I used my money to build Ode - Itsekiri after Warri crisis, Chief Emami spits afresh

Prime advocate of Itsekiri culture and tradition, Chief Ayirimi Emami, says he used his money to commence the rebuilding of Ode - Itsekiri (Big Warri) after the Ijaws burnt the town often referred to as the traditional headquarters of Itsekiri people, during the last Warri crisis.                           

Chief Emami, who made the declaration in Warri, Delta state, Friday March 1, at the Night of tributes organized by the Ologbotsere Eyinmisan Descendants of Warri Kingdom, in memory of the life and times of Late Pa Samuel B. Odia Okorodudun, said he built the palace of Ogiame, Erejuwa and Ogbowuru hall in Ode - Itsekiri with 1/3 of the profit he made from Chevron's EGTL contract. 

Chief Emami (right) performing Itsekiri traditional prayer at the ceremony        

According to him, apart from Chief Thomas Ereyitomi that supported him in the Ode - Itsekiri rebuilding project post Warri crisis, others who executed EGTL contract with him refused to support his initiative, after he was told by the then Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II to embark on the rebuilding project however way it suits him.                                 

Whilst noting that he saw the now controversial Edict guiding succession to the throne of the Olu of Warri for the first time in 2015 at the transition of Ogiame Atuwatse II, when he insisted that the heir apparent to the throne must be the transited Monarch's son, Chief Emami who spoke in Itsekiri Language, added that he never imagined he would be Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom later, when other chiefs bluntly told him in 2015 that Itsekiri follows the Edict in selecting a new king, in the event of the transition of a reigning Monarch.                                     

Emami, a renowned Itsekiri rights activist and popular chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, poured encomiums on the late Pa Samuel Okorodudun, saying: "He was a man who stood by the truth and refused to compromise, despite various entreaties to him by those who compromised and disregarded the Itsekiri law (Edict) guiding the succession to the throne of the Olu of Warri. "I did not know the late Odia. He came to my house sometime in 2012/2013 to discuss the case in court where he is a plaintiff about the ownership of Bobi community, which he said is owned by the Ologbotsere. That's when and how we met and bonded, until his unfortunate passing.      

From left: Barr. Clem Omotoye, Chief Ayirimi Emami, Mr. Alex Eyengho, Mr. Bunmi Ireyefoju & others

"He was a great and forthright man, a rare breed in Itsekiriland. He was very committed to Ologbotsere Descendants' interest and Itsekiri interest generally. He was in the league of the likes of the late Chief Isaac Jemide and Mr. William Anukun (Alamakuga), who both stood up for the truth."

On the lingering divide in Warri Kingdom over the successor of His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, the 20th Olu of Warri, Chief Emami, averred: "All I did was to defend, protect and enforce the extant laws (Edict) guiding the succession to the throne of the Olu of Warri. I did not make that law. I saw it for the first time in 2015, after the 19th Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse II, CON, joined his ancestors. It was the same law that was used to crown Ogiame Ikenwoli, the 20th Olu of Warri. I am confident that God and our ancestors are strongly behind me the steps I have taken thus far since after Ogiame Ikenwoli joined his ancestors. When I sleep, I do so like a baby. I have no HBP. It is those on the other divergent that keep having sleepless nights and serious HBP. The river is stormy now in Warri Kingdom, but I know of a fact that the expected calm is in sight."

Fresh Angle International can report that other members of the Ologbotsere Descendants Worldwide who paid tribute to the late Odia, include Chief Sam Omamuli (Akulagba), Spokesperson, Comrade Alex Eyengho, General Secretary, Besidone Omaghomi, Sir Amorighoye S. Mene, Barr. Clem Omotoye and Solomon Atseponu.     

The remains of Pa Odia will be buried in his hometown, Abigborodo in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, today, Saturday, March 2, 2024.

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