Itsekiri Crisis Was A Leadership Test – Gov Uduaghan
By: Kola Niyi-Eke on September 16, 2013 - 3:42am
Days after a truce was reached in the now rested crisis that pitched the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse 11 against his people, thousands of Itsekiri leaders, youths and women trooped out in their large numbers yesterday to give thanks to God for the peaceful resolution of the crisis that lasted four days.
As early as 7am, thousands of gaily dressed Itsekiris in their traditional attire from all walks of life and their well wishers arrived at the Foursquare Gospel Church inside the Olu of Warri Palace, venue of the inter-denominational thanksgiving service.
Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who spoke at the thanksgiving service, said the four-day crisis that rocked the kingdom was a major leadership test, not only to the traditional throne but also to political leadership in the state and the federal government in general.
Uduaghan also thanked God that despite attempts by some unscrupulous people to incite the women and the youths, it was gratifying to note that they refused to be used.
According to the governor, the protest remains one of the most peaceful protests in recent times.
Uduaghan also chided some Christian leaders saying that, “some who claimed to quote the Bible and to use that Bible quotation to bring about peace were busy using it as an instrument of disunity. If not for the love of God on our side, what will the people of Iwere kingdom be saying today”?
The governor, who said the crisis was a very challenging to the people of Itsekiri and a testing period for him and the royal family, noted it was not out of place to have crises but thanked God that this particular one was handled with utmost wisdom.
Calling on other ethnic nationalities to take a cue from the way and manner the Itsekiri settled their differences with their monarch without resorting to violence, he reminded the people that the Itsekiris have remained under one God, one king and one people.
Governor Uduaghan, who led almost all his entire cabinet to the thanksgiving service, including the deputy governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, and the Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, also asked the people to always remain loyal to the monarch.
Chairman of the publicity committee and Niger Delta youth leader, Prince Omolubi Newuwumi, said the event was a special thanksgiving service by the itsekiris to express appreciation to God almighty for the grace granted them as a people to address their issues peacefully.
According to him, “It is to show the world that Itsekiri remain an indivisible nation with one king, one language, one culture and one tradition. This is the essence of the occasion. The Itsekiris has always and will forever remain loyal to the monarch.”
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