The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II has said the emergence of 37-year-old Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, as the new Olu of Warri, will mark the beginning of another phase in the history of Itsekiri people.
This is as Ooni Ogunwusi described the late Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli as a natural traditional ruler who meant well for his people and who in his five years as king contributed immensely to the upliftment of the age-long relationship of the Itsekiri and Yoruba nations.
His assertions were contained in a press release signed by Moses Olafare, the Director of Media and Public Affairs to the Ooni and made available to DAILY POST on Sunday.
While commending the Itsekiri people for their adherence to norms, culture and the inherited traditions in the selection of the Olu-designate, Ooni Ogunwusi hinted that he looked forward to peace, concord and progress across Itsekiri land during his reign.
“We are proud of the relationship between the Yoruba and our Itsekiri brothers and sisters. We cherish the shared history, common ancestry, common spirituality, shared fears and aspirations.
“Our forefathers stood by each other in thick and thin. They stood shoulder-to-shoulder as one indivisible entity. We hope to keep this precious gift they left for us. We cherish this important history. We shall guide it and defend it to the good of the great civilisations of Itsekiri and Yoruba people, a memory that has survived decades of travails and trials.
“Since the first Olu, Iginuwa emerged several decades ago, we have continued to build on mutual respect and trust founded on timeless relationship, culture and an unbroken chain between the Yoruba and Itsekiri people. The Itsekiri represent a formidable dominion in the history of Oduduwa dynasty”, he added.
The Ooni revealed that he has followed the development in Warri with keen interest adding that peace is the utmost desire.
“We want to see Itsekiri land witness more prosperity, more fertility, more harmony and peace of mind with their neighbours towards a more united and better Nigeria.
“Ooni Ogunwusi while consoling with the Itsekiri nation over the passage of their revered monarch noted that he was a fantastic leader and a highly respected member of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN).
According to him, “He was passionate about harmonious coexistence among the Yoruba, Edo and Itsekiri nations in particular. We related very closely, we exchanged royal visits, we agreed, just like our predecessors to ensure stronger ties.
“May his soul rest in the perfect peace and may the Almighty uphold the family he left behind and give them the fortitude to bear the loss his demise has caused.”
