By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
AARE Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, says the over 250 million Oodua descendants across the globe are behind the Olu of Warri Kingdom and the entire Iwereland, decreeing that all enemies of the Itsekiri will perish.
AareOnakakanfo addressing the gathering at the palace hall of the Olu of Warri
Speaking at the Olu’s palace during a courtesy visit on Monday after relishing a pulsating rich cultural dance from Okere Itsekiri dance troupe, the Yoruba Generalissimo decreed that all enemies of the people will perish.
That was his second time of visiting the kingdom and he did so with an entourage of nine including Chief Gani Balogun, the Osi AareOnakakanfo of Yoruba land, Professor Kolawole Raheem, Parakoyi AareOnakakanfo of Yoruba land, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige, Baameto AareOnakakanfo of Yoruba land, Chief Dauda Asikolaye, Bareejiro AareOnakakanfo of Yoruba land and the Delta State coordinator of OPC, Chief Olawale Akeem, among others.
At the palace with the Olu of Warri to welcome the AareOnakakanfo and his entourage were the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Oma Eyewuoma, Chief Gabriel Awala, Chief Dr Rowland Oritsejafor, Chief Francis Omatseye, Chief Brown Mene, Chief Dr Ikomi and Chief Mrs Esther Okotiebor, among others.
AareOnakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams in a private chat with the Olu of Warri on their way to the palace hall. Photo: Lord of Warri
In his gigantic white agbada regalia, with a white staff of office to match, the OPC warlord called for a concerted unity of purpose between Yoruba and Itsekiri.
Adams, who arrived at the palace of the Olu at noon with his entourage, made the plea amid rapt attention by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III and his chiefs and subjects in the palace hall.
Adams urged the Itsekiri to be proud of their ancestry, adding that they should not downplay the ancestral affinity between Yoruba and Itsekiri.
He spoke glowingly about the intelligence and panache of the youthful Olu, especially during his enthronement at Ode-Itsekiri on August 21, 2021, declaring him as God’s gift to Iwereland..
Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III
Hear him: “God Almighty gave Itsekiri a gifted king. An orator of the highest order, very intelligent that his profile is highly intimidating. He’s a king who classes himself. He’s highly resourceful and has his people and the entire kingdom in his heart.
“We see Itsekiri as one of the sons of Oodua. Your MC has been trying to play down the Yorubaness of Itsekiri. You need us; we need you. You can’t toy with about 250 million people across the globe. One of the most intelligent black nations of the world.
Iba Gani Adams speaking
“I love the way you cherish your identity and culture. We need ourselves. God will bless Itsekiri people. All your enemies will perish.
Not done, an elated Aare-Onakakanfo declared further; “we need ourselves. Yoruba cannot do without Itsekiri and Itsekiri cannot do without Yoruba.”
While praying against the enemies of Itsekiri, he further assured the Itsekiri of the full support of the Yoruba and the AareOnakakanfo all the way.
“All the enemies of Itsekiri will perish. I assure you Yoruba land is with you. AareOnakakanfo is with you from today. Let the whole world know that we’re ready to stand with the Itsekiri people.
“We have the foundation and the antecedents. Chief Obafemi Awolowo stood with Itsekiri. Late Afred Rewane was with Chief MKO Abiola till the end.
Itsekiri sons and daughters at the gathering
“Nobody can drive you out of your property. You must unite. You have a king that will do that for you. Use his influence to network with people to come and assist you,” he admonished.
He described the stool of the Olu of Warri as so significant that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had to prostrate before it.
“The Olu stool is very important. Obasanjo, one of our great sons of Africa, prostrated before the throne. For Obasanjo, a former president and pan Africanist to have done that, he’s a proud person. So prostrating to the throne means something.
“So I began to ask questions why Chief Obasanjo would postrate to the Olu. Then I realised that 28 per cent of oil wells in Nigeria is in Warri kingdom. Warri is a blessed city. God’ll bless you more.
Entourage of AareOnakakanfo of Yoruba land at palace of the Olu of Warri
“You’ve invoked your ancestors to this place through your cultural displays. I know all the spirits of Itsekiri will stand by you. Traditionally I have the right to defend Oodua descendants anywhere they are in the world.
“When you respect your king, everything will work for you. Your ancestors will fight for Itsekiri. There’ll be no war in Itsekiri land.
Your ancestors will swallow up all your enemies,” the Akoko-born leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC),” prayed.
Responding to the remarks of Iba Adams, the mouthpiece of the Olu of Warri, Chief Brown Mene, acknowledged the largely Yoruba ancestry of the Itsekiri.
He added that the two ethnic nationalities are inseparable and have a lot to benefit from each other if they unite.
“Itsekiri language is Yorubanoid. We know who we are. You cannot speak of Itsekiri without Yoruba. We’re part and parcel together.
“We shall not sink. We shall swim together. The calabash can never go under. From this visit, it shows we’re from the same heritage. Your coming is for a reason. God will fulfil it,” Chief Mene prayed.
Stonix News reports that the courtesy visit of the AareOnakakanfo coincided with the Aghofen watch at the palace for three months by the Okere Itsekiri community which started December 16, 2023, and will end March 16.
The occasion witnessed intermittent interludes of cultural performances by troupes from the Okere Itsekiri and Yoruba settlers in Warri kingdom who also, in their number, welcomed and accompanied the AareOnakakanfo to the palace.
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