We will not tolerate media attacks on Olu of Warri - Itsekiri Renaissance Group warns 

 

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR 

The Itsekiri Renaissance Group, a proactive Itsekiri Organisation made up of high profile Itsekiri Professionals has declared that the Body will no longer tolerate any attacks on the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR on social media by some aggressive Itsekiris.

 

The group urged aggrieved parties among the Itsekiri ethnic nationality to come to the table with the Monarch, Ogiame Atuwatse III, instead of embarking on media attack, which  does not portray a good image of Itsekiri people known for their high reverence for their King and throne to the outside world.

 

In a statement by the Chairman of its Media Committee, Mr. Patrick H. Doyle, made available to Warri Voice Newspaper on Thursday July 27, 2023, the group noted that the media attacks amounted to making a storm out of a tea cup.

 

The statement reads: “The Itsekiri Renaissance Group is constrained to react to the alarmingly sensational story with the dramatic headline: Royal Rumble in Warri: Olu, Itsekiri Honeymoon Over.

“To be clear, we are a collection of notable Itsekiri professionals from practically every field of human endeavor, both at home and abroad, and our allegiance is to the Itsekiri crown, which today is represented by Ogiame Atuwatse III. 

“That said, our understanding of the ‘manufactured crisis’ purportedly ‘rocking the kingdom’ is untainted by sentiments or any hidden nefarious agenda. We are savvy enough to know that when an article contains quotes like:

 

“Two years later, he sits precariously on the throne’ and ‘To some, he seems more of a fashion model than a monarch’… it is a badly disguised hack job commissioned by desperate elements shamelessly fighting against their fast waning relevance within the Itsekiri Kingdom.

 

“The lack of balance of the article and the shamelessly biased slant of the entire piece does the editorial integrity of The Nation Newspaper no favours.

 

“The simple truth is that no Itsekiri monarch in living memory has evoked the measure of fascination and goodwill that Ogiame Atuwatse III has commanded since his magnificent coronation.

 

“While the orchestrated campaign of calumny against his ascension to the throne may make for sensational media content to undiscerning non-Itsekiris, the only thing that resonates with the vast majority of Itsekiris in Warri and across the globe is the inspiring breath of fresh air that Ogiame Atuwatse III represents for the kingdom.

 

“We, therefore, appeal to peace-loving Itsekiris and loyal subjects of His Majesty, our king, not to take the bait that these incendiary media provocations represent to pollute the atmosphere of renewed hope that Ogiame Atuwatse III’s ascension to the throne heralds.

 

“In the same vein, we are calling on the very few search among us who have been misguided and have bought into the vile narrative of the discredited criminal political elite to retrace their steps.

 

“As a group, we endorse the invitation of His Majesty to the ‘aggrieved parties’ behind this unfortunate spate of media blackmail to come to the table of resolution and articulate their angst. We can assure them that Ogiame has the divine sagacity to resolve their misgivings, whatever they may be.

 

“Iwere Land is at the cusp of a glorious era, especially under the current political dispensation, and nothing should jeopardise this auspicious moment in our collective history. “Long live our king, long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”