A Most Auspicious Day: Itsekiri Celebrates 88yrs As A Nation, Bringing Ogiame Back On The Throne Making Them Whole Again
Itsékiri dede mo kin ághán
Itsékiri dede mo kin ághán
Énédókpé gb’Oritsé ní onuwé
Onuwé, órónrón ójó rén
Oyibo ka gin, A most auspicious day. If God didn’t designate this day, we would not be here celebrating.
On this very day 88yrs ago, God took shame away from Itsekiri as a nation. And He made us complete and whole again, by bringing Ogiame back on the throne, in the person of our great grand father, Olu Ginuwa II.
And in those 88yrs; as we all know; we have had Olu Ginuwa II 1936-1949. Olu Erejuwa II 1951-1986. Olu Atuwatse II 1987-2015. And our immediate predecessor Olu Ikenwoli, 2015-2020. Our emergence on the 21st August 2021 as the 21st Olu of Warri, makes us the 5th Olu since the restoration of the monarchy. 5 is the number of grace. And we can be assured of God’s grace and His mighty hand firmly remains upon us.
8 is the number of new beginnings
That the interregnum ended after 88yrs was significant then. And showed God was doing a new thing for Itsekiri.
Now another 88yrs have passed. In the way God took the people out of 400yrs of darkness of Egypt, it still took 40yrs to remove the darkness of Egypt out of the people.
Today, after 88yrs, all the darkness, that managed to escape the interregnum and carried with us into the restoration of the monarchy, we completely overcome and leave it behind.
Any darkness that attempts to befall Itsekiri, Itsekiri will not only be the light in that darkness, but will overcome.
The land will never swallow us, it will only bless us
The water will never drown us, it will only replenish and give us more life.
In this leap year of 2024, itsekiri takes a giant leap forward in the right direction.
It is also interesting to note, the community on duty as we are gathered here, Okere, was founded by one who was sent to come and disrupt the progress of our journey as a kingdom.
However Today, as Ekpenede did all those centuries ago, his own descendants are not only serenading and entertaining the same King and kingdom, they continue to affirm their allegiance and loyalty to this throne and this kingdom.
But one thing is sure, all those who are determined to be stubborn, and contend with the progress of this throne and our people, the fate that happens to the same Egyptian elements, is their sure inescapable fate.
Ófó kelegue. Owun áká gin gb’ómá.
(A word is enough for the wise)
God does not make mistakes, neither does God do coincidence. It is all intentional. In our limited understanding, we may not understand all we see today, but God is orchestrating it all for our good.
And today, we move into another glorious new beginning for our people.
One of peace. One of progress. One of prosperity.
And going forward, Ogiame will mark this day of restoration, as has been done today. To celebrate and appreciate the goodness and grace of God upon itsekiri.
Ní bá r’Oritsé, Itsékiri wá rén n’óguá
Do sán gb’Itsékiri
Ájá mo kin ághán
