Breaking News

Thousands of Women Plan Protest Against Olu of Warri


Thousands of Women Plan Protest Against Olu of Warri 

At least 5,000 women are going to storm the palace of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase II, on September 10, 2013, Tuesday, to protest the monarch’s decision to abolish some of the ancient Itshekiri cultural practices.
The protesters are expectedly to be dressed in symbolic red attire as a sign of danger for the monarch.
Atunwase II had on September 4, 2013, Wednesday, declared in a document titled, “The New Order of Iwere Kingdom,” that the “Ogiame” title which had been in existence for over 500 years would cease to exist following the recent consecration of the kingdom to God. “Ogiame” means “King of the River,” according to the history behind the Itsekiri throne.
Dr. Alex Ideh, a former Commissioner in Delta State, however, urged the monarch “to rescind and recant immediately his declaration or abdicate the throne.” The ex-Commissioner added that Atunwase II did not
consult the Itsekiri Traditional Council of Chiefs and Ruling Houses before his decision to denounce the title of Ogiame.
“Any action otherwise will make him (monarch) face the wrath of the Itsekiri people. The issue of religion being canvassed in the monarch’s declaration are his personal views. He could not railroad the nation to accept those views or obliterate the history of the people,” Dr. Ideh stated.
Also, Itsekiri Leaders of Thought in a statement by its leaders, J.O.S Ayomike, Chief I.O Jemide (Secretary) and eight others stated, “The part of the (Olu’s) statement which alleges that the Itsekiri religion is fetish and that the Itsekiris are non-Christians is a misrepresentation of the well-known documented historical fact that Christianity actually started in Warri/Benin region in the early 16th Century and about eight of the 19 Olus got baptised as Christians.
“Itsekiri as a nation cannot be said to have covenant with Umalokun. There may be pockets of Itsekiri people who do. Everyone has freedom of worship as it is done everywhere. Religion is a personal matter,” the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought concluded.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS