…Calls for accountability, clarification from Olu
The Ugborodo Community Youth Development Body (UYDB) has issued a strong condemnation of Prince Oritsetimeyin Edema, who claimed to be the “Sole Representative and Liaison to NNPCL and JIV Partners” of the Warri monarch, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, following a controversial letter published in the Vanguard newspaper on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
The body, representing the youth of Ugborodo, voiced its concerns over what they described as Edema’s reckless and disrespectful actions, particularly his involvement in a recent sabotage incident on the Dibi/Olero/Abiteye Trunkline, which he allegedly attempted to justify.
According to the group, Edema’s actions violated the traditions of the Itsekiri people and undermine the dignity of the Olu of Warri.
In their statement, signed by Mr Wilson Ejeh (President),Mr David Mamah ( Public Relations Officer), UYDB denounced Edema’s unauthorized use of the Olu’s insignia, arguing that such power is reserved exclusively for His Majesty.
They further emphasized that Edema’s self-appointed role as spokesperson for the Itsekiri people was not only unwarranted but also contrary to the established leadership structures within the community.
“The issue of employment with International Oil Companies (IOCs), which Edema has erroneously claimed to speak on, is within the jurisdiction of Ugborodo Community Youth Development Body, not his. Prince Edema cannot speak for us. His appointment is strictly limited to NNPCL, not Joint Venture (JV) partners as he has claimed”, they said.
UYDB clarified that Edema’s appointment as a liaison officer to NNPCL was clearly outlined by the Olu in a January 2024 letter, which did not grant him any authority over the broader Itsekiri community, let alone a mandate to speak on behalf of the oil-producing regions of Warri.
The group also voiced concern over the public’s perception of Edema’s intentions, suspecting that he may be complicit or sympathetic to the perpetrators of the recent vandalism.
“His actions raise the possibility that he knows the individuals behind the sabotage or is sympathetic to their cause,” they also said.
The Ugborodo Youths called on all IOCs operating in the region to disregard communication from Edema regarding employment or community matters.
They also urged the Olu of Warri to review Edema’s appointment and take necessary actions to avoid further damage to the credibility of the monarchy.
“We urge our Royal Majesty, the Olu of Warri, to act swiftly and review Prince Edema’s role before he brings further embarrassment to the esteemed throne and the people of Itsekiri,” the statement concluded.
The Ugborodo Community Youth Development Body also called for justice for those responsible for the attack on the trunkline, urging law enforcement to identify and prosecute the criminals involved.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to fostering growth and development in the region, warning against attempts to hinder the operations of IOCs that contribute to the community’s economic prosperity.
The letter from UYDB serves as a stern reminder of the ongoing struggles to balance development with local community interests, and the importance of maintaining respect for traditional leadership structures.
Here Is The Full Statement By UYDB:
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 Liaison” 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 Liason 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-aggrandisement. 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 Trunklike.
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 Iwereland.
It is high time to call Prince Edema to order before he damages our Royal Magesty’s enviable credibility and brings Iwereland 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.
Yours Faithfully,
MR. WILSON EJEH
PRESIDENT
MR. DAVID MAMAH
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (PRO).
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF UGBORODO YOUTHS DEVELOPMENT BODY
