By Charles Pemu 
Olu of Warri Calls for Repentance and Unity
WARRI, NIGERIA —The Olu of Warri stressed that genuine peace and unity can only be achieved through a foundation of repentance, arguing that without it, true reconciliation is impossible. He acknowledged that some members of the kingdom remain aggrieved but affirmed that as long as they are Itsekiri, they remain his children.
The monarch used an analogy of a “keeper of the forest” to describe his role, emphasizing that he is responsible for maintaining balance and order within the kingdom.
He called on his people to be kind and supportive of one another, stating, “If we keep perpetuating the notion that we cannot trust ourselves, we are only delaying the breakthrough that we so desperately desire.”
The Olu of Warri’s anniversary has drawn a large turnout from various families, communities, and groups, with his message resonating deeply with those present.
The week-long celebration continues to highlight the rich culture and tradition of the Itsekiri people while addressing the pressing issues of unity and development.
In his address: the Warri Monarch:
4TH CORONATION ANNIVERSARY
Omiwere dede, Mo ki aghan!
Oton mi dede, mo ki aghan!!
ene mu ranran gb’orukor Oluwa
tay S’Oritse, bo ko ene ma ka gha sin?
Ayiri Orukor Oritse gbegberegbe
Onuway, ofor mi a wa yay
mo bie, aghan re tin
We acknowledge the presence of all our dignitaries and guests who have come from far and wide
The representative of HE The Gov of Delta state, Rt Hon Momotimi Guwor. Your excellency, we thank you for the very kind words.
The rep of the SGF
The rep of the DG DSS
The representative of the service chiefs here present
The CP of our great state,
The LG chairmen of Warri north and Warri south.
The representative of our royal brother, Agabaidu, the Onu Igala.
We acknowledge & appreciate your presence here with us today
We thank and appreciate all Omiwere for coming out in their large numbers this week, to join us in celebrating how far God has helped us.
I am truly overwhelmed. I am humbled. We set out in planning to make this years celebration a low key one. But for all that we tried to do, its as though even the land itself did not want it to be quiet or small. For me this is more than a show, or a celebration. It is a sign of God’s kindness, His Blessings and His love towards us.
We will continue to acknowledge this truth and fact in our lives.
In this last year, there have been many storms, many winds, many shakings.
Kenike de, Oritse gbi-ene queer aghan ren
Even though we still have a long way to go, we remain resolute, we remain determined and committed to ensuring that the affairs and direction of the Itsekiri nation, does not go off course.
As we remain alive to our responsibilities, God will bless our efforts and not let us see shame.
And beyond that, He will lead us into the path of reclamation and restoration that comes with recompense.
Amongst us, there are still a few who remain aggrieved, and continue to justify their course of action. As long as they’re Itsekiri, they remain our children.
For as much as we all desire peace and unity, it has to be on the right foundation of repentance, without which, true reconciliation can NOT occur. And as long as those conditions are in place, that door will remain open, and we shall achieve the peace and progress that we all desire as a united people.
We are not under any illusion that this is a kingdom of only domesticated animals. The king is the keeper of the forest, and he is responsible for balancing the ecosystem between the wild and the domesticated animals. And every animal has its use, and it is the responsibility of the keeper of the forest to ensure that the natural equilibrium is firmly in place.
There must be order, and as far as Itsekiri is concerned, the palace under Ogiame, remains the rallying point, and the pace setter for that order.
As father, I encourage you all, let us continue to be kind to one another. Let us be a upportive to each other. Let us Patronise each other and be our brothers keepers.
God has already blessed us. But He will not leave His throne in heaven to come down and help us.
Olaja-yibo nokan, e wa mini m’utieyin gbene
Aghan to su se kpo-nokan, e wa mini m’utieyin gbene
Ene nokan, owun e wa m’utieyin gbar-ene
And if we keep perpetuating the notion, that we cannot trust ourselves, then we are only delaying the breakthrough that we so desperately desire as a people.
We have torn at ourselves and pulled ourselves down long enough.
The truth must be spoken, but it should be spoken in love.
I want to use this as an opportunity to announce, the activation of the Iwere Trust Fund, ITF, of which I am the chairman.
I have personally funded the trust with the amount of N750million. This trust, is for the development of our people and our home.
I am leading by example, and I have put my own resources into this vehicle, that God willing, will inspire much progress and development for our people.
Eyi we, e wa kpin ogho we
(Kpenje no de inside this one)
It is for sewing & cultivating seeds of development for Itsekiri.
I invite all well meaning sons and daughters of Iwere, our friends, our partners, and those that believe in what we are set out to do. Come and join us in this effort to rebuild Iwere Nation.
I continue to encourage every one of you, not to loose hope, and also encourage you, to renew your mind. A former mentor always reminds me when he speaks to me: He quotes the book of 2 Chronicles 2:11 and he always turns that into a prayer: It is because God loved Israel, that He made Solomon King over them.
It is because God loves Itsekiri, that He has given us Ogiame.
Oton mi, God has put the love and care for you my people, in my heart. And He will enable and equip me to adequately manifest that to you.
Not only is our destiny the blessing of this nation, our transformative story, is also the testimony of this nation.
Ale we, wa san gbaghan
E wan su bi gb’aghan
Aranini, we se t’aghan
Emikiko, we se t’aghan
Niba Oritse, Itsekiri ra re n’ogua
D’Oritse gb’aghab winoron
Doh san gb’aghan
Aja mo ki aghan