Sunday May 4, 2025
Dear Zik Gbemre,
Your desperation to write about happenings concerning the Ijaws has always been greeted with criticism. This is because such write ups are always marred by great defects.
The most recent was the one you titled, “OLU OF WARRI PROCLAMATIONS TO HIS SUBJECTS: THE RENEWAL OF COMMITMENT BEGINS WITH ATUWATSE 111”. In it, you wrote that you commend the Olu of Warri for his recent proclamation directing his subjects to locate their roots, their place of birth and invest in developing them. You said he has indeed taken a bold step his grandfather, father and uncle couldn’t take in identifying their roots, which they had abandoned for Warri urban where every Itsekiri claim false indigeneship.
The bone of contention is in paragraph five, where you mentioned that ” *The harshest consequence on such desperation (the desperation to acquire Warri) has been their gradual loss of some of their (Itsekiris ) home villages on the coastline to their Ijaw neighbors as other of their abandoned villages faded into extinction”.*
We are writing to inform you that the Itsekiris did not lose some of their home villages on the coastline to the Ijaws. To set the record straight, if there is any of such, the Ijaws only reclaimed what rightfully belongs to them, as in the case of Ekantu in Gbaramatu kingdom.
We are therefore calling on you to withdraw your statement regarding the Itsekiri people’s loss of towns and villages to Ijaw neighbors. Your statement warrants scrutiny due to its potential to be perceived as provocative. We believe that your assertion lacks a thorough understanding of the complex historical and cultural dynamics of the Niger Delta region.
Instead of making public statements that could exacerbate tensions, we urge you to approach such sensitive topics with caution and diligence.
Furthermore, you should examine historical context and facts before making public declarations like this.
We suggest that you carry out a careful study of the intricate relationships between communities and obtain a nuanced understanding of the region’s history that would lead you to a more informed and responsible discourse. If you do so, you would avoid perpetuating misconceptions and instead contribute to a more constructive and respectful dialogue about the issues concerning or affecting any Itsekiri and Ijaw communities.
We trust that you will apply the above suggestions.
From the Desk of the CEO and Editor-in-chief.
