Olu of Warri revalidates 7 more traditional chiefs

THE Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, on Saturday, re-affirmed seven more traditional chiefs in Iwereland as the chieftaincy revalidation exercise enters its second day. 

The exercise was sequel to an earlier public notice by the monarch announcing the dissolution of the traditional council of chiefs and other committees in the kingdom. 

The re-validation of the traditional titles took place at Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri), the cradle of the Itsekiris in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. 

Among those whose traditional titles were revalidated at Saturday’s ceremony included Chief Isaac Jemide (Otsodin), Chief Sunday Rone (Obazuaye), Chief (Sir) P. D. Yalaju (Kenekuniraro) and Chief Francis Omatseye (Edigbe). 

Others were Chief Oma Eyewuoma (Aboludero), Chief (Dr.) Mark Erumi (Chaplin) and Chief Richmond McGray (Oritseboluwo). 

Out of the 11 titles listed for reaffirmation on Saturday for the second batch, only seven were present and had their chieftaincy titles revalidated. 

Among the four chiefs, who were not on ground, were the Ologbotsere, Ayirimi Emami, whose suspension has remained controversial, and House of Representatives member, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, who is said to be out of town at the moment. 

The seven chiefs, whose titles were revalidated in line with the Itsekiri custom and tradition, however, reaffirmed their moral and financial supports for the socio-economic agenda of His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III to transform Warri kingdom. 

One of the lucky chiefs, Chief Richmond McGray, who is the Oritseboluwo of Warri Kingdom, underlined the significance of the ritual exercise. 

“It affords the king to know his inherited chiefs and familiarise himself with them in actualizing his progressive agenda,” the United Kingdom-based industrialist said. 

Chief McGray enjoined well-meaning Itsekiris, home and abroad, to partner His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III through the establishment of cottage industries to arrest unemployment and empower Itsekiri youths and women. 

The chieftaincy revalidation/confirmation exercise, which has been scheduled in batches and started on September 2 to end September 9, continues on Monday with the third batch. A total of 85 traditional chiefs, home-based and abroad, were expected to undergo the ritual and fun-filled revalidation ceremony. 

Meanwhile, Governor of Ekiti State and chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Saturday, praised the Olu of Warri for reinventing Nigeria in the eyes of world with his soul-searching and inspiring speech shortly after his coronation. 

Fayemi, who paid a courtesy visit to the Olu in his palace in Warri, Delta State, further said the ascension of His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III to the throne was a sign of possibilities for the country. 

“We know that it is a sign of what is ahead of us, a sign of the possibilities in our nation. “It is a sign that whatever the challenges are – that we may be going through the valleys, hills, the meandering lines – what is clear is that this nation is on the path to positive development,” the governor predicted. 

Beginning his remark, Dr Fayemi said: “It is my pleasure and delight to be here before you. On behalf of the Nigerian Governors, the 35 of us, apart from myself here, you have received over the last two weeks, some individual visits from some of our members notably the governor of Kebbi, Delta have been here for the thanksgiving. 

“All over the world, we have been enthused, honoured as a people. You have invented Nigeria in the eyes of the world. For those of us who are Omoluabi from the roots, we thank God for your coronation. It was most organised. Your ascension to the throne is not just an indication of a positive development to happen in the kingdom, it is a positive signal that the best is yet to come in our country.”

 

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