Olu Of Warri To Stop 500yrs Old Tradition, Gives Land To God; Traditionalists Protest

       

The Olu of Warri, Atuwatse II, said he is giving the land to God and putting a stop to Idol worship:

“Henceforth, I submit and present the title ‘Ogiame’ to God, the creator, who made the sea and rules over all. Therefore, no Olu or person may bear the title or name that now belongs to God.”

“I nullify all tokens of libation poured on the land and seas or sprinkled into the air in Iwere land. I frustrate all sacrifices of wine, blood, food, water, kola nuts, and other items offered in Iwere land.

“In conformity with the new covenant through the blood of Jesus, I release the royal bloodline, the chiefs of the Iwere kingdom, the Iwere people and land, waters and atmosphere of Iwere kingdom from all ties to all other spiritual covenants and agreements.”

But his declarations have triggered swift reactions from the Emiko royal family.

Tension reigned in Warri as hundreds of irate youths seized the palace of the Olu of Warri. The youths said they came out to protest against moves by the monarch and others to change the only recognized ancient title of “Ogiame” that represents the symbol of the Iwere Kingdom of Warri. 

One of the protesting youth said that the move amounted to a desecration of a title that has been in existence for more than 500 years. The protesters set a huge bonfire outside the gate of the palace.

The Olu of Warri is however insisting that it's time for the land to go back to God. He invoked the authority of the blood of Jesus to “destroy all ancient and new altars in Iwere land not raised up to God.”