By Egufe Yafugborhi

WARRI—LAWYER and Itsekiri rights defender, Chief Edward Ekpoko, has emerged Chairman of ethnic think tank, Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, ILoT.

Ekpoko, the Tolureju of Warri Kingdom, hitherto Secretary of ILoT, was unanimously elevated to chair the body after immediate past chairman, Pa J. O. S. Ayomike stepped down.

A statement, yesterday, by Tony Ede on behalf of the ILoT committee, noted that Pa Ayomike who turns 90 in April, “stepped aside having served the body, Itsekiri nation, Delta State and Nigeria tirelessly for over four decades, to have a deserved rest.

“Similarly, Chief Florence Rewane, who will turn 87 also in April, has requested to take a back-seat in the body by relinquishing her position as Treasurer.”

The newly constituted leadership body headed by Ekpoko now has Sir A. S. Mene as Secretary.

Chief Ekpoko, also Chairman of the Warri Study Group is Chairman, Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri Leaders Forum. A legal practitioner with over 30 years post-call experience, he is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Commonwealth

Lawyers Association, CLA, American Bar Association, ABA and International Bar Association, IBA.