By Francis Sadhere
Nigerian businessman and billionaire, Chief Ayiri Emami, the Delta State House of Assembly member representing Warri South-West Constituency, Hon. Daniel Mayuku and the Igba of Warri Kingdom and Itsekiri Rights’ activist, Chief (Mrs.) Rita Lori-Ogbebor on Friday bagged the Itsekiri Champions Award 2016.
Emami and Lori-Ogbebor emerged the 2016 Most Dedicated Chiefs to Itsekiri course in the male and female categories respectively while Mayuku emerged the Most Outstanding Political Office Holder.
The maiden edition of the Itsekiri Champions Award was organized by The Foundation For Development and Community Engagement, (FDCE) in conjunction with the Itsekiri Advancement and Heritage Group, (IAHG).
The Chairperson of the ceremony, Engr. Jemine Olare, who spoke in her key note address, explained that the process leading to winners of the various categories was purely based on opinion poll conducted via the internet, adding that it was devoid of any monitory or political manipulation.
Olare while congratulating the awardees said it has always been a thing of joy to reward and sanction people who deviate from the norms of society.
She added that the process was built around Information Technology and can easily be improved with lessons learnt through monitoring and evaluation.
Renowned Academic and Itsekiri Leader, Dr. Jackson Ireyeforju who spoke in his opening remark, called on the organizers to strive towards achieving excellence and avoid situations that would lead to their breakup like other Itsekiri groups.
He advised Itsekiri son and daughters not be carried away with the love of money, stressing that people should be disciplined when they go wrong.
Barr. Robinson Ariyo, one of the organizers, harped on the need for society to begin to reward excellence instead of criminality.
He said, “Any society that does not have a system of reward and punishment is in comatose. It is high time we began to reward those who have been doing great things in the society without been violent. We have to reward those individuals who are silently contributing to peace in the society. It is high time we stopped encouraging those people who are violent.”
Ariyo therefore, called on government at all levels to create policies that will make them spread development to communities that have been peaceful over the years, adding that deliberate efforts must be made to concentrate more development efforts on communities that are peaceful.
He also stressed that no money was taken from anyone, including the nominees, adding that the organizers contributed their meagre resources to make the occasion successful.
In the awards Koko defeated Ugborodo, Omadino, Ugbuwangue and Ugbori to win 2016 most peaceful community in Warri Kingdom.
Hon. Daniel Mayuku and Engr. Victor Wood polled superior votes to defeat others in the Most Outstanding Political Office Holder and Political Appiontee respectively.
The award ceremony witnessed the presentation of awards to Outstanding Itsekiri Youths such as Alero Tenuma, Ofe Nene, Adrian Edema and Mrs. Tos Kukune, for their contributions toward the development of Itsekiri Nation, both “on ground and in the social media”.
Chief E.A. Temile was voted the most Outstanding Chief Executive Officer in Itsekiri land, while fallen heroes award was given to late Chief Nana Olomu (ancient) and Ogodobiri (contemporary).
Former MAMSER Boss, Chief (Mrs.) P.E.B. Uku, Hon. O.J. Nana of the famous Nana Olomu family and Engr. Demi Sunny Mene-Ejegi were among dignitaries that graced the maiden award ceremony.
