Reps Reyenieju warns Ijaw, Itsekiri groups over crises precipitation
*Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, member of House of Representatives
(Nigeria) The Different Ijaw and Itsekiri socio-political groups, including individuals have been advised against provoking statements, including peddling half-truth which are capable of igniting disharmony and mutual distrust between both ethnic nations.
Reacting to a statement by an Ijaw pressure group, Delta
Security Watch Organisation, NDSWO, which was a reaction to an earlier one from
the Warri Study Group, WSG, (an Itsekiri
pressure group), the member of House of Representatives, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju,
in a statement advised members of NDSWG and others along the same line of reasoning
not to go to the extent of assuming the views expressed by the Warri Study Group automatically
reflects and epitomizes that of Itsekiri ethnic nation in its collectivity.
The lawmaker, who represents Warri federal
constituency, noted that “Freedom of Expression
and Speech remain an inalienable right of any person, or group and all the WSG
has done is to exercise that right. However, the mere exercise of such right
does not translate into the correctness of information dished out, including
claims.”
He admonished the Nigerian media to avoid sensationalism in its pattern of
reportage, particularly through catchy headlines that are capable of igniting
ethnic tension and mistrust.
With specific reference to the stakeholders meeting which
was held at Effurun, Edo State, about a fortnight ago, he said “I was
specifically invited and had wanted to attend but for other earlier commitments
which stretched to the time of my flight from Warri.
“Even at that, Itsekiri ethnic nation was adequately
represented by scores of prominent Itsekiri sons and daughters among whom were
Chief Isaac Jemide (the Oshodin of Warri), Mrs. Esther Okotie-Eboh, Mersses
Omimi Esquire and Okoroloko, including Professor Lucky Akaruese, among a host
of other persons of Itsekiri extraction.
“From information available to me, Prof. Akaruese was a
member of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, while Chief Jemide was among those
who reviewed the draft. It could be as a result of inadequate information, or
possible deep-rooted self-conceiting and self-induced opinionatedness and
arrogance for any person or group to claim that Itsekiri ethnic nation was not
adequately represented at the stakeholders’ meeting.
“Also, reference to the meeting between the Minister of
State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu and a few traditional rulers,
including some stakeholders from the region which took place last week at
Abuja, the Itsekiri nation was adequately represented in the person of Prof.
Akaruese.”
Reyenieju warned against pronouncements by any person or
group, “that are capable of undermining the much needed unity, peace and cohesion
in the region especially at this trying period of the region’s history of
underdevelopment, environmental degradation and bloody inter-ethnic
contestations.”
Comments
Post a Comment