The Balogun of Ode Omi Kingdom, High Chief Shittu A. Adeyemi and his people have congratulated the 21st Olu of Warri, Omo Oba Iginuwa Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko on his official coronation.
He prayed that the reign of the new king brings absolute peace, unity and prosperity to Warri Kingdom.
“High Chief Shittu A. Adeyemi, The Balogun of Ode Omi Kingdom, a descendant of Oba Olu Buja, The Lenuwa of Ode Omi Kingdom and the people of Ode Omi Kingdom heartily congratulates the 21st Olu of Warri, Omo Oba Iginuwa Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko.
“May his reign bring absolute peace, unity and prosperity to Warri Kingdom,” Chief Adeyemi stated in his statement.
Here is a brief oral history of Ode Omi Kingdom and Itsekiri Nation.
Prince Iginuwa was a Prince of Olu Buja the first Oba Lenuwa of Ode Omi Kingdom who came with his two brothers, Oba Liken of Iwopin in Ijebu water side Ogun State And Oba Awujale of Ijebu Ode who happened to be their last born from the same mother, Gborowo.
Prince Iginuwa left Ode with one of the royal staffs of Great Nuwa (IGI Nuwa) of Olu Buja, The First Oba in the whole Ijebu land.
The Prince left Ode with Oba Lenuwa of Ode Omi Kingdom chiefs who includes; (1)Chief Shashore (2) Chief Iya Ashere (3) Chief Ologboshere (4) Chief Oshodi (5) Chief Ojomu (6) Chief Ashogbon who’s incharge of Awogbon Shrine in Ode (7) Chief Olomu and others on request of Oba of Binin who have a tribes war with his chiefs.
After the arrival of Prince Lenuwa with Ode warrior Chiefs empowering Oba of Binin to dethrone majority of Binin chiefs and send them to villages as heads. Oba of Binin enjoyed the stay of Prince Igi NUWA and Ode Chiefs for periods of times in Oba’s palace.
But Yoruba proverb says, “Ajo oledun ki Onile marele… there’s no how sweetness of journey Prince will be back home.”
Prince Iginuwa left Binin to Ode with some of the Chiefs who agreed to leave Binin with him. They were Chief Iyasere, Chief Oshodi, Chief Ojomu and others but left behind Chief Ologboshere who enjoyed Oba of Binin hospitality and letter joined Olu Iginuwa in Ode Itsekiri.
On there way coming to Ode Omi Kingdom to give his father Oba Olu Buja the Lenuwa of Ode Omi Kingdom the outcome of their peace journey, they got to Ode Ishekiri and consulted Ifa (ife) Oracle who instructed Prince Iginuwa to plant his spiritual staff (IGI Nuwa) at Ode Itsekiri and they were welcome by their Brother and Sister who left Ode Omi Kingdom earlier to their various locations today. Ode Itsekiri, Omadino, Idaleketa and others.
What Itsekiri and Ode Ode Omi Kingdom shared together are;
- Ijala- Ijala Oba Cemetery
- Bariken-Daniken where incoming Oba kept for spiritual empowerment for 9 months before he become OBA LE NUWA
- Idaleketa- Idaleketa Lenuwa inland village
- Ode- Meaning of ODE is Joyful and peaceful Land in Wadai Nubian Aborigines language
