Cookingwithseki

It’s really sad to see how division has turned the once bubbling Warri we grew up in into what feels almost like a ghost town 🙃 with blue and white keke napep blocking person eyes left right center.

I saw pictures and videos from the ongoing Okere Juju Festival, and honestly, they brought back so many smiles and memories 🥹. Growing up in Warri, I never saw this division. I simply grew up loving a land and its joyful people (a people rich in cultural heritage and character). A land that is immensely blessed by God.

This division is hurting the state in ways we may not fully appreciate yet. Investors become skeptical, opportunities are lost and unfortunately, some greedy politicians are taking advantage of the divisions to garner support and further their own interests.

Whenever I speak anywhere, one of the first things people ask me is, “Are you from Warri?” And I understand why. The name Warri has become an identity. Almost a way of life.

Warri is bigger than a location on a map.

It’s an identity we carry.

It’s almost like saying, “You see me, you see Warri.”

And you simply cannot fight that identity or erase it. It is deep. It is cultural. It is emotional. It is in us.

I can even promise you that if you tell an Urhobo boy from Uvwie who has travelled to another state that he isn’t a Waffi boy, he will probably look at you like…“Wetin you mean?” Because somehow, that identity has become part of him and denying it almost feels personal.

We grew up together. We shared the same streets, markets, schools, celebrations, jokes, food, music and everyday life. We didn’t grow up seeing ourselves through the divisions we are being made to see today.

Abeg, mek dem allow that state develop. 🙏🏽

Let the people breathe. Let investors come. Let businesses thrive. Let our children inherit a Warri and a Delta State that is known for its culture, warmth, resilience and opportunities not division.

There is enough room for everybody. There is enough history for everybody. There is enough future for everybody.

Mek Warri breathe. Mek Delta develop. 🙏🏽❤️

Egusi for show 🥰

It’s been a while!