Metro Monarch Renounces Goddess, Community Protests

Sandra Chiefe

Moderator
The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has appealed to the thousands of Itsekiri in protest as a reaction to their monarch’s attempt to jettisome some of their traditional beliefs.

The Palace of the Olu of Warri, Atunwatse II has been barricaded by protesters for days. The governor was allowed into the Palace without his aides in order to meet with the monarch and came back out after about 15 minutes to address the protesters and commended them on their peaceful conduct.

The front and side fences of the Olu’s palace has been barricaded by the people due to the monarch’s decision to abolish the ancient Itsekiri masquerades, amongst other traditional practises of the people to be abolished.

Atunwatse II declared a few days ago in a document entitled, “The New Order of the Iwere Kingdom,” that the “Ogiame” title of the kingdom for over 500 years would cease to exist following the recent consecration of the kingdom to God. ‘Ogiame’ means “King of the River”, according to the Itsekiri heritage.

He stated in the document that he had renounced his allegiance to the “Umalokun” the goddess of the sea, land and sky. He also renounced the “Ogiame” title to which his ancestors pledged allegiance to the sea goddess and other deities.

This has caused unease in his kingdom, prompting the protest against the monarch in his kingdom.
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