AT a time when hardship was taking a toll on the people of Warri-North LGA, perhaps as a result of the general economic depression, communal conflict  and the pollution of the environment resulting from unchecked activities of oil exploration companies and crude oil theft, a proper and committed representation is what the people need.

This is the reason why whoever that must represent the people should in the first place be able to identify with the people no matter what. Suffice it to say here that Irene Anirejuoritse Imilar has been above board in this regard in demonstrating what true representation is.

Besides her numerous intimidating achievements, she has proven to be a listening and caring representative; one who understands every bit of the purpose for which she was elected by the people of her constituency.

Apparently,  the Itsekiris, whether in Warri-North or in Ikpoba-Okha of EdoState or in Warri-South or South-West are endangered. Obvious as it seems,  the tribe cannot afford a lack luster representation, not at any level! Be it the federal or the state level.

Although, Irene Imilar  is soft spoken, yet she is provokingly stubborn  when it comes to fighting for what is due to not just the Itsekiris, but all  in the Warri-North Constituency, on whose auspices she is an honourable member of the Delta State House of Assembly.

She has a calculative and definite needs of the people she represents. Committed as she has been, severally Imilar had roared  and fought on the floor of the Delta State House of Assembly to have demands for the well-beings of the people of Warri-North LGA to be met.

True, as it has proven, Irene love the Itsekiris with great passion. She could least be accused of tribalism,  even though the Ijaws of the same council area are at loggerheads with their Itsekiri brothers. It is an open secret that the Ijaws had had no cause to grumble over being shortchanged in terms of representation and allocation of projects from the state government.

Also, her foundation, Hon. Irene Imilar’s Education Foundation, severally has received a pat on the back for being transparent. Scholarship offers to youths of Warri-North interested in obtaining the N.C.E certificate were evenly and equally distributed along political ward delineation. She was also reported to have ensured that all MDG projects were executed to specification.

Above all, Irene Imilar has defied age and fatigue in network among government departments to ensure that Warri-North LGA was not shortchanged in any way. Her commitment to the well-being of the people of her constituency is unrivalled. She picks her calls irrespective of whether the caller is a familiar one or not. She has an edge over other past representatives of the  council for operating a functional constituency office in Koko, headquarters of Warri-North LGA.

What more can one say of  Imiler’s near perfect representation of Warri-North constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly? There is no disputing the fact that she  had her palm kernels cracked for her by a benevolent spirit (apology to Chinua Achebe). She was born with a silver spoon by virtue  of her royalty. Yet, she is humble. Never has she been found arrogant nor braggadocio.

Frankly speaking, Imilar’s score sheet  has remained a steady boost to her profile as her responsibility as a representative of her people increases. It will be recalled that her brief but impactive  stint at the state Post-Primary School Board turned out very rewarding and beneficiary to all Deltans and  the Itsekiris of Warri-North, South and South-West in particular. As the chairman of the board, teaching jobs meant for Deltans were given to Deltans only.

The administration of her board was a far cry from what took place in other ministries, parastatals and boards where jobs meant for Deltans were given out either to mistresses and protégées that who non-Deltans or sold to people from the East of the Niger.

It was for this reason that Imilar was dubbed the mother of employment even though she was not the State’s chief executive at that time. Surely, she deserves support in Warri-North and beyond for a third term.

Mr Okofu Ubaka, a social critic, wrote from Koko, Delta State.