Itsekiri women protest alleged disappearance of 400-yr-old crown
… vow to go naked on the streets if crown is not returned within three days.
By Our Correspondent
Hundreds of women in Itsekiri kingdom from Warri South and Warri South West, council areas of Delta State, on Friday gathered at the famous Okere round about protesting the alleged disappearance of their kingdom’s 400 years old crown and symbol of the Itsekiri monarchy.
The placards carrying women walked from the Okere round about to the Palace of the Olu of Warri, to register their displeasure over the missing crown.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards reads; “We are mothers in Itsekiri land. We are angry,” “We are crying to our ancestors to avenge those involved in the missing crown,” “This has never happened in Itsekiri land in over 400 years of our existence,” “Ancestral curses on all those who responsible for the missing crown,” etc.
It will be recalled that the alleged missing crown which is still under investigation by the zone 5, disappeared days after some interested parties in the succession battle invaded the palace (Aghofe) in the Warri metropolis.
The development was confirmed by high ranking chief and other members of the Itsekiri royal family.
The women said they were not going to sit down and fold their arms while some individuals in the kingdom cause division in the kingdom.
They said they were giving those who stole their crown three days to return their crown, warning that if at the expiration of the three days ultimatum the crown is not returned, all the old women in the kingdom will come out half naked to lay a curse on those who stole the crown.
Mrs Tina Edon, one of the women who spoke to Journalists during the peaceful protest said all they wanted was for those who stole their crown to return it.
“We need this crown back because this crown is the reason why we are called Itsekiris. The crown makes us. The crown is our heritage. It is what brings the Itsekiri nation together..
“You can see our mothers here crying and speaking in one voice. We need our crown back because without that crown the crowning of the next king will not be a success.
“The people of Itsekiri nation need the crown. Itsekiris in diaspora need the crown, our king needs the crown. Let us come together and fight for our right, and our right is having the crown back,” Mrs Edun said.
Another woman who also spoke on behalf of the women, Mrs Favour Efejuku, said they embarked on the peaceful protest to appeal to those who stole their crown to return it back to where they took it from.
“We are here this morning to protest the missing crown of our kingdom. We are pleading with those who stole the crown to return it because it our crown and not their crown,” Mrs Efejuku said.
