• Alaafin affirms ancestral ties with Itsekiri chiefs in historic meeting
By Lukman Olabiyi
In what has been described as a moment of historical significance and cultural reaffirmation, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, declared that the Itsekiri people of Delta State are Yoruba by ancestry. The assertion was made during a landmark visit by a delegation of Warri Chiefs and Itsekiri leaders to the ancient town of Oyo.
The royal meeting, rich in symbolism and unity, took place at the Oyo Palace a place steeped in Yoruba heritage since its establishment around 1100 AD. The visit was led by the Iyasere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Johnson Amatsereuleghe, who brought warm fraternal greetings from the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III and the people of the Itsekiri nation.
The delegation was introduced by veteran journalist and cultural advocate, Adewale Adeoye, who set the tone for what would become a heartfelt exchange steeped in tradition, kinship and shared identity. Among the entourage were Chiefs Robinson Ariyo, Roland Oritseajafor, Omotolubi Newuwumi and Prince Benson Onuwaje.
Chief Amatsereuleghe described the gathering as “historic,” emphasising its deliberate intent to strengthen the long-standing cultural and ancestral bridge between the Itsekiri and the Yoruba people. He commended Oba Owoade for his “demonstration of qualitative leadership” since ascending the revered throne of the Alaafin, expressing confidence in his ability to heal past divisions and unite all descendants of Oduduwa:
“The visit is both a celebration and a call to action. We are here to affirm our shared heritage, to celebrate our unity and to seek support in addressing the decades-long marginalisation of the Itsekiri people politically and economically.
“The identity of the Itsekiri as Yoruba is neither ambiguous nor disputed. It is evident in our language, our culture and the folklore passed down through generations, we are children of Oduduwa.”
Alaafin responded: “We are bound by blood, what affects you affects all Yoruba. We have a shared history, shared fears and shared aspirations. We must work together as one people, driven by the same origin and destiny.”
Drawing from personal experience, Oba Owoade recalled his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year in Warri, where he lived among the Itsekiri and came to understand their culture and heritage on an intimate level.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the Itsekiri leaders to present the challenges facing their people, particularly the issues of exclusion and repression they have endured over the years.
Alaafin, in turn, expressed his commitment to fostering unity and collaboration among all Yoruba descendants, promising to play an active role in creating a shared front for progress and justice.
Also in the delegation were Emmanuel Nunu, Secretary, Warri South Local Government; Kingsley Tenumah Afere, Chairman, Warri Indigenous Peoples Movement; Monoyo Edon, former Delta State Protocol Director; Godwin Abigor; Appearance Afejuku and Itsekiri community leader, Dere Jarekpe.
The gathering not only rekindled old ties but also set a new tone for cooperation between two groups linked by language, bloodlines, and destiny. It was a day of celebration and cultural revival, a reminder that unity, grounded in shared heritage, remains a powerful tool for transformation.