By Francis Sadhere
The people of Itsekiri nation together with their neighboring communities during the weekend set aside their differences and gathered together in unity to pay their last respect to their late monarch, Ogiame Atuwatse II, at Ode Itsekiri (Big Warri), Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State.
Sons and daughters of Itsekiri nation both home and abroad gathered at Ode Itsekiri to pay their last respect to their departed monarch at a colorful ceremony which saw the showcasing of the rich cultural heritage of the Itsekiri nation.
The ceremony which kicked off with the opening of the vale that housed the catafalque that symbolically contained the remains of the late monarch, saw traditional dancers dancing the egele dance, a secret traditional dance and bowing to the catafalque to show their last respect to the king.
Speaking on the significant of the occasion, a prominent Itsekiri Chieftain, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, the Egba of Warri Kingdom, described the occasion as a unifying factor for the Itsekiri people, saying that the crown is the only thing holds the Itsekiri people together.
She said: “I can tell you that when it comes to the Itsekiri crown, we are one united people. We may quarrel among ourselves and have our differences, but when the Olu tells us to come together we will obey. When he tells us to stop fighting, we stop immediately. So you can see that that is the beauty of an Olu in Warri kingdom.
Chief Lori-Egbebo while saying that the celebration was a day of mixed feelings, noted that the Itsekiri nation is happy that the selection process of the Olu designate went on smoothly and peacefully without any hitches.
Chief Yaya Pessu, Ojomo of Warri and Chairman, Traditional Council of the Warri Kingdom, speaking on the significant of the occasion said it is all about fun fair, entertainment and sharing in honour of the departed monarch.
Chief Pessu said, “The interment has already been done earlier during the Iken rites, but we believe the soul of the dead does not journey to final rest until all the rites are performed. The final rites is why we are gathered now”
Barrister Robinson Ariyo who also spoke to newsmen during the occasion, also noted that the crown is the magnifying and unifying factor that units the Itsekiri people together, adding that irrespective of the political divisions and interests, the crown is a unifying point for all Itsekiris.
He said Warri Kingdom which has been around for over five hundred years old, has a rich cultural heritage, adding that witnessing the burial of an Olu is gifted experience that cannot be taken for granted because it does not happen often.
He said: “What is happening today is divinely ordained. A lot Itsekiris have had issues of disunity for a very long time. For me the only one point agenda of the new Olu of Warri is unification of the Itsekiris. I can imagine that this is brewing in his mind right now. I believe he is the only person that can spearhead that unity for now. This period is a period that God has made to redress all injuries and to heal all wounds of all Itsekiris.”
Also speaking to journalists, Chief Charles Sidi Ikomi, the Ero of Warri Kingdom said the crown is the only thing that units the people of the kingdom, adding that they have only one crown that is recognized in the kingdom.
The Olori-Ebi of Warri Kingdom, Chief Andrew Duakpama Ayu, on his part, said the Itsekiri people are proud of their crown and that they are ready to give their blood for the crown.
He said the traditional burial rite of the departed Olu which will last for the next fourteen days, will be witnessed by representatives of all the communities in the kingdom, stressing that over fifty traditional dances will be performed during the period.
On his part, Prince Yemi Emiko, a prince of the Warri Kingdom, said the significant of the occasion is that Ode Itsekiri community, the venue of traditional rites, is the traditional headquarters of the Itsekiri kingdom, noting that that is where the real Warri started before they started migrating to other communities now called Warri.
While saying that though it is not possible to have a united Itsekiri nation just like every other nation, Prince Emiko stressed that there is no division among the Itsekiri people, adding that the crown is what makes the Itsekiris a unique people.
“Politics should not cause any bitterness among families. But there is no division among the Itsekiris. We all have a rallying point ant that point is the crown. Their is no Itsekiri man that will not pay his allegiance to the crown. We all owe our allegiance to the crown and that is what makes us unique.
Prince Emiko assured the people that new Olu-designate is going to provide the necessary leadership needed to move the kingdom forward, adding that leadership is key factor for any king who wants to rule people well.
