Babatunji Wusu –
The Oni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeyi Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and the Pere of Gbaramatu kingdom, His Majesty Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe Agadagba, have both urged for traditional rulers across the country to be respected and recognized in peace-building efforts.
Both traditional rulers made the request on Wednesday during the Ooni of Ife’s visit to the king of the Gbaramatu Kingdom at his royal palace in Oporoza, Delta State’s Warri South West Local Government Area.
The Ooni praised the Gbaramatu kingdom for its efforts to protect important economic national assets inside its territory.
According to our source, the Ooni of Ife visited the Gbaramatu kingdom on Wednesday evening with two other kings and his traditional entourage.
The Ooni of Ife spoke extensively in his introductory remarks about the primal relationship between the Ijaw nation and the Oduduwa people.
According to him, the Ijaw are common throughout Yoruba areas in Nigeria and the diaspora.
“We have an Ijaw component in Ife, Ondo, Lagos, and some parts of Ogun State.”
“Wherever there are bodies of water, you will find the good people of Ijaw.” Water is essential to life. I’ve come to strengthen your bond with your brother.
“We tell our government that nothing beats local emancipation.” “We saw the wonderful things the Gbaramatu people have accomplished,” the Ooni stated.
He went on to say that the Gbaramatu Kingdom is positioned between two important terminals in the globe (Excravos and Forcados), where Nigeria’s economy is based; thus, the country’s leadership must recognize the importance of local involvement in nation-building.
Ooni Ogunwusi congratulated the Gbaramatu monarch for doing an excellent job of protecting the nation’s assets by enlisting locals in the surveillance of the region’s oil pipelines.
“We are also here to strengthen the bond between the people of Oduduwa Nation and your sons and daughters.” We’re here to socialize with you while simultaneously informing the authorities that nothing beats working with the locals.
“We have seen the wonderful things you have done in this kingdom by restoring the natural habitat of the creeks, and we are very grateful for everything you have done.”
“We also want to appreciate you getting the locals involved in the surveillance of our nation’s assets,” the Ooni went on to say.
He described the Ijaw country’s history as bitter, explaining how ironic it is that the people who feed the nation live in poverty and squalor.
“We feed this country’s people, but we’ve been oppressed.” But it isn’t the problem. However, we are doing our best in our kingdom, reaching out to other kingdoms with our hands of fellowship.
“The peace that we have today is the result of our efforts. We worked hard for what you’re enjoying today.
“We are aware that there are security agencies in Nigeria, but as traditional rulers, we are ahead of them in terms of peacebuilding.”
“We say this boldly in front of the cameras because we know this is Nigeria, and we are one.” On the other side, do we live as brothers?
“From my perspective, we are not. We are not because we have politicians that govern the country but do not support the traditional rulers.
“I want you to know that the country would be more peaceful today.” Politicians, on the other hand, have undermined, neglected, and abandoned us.
“We are nothing in comparison to them.” However, in terms of Nigeria, we are the ones that play the larger role. “We know our people and how to keep peace in our kingdoms,” the Gbaramatu monarch said.
Meanwhile, Chief Sheriff Mulade, a Gbaramatu chief and environmental activist, addressed media and listed the concerns of underdevelopment in Ijaw communities.
As a result, he asked the Ooni to join the appeal for the Federal Government to prioritize the development of Gbaramatu and other Niger Delta riverine villages.
