The Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, on Saturday, re-affirmed seven more traditional chiefs in Iwereland as the chieftaincy revalidation exercise enters its second day.
The exercise follows an earlier public notice by the monarch announcing the dissolution of the traditional council of chiefs and other committees in the kingdom.
The re-validation of the traditional titles took place at Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri), the cradle of the Itsekiris in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Among those whose traditional titles were revalidated at Saturday’s ceremony included Chief Isaac Jemide (Otsodin), Chief Sunday Rone (Obazuaye), Chief (Sir) P. D. Yalaju (Kenekuniraro) and Chief Francis Omatseye (Edigbe).
Others were Chief Oma Eyewuoma (Aboludero), Chief (Dr.) Mark Erumi (Chaplin) and Chief Richmond McGray (Oritseboluwo).
Out of the 11 titles listed for reaffirmation on Saturday for the second batch, only seven were present and had their chieftaincy titles revalidated.
Among the four chiefs, who were not on ground, were the Ologbotsere, Ayirimi Emami, whose suspension has remained controversial, and House of Representatives member, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, who is said to be out of town at the moment.
The seven chiefs, whose titles were revalidated in line with the Itsekiri custom and tradition, however, reaffirmed their moral and financial supports for the socio-economic agenda of His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III to transform Warri kingdom.
One of the lucky chiefs, Chief Richmond McGray, who is the Oritseboluwo of Warri Kingdom, underlined the significance of the ritual exercise.
“It affords the king to know his inherited chiefs and familiarise himself with them in actualizing his progressive agenda,” the United Kingdom-based industrialist said.
Chief McGray enjoined well-meaning Itsekiris, home and abroad, to partner His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III through the establishment of cottage industries to arrest unemployment and empower Itsekiri youths and women.
The chieftaincy revalidation/confirmation exercise, which has been scheduled in batches and started on September 2 to end September 9, continues on Monday with the third batch. A total of 85 traditional chiefs, home-based and abroad, were expected to undergo the ritual and fun-filled revalidation ceremony.
