member representing Delta State in the Board of NDDC, the Chairman of APC, coming from Delta Central, the Senator representing Delta South in the National Assembly, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, coming from other ethnic Nationalities in Delta South, it becomes legitimate and morally justifiable for the Federal government to withdraw the earlier nominations from Delta State in the Board of South - South Development Commission and appoint a qualified Itsekiri indigene as the State representative in the regional Board."                               

He stated: " Lest we forget, headquarters of the NDDC is in Port - Harcourt .

"With the monumental contributions of Itsekiri Nation to the natural and human resources development of the country's GDP, not appointing an Itsekiri into the South - South Development Commission's Board, would negate the Act establishing the commission, which seeks to integrate, develop and address infrastructural deficits, militancy, communal crisis and ecological problems in the South - South region."

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