Warri Kingdom: Oritsejafor canvasses unity, one mind  as Olu of Warri's reported fusion of Itsekiri youth groups, draws ire of stakeholders

The only Nigerian to have held the positions of President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN and President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, simultaneously, Papa Ayodele Joseph Oritsejafor, has called on Itsekiris to work together in unity, one mind and one voice.                          

Fresh Angle International can report that Papa Oritsejafor made the call at Olu Palace , Warri in Delta State, Saturday August 23, shortly after receiving the award of Royal Order of Iwere, ROI, bestowed on him by The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.                                              

The former President of CAN, who reportedly quoted Biblical texts such as Psalm 133 verse 1,  stated how good and pleasant it is for all to live together in unity, saying " God's blessing will be on Iwere land.                            

The globally renowned Christian cleric of over five decades, proclaimed:" I want to thank you, Ogiame ( Olu of Warri) for the generous and special award.                                

" I am a pastor, I will speak from Psalm 133 verse 1, the Bible says how good and pleasant it is for all to live together in unity.                          

  " God's blessing will be on Iwere land. His blessing, will be on Iwere land, as we work together for unity, one mind and one voice."                              

Wife of former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, Dr. Helen Boyo Ekwueme, Oil and Gas magnate, Dr. Ebi Omatsola, Mr. Oti Ikomi and Mrs. Tara Fela Durotoye, a top beautician, were also conferred with the honour introduced 2024 by the Warri Monarch.                                    

Speaking after honouring the eminent Itsekiris, the Olu of Warri, averred: " I congratulate all our recipients today.
"When we put out the Clarion call four years ago and also when we commence the conferment of this award about a year ago, we were not quite ready for the overwhelming response and the success that was going to follow. 

"They are coming in their numbers and their identity that they had publicly shown to the whole world and put their Itsekiri identity at the door, they are turning it around. 

"So we reiterate that call again, all our sons and daughters, come back home, there is so much to do. God is helping us and we will continue to make giant strives in each days and year.

"It crowns the narratives we have been preaching for the past four years. Itsekiri has also been known for pioneering effort and excellence. And we are going to continue to use not just this ROI, but everything that comes out of this act is going to demonstrate excellence and that spirit of excellence is going to flow from the head all the way down to the very large Itsekiri populace.  That's because what you see happening at the top, you will want to emulate it, you will want to replicate it.

"So, we must celebrate people and their achievements that are worth celebrating, celebrating values that are worth celebrating ,because too long we have made excuses in settling for the values that are not inline with our identity. It is time for us to start stepping in the right direction."                                        

Meanwhile, the reported fusion of Itsekiri youth groups by The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, to form Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths, UIY, has drawn the ire of stakeholders in Itsekiri Nation, particularly those referred to as leaders and intermediary leaders.                    

This Newspaper, understands that the king had on Saturday August 23, during the celebration of Itsekiri Youths day, announced the " merger of all existing Itsekiri youth groups" into what he reportedly called Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths, UIY.                          The said announcement by the Monarch, sent shock waves across Itsekiri Nation, as there were agitations as to what would have been the legitimacy of a new leadership that would have emerged in  an election originally fixed for Saturday August 23.                              

As at Sunday morning, many aspirants loyal to key leaders and intermediary leaders in Itsekiri Nation, began reposting their campaign posters in Itsekiri dominated WhatsApp groups,  campaigning to contest various positions in Itsekiri National Youths Council, INYC, despite the Saturday pronouncement by the Olu of Warri.                                            

It may be too early to predict, but there are indications that not less than two leadership of Itsekiri Youths, under the auspices of Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths, UIY and Itsekiri National Youths Council, INYC, may emerge in Itsekiri Nation.

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