I Weep for Warri

By

Esiri Esiri
 

Warri is fast dying because our elders; self - proclaimed leaders of thought(s) including those with stolen leadership or better put, those best described by Prof. Wole Soyinka as "wasted generation" have chosen to open a quarrel between yesterday and today. The effect is so glaring that everybody living in and around Warri, including the three "wise" tribes are bemused by the reaction of the actions of the "wasted generation."

In the recent past, to be specific, those of us who have lived in Warri for the last five decades will bemoan the level of inactivity as caused by newly bestowed hatred, greed, avarice, rivalry and all sort of social vices as advocated by our loquacious elders/leaders of thoughts. Within this period in question, daughters were given out for marriage by elders of these three "wise" tribes, sisters were given out to friends as lovers/wives and not on ethnic affiliation. The social interaction among these three "wise" tribes blossomed and gave birth to the word "Wafarians."

The present crop of greedy elders that are fanning this ember of hatred benefitted more from the social integration amongst the three "wise" tribes. They had the beauty of inter-marriage life, they also had the best out of cultural association. The environment was peaceful not minding the outcome of court cases won or lost, and with which they are hunting us today. By cultural conventions they knew their limitations and their individual status were respected.

Within this period under review, family ties were acclaimed but not tribal ties. Leaders, elders or personalities were invited to partake at different ethnic festivals such as "Okere juju" or "Agbassa juju". The fun, thrills from these festivals cut across ethnicity. It was usually a period of reunion and making acquaintances, and this was one of the things that made Warri tick.

These bickering elders or leaders of thought(s) made fortune for themselves based on the relatively peaceful co-existence as witnessed during this period. The choice properties located all over Warri and its environs are owned by these fortunate elders whose parents sacrificed their lives in creating conductive environment for peaceful co-existence among other tribes. Their businesses and trade flourished because they consciously acted as real brothers to one another. This again was among the ethics handed over to them by their parents.

But today, these ethics have been vitiated by the diversionary tactics of divide and rule method applied by these leaders of thought(s). But these tactics have only succeeded in creating another group of "wasted generation" that is the "Gbenge" apostles or honourary political thugs. This monster will taunt them to their graves, they will remain restive in their graves as far as this monster remains restive through their own creation.

Some Wafarians will scoff at the present diversionary tactics being employed by those elders and that is the publication of archaic celebrated court cases occasioned by the scramble and partition of Warri. The real issue is that of sabotage.

The relocation of oil and gas firms out of Warri and environs is that of shock and regret. These companies are moving in droves to Port Harcourt, another oil producing town. The multiplying effect is that.

*There will be loss of more jobs.

*There will be shortfall in derivation allocation.

*There will be shortfall in internal generated revenue.

*There will be near collapse of other small businesses.

*Increase in crime wave.

*Emergence of more militant groups.

*Social decay.

*More tribal wars.

*Lack of sustainable development

* Retardation of civility and industrial emancipation.

*Social, economic and cultural disruption, etc.

Wafarians, we must not allow the aforementioned to happen to Warri, otherwise we should be prepared to accept responsibility for the fall of Warri as being negotiated by some of these elders who are either affiliated to social groups based in Port Harcourt or those with business empires in Port Harcourt or those with political affiliation in Port Harcourt with external collaborators. What is happening could be likened to a terrorist act against Warri.

Slumber

We must wake up from our slumber and check the nefarious acts of these elders fast before we are doomed. We can only achieve this if we can replace our pretentious hand waving to true embrace, replace our frown to laughter. Putting it bluntly, let' us rebuild with all sense of sincerity our lost love. That love shared during Okere juju and Agbassa juju. That love shared at Lido Night Club, Zeina Night Club, Go-Go Room Discoket and every social gathering especially those love shared during inter-tribal marriages. But most importantly, we must renounce our various roles that serve as shields to these dubious elders. We must not allow ourselves to be used as cannon fodder.

This is the time to save Warri. The ability to rescue Warri is in ourselves and not in any adhoc-committee that still believe in the same elders with myopic reasoning. The elders are the problem and the solution is in our desire to shout in one voice. That voice which echoes true love and unity to reclaim the lost glory of Warri. ‘Dem go bow for us.’

Sept 2003