Itsekiri forum rejects resource control


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Written by Gabriel Enogholase

A forum of Itsekiri technocrats, businessmen, politicians and

Academicians has rejected the concept of resource control, and opted for derivation.

The conference was convened by Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, a member of the

House of Representatives.

Reasons advanced for the Itsekiri’s rejection of resource control were

that “for now, resource control is not politically expedient” and that

“resource control, despite its importance and beauty as a concept, as

far as the Itsekiri are concerned, is a political horse that won’t run.

“Besides, the Itsekiri are not prepared to join the bandwagon of the

multitude to partake in the feast of resource control,” a source told

Vanguard.

Prof. Tony Afejuku of the University of Benin, who presented the lead

paper on Derivation at the conference, when contacted, referred Vanguard to the Convener, Mr. Reyenieju, who could not be reached on phone.

He said the “Itsekiri are committed to the Nigerian Federation and are

prepared to still be their brothers' keepers, as such for this reason

and more, they are not prepared to be part of the agitators of resource control.”

Besides, Vanguard further gathered that the conference also deliberated

On the ceding of oil wells from Itsekiri land to Ondo State by the

Obasanjo Administration.

“Apart from political and legal solutions, dialogue with our Yoruba

brothers is in the offing.

“We have never fought war with our Yoruba brothers. We shall not do so

now. We shall resolve the issue amicably.

Dialogue is in the offing. The spirit of our forefathers will not

Forgive us if we go to war with our Yoruba brothers over the issue. The matter will be resolved to the advantage of the Itsekiri,” he said.