According to some of the protesters, the traditional ruler recently issued a contentious document titled “The New Order of Iwere Kingdom.” They said the document outlined a proposal to expunge the “Ogiame” title since the kingdom had been consecrated to God. One protesting youth told reporters that the move amounted to a desecration of a title that has been in existence for more than 500 years.
The protesters set a huge bonfire outside the gate of the palace, disrupting social and economic activities as well as vehicular movement in the area. A security official told reporters that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was scheduled to pay a visit to Warri, scratched the visit once he got wind of the crisis. The source disclosed that the governor’s security personnel, press crew and other government officials had earlier arrived in Warri in preparation for his aborted trip. One of the government officials on the governor’s advance team told SaharaReporters that Mr. Uduaghan abandoned his plan to visit to avoid being linked to the crisis.
“His Excellency had planned to visit to Warri to spend the weekend and attend to some state matters, but he doesn’t want to be dragged into the traditional crisis,” the official stated. He added, “We all know that the [traditional] title has been in existence and the governor doesn’t wish to be involved in changing it. So immediately he got wind of the disturbance in Warri concerning the issue, he decided to put off his visit.”
The protesting youths vowed to resist any gimmicks employed to change the traditional title, adding that the traditional ruler was unacceptable to the Itsekiri people. One of the protesters, who simply identified himself as Ayo, stated, “Ogiame simply means ‘King of the River.’”
An elderly Itsekiri chief told reporters that he was supported the youths’ rejection of the embattled traditional ruler’s plan to dump a title that has lasted five centuries. He said the monarch had recently converted to Christianity, renounced allegiance to the “Umalokun” and other gods of the sea, land and sky, and denounced the “Ogiame” title.
A source learnt that, after a recent decision to become a born-again Christian, the traditional ruler renounced all “acts of idolatry within his kingdom and sanctified the land in the name of Jesus Christ.”
Reporters obtained a copy of the document issued by the ruler turned Christian convert. In it, he proclaimed, “Henceforth, I submit and present the title ‘Ogiame’ to God, the creator, who made the sea and rules over all. Therefore, no Olu or person may bear the title or name that now belongs to God.” He added: “I nullify all tokens of libation poured on the land and seas or sprinkled into the air in Iwere land. I frustrate all sacrifices of wine, blood, food, water, kola nuts, and other items (known and unknown) offered in Iwere land.
“In conformity with the new covenant through the blood of Jesus, I release the royal bloodline, the chiefs of the Iwere kingdom, the Iwere people and land, waters and atmosphere of Iwere kingdom from all ties to all other spiritual covenants and agreements.”
The monarch’s statement invoked the authority of the blood of Jesus to “destroy all ancient and new altars in Iwere land not raised up to God.”
His declarations triggered swift reactions from the Emiko royal family. In a petition signed by more than 35 members, the family contended that, when Prince Ginuwa left Benin to become the first Itsekiri monarch about 1480, he received the authority and blessing of his father (Olua, the then Oba of Benin) to reign over the river – hence the title “Ogiame.”
They added that the title “Ogiame” belongs to the Itsekiri people who have used it to address their monarchs, including Christian ones, for more than five hundred years. Admitting that Atuwatse II, as the incumbent Olu of Warri and custodian of the title, has the authority to review aspects of the culture/tradition, they underlined that such reviews must follow due process and be in consultation with Itsekiri stakeholders.
Contacted to comment on the protest, one Omolubi Newuwunmi, alleged to be the mastermind of the protests, declined to speak beyond stating that the matter was already being handled.
Some of the protesters accused Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, an Itsekiri and National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), as well other Itsekiri Christians of pushing the monarch to denounce all deities in the land. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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"If you can not stand the heat, leave the kitchen". You can not serve God and satan at thesame time. Salvation is a personal race.
ReplyDeleteGod pls give us WISDOM to live this life, IJN, AMEN!
Hw will change come to the land if he livs,is it not to b there and bring abt the change if we all run away at a slight challenge wod will become of the children taking the kingdom for Christ.thank God for him for doing this and for his acceptance of God's salation i pray more come to him in Jesus name amen.God please give him more strenght amen
DeleteBold step in the right direction by the monarch. God is your strength and shall see you through
ReplyDeleteGod will fight for you
ReplyDeleteThe declaration has gone forth, power has changed hands ...it cannot be reversed. The King has the authority to do what he did. When light comes you should expect reactions from those who have been benefitting from the activities of darkness. God will strenthen the Olu to stay strong in Jesus Name
ReplyDeleteGod is God..He has cum to tk over d land air nd d seas..drop d kingship nd leave it for d people..as far as u av sanctified d thrown.it is well..
ReplyDeletepeople value darkness to light
ReplyDeleteWarri youth should understand that the only permanent thing is Change.
ReplyDeleteThe good Lord will be his strength. It takes a great amount of courage to do what he has done. Because he has made the Lord God creator of heaven and earth his fortress, It will surely be well with him. Darkness can never overcome light. This is just the beginning. The people of that land should watch out for the movement of the Holy spirit coming their way! :)
ReplyDeleteHe has changed it & so shall it be!!!! Even if he is killed for it , no problem, just rest assured that power HAS indeed changed hands & God Almighty is now in control!!!!
ReplyDeleteLight will always over shadow darkness. The olu has seen the light thanks be to God!
ReplyDeleteWow... what a courageous man and what a wonderful testimony. I hope now that he would be able to affect a positive change in his society. It surprises me though that it is the youth that seem to be following the old ways and not the older people.
ReplyDeleteThat is good of that king. Warri people will start to see the manifestation of God glory. They must surely see the difference btw light and darkness. Nmam from portharcourt
ReplyDeleteGod has come to rescue warri land from the bondage it has been in for over 500 years.May God strengthen the King.
ReplyDelete