Chief Emami drops hint of incoming INYC leadership, reveals plan to launch book on Ologbotsere family, title

Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and prominent Itsekiri leader, Chief Ayirimi Emami, has dropped hint of the emergence of a new leadership for Itsekiri National Youths Council, INYC, even as he disclosed plans to launch a book that would encapsulate records of the Ologbotsere family, the family’s prestigious title as well as its relationship with succession to the throne of Warri Kingdom.

Chief Emami, who was installed Ologbotsere of Warri by the 20th Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, also announced the release of twenty million naira (N20,000,000.00) to an Itsekiri traditional dance group (Tubala Group) to release music that would tell the story of Ologbotsere family, its title and related issues.

Fresh Angle International can report that Chief Emami made the disclosure, while addressing Ologbotsere descendants, Saturday September 6, at his palatial residence in Warri, Delta State.

He asserted: “Today, we will set a committee that will write a book of all the happenings about Ologbotsere and the family title, the book will be launched.

“The role everybody played (good or bad) will be in the book, I am at the helm of affairs. Music will be released to that effect and N20million be made available for production of the music. I never knew I would be Ologbotsere, but it is in the hands of God and the good ancestors.

“If the enemies at home are fighting you, it is stronger than the enemies outside. I did not take anybody’s wife, I did not take their children. Because I am doing what is right, that’s why they are making me enemy.” 

A cross section of Ologbotsere descendants present

While stating that it takes youths to install youth leadership and thereafter the youth leadership would seek elderly blessings, Chief Emami, who spoke in Itsekiri Language (here interpreted) averred: “Na youth Dey install youth, after that, they will now seek for blessing. It won’t be long from now, Itsekiri will install youth leadership. We install leadership, not because of money, but those (youths) that have the pain of Itsekiri Nation.”

On the state of Itsekiri Nation, he stated inter-alia: “My people in Gbaramatu, will say Ayiri, you are our brother, it is the truth. Same would be said by the Urhobos and Ilajes, but what I will never accept, is allowing one tribe to take what belongs to another.

“If you lay the wrong foundation, while building a house, the house has missed its way, if you don’t correct the foundation, the house would either crack or collapse one day. May God not allow us (Itsekiri Nation) to have a house that would collapse.

“Itsekiri belongs to all of us, not one person. He who wants equity, must come with clean hands. 

Some elders & leaders of Ologbotsere family

“Somebody cannot enter house from the window and talk about repentance, that person must first forgive himself. I am pained that people that speak truth in Itsekiri, are all dead.

“Before you talk about peace, you must speak truth to yourself. Itsekiris are civilized people. When we are talking about ward delineation, we will showcase legal and historical documents of ownership of the land. I am in court (referring to succession controversy in Warri Kingdom) even if it takes ten years, I will be patient. 

“I am a very patient person, if you want calmness, I will give you, but if you want it hot, then we will go hot. Itsekiri pass home video. Ologbotsere descendants, are on the right path, they should not be afraid or lose focus.”

According to Chief Emami, those who initially scorned him for campaigning for Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress in the 2023 general elections, have come to join him in the party.

“They all attacked me for carrying APC, now they have all come to join me in the APC. They are now saying I should be behind, the ancestors will not allow it.

“I told them during the campaign to support our in-law, they refused, now they are saying why is our in-law not helping us, why is our in-law not helping Ayiri, did I tell them I am hungry?” he stated.

Cross section of some elders & leaders of Ologbotsere family present

Spokesperson of Ologbotsere descendants worldwide, Mr. Alex Eyengho, who also spoke to newsmen after the family’s routine meeting, said the desired unity in Warri Kingdom, is still elusive four years after the succession controversy in Itsekiri Nation.

Eyengho, opined: “The desired unity we have been looking for in the past 4 years, is still elusive, Itsekiri is not united, despite all efforts that have been laid from the left, right, back and front, it’s not working, people are even getting the Itsekiri more divided from top to bottom.

“For peace and unity in Itsekiri land, there must be repentance. True reconciliation, repentance should start from the top and that’s our position as a family.”

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