The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade 1, has said that the Itsekiri are Yoruba, being the children of Oduduwa.

Oba Owoade, while speaking during the visit of royal Warri chiefs and other Itsekiri leaders to the Alaafin in the ancient Oyo town, said Yoruba and Itsekiri are bound by blood and that whatever affects one also has to do with the other.

The delegation was led by the Iyasere of Warri Kingdom, Johnson Amatsereuleghe, who later introduced other members of the delegation to include the EgogoIwere of Warri Kingdom, Robinson Ariyo; the Ogwa of Warri Kingdom, Roland Oritseajafor; the Omotamudieyi of Warri Kingdom, Omotolubi Newuwumi, and Benson Onuwaje, the Chief Executive Officer, Emirate Logistics,

In his remarks, Iyasere said he brought fraternal greetings from the Olu of Warri, OgiameAtuwatse II and the entire people of Warri Kingdom.

He described the visit as historic and a deliberate attempt to strengthen the bridge of collaboration and solidarity between the Itsekiri and the Yoruba people, who are of the same ancestry.

He, therefore, praised the Alaafin for his demonstration of qualitative leadership within the shortest time of his emergence.

Iyasere said the visit was also to congratulate the Alaafin on his new leadership role in Yoruba land and across the world.

He said the Alaafin has come at the right time in history, adding that the people are waiting for him to heal the wounds and scars of the past by uniting all children of Oduduwa for peace and prosperity of the people.

He said the Itsekiri in Delta State had suffered political and economic marginalisation for decades and that the people had endured so much repression and exclusion that needed to be addressed.

He said, “There is no ambiguity about our Yoruba origin. This is a fact we know. It is evident in our location in Delta, in our language, our culture and the folklore handed over by our forefathers.”

Responding, the Alaafin thanked the delegation for remembering to visit the home and the land of their ancestors.

He said, “We are bound by blood. What affects you affects the entire Yoruba people. We have the same history, shared fears and aspirations. We need to work together as one people driven by the same history and destiny.”

Alaafin said that apart from the history he knew as a king, he had the added advantage of having his National Youth Service (NYSC) in Warri Kingdom during which he had first-hand information on the culture, heritage and aspirations of the Itsekiri land.

The monarch said the Yoruba and Itsekiri need to work together.

Oba Owoade noted that settlement of interpersonal, inter-ethic and communal disputes or conflicts is a critical area where traditional rulers could be very central in democratic consolidation and sustainability.

This, according to him, is because conflict is part and parcel of human coexistence, but peaceful resolution of conflict is one of the hallmarks of democracy and development.

He said that if we adopt the traditional methods of conflict resolution as an alternative to the modern judiciary, it will go a long way in improving our current justice system that had not only been over-stretched but also grossly abused.”