The Itsekiri are Yoruba being children of Oduduwa, the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1 has said.
The referred traditional ruler spoke during the visit of royal Warri Chiefs and other Itsekiri leaders to the Alaafin in the ancient Oyo town, which royal pedigree was established around 1100 AD.
At the palace, a prominent journalist, Adewale Adeoye introduced the delegation led by the Iyasere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Johnson Amatsereuleghe who later introduced other members of the delegation
Those in the entourage were
the Egogo Iwere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Barr Robinson Ariyo, the Ogwa or Warri Kingdom,Chief Roland Oritseajafor, the Omotamudieyi of Warri Kingdom Chief Omotolubi Newuwumi and Prince Benson Onuwaje, the Chief Executive Officer, Emirate Logistics whose outfit recently won the Best Security Company in Nigeria Award conferred by the Nigerian Human Rights Community, (NHRC) a coalition of 130 civil society groups across the 36 states of the Federation.
Speaking at the meeting, Iyasere said he brought fraternal greetings from the Olu of Warri Ogiame Atuwatse 11 and the entire people of Warri Kingdom
He described the visit as historic and a deliberate attempt to strengthen the bridge of collaboration and solidarity between Itsekiri and the Yoruba people who are of the same ancestry. He praised the Alaafin for his demonstration of qualitative leadership within the shortest time of his emergence.
The Iyasere said the visit was to congratulate the Alaafin on his new leadership role in Yorubaland and across the world.
He said the Alaafin has come at the right time in history adding that the people are waiting for him to heal the wounds and scars of the past by uniting all children of Oduduwa for peace and prosperity of the people.
He said the Itsekiri in Delta State have suffered political and economic marginalisation dating to decades and that the people have endured so many repression and exclusion that needed to be addressed.
“There is no ambiguity about our Yoruba origin. This is a fact we know. It is evident in our location in Delta, in out language, our culture and the folklore handed over by our forefathers.”
Responding, the Alaafin thanked the delegation for remembering to visit the home and the land of their ancestors.
He said “We are bound by blood. What affects you affects the entire Yoruba people. We have the same history, shared fears and aspirations. We need to work together as one people driven by the same history and destiny,” Oba Owoade told the Warri Chiefs.
Alaafin said apart from the history he knew as a King he had the added advantage of having his National Youth Service, NYSC in Warri Kingdom during which he had first hand information on the culture,heritage and aspirations of Itsekiri land.
The Alaafin said the Yoruba and Itsekiri need to work together adding that what affects Itsekiri also affects the entire Yoruba people.
“We have the same ancestry, history, shared fears and aspirations. We need to work together as one people driven by the same origin and destiny” Oba Owoade told the Warri Chiefs.
Others at the entourage were Secretary, Warri South Local Government, Emmanuel Nunu, Chairman, Warri indigenous Peoples Movement, Hon Kingsley Tenumah Afere and the Secretary, Monoyo Edon, former Director of Protocol to the Delta State Government, Hon Godwin Abigor, former Counsellor, Warri North Local Government, Hon Appearance Afejuku and Itsekiri Community leader, Hon Dere Jarekpe
