By Emmanuel Abi Couson
The Olu of Warri Ogiame Atuwatse III on Tuesday May 21 , for the first time drove into Ode Itsekiri, ancestral home of Itsekiri nation in Warri south local government area, Delta state.
It was the first time the monarch drove in a vehicle into Ode Itsekiri since ascension of the throne of his forebears nearly three years ago.
The community currently is not accessible by road from Warri as the road project to the community which started over ten years ago is about 70 percent completed and will run through about 16 bridges.
Secretary of the Warri council of Chiefs,Chief Eugene Ikomi who was among others on the trip with the monarch said that they got on a Pontoon at Jalla to Ugbodede community and from there drove to Ode Itsekiri in barely fifteen minutes.
“We actually drove from Warri Township to Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri)
“We crossed several bridges after being lifted by a Pontoon from Ijala to Ugbodede from whence we commenced a Fifteen Minutes drive to the Itsekiri Ancestral Home.
“Am glad to be part of this Historic trip.
“God bless Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR the Olu of Warri.”, he said.
The trip by the monarch and his entourage elicited jubilation in Ode Itsekiri and across all Itsekiri communities as it signaled hope that the town would soon be completely accessible by road from Warri.
The trip has four SUV vehicles , two security patrol vehicles driving out of the Aghofen ( Palace) in Ode Itsekiri. Four Mobile policemen were seen running slowly by the side of one of the SUV’s apparently conveying the monarch.
