IJAW/ITSEKIRI: Women group condemns ill feeling, blames politicians, cautions youths
At a time when there is tension brewing acrimony between the Ijaw and the Itsekiri ethnic nationalities in Delta State, arising from the released report on the fresh wards delineation exercise embarked upon by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Warri Federal Constituency, the Association for the Promotion of Peace and Development in Itsekiri Oil & Gas Communities in the State has condemned the ensuing bitterness between the two ethnic groups, warning the youths not to become tools in the hands of politicians.
The group, led by its women leader, Princess Grace Fregene, made the remark during their courtesy visit to the Bolowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South-West council area, Chief (Dr) Wellington O. Okirika, CON, popularly known as Mr. 13% Derivation Fund, in recognition and honor of the leader who had launched his biography on his birthday at the KFT Event Place near Ekpan on Thursday, June 28, 2025.
But more interesting was the vocal condemnation by the women group during their visit on the ongoing bickering between the Ijaw and the Itsekiri, as they succinctly emphasized the negative role played by politicians in using the INEC ward delineation exercise to heat up the polity for their selfish interests.
As mothers, they noted that they are the ones who suffer the most in times of conflicts and continue to bear the brunt of underdevelopment in their communities while the so-called politicians are cashing out from the challenges facing the common people, stressing further that the people have grown tired of the cycle of conflict.
“Our father (Chief Okirika) is a mentor, an encourager, and a man who loves children. I’m an Itsekiri, but I grew up in the midst of the Ijaws. So all of us are one. We will not allow politicians to divide us. We should be wise; politicians cannot divide us. We are advising our children, who are educated, to be wise,” said Mrs. Fregene, and then added, “God has brought us together, and man cannot separate us.”
It was not difficult to see why the women group has so much respect for Chief Okirika, as the women leader shared tales whereby even their own kindred would not assist them, but that the Bolowei always came through for the common people, stressing that “his good work is like a shining light.”
She went down memory lane in one of her testimonials when Chief Okirika, then at the helm of affairs in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), narrated a scenario of how the Bolowei helped an aged Itsekiri woman, who, until her demise, did not forget his kind deeds and had always testified to others and was always offering prayers for the Bolowei.
The women leader praised the host for his detribalized nature and for taking the battle for justice and equity on the issue of 13% Derivation on behalf of the people by expending resources towards ensuring that those at the grassroots benefit.
“Papa, we are really happy. What you have done, I have not seen anybody like you. It is only him we know as far as 13% Derivation advocacy is concerned. Papa did not care what your language is, but all he is interested in is that we all enjoy the benefits of the resources that God has given to us,” she admitted.
Earlier, the host, Chief Okirika, through a former Registrar of the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU) Okerenkoko, Dr. Alfred Mulade, and a staff of the Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS), Mrs. Izonebi Odumosu, had welcomed and entertained the women group on behalf of Mr. 13% Derivation Fund.
Chief Okirika, who was excited at the visit, thanked the women for the honor and confidence they have in his personality. He also reminded them that there are politicians who benefit from the acrimony between the Ijaw and Itsekiri, but that the people themselves need to wake up to the reality that they are not reaping the benefits from the lands they are fighting and killing themselves over, and that they should instead come together and begin to speak with one voice in order to collectively conquer their oppressors.
The courtesy visit also demonstrated the important role and the place of resolute leadership as a lasting panacea to eradicating any conflict in the area, a position that Chief Okirika occupies, going by his past genuine efforts of advocating for the benefit of inhabitants of the area irrespective of tribe or religion, earning him respect and their trust.
