PRACTICAL ITSEKIRI LEADERS

 

Nana Olomu, AKA Agbamudu, did not become “Nana of Itsekiri” simply because he was from Ebrohimi. Nana became Itsekiri when, against all odds he stood to resist the incursion of the British Imperialists whose policies at that time were antagonistic to the interests of his people.

Dore Numa was not Itsekiri simply because he was a Prince of the Itsekiri monarchy. Dore Numa became Itsekiri when he blazed the trail for Itsekiri, recording many legal victories.

Chief F. S. Okotie-Eboh was not Itsekiri because he was adorned with indescribeable Itsekiri atires. Chief F.S. Okotie-Eboh became Itsekiri the day he demonstrated to the world that he is thoroughly tribalized Itsekiri man who used his high political office to decorate the Itsekiri landscape with landmark projects that has not been seconded by any other even till date. Although he was a Nationalist and a Federal Minister, but his immediate concern was his local territory.

Franklin Atake was not Itsekiri because he had direct blood connection to the Itsekiri race. Franklin Atake became Itsekiri when he availed himself for Itsekiri exploits.

Ogodobiri was not Itsekiri because he was son of Akumagba from Okere. Ogodobiri was Itsekiri because even in the face imminent danger, he stood as a stumbling block on the way of barbarians whose ultimate goal was to erode the Itsekiri civilization.

Chief Omolubi Newuwumi is not Itsekiri because of his fluent command of the Itsekiri language. Omolubi Newuwumi is Itsekiri because he avails his tact and strength for the defense of the territorial integrity of Itsekiri.

Chief Francis Omatseye is not Itsekiri because he married an Itsekiri woman. Chief Francis Omatseye is Itsekiri because in the days when babes hid their heads for fear of the unknown, he stood gallantly, even in the dark, in the swamps infested by a thousand mosquitoes, as a night watchman for his people.

Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor is not Itsekiri because the Olu gave her beads and adorn her in chiefly robes. Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor is Itsekiri because she has lived practically all her life active in the struggle for the uplifting of Itsekiri.

Barr. Robinson Ariyo is not Itsekiri because he carries deep tribal marks on his face. Barr. Robinson Ariyo is Itsekiri because he shouts and acts whenever there is perceived undermining of the Itsekiri interest from any quarter, not minding the political cost on his career.

Eric Igban was not Itsekiri because his father was Itsekiri. Eric Igban was Itsekiri because with the single opportunity he had, he demonstrated to the world that the welfare of his people comes first.

Those who have become super rich by virtue of the facts that they are strategically positioned Itsekiris and as such have been busy siphoning our opportunities and our collective wealth to lubricate their selfish desires are actually the poorest among us. For when their time is up, they will die again.

But those who have become poor because they are Itsekiris who give their time, tact,energy and resources for the uplifting of Itsekiri are actually our richest, for when their time is up, they will live again in our memories and the momories of the future generations to come

There are no Itsekiris by birth. There are no Itsekiris by proclamations. There are no Itsekiris by mere words of mouth. There is only one type of Itsekiri and that is the Itsekiri by deeds.

NB: There are many other Practical Itsekiris that have not been captured by this post.

My name is Quincy Onuwaje, and I am not available for Nonsense.

Nana Olomu, AKA Agbamudu, did not become “Nana of Itsekiri” simply because he was from Ebrohimi. Nana became Itsekiri when, against all odds he stood to resist the incursion of the British Imperialists whose policies at that time were antagonistic to the interests of his people.

Dore Numa was not Itsekiri simply because he was a Prince of the Itsekiri monarchy. Dore Numa became Itsekiri when he blazed the trail for Itsekiri, recording many legal victories.

Chief F. S. Okotie-Eboh was not Itsekiri because he was adorned with indescribeable Itsekiri atires. Chief F.S. Okotie-Eboh became Itsekiri the day he demonstrated to the world that he is thoroughly tribalized Itsekiri man who used his high political office to decorate the Itsekiri landscape with landmark projects that has not been seconded by any other even till date. Although he was a Nationalist and a Federal Minister, but his immediate concern was his local territory.

Franklin Atake was not Itsekiri because he had direct blood connection to the Itsekiri race. Franklin Atake became Itsekiri when he availed himself for Itsekiri exploits.

Ogodobiri was not Itsekiri because he was son of Akumagba from Okere. Ogodobiri was Itsekiri because even in the face imminent danger, he stood as a stumbling block on the way of barbarians whose ultimate goal was to erode the Itsekiri civilization.

Chief Omolubi Newuwumi is not Itsekiri because of his fluent command of the Itsekiri language. Omolubi Newuwumi is Itsekiri because he avails his tact and strength for the defense of the territorial integrity of Itsekiri.

Chief Francis Omatseye is not Itsekiri because he married an Itsekiri woman. Chief Francis Omatseye is Itsekiri because in the days when babes hid their heads for fear of the unknown, he stood gallantly, even in the dark, in the swamps infested by a thousand mosquitoes, as a night watchman for his people.

Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor is not Itsekiri because the Olu gave her beads and adorn her in chiefly robes. Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor is Itsekiri because she has lived practically all her life active in the struggle for the uplifting of Itsekiri.

Barr. Robinson Ariyo is not Itsekiri because he carries deep tribal marks on his face. Barr. Robinson Ariyo is Itsekiri because he shouts and acts whenever there is perceived undermining of the Itsekiri interest from any quarter, not minding the political cost on his career.

Eric Igban was not Itsekiri because his father was Itsekiri. Eric Igban was Itsekiri because with the single opportunity he had, he demonstrated to the world that the welfare of his people comes first.

Those who have become super rich by virtue of the facts that they are strategically positioned Itsekiris and as such have been busy siphoning our opportunities and our collective wealth to lubricate their selfish desires are actually the poorest among us. For when their time is up, they will die again.

But those who have become poor because they are Itsekiris who give their time, tact,energy and resources for the uplifting of Itsekiri are actually our richest, for when their time is up, they will live again in our memories and the momories of the future generations to come

There are no Itsekiris by birth. There are no Itsekiris by proclamations. There are no Itsekiris by mere words of mouth. There is only one type of Itsekiri and that is the Itsekiri by deeds.

NB: There are many other Practical Itsekiris that have not been captured by this post.

My name is Quincy Onuwaje, and I am not available for Nonsense.