Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, has urged prominent Itsekiri sons and daughters who do not yet have personal houses in their villages to build one, noting that this will attract greater development to the communities.

In his statement, the monarch also appealed to residents in the villages not to harass or discourage those who come to build, with the already outlawed development levies by the Delta state government, codenamed “deve”.

The Olu of Warri emphasized the importance of creating a conducive atmosphere for those returning to the villages, stating, “We do not want those who have been around to feel resentful or angry towards those making efforts to return. Everyone’s heart should be open and ready to support and accommodate each other.”

He announced that owning a house in the village would be a major criterion for anyone to be conferred with chieftaincy titles in the Warri kingdom, with exceptions only under extreme special conditions.

The monarch also charged Itsekiri sons and daughters not to discriminate against anyone maternally from the ethnic nationality, stating, “Those who want to identify as Itsekiri through their mother’s line and have the heart and zeal to come home and develop must be welcomed with open arms.”

He spoke on burials and marriage ceremonies, encouraging the return to the traditional Itsekiri practice of burying at night in their various villages and emphasizing the importance of burying the deceased in their home community.

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The Olu of Warri also encouraged symbolic village-level ceremonies when children intend to marry, noting that many in this generation have never been to their villages.