EPZ: Olu of Warri Advises His Subjects to Imbibe Spirit of Peace …As AIPA Makes Him Grand Patron

By Francis Sadhere

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli has advised the Itsekiri people to imbibe the spirit of peace and work together as one indivisible unit and ensure that the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project will be completed without hitches.

Secretary of the the Ogidigben Export Processing Zone Committee (EPZ), Dr. Ayo Ayomike disclosed this to newsmen, today when the committee paid the Olu Of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli, a courtesy visit in line with the culture of the Iwere people.

Speaking to journalists after the closed door meeting with the Warri monarch, Dr. Ayomike said the committee decided to have a meeting with the Olu of Warri to intimate him about the activities of the committee.

During the meeting with the king, his body language was like that of a father and son relationship. He told us that there is need for us to embrace ourselves as brothers and sisters, imbibe the culture of maintaining peace so that the project can bring development to the entire community, he added.

He said their visit to the monarch was to let him know that the committee is working as one indivisible body that is ready to take the Itsekiri nation to the next level, adding that they were also in the palace to seek his support for the committee.

He said: The King of the Itsekiri is the rallying point of all Itsekiri people. So it is a thing of joy to every Itsekiri person that we have a new king. This visit is to identify with him by way of paying homage to him. Secondly, the king also comes from Ogborodo and the project that we are talking about is sited in Ogborodo community, and the committee that has come to visit him is to let him know that this committee is in place and we want to continue to inform him about the progress we are making and if there are ways he could be of assistance to us in form of an advocacy, we will want him to do that for us.

When asked if the crisis between the Itsekiri people that had earlier led to the disruption of the project has been amicably resolved, Dr. Ayomike said both parties have resolved all differences they had in the past and that they were ready to work for the good of the community.

We have put whatever had happened behind us and if you are a follower of events you will also know that Pa. J.O.S. Ayomike was at the community to put a final say in all the disputes we have had in the past. Yes, we have put what has happened behind us and we are working as brothers and sisters, ensuring that what belongs to the community comes to the community and peace is maintained in the place, he said.

He noted Nigeria has a gas master plan and that Ogidigben gas project is part of that master plan, noting that considering the dwindling prices of oil in the world, Nigeria cannot afford to ignore the gas sector.

Meanwhile, the Association of Itsekiri Performing Artiste (AIPA) also visited the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, to pay homage to the monarch as it is demand by the custom of the Iwere people at this time of the year.

Members of the Association, who came to pay their homage to the Olu of Warri at his palace in Warri, came in their numbers in solidarity with the spirit of the season.

President of AIPA, Mr. Alex Eyengho who spoke to journalists immediately after paying homage to the king said this was the maiden visit of AIPA to the king, adding that the king being the custodian of the Itsekiri customs and tradition, decided to let the monarch know that they are working seriously to ensure that they promote Itsekiri customs and traditions across the globe.

He said; The Olu of Warri is the custodian of Itsekiri customs and traditions. This association (AIPA) is set up to promote and project Itsekiri customs and traditions in all ramifications, both locally and internationally. The immediate past Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, was the grand patron of this association. So we pleaded to the new monarch to take over the baton of the late Olu, which he gladly accepted.

“We have also told him that we are always available for his service anytime he needs us to actualize his desires. If you heard his speech on December 12, the king talked about the revival of the Itsekiri culture and we told him that as members of AIPA, we are very ready for him to use us as tools to achieve his desires of reviving our language, culture and traditions.

He added that the king is worried that children that are brought up in Warri and outside Warri can no longer speak the Itsekiri language, adding that “this development is very challenging and as artistes, this is where the AIPA comes in to help the monarch to actualize his desire.”