Uduaghan to Critics: I’ll not be pushed to give my stewardship

Former Delta State Governor and founder of G3, a PDP political pressure group of Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko ethnic extractions, Dr. Emmauel Eweta Uduaghan has declared that he will not be pushed to give his stewardship, saying he will rather take all the blame than give explanations that will put Itsekiri Nation into another round of crisis with her neighbours.

The ex-Governor and former Secretary to Delta State Government who was apparently responding to his critics, made the declaration Friday July 14 in Warri, Delta State, during the grand-finale of National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG 20^th anniversary celebration/unveiling of the design of the association’s N30 million Secretariat complex.

While stating that NAIG has succeeded in the pressure of securing jobs for some Itsekiri graduates, Uduaghan averred, “I did a lot to ensure Itsekiri survives as an ethnic Nationality”, even after the expiration of “my tenure as Governor of Delta State”.

According to him, nobody remembered that his administration needed to construct 9 bridges to Ifie from Ubeji axis as part of the multi billion naira Trans-Warri-Ode-Itsekiri Bridges and Access Roads, insisting that much was accomplished in the Koko-Ugbenu Road as well as Abigborodo Road/Bridge during his tenure as Chief Executive of Delta State.

He admonished Itsekiris to as a matter of must protect and respect “the crown” (the Olu of Warri stool) just as he identified time keeping as a major challenge Nigerians have to tackle in public functions/events.

From left: Chief Francis Eyituoyo Maku, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan,  Comrade Collins Edema, Dr. Augustine Uroye & Mr. Eugene Ebisin during the NAIG 20^TH Anniversary celebration

In his welcome address, Pesident/CEO of National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG, Mr. Edema Collins Oritsetimeyin asserted that his administration has tried to put machineries in place to ensure that any form of internal or external threats of division within the association is totally neutralized.

According to Edema Oritsetimeyin, the machineries include “ensuring that the vision and objectivities of our founding fathers are maintained and improved upon, especially on advocacy and fight against any form of oppression of the Itsekiri Nation”.

 While stressing that “NAIG as an amalgamation of different graduate bodies in Iwere land was formed twenty years ago”, the NAIG President stated, “the current executive in conjunction with congress are doing everything possible to ensure that NAIG being the pearl of Itsekiri graduates will define the future of leadership in Warri Kingdom”.

 Comrade Collins Oritsetimeyin Edema reading his address

 Renowned academic, Dr. Jackson Ireyefoju in a lecture identified inconsistency as a problem being faced by “Warri Kingdom which is being mushroomed with traditional rulers”, while veteran Engineer in the Oil and Gas Industry as well as Executive Director, Planning, Research and Statistics in the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Engr. Victor Wood in his lecture posited that after the demise of late Alfred Rewane, late Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh and Chief Dore Numa, Itsekiri Nation has not found worthy leaders to consolidate on achievements of the trio.

He cautioned that if Itsekiri Nation does not take drastic action now, it will face serious crisis in the next 20 to 50 years.

Dr. Jackson Ireyefoju delivering a lecture at the event

 Engr. Victor Wood delivering a lecture

Fresh Angle International can report that Dr. Uduaghan who was Chairman of the occasion was accompanied to the event by some of his personal aides, immediate past Chairman of Warri South Local Government Transition Committee, Dr. Augustine Uroye, Mr. Eugene Ebisin, immediate past Secretary to Warri South Local Government Transition Committee and Special Assistant to the Delta State Commissioner of Transport, Mr. Vincent Uduaghan, a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Victor Agbateyiniro and Chairman of Warri North Local Government Area, Chief Eyituoyo Francis Maku.

Posthumous, legendary and awards of excellence were presented to late Alfred Rewane and late Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, Chief Rita Lori Ogbebor and Pa. J.O.S Ayomike as well as NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick and Chairman of DESOPADEC, Hon. Godwin Toritsereju Ebosa respectively.

 From left: Mrs. Pat Otimeyin Adams, INYC President, Comrade Isaac Oritseweyinmi Agbateyiniro, Smeon Iluwa, Hon. Griftson Omatsuli, Dr. Augustine Uroye, Jemine Atie Esq, Mr. A.S  Mene, Comrade Collins Edema, Dr. Jackson Ireyefoju, Mr. Eugene Ebisin &  Mr. Victor Agbeteyiniro during the cutting of NAIG 20^th Anniversary cake

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