Fight Against Injustice In The Society Will Be Won, if. … –Comrade Agberen

By Oguns Sammy (Warri)

Not many people may know him except for those he has touched their lives positively in one way or the other. Despite his position and roles in the upliftment of the society, he does not brag: his simplicity, humbleness and loyalty are second to none.

For those who may not know him, he is a Human Rights Activist- not many people fight the cause of others without monetery gains. He is a philanthropist- not many people, with this state of economy can spare their hard earned money to help the needy in the society.

While time and space would not be enough to talk about this dogged human rights activist and philanthropist, it is good to tell the reader of this episode that this man has really done alot to make life worth living. His contributions towards the growth and development of Delta State in particular and Nigeria in general are no mean one.

He is no other person but Comrade Ambassador Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen. The dogged human rights activist rose from a mere member of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) which has its branches all over Nigeria, to Unit Co-ordinator, Udu branch in Udu LGA of the state and currently the Vice Chairman of CDHR, Delta State branch.

While it will be time consuming to catalogue the roles he played in his fight against Injustice in Nigeria in general and Udu, Warri and its environs in particular, it is necessary to touch some of them. It cannot be forgotten in a hurry that last year in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, was haven of cultism, ritual killings, kidnappings ,armed robberies among other crimes. Many people especially lily livered and strangers were forced to relocate from the area. This was because they were not sure of safety of their lives and properties any longer. But in his characteristics way, he rose to the occasion.

He put machinery in motion by putting the Commissioner of Police and law enforcement agents on the alert of this menace and how the situation can be brought under control through series of publications. Among the ways to put this to an end was on the call on the state government’s co-operation with various community leaders of the need to provide patrol vans to the Aladja/Ovwian Police Division Station to enable them do their work effectively.

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He went steps further to appeal to the cultists to turn away from heinous crimes and engage in a worthwhile venture through one of its rally programs tagged ‘’ Say No to Crime’’ in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.

No doubt, peace has finally been restored to Udu, Warri and its environs. Everybody can now go about their normal businesses without fear and molestation. This feat, according to him in one of his reports in his chat with newsmen is not solely his efforts. This is why he always thanks the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies including the government always heading to his cry in this regard.

He said in one of his reports; ’’l thank the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies for their roles in curbing cultism and other heineous crimes in Udu, Warri and Delta State at large. I also thank the state government for the roles it plays to ensure that peace is restored in Udu, Warri and the State in general.”

Comrade (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen who has continued to fight against oppression has set free people arrested illegally by the bad eggs in the police force just as he has called on the Inspector General Of Police (IG) times without number through the State Commissioner of Police to flush out those police officers who extort money from unsuspecting members of the public over detention and illegal arrest in order for the force to maintain the sanctity of the police in the State and country at large. I could remember in 2018; how he led host of the Comrade Community to pay a courtesy visit to
His worship, O.Y. Esq. Srn. Magistrate G.D.I
at the Judicial Magistrate Court, Orhuwhorun; to advocate ‘’The Roles of Magistrate in Curbing Police Brutality, Over Detention, Illegal Arrest of members of the public Under the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In one of his reports in the chat he had with the newsmen, he said:” if the police force is to earn respect from the members of the public, they must abide to the ethics of the profession. I therefore call on the lG to flush out the bad eggs in the police force to enable them maintain the honour and respect the police deserve in the society.”

Comrade Amb Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen has empowered many indigents in the society especially in the areas of provision of school writing materials. This he did, not for ego but felt the need to help the needy because the government cannot do it all alone. On his quest, he visited three (3) public schools in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State. Namely; Ukpioyovwi Primary Schools, Ukpioyovwi, Egini Primary School and Egini Grammar School in the Rural Area of Udu. Thousands of books were distributed to aid the teaching and learning process among the pupilssStudents; as he wants those deprived in one way or other to have a sense of belonging. Furthermore, he created awareness among the pupils/students and also sensitize them on some of the social vices that can jeopardize their lives like cultism, armed robbery, malpractices, sexual practices, drug abuse etc.

He did not turn away from his people. He knows he is a full blooded Itsekiri man and does what would raise the standard of life of the people in the area. He hails both from Warri South West and Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State; to be precise, Ugborodo Community and Ugbori Town and from the descendants of Ayomike and Orugboh. He also appreciates others especially chiefs in the kingdom who play one role or the other to ensure the kingdom is great. In the spirit of this appreciation, when the newly crowned Olu of Warri, Ogiame lll, Tsola Emiko was coronated, he was among the people who sent congratulating message in a press release. He used that medium to chip in the little pieces of advice he has for the King to make him succeed in is reign as Olu of Warri,Ogiame lll; just as he wished him good health and prosperity in the years ahead.

He also sued for unity and co-operation among the people just as he asked those aggrieved in one way or the other to forget the past and co-operate with the king to move the kingdom forward.

Comrade Amb Derrick Agberen is a fearless fighter of Injustice. It is the dint of hard work coupled with the grace of God that earned him the position he is today in the organization and the society in general. He was among the frontiers that birthed the nationwide #ENDSARS protests in 2017 that has yielded results in 2020/2021. Within his few years of activism,he has attracted several awards among which is;an award of excellence in humanitarian service by the National Union of Journalists(NUJ) South South Zone in 2018,100 Most Influential Young Deltans Award Ranking in 2020 and was also Awarded in the 2ND Edition in 2021. He has also won an HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP award as an AMBASSADOR with the GLOBAL GOOD GOVERNANCE AMBASSADOR FORUM in 2020 and an award in Leadership & Excellence in 2020.

Comrade (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen has not stopped either, he is still fighting on how to see that the society is free from evil and safe for everybody to live in. He used the medium to call on the members of the public, various community leaders, corporate organizations and the Delta State government led by Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa not to rest in their oars until Delta State has peace,stability which will in turn ursher in speedy growth and development.

He has always said he would continue to do his best within his power to ensure Delta State take its pride and place in the comity of nations.

The dogged activist who used today to mark 14 years of his fight against injustice in the society thanked other human rights activists in Udu, Warri and its environs for their roles in the society in this regard. He thanked specially the one time Delta State (CDHR) Chairman and currently a national executive member; Comrade (Dr). Prince Kehinde Taiga whom has played the role of a father in activism to him. I also want to appreciate the likes of Comrade Jonathan Giama, Comrade Israel Joe, Comrade Itulua Harrison, Comrade Aghogho Ighorhiohwunu, Comrade Uche Ajede all members of the BCC and other members nation wide for their fight against injustice just as he advised them not be deterred in their fight as that is the only way the society would be good for all and sundry.

He said: “l therefore sued for the co-operation among Human Rights Activists to rid the society of crimes as this is the only way the battle can be won”.