Olu of Warri bans development fee collection across Itsekiri communities

The Olu of Warri in Delta State, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has banned the collection of development fees otherwise known as “deve” levies across Itsekiri communities.

These were contained in a statement personally signed by the monarch, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri, on Saturday.

The monarch said, “The cancellation of the ‘deve’ collection will foster rapid development of Itsekiri communities and ensure that indigenes return home to their villages.

The statement read, “We thank God for all He is doing for Itsekiri. We thank Him for the favour He is causing us to have with the government of the day. We thank Him for the symbolic victory of the bridge connecting us to our ancestral capital, Ode Itsekiri.

“This isn’t just meant to make transportation to and from Ode Itsekiri easy, it’s also a clarion call to signify the return of Itsekiri to its roots, and to the things that made us great in the first place.

“It is also a symbolic directive for our people to start returning to their various homes, especially in the riverine areas.”

The monarch said there would never be a perfect condition for the Itsekiri to return to their riverine ancestral areas in the original numbers.

“The government will not come and develop it for us. Our ancestors who didn’t wait for the government and built up what they could in the first instance are not going to come back and develop it for us. Our neighbours who are encroaching are not going to develop it for us.

“We can no longer hide behind ‘laziness’. We can no longer hide behind ‘we are too civilised and don’t like stress’. It is time to face things squarely, identify the situation for what it is, come and be united, and be motivated by the strength of human will and determination.

“Itsekiri, no more excuses. God has given us the land. Now, Ògiame is charging us to come together in unity and purpose and return to our lands. No more fear, no more excuses.

“We are not moving to build the Tower of Babel that would defy God, but we are moving to build up ourselves in a way that pleases God. So, rest assured, God is on our side.

“Ògiame will take the lead and is committing to renovating/rebuilding the Ejo Hall in Bateren. After that is done, the land given to Atúwatse II in Ajudaibo will be developed, marking his presence in Benin River and Escravos river area respectively,” the statement read further

The Olu also reeled out new requirements and conditions that must be fulfilled by any Itsekiri seeking to become chief in the Warri kingdom.

“Those who are already chiefs are fortunate that they got their titles without any of these requirements. Those who can go and build are encouraged to do so.

“However, moving forward, those who want to be considered for chieftaincy titles will be required to have a house in their village.

“There may be some ‘strategic; reasons ‘ that may bring an exemption to this, but generally, chiefs will join Ogiame in leading by example by demonstrating a presence in their village,” it added.

The monarch encouraged the Itsekiri to perform their traditional marriages as well as burials in their ancestral communities, noting that “this gives the next generation a reason to come home, and at least see their villages and know that they did something significant in their village.”

Speaking of those who are Itsekiri through mothers’ lineages, the monarch said, “The clarion call that was put out on our coronation day still stands. Those who want to identify as Itsekiri through their mothers’ line and have the heart and zeal to come home and develop must be welcomed with open arms.

“We will not tolerate discrimination against people because they are of a woman’s lineage. Not only are they welcome to bring development, but they are welcome to serve in elders’ councils and other administrative structures at the community level.

“We cannot afford to be discriminating against ourselves any longer. We need each other. We acknowledge that there have been instances where this practice has been discontinued. What we want now is for it to be no more, anywhere, anytime.”