By Oluwayemi Davidson
The Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has warned against communal clashes in his kingdom just as he tasked the resident communities to embrace peaceful coexistence.
The monarch declared that “never again should we clash over our differences”.
But he advised communities having misunderstanding to resolve their differences amicably.
Speaking at the Olu’s Palace, Warri, while playing host at the third edition of the “Ghigho Aghofen” ceremony for the Omadino community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III specifically urged the Omadino community to resolve their differences and forge ahead as one and indivisible community.
The event which held amid cultural display from the various ethnic nationalities residing in the oil-rich kingdom, had in attendance various communities notably the Urhobo, Ilaje, Bini, Esan, Yoruba, Ijaw, Isoko, Igala, Igbo, among others with dignitaries including former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung; the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori and some lawmakers in the State Assembly.
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Addressing the gathering, the Olu if Warri stated that there is much to achieve with unity with special reference to the Itsekiri Trust Fund.
The Itsekiri monarch applauded the Omadino community for coming in large number and remarked that he was using the forum “to preach peace and unity because there is a lot that is being spoken of Omadina”.
He also hailed the Inorin community, the immediate past Ghigho Aghofen (Palace Watch) for the job done in the past three months just as he commended the various ethnic nationalities that came to identify with the palace and prayed God to continue to promote peace among them.
He declared, “Let me remind you that you have a unique opportunity to start again in your community, so a line must be drawn. Many people may feel a sense of indictment, frustration, it is my turn, I have suffered.
“I appeal to all of you to put those sentiments away and start doing things right. Omadino is a too important community for there to be division and fight.
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“You are on duty till September 24. You will be on duty when we mark our first coronation anniversary.
“Hopefully, before the time elapsed, we will come to Omadino. We want to see that the factions are dissolved and we embrace peace,” he said.
Ghigho Aghofen, which means ‘Palace Watch’, is a ceremony that ushers in one of the indigenous Itsekiri communities to keep watch over the Warri kingdoms and was initiated by the king in 2021 shortly when he ascended the throne.
The aim was to promote relationship between the monarch and other communities that could not have access to the palace due to one reason or the other.
