Warri chiefs instruct all Itshekiri adults to wear their clothes inside out for three months

WARRI'S Traditional Council of Chiefs has ruled that all Ishekiri adult males and females in must wear their clothes inside out for three months to mark the passing of the traditional ruler Ogiame Atuwase II.

 

On September 5, Ogiame Atuwase, the Olu of Warri, who reigned for 28 years, was reported to have died in a private hospital on September 5 in Lagos. However, his death was not formally announced by the Warri Traditional Council of Chiefs until yesterday, laying to rest the controversy surrounding his death.

 

Chief Yahya Pessu, a member, Olu Advisory Council and other chiefs announced the Atuwase’s death in Ode-Itsekiri, the ancestral home of Itsekiri nation yesterday afternoon. In addition, the chiefs announced that Godfrey Emiko, the late monarch's brother will serve the Olu-designate until a new monarch is crowned.

 

Before the announcement, red and black clothes was slammed on the ground three times to symbolise the demise of the monarch and it was accompanied by 17 cannons shots. Chief Pessu said the Itsekiri people would be in a mourning mood in the next three months until all burial rites were concluded.

 

He added: “All Itsekiri adults both male and female will put their clothes inside out throughout this period of mourning. No party, no drumming or merriment of any sort in Itsekiri land, until the burial is over and new Olu installed.”

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Another chief, Professor Jim Omatseye said the choice of the Olu designate would usher in peace and security into the Itsekiri land. Describing Chief Emiko as an articulate and intelligent man, he said his choice was widely accepted by the Itsekiri people including himself.

 

Professor Omatseye added: “The Olu designate will be in seclusion in the next 90 days to receive advice from elders in the kingdom. This is a training period for him where he will be exposed to a lot of cultural activities.

 

“We know him over the years, he is intelligent, intellectually minded, graduate and culturally exposed. If the son of a departed monarch is not qualified by law, it is the prerogative of the princes to choose from the ruling lineage of Ginuwa, Erejuwa and Atuwase.”

 

He pointed out that the son of a departed monarch could only succeed to the throne when his mother was either from Itsekiri or Benin.Thomas Ereyitomi, a senior chief, urged the Itsekiri to console one another, especially during this mourning period and also work together for the smooth succession of the new Olu.