Olu Of Warri Denies His Christian Faith To Retains Traditional Title

After a protracted battle, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, has denied his Christian faith, thereby retaining his “Ogiame” traditional title.

Despite an early Tuesday morning downpour in Warri, thousands of men, women and youth of Itsekiri stormed the streets in protest against the Monarch’s new-found Christian faith, compelling him to renounce his faith, and to retain his title.

The Monarch had on 4 September renounced the title on the ground that he had found a new life in Christianity and was born again, an action his people said was against their tradition.

We've been follwing this news and it was quite surprising to see the outcome. The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase II, announced the abolition of some of the ancient Itshekiri cultural practices on September 4th  in a document titled “The New Order of Iwere Kingdom.”

The Olu of Warri in said in the document;
“I also repent for the name and title of “Ogiame” that my ancestors and I have borne, as it connotes our allegiance to Umalokun (goddess of the river) and other deities of the sea, all of which are false gods. Today, I renounce our allegiance to Umalokun and other gods of the sea, land and sky. On behalf of the royal bloodline, the throne, the people of Iwere land, I publicly enter into a new covenant with God.”


The “Ogiame” title which had been in existence for over 500 years would no longer exist because it is purportedly associated to a river goddess. He now only wants to serve one God.

It seems that the pressure from his people has been too much for him as he has since retracted his statement. He met yesterday with the chiefs and agreed to retain the Ogiame title, which means “King of all Water gods and goddesses.”

The Itsekiri elders under the aegis of Itsekiri Elders and Leaders of Thought, after several hours of deliberations and consultations on Monday, had given the Olu of Warri 48 hours to rescind his declaration or abdicate the throne.

Women were mobilized to cook for the protesters who camped beside the king’s palace just as masquerades were seen all over the place.

It was observed that the royal father had bowed to the pressure when cannon shots were fired at about 11:30pm, which was very unusual.

Shortly after, the Warri Council chiefs emerged from the palace to drop the cheering news that the king had rescinded his decision to the protesters amidst wild jubilation.

Spokesman of the council Chief, Charles Ikomi told the crowd that the Olu of Warri had accepted to “drop the issue”.

Chief (Mrs) Rita Lori-Ogbebor lauded the angry Itsekiris, comprising old men, women and youths for their peaceful protests in the past few days and urged them to return to their various homes because “our monarch has dropped the issue”.

The message was brief, but the protesters were satisfied and went into wild jubilation, while the masquerades spiced the occasion with different traditional dances.

Another round of cannon shot was fired after the message was delivered, signalling the Itsekiris’ acceptance of the new position of their royal father.

It was gathered that the Council of Chiefs, thereafter returned to the palace to thank the Monarch for the decision, while the celebration lasted.

The Ogiame title, which Olu chose in the 80s during his coronation is second to none in the Itsekiri nation.

We're praying that God will help this King.


Source: Daily Post