Ordinarily, the name Dr. Aghanfordemije Merrick Lori may not ring a bell, particularly back home here in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria but he is indeed a silent achiever and an exemplary ambassador of Itsekiri values. This direct younger blood brother of the Igba of Warri Kingdom, Chief (Mrs.) Rita Lori-Ogbebor, is an household name among Itsekiris and indeed Nigerians in the United Kingdom, having added and still adding value in his chosen profession. Born and bred in Warri, he studied Medicine at the University of Ibadan before proceeding to the UK as a qualified Medical Doctor. He is today the President of Otonloye, UK branch and also the newly elected President of the Itsekiri Community, UK and Ireland. He is married with children, all of whom are graduates with the first child taking after him as a Medical Doctor. Warri Mirror cornered Dr. Lori recently in London where he spoke with Alex Eyengho.
Excerpt:
How has it been in the Warri Community, UK? How did the club get to its present stage?
Three months ago, we had general elections, which culminated into the activities of today (October 20, 2007), where we are reporting to our people for the first time following the elections. I am indeed happy that we have Warri Mirror Editor-in-Chief in our midst and the Olare-oja of the Itsekiri Community, UK, Pa Albert Atigolo with his wife among many other guests and members.
What exactly is the association all about?
It is the umbrella body of all the Itsekiri organisations in Great Britain and Ireland. Like all groups and groupings, we have had our difficulties. However, we have managed to navigate the route up till today and which we are now unanimous and ready to move on to leave behind the acrimony and difficulties of the past. Today, we have the full spectrum of the Itsekiri people, including the Otonloye. (Warri Progressive Society), Warri Ladies Vanguard, Warri National Union, Ugbajo Itsekiri and all others under the umbrella of Warri Community, UK and Ireland.
They are all assembled today for this all-important post-election meeting. Today, we have come to tell those who elected us that we will be truthful to purpose and reasons for which we were elected. At the Executive level, we have held three meetings since after our election in which we have come with ideas.
How did the association come about?
Today, we are very happy that what grew as a result of the unrest back home (Warri crisis) in 1997, which led to the coming together of all Itsekiris in the UK, has metamorphosed into this group. Since then, we have been restless. We have taken this opportunity to regroup, reassess and review why the Itsekiri have waited so long to do what is necessary for the progress of our people. So, really, Warri Community has been in existence for quite a while but not in a vocal form as now. We have tried to amalgamate all these groups because we saw the need, but for long, we've not been able to achieve this due to different views, until recently. The Warri crisis back home seems to have been the catalyst for us coming together.
Has there been any dissenting voice from other clubs as to joining this umbrella body?
It's been a very difficult period for those of us who really want to make these changes. You know we (Itsekiris) are very slow sometimes. We are slow to respond to situations most of the times. However, those of us in the majority have said enough is enough; we resolved not to be further held down by the weakness of the past and therefore we decided that we would respond accordingly to the pressures. Some of such people are still not comfortable with the new wind of change and still want to do things of the past but these people are in minority, and I think they are yet to clearly understand our purpose.
What are your key programmes for the association in the next two years?
In my opinion, this particular Executive, which I am leading, is God-sent because we have been able to work in unison and we are all hungry for success. We have divided our programes into two parts. First, are those things that will be helpful to us here in the UK so that if we are strong and cooperative, we will be able to help ourselves in particular and our people back home. With regard to the first part of my statement, one of the problems we have identified is the fact that our own children don't speak Itsekiri. So, we have decided to have what we call “Ajijala tie school”, which will enable us to teach our children Itsekiri Language and culture. I am very happy that we have very competent cultural officers like Mr. Mathew Asenghah and Mrs. Iyinboh who will be leading the project. They will also help our children in other relevant subjects. The number two help we can give to our people here is that many of them come to this country very ignorant as to the possibilities they have; and so, they spend a long time in hiding until they come out. We, therefore, say they should come out from their hiding, and we will be able to assist in terms of information, advice, filling there forms regarding immigration, their work, legal advice, etc. We will be able to help them to assess their needs. We are in the information technology age and we have experts like Mr. David Eyiangho on board to assist our people both in the school and beyond. We will position ourselves in such a way that when Itsekiris come into this country (UK), they could call us and we shall be there for them to sort them out, if need be. We are going to have a Warri Community Secretariat, which will be like coming home for any Itsekiri who comes to the UK. If our number rings, somebody will be on hand to attend to your needs. Omayeli Odeli, supported by Mr. Asenguah, Mrs. Tata etc, will man the secretariat. We will run programmes for information purposes like the sick getting free medical advice; those who want other professional advice like law, accounting, etc. With regards to people back home, we have been silence for too long. Thus, henceforth, we will be fully engaged in the debate for our betterment back home. We are starting with scholarships for our children with the take-off point of children of those who lost their lives during the Warri crisis. We will ensure that the scholarship scheme, which will last for years, will be strictly for those who need it. In furtherance of our language, which we are very passionate about, we will encourage our children here in the UK to learn the language by giving them prizes, particularly those who do well. We are also going to do all things possible to keep our unity.
What is your message to people back home?
We say to them that we are coming and that they are not alone in the struggle; and for these, we ask for God to be our guide. We hope to get in touch with the Palace and all the key bodies in Itsekiriland as a way of letting them know that we are prepared to partner with them in the Itsekiri project.
What is your greatest challenge today?
To quickly retire back home and add more value to the lives of the Itsekiri people.