In a symbolic moment of cultural affirmation, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has declared the Itsekiri people to be direct descendants of Oduduwa, reaffirming their identity as an integral part of the Yoruba nation.
The statement was made during a landmark visit to the Alaafin’s palace over the weekend by a high-powered delegation from the Warri Kingdom, led by the Iyasere of Warri, Chief Johnson Amatsereuleghe. The delegation came to congratulate the newly installed Alaafin and to deepen ethnic and cultural ties between the Itsekiri and Yoruba people.
Chief Amatsereuleghe described the visit as a homecoming of sorts, underscoring the shared heritage between the two groups.
“This is more than a courtesy call. It is a reconnection with our roots. There’s no doubt about our Yoruba ancestry—it lives in our language, our traditions, and our collective memory,” he said.
He also pointed out that while the Itsekiri people reside predominantly in Delta State, they have often felt overlooked in broader Yoruba historical narratives and are seeking greater recognition and inclusion.
Welcoming the delegation warmly, Oba Owoade described the meeting as a rekindling of ancestral ties and a crucial step toward greater cultural unity.
“We are one people. Your joy is our joy, and your struggles are our struggles. We share the same bloodline, the same stories, and the same future,” the monarch said.
Oba Owoade revealed that he had served in Warri during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year, an experience he said deepened his respect for the Itsekiri people and confirmed their deep Yoruba roots.
He pledged to use his position as Alaafin to unify Yoruba-descended communities within Nigeria and beyond, calling for increased cultural and political cooperation to bridge any lingering divides.
“The time for fragmentation is over. We must move forward together as one united Yoruba family,” he declared.
