Emami Pokes Critics: You can’t give me name that’s not mine

Prominent Niger Delta figure and prime promoter of Itsekiri tradition, Chief Ayirimi Emami, has bare fang at his critics, saying no one can give him name that is not his, because of his stance for the truth and the edict.

Chief Emami, who stated that those ignoring the 1979 Traditional Rulers and Chief Edict, want to destroy Itsekiri Nation, said his critics will gather, but the ancestors will scatter them.

Whilst declaring that he does not enter Ogbowuru in secret, Chief Emami, who was installed Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom by the 20th Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, asserted: “I never knew I would be Akulagba, let alone Ologbotsere. What I held yesterday, it's what I'm still holding today. If you don't build the foundation of a house strongly, you will continue to have problems with the building, irrespective of the religious leaders you visit.”

Chief Emami, dancing to melodious Itsekiri song

Emami, spoke in Itsekiri Language, while addressing Ologbotsere Descendants, Sunday January 25, at Ologbotsere Hall in his palatial home at Egbokodo, Warri in Delta State, during the first prayer session (temotsi) held by Ologbotsere Descendants in the year 2026.

“Only the blessing of Itsekiri is my interest. If you don't curse me, they won't know I am existing. No publicity is bad. They will gather, but the ancestors will scatter them. It's getting closer, the blind and deaf, would call their father's names.

Beautifully dressed traditional dancers

“If you want my word, I want yours. If you fight me, I fight you. It will be well with Itsekiris. Only God can give you name, no one else. No one can deceive me. If Itsekiri does what is right, Itsekiri will go forward. Itsekiri is only known for truth and whosoever wants to pressure me against speaking the truth, the good ancestors will answer that person.

“I always pick Itsekiri interests above my personal interest. Those who claim to have money in Itsekiri land today, will choose money ahead of Itsekiri. But I haven't tabled my interest before the President (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) it's been about Itsekiri. They should go and ask the governor (Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori) if I have spoken to him about myself. Many people abusing me, do that because of petty money. I won't switch from my position. It will be well for those standing for me and Itsekiri Nation.

A cross section of some of Olori-Ebis/representatives of Ologbotsere Descendants

“I have prayed for the good of Tinubu, Sheriff, Ereyitomi (Chief Thomas Ereyitomi) myself and others, who wish me well. The Olori - Ebis of Ologbotsere, have prayed for me and I prayed for them also” he emphasized.

Warri-based Legal Practitioner and Descendant of Ologbotsere, Barr. Clem Omotoye, who spoke to newsmen on the sidelines of the temotsi, explained that the gathering was to offer prayers to the good ancestors.

Barr. Omotoye, stated that Chief Emami never envisaged he was going to be Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, adding that it was His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse II (the 19th Olu of Warri) that personally invited the then Ayirimi Emami and told him that he wanted to confer the title Akulagba to him.

“In as much as we don’t trust some palace chiefs in Itsekiri as at today, I can still mention one Chief Yalaju, was present when Ayiri went to answer the call of Ogiame Atuwatse II. But when Ayiri got there, he outrightly rejected it at first, but in Itsekiri culture, it is forbidden to reject such an offer from His Majesty. So, they quickly intervened and he obeyed the elders and accepted the title of Akulagba.

Some prominent Ologbotsere Descendants, present

“When Ogiame Ikenwoli ascended the throne, he elevated Chief Ayiri from Akulagba to Ologbotsere, subject to recommendation by the Ologbotsere Family, that was how he became the Ologbotsere, it was not something that was done in the dark.

“It beats my imagination that somebody will sit somewhere and believe that what our forefathers and two previous kings did, were lies. What they are saying, is that our forefathers were not wise enough, that those kings were not wise enough to confer Ayiri with the title”, the legal practitioner, averred.

Highpoints of the ceremony, were prayers for Ologbotsere Descendants and Itsekiri Nation by Chief Ayirimi Emami, prayers for Chief Emami by Olori-Ebis/representatives of the eleven visible Ologbotsere families as well as traditional dances.

Audio/Video Credit: Hitler Blessing

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