Olu of Warri visits Okowa, Asagba of Asaba and Obi of Owa

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, today, Thursday November 4th pays a thank you visit to the Governor of Delta State, Senator  ifeanyi Arthur Okowa. 

Credit: Ifeanyi Okowa

The Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged the people of Warri kingdom to accept and respect the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, for the institution he represents.

One of the former Itsekiri Chief had approached Warri and Asaba high court seeking legal interpretation of the amended 1979 Olu of Warri Chieftaincy Edict.

Okowa who stated this on Thursday when he received the monarch who visited him at Government House, Asaba, said only God can made a king.

He said, “God makes kings and we must all accept the king that has been installed by God, and we must respect the king and the institution that he represents.

“Let all the chiefs and people of Warri kingdom work with His Royal Majesty to ensure that peace and unity is sustained in the Itsekiri nation, Delta and Nigeria.

“As our nation continues to grapple with security challenges, all Nigerians need to be on bended knees to pray for the peace and development of this country.

“When our religious and traditional rulers are praying for the country and its people, God hears and answers their prayers because they are representatives of the people.

“It is my prayer that under your reign, the Itsekiri nation will have peace and development so that your people will have cause to glorify the name of our God”

Ogiame Atuwatse III had told the governor that this visit was his first official visit outside his the Warri Kingdom since his coronation, adding that his delegation was in Asaba on a thank-you-visit to the Governor for his support during his coronation.

He pledged his commitment to peace and shared prosperity between the Ijaws and Urhobos and other ethnic groups in the state.

He said, “Following my coronation on August 21, this year, we have come to Government House today to express the depth of our gratitude for your demonstrated support and respect for the sanctity of our traditional institution, and the entire Itsekiri nation is saying `thank you’.

“It is noteworthy that our visit to you is our first official visit outside the Warri Kingdom, and this confirms the importance our throne and people attach both to your person and your office.

“On our part, we commit to unwavering support for your visionary leadership and your government’s dedicated effort towards repositioning Delta for sustained growth and development.

“As we strive to drive the course of peace and prosperity in Itsekiri land, we are conscious of the greater goal of engendering peaceful co-existence and shared prosperity with our Ijaw and Urhobo neighbours.

“Our special focus is to leverage on the huge potentials which our youths represent and it is our hope that we can engage in a productive partnership with the state government in this endeavour.”

The Itsekiri community in Asaba waited patiently at summit junction Asaba for the arrival of his majesty ogiame Atuwatse III in their trademark colourful attires and accompanied him to the government house in a massive convoy.

The Olu of warri also visited the Asagba of Asaba,Obi Dr. E.O. Efeizomor II JP OON,  and Obi of Owa and Chairman Delta State Council of Traditional rulers in his Palace In Owa Kingdom.