By John Susan.
A Niger- Delta Youth Group, Ugborodo Youths Development Body has described as embarrassing , unsolicited, while expressing it’s displeasure over the recent actions of Prince Collins Oritsemeyin Edema, who under the guise of speaking simultaneously for the itsekiri oil producing communities as representative of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited NNPCL and JV partners, on behalf of the highly revered monarch, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwase 111, the Olu of Warri.
While condemning the act in it’s totality, the group further described the actions of Prince Oritsemeyin Edema that led to the publication in a National daily , “Vanguard Newspaper, November 28th, 2024, page 23,” over an act of sabotage carried out at Dibi/Olero/ Abiteye Trunk line as an affront , internal war declared against the itsekiri nation.
The group in a statement signed by Wilson Ejeh, and David Mammah, President and Public Relations Officer maintained that the use of Olu of Warri insignia was not only a forgery, impersonation, but a wanton desecration of the highly revered stool , which was reckless and unacceptable, stating that it is only allowable by the prerogative of the Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwase 111, as our paramount ruler.
Accordingly, Prince Oritsemeyin Edema overstepped his boundaries with the unprecedented decisions, has no locus standi speaking for the three Warri local government areas , oil communities, as well as the itsekiri nation, stating that it is uncouth , and not agreeable.
Clarifying further, the release stated that each communities in itsekiri kingdom has its own spokesman and organs charged with handling of all its activities, including employment with international oil Companies (IOCs), saying for instance issues of employment mentioned in the address fell under the purview of Ugborodo Community Youth Development Body (UCYDB), and not under Prince Oritsemeyin Edema.
The group frowned at Prince Oritsemeyin Edema’s actions as tantamount to impersonation, stating that his appointment by the paramount ruler of itsekiri kingdom,Olu of Warri as liason officer was not covering the three Warri local government oil producing areas , and cannot speak for all the itsekiri kingdom, as it is only limited to NNPCL and not including the JV Partners as he is claiming.
They justified their position through the letter despatched to the GMD NNPCL by the monarch in respect of the appointment of Mr Collins Oritsemeyin Edema as a “Palace Liason Officer”, (PLO) was unambiguous and explicit on the roles and status attached to his engagement, stating that he had gone beyond his boundaries.
The release further states..
“RE: CHEVRON: ADDRESSING ALL LINGERING ISSUES WITH HOST COMMUNITY IS WIN-WIN FOR ALL PARTIES PUBLISHED ON PAGE 23 OF VANGUARD NEWSPAPER OF THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH, 2024.”
“We, the UGBORODO COMMUNITY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT BODY, write to express our utmost displeasure and embarrassment over the recent actions of one Prince Oritsetimeyin Edema, who claims to be “Sole Representative and Liaison to NNPCL and JIV Partners”, of our esteemed monarch, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri.”
“The open letter published in the Vanguard Newspaper of Thursday, November 28, 2024, on page 23, over the act of sabotage on the Dibi/Olero/Abiteye Trunkline, is a clear example of Prince Edema’s thoughtless, ill-conceived, and disrespectful behavior towards the entire Itsekiri nation. ”
“His use of the Olu of Warri insignia is tantamount to the desecration of the Olu’s stool, it is reckless and unacceptable.”
“This is a prerogative allowable only to His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, as our paramount ruler.”
“This action is unprecedented in the annals of history of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality. Prince Edema has no locus to exercise such reckless discretion, and his claims of speaking for the oil-producing communities in the 3 (three) Warri Local Government Areas of Delta State, are uncouth and not agreeable to the Itsekiri people. ”
“Each of the Itsekiri communities has its own organs and spokesmen who handle all matters, including employment with International Oil Companies (IOCs). For instance, the issue of employment he emphasised on falls under the purview of the leadership of Ugborodo Community Youth Development Body.”
“Prince Edema cannot speak for us, and his appointment as Liaison Officer by the Olu does not give him the license to speak for the entire Itsekiri Kingdom.”
“Prince Edema’s appointment is limited to NNPCL and not JV Partners, as he claimed.
Furthermore, his letter of appointment by our revered monarch does not state that he was appointed as spokesman of the various Itsekiri communities in the 3 Warri LGAs. This is a clear case of impersonation.”
“The job scope assigned to Mr. Collins Oritsetimeyin Edema was explicitly stated in the letter by our esteemed monarch, titled “Letter Of Authorisation For Mr. Collins Oritsetimeyin Edema, As Sole Representative and Liason” and dated January 31st, 2024, which was despatched to the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engineer Mele Kyari.”
“In the letter, His Majesty, stated, “We bring you warm greetings from Warri Kingdom.”
“In a letter with reference number, OWP. 1111/9, and dated 2nd October, 2023, my Palace informed you of Mr. Collins Oritsetimeyin Edema, as the Palace Liaison Officer to your establishment, he also serves as my sole representative until otherwise communicated.”
“In the appointment letter, Collins Edema was not assigned the mandate as the Spokesman of the various Itsekiri communities in the three Warri Local Government Areas.”
“We repeat and emphasize that Collins Oritsetimeyin Edema cannot speak for us. And we are happy that the Palace didn’t confer on him the authority to speak for us. He is merely arrogating that power to himself. ”
“To this end, We seize this medium to urge all IOCs operating in our areas to shun and disregard all correspondences from Collins Oritsetimeyin Edema regarding employment and other issues. He is on a mission for self-aggrandizement. His activities are self-seeking and self-serving. ”
“We therefore condemn Prince Edema’s actions and his attempt to justify the economic saboteurs’ actions in the fate of the ill-fated Dibi/Olero/Abiteye Trunk like.”
” His write-up is a pointer to the fact that either he knows those responsible for the heinous action or he is sympathetic to their wrong course.”
“We seize this medium to urge our respected Royal Majesty and esteemed Olu of Warri, to review the terms of engagement of Prince Edema before he further embarrasses the revered stool and sons and daughters of Iwere land.”
“It is high time to call Prince Edema to order before he damages our Royal Majesty’s enviable credibility and brings Iwere land into disrepute.”
“The security agencies must fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act of the attack on the Dibi/Olero/Abiteye Trunklike and bring them to book. ”
“We condemn the action and we make bold to demand that the criminals should not escape justice. No one should be allowed to hide under the cloak of demanding employment slots from IOCs to embark on collateral damage of the nation’s economic assets.”
“The OICs and their servicing companies must be encouraged to operate without let or hindrance in our areas. ”
“This is the way to enhance growth and development in our areas.”
“We recall the fate of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and their servicing companies during the ill-fated Warri crisis, which led to their fleeing our areas. ”
We should not allow a repeat of the sad story of the past.
Your’s faithfully,
MR. WILSON EJEH
PRESIDENT
MR. DAVID MAMAH
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (PRO).
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF UGBORODO YOUTHS DEVELOPMENT BODY
