Olu of Warri declares all Ode-Itsekiri lands under his trust

DDM News

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has firmly reasserted that no individual, family, or group holds ownership of land within the Ode-Itsekiri community.

In a decisive move to protect the heritage and governance of Warri Kingdom, the monarch emphasized that all lands within the ancestral home of the Itsekiri people are held in trust by the Olu for the benefit of the community.

This information was made available to Diaspora digital media (DDM) corespondents in warri, In a letter dated December 16, 2024, addressed to the Olare-Aja (traditional elders), the Elders’ Council, and the people of Ode-Itsekiri in Warri South Local Government Area, Ogiame Atuwatse III declared his position.

He stated: “As the custodian of the heritage, lands, and traditions of the Itsekiri people, I am compelled to clarify issues concerning land ownership and governance within Ode-Itsekiri.

Let it be unequivocally understood that:

1. All lands within Ode-Itsekiri are held in trust by the Olu of Warri for the collective welfare of the Itsekiri people.

No individual, family, or group has the right to claim private ownership of land within this sacred community.

2. I, as the Olu of Warri, remain the ultimate authority on all matters concerning land in Ode-Itsekiri.

No sale, transfer, allocation, or any transaction involving land can take place without my explicit approval and written consent.

Any agreement, document, or deed executed without my endorsement shall be considered invalid, null, and void.

3. All legal disputes regarding land ownership currently pending in any court of law must be withdrawn immediately.

Such cases should be redirected to the Palace for resolution, as this aligns with our traditions and customs.”

The proclamation further served as a stern reminder that any unauthorized land transactions are considered violations of Itsekiri customs.

The Olu emphasized that actions undermining this directive not only threaten the sanctity of Ode-Itsekiri but also challenge the authority vested in the throne.

Such actions, he warned, would attract the full weight of customary and legal penalties.

The monarch underscored his unwavering commitment to ensuring proper governance and order concerning land matters.

“As the guardian of Itsekiri lands, I will continue to uphold the customs that protect our heritage and ensure our ancestral home remains sacred,” he declared.

The Olu directed that all land-related issues be first presented to the Olare-Aja and the Council of Elders for thorough deliberation.

Final decisions, however, must receive his approval.

This, he noted, was a key step in preserving the unity and prosperity of the community.

This proclamation reaffirms the Olu of Warri’s authority and establishes clear guidelines to prevent exploitation and mismanagement of land in Ode-Itsekiri.

By grounding his position in both cultural traditions and recognized legal principles, Ogiame Atuwatse III demonstrated his determination to safeguard Itsekiri heritage for current and future generations.

The letter concluded with an appeal for collective unity and progress within the Warri Kingdom: “May the unity and prosperity of our people endure as we protect our ancestral home and its sacred lands.”

Through this decisive stance, the Olu of Warri seeks to eliminate conflicts over land ownership and ensure that land transactions align with Itsekiri customs.

By addressing the community and reaffirming his authority, he has set a standard for maintaining order, respect, and cultural preservation within Ode-Itsekiri.

Ogiame Atuwatse III’s declaration resonates deeply with the Itsekiri people, reminding them of their shared responsibility to protect their ancestral home.

It calls for collaboration between the community, the traditional elders, and the Palace to uphold the sanctity of the kingdom’s heritage.

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