Yoruba, Itsekiri ‘Bound by Blood’ –Alaafin

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has stated that the Itsekiri people of Delta State share ancestral roots with the Yoruba, describing them as descendants of Oduduwa, the legendary forebear of the Yoruba ethnic group.

The monarch made the statement during a visit by a delegation of prominent Itsekiri leaders and royal chiefs to his palace in Oyo, a historic town regarded as the heart of Yoruba civilisation.

“We are bound by blood,” Oba Owoade said during the meeting. “We have the same ancestry, history, shared fears and aspirations. We must work together as one people, united by our origin and destiny.”

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The statement is likely to reignite discussions around the cultural and historical ties between the Yoruba and Itsekiri peoples, who share linguistic and cultural similarities but have also experienced political and regional divisions over time.

Oba Owoade also recalled his personal connection to Warri, where he served during his National Youth Service Corps year, saying the experience deepened his understanding of Itsekiri heritage.

The visiting delegation was led by the Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Johnson Amatserunleghe, and introduced by journalist and historian Adewale Adeoye. Other members included senior Itsekiri chiefs and community leaders such as Chief Roland Oritsejafor, Chief Omolubi Newuwumi, Chief Barr. Robinson Ariyo and Prince Benson Onuwaje, CEO of Emirate Logistics.

In his address, Chief Amatserunleghe conveyed greetings from the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, and described the visit as “symbolic and strategic,” aimed at fostering unity between the two ethnic groups.

He also addressed longstanding concerns about the political and economic marginalisation of the Itsekiri nation in Delta State, calling for renewed collaboration in the pursuit of equity and development.

“There is no ambiguity about our Yoruba origin,” he said. “It is evident in our language, our culture, and the stories handed down by our ancestors.”

The delegation included local officials and activists, among them Warri South Local Government Secretary, Emmanuel Nunu and representatives of the Warri Indigenous Peoples Movement (WIPM).