Chief Ayirimi Emami, the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom has urged Itsekiris people living in major cities and towns across the world to return to their various homelands, particularly communities in the riverine areas, to celebrate this year’s yuletide.
Chief Emami, who had been in court to challenge his suspension as Ologbotsere of Warri by a faction of the Ginuwa Ruling House and the processes that led to the emergence of Prince Tsola Emiko as Olu of Warri, said that the yuletide provides a unique opportunity for Itsekiri sons and daughters to bond together.
He said, ” As a young man raised in the ocean locked Ugborodo Community, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, I know the necessity of encouraging Iwere sons and daughters to frequently visit their aboriginal communities, invest in socio-economic structures and set up machinery for the sustainable infrastructural and political development of the communities”.
He said attempts by some unscrupulous elements to tarnish his reputation will not deter him from advancing the cause of the Itsekiri Nation.
“The orchestrated plot by a few Itsekiris to blackmail, intimidate me and tarnish my hard-earned reputation, for reasons best known to them, will not deter me from advancing Itsekiri culture and tradition as well as firmly pursuing the rule of law, which the Warri Kingdom is known and respected for, across the world.”
” It is ridiculous to press criminal charges against me for a purported missing royal crown of Warri Kingdom, when the identity of persons that invaded the Olu Palace Warri a few months ago and laid siege there for two weeks, is known to the security agencies and members of the public, especially my fellow Itsekiris”.
“Just like the legal proceedings I instituted regarding my purported suspension as Ologbotsere of Warri by a section of the Ginuwa Ruling House and the controversy surrounding the succession battle for the 21st Olu of Warri, I will go the full legal throttle to exonerate myself from the criminal charges levelled against me and ensure those responsible for the alleged stolen crown, face justice”.
” Everybody knows I know nothing about the crown. As a thoroughbred Itsekiri son with good knowledge of our rich history and culture, I know the implication of stealing a royal crown and I will never commit such a sacrilege”.
“I have forgiven those fighting me, including persons doing so as a result of ignorance or avoidable petty jealousy, because whatever I have achieved in life and will continue to achieve, is by God’s grace and hard work.”
