Itsekiri: One Nation, One King

on April 26, 2015 / in Viewpoint 8:35 pm / Comments














By Michael Tidi

The Itsekiri nation of Delta State has kick-started the 28th coronation anniversary of their revered monarch, Ogiame Atuwatse II, the Olu of Warri. There is no gainsaying the fact that there are many reasons for His Royal Majesty, the 19th Olu of Warri to celebrate his 28th years on the throne of his forefathers. But one that may unarguably stand out which all and sundry will readily extol is his steadfastness in upholding the dignity of his highly respected throne in this epoch, where such quality and uprightness have become a rarity. His resoluteness in this regard spanned through the years right from when he ascended the throne on May 2, 1987. In the Olu, is the quintessential King, desirous by any lover or stickler of the traditional institution. To any Itsekiri indigene, there is every cause to proudly identify with the great Monarch.

Any treatise on the Warri Monarch on this occasion of his 28th coronation anniversary can only be sufficiently explored by a fully homegrown indigene, considering his naturally quiet nature. Alternatively, an ardent historian or follower of the Warri monarchy may go a long way in doing justice to such discourse. The need for this is quite important in order to have facts well presented. A correct presentation besides serving as a well-deserved tribute to one of the greatest royal fathers of our time also will provide a good reference point in the future. In as much as I have resisted the temptations of penning this treatise, bearing in mind the fact that I am not really equipped enough but I could not but cave in to the urge of joining in the euphoria of the moments, if only as a mark of respect to my beloved monarch.

Looking critically at the composition of the present Delta State, it might not be out of place to posit that it falls into the category of one of the most complex states in the federation. As a matter of fact, it could be succinctly referred to as a miniature “United Tribes of Nigeria”. This is simply because of the diverse ethnic nationalities that constitute the state. That the complexities of the state occasionally bring about bickering among the varied tribes, particularly within Warri metropolis is a statement of fact that cannot be in doubt. However, it is somewhat to the credit of the Warri Monarch that despite this compound attribute, the Itsekiri people have remained a united tribe under one King. The foregoing readily showcases nothing but the administrative expertise and fatherly capabilities of the Olu, as the traditional head in fostering unity amongst these numerous tribes.

Curiously, what becomes of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality post-2015 remains in many respects an issue that continues to bother the minds of many of my fellow Itsekiris. Since the incumbent Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan is an Itsekiri, it is felt in certain quarters that the fortunes of the Itsekiri will plummet come May 29 when he eventually hands over the state’s baton to our Governor-elect.
Before Nigeria was created, the Itsekiri nation was already on the world map, to the extent of exchanging ambassadors with Portugal, then a world power. After Nigeria was created the Itsekiris remained a force to be reckoned with in the colonial era. The Itsekiris were such a factor in Nigerian history that the defeat of Nana Olomu, a Niger Deltan potentate, became one of the high points of the British conquest of Nigeria. When independence dawned in 1960, one of the iconic faces of the new nation and probably Nigeria’s most colorful politician till date was an Itsekiri man in the person of the unforgettable Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh. Today, we can all be proud of the fact that we have an Olu in the person of Ogiame, Atuwatse II, one of the most illustrious monarchs in Nigeria.

To my Royal Father who has demonstrated a religious devotion to the dignity of the traditional institution, I say long may you live.

HAPPY 28TH CORONATION ANNIVERSARY SIR!!!

*Tidi, an offspring of the Royal Ejo family, writes from Warri.
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Congratulations