EKUREDE COMMUNITY YOUTHS PROTEST ALLEGED VIOLATION OF OLU OF WARRI’S YOUTH PROCLAMATION
Ekurede Community, Warri Kingdom —
Tension escalated in Ekurede Community on Tuesday as youths staged a peaceful protest against what they described as a sustained violation of the royal proclamation of His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, the Olu of Warri, on youth leadership and structure across Itsekiri communities.
The protest, led by Okotie Temisanren, and Bawo Akpafu, drew a large turnout of youths predominantly within the 18–40 age bracket. The demonstrators accused certain community leaders and elders of attempting to undermine the authority of the palace by imposing a youth leadership structure contrary to the Olu of Warri’s directive issued on 23 August 2025.
According to the protesting youths, His Majesty had expressly directed that all existing community youth structures should remain in place pending the formal activation of a new government-recognised youth framework under the Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths (UIY), specifically for youths aged 18 to 40 years, with the outgoing executives, the statues for 18 to 40 have been activated.
Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards affirming loyalty to the Olu of Warri, the youths alleged that Chief Edwin E. Olley, also known as Eni Ogbarame (Ofone) of Warri, alongside certain individuals within the Ekurede Community leadership, have continued to interfere in youth affairs in defiance of the palace proclamation.
The protesters further alleged that there is an ongoing plan to install Mr. Olowu, popularly known as “Chinese,” as youth chairman of Ekurede Community, a man over 50 years, a move they insist directly contradicts His Majesty’s proclamation. They noted that although advice was reportedly issued by the Atosan family secretary urging compliance with the royal order, some individuals—including Mr. Emiko Oghomienor, Oritsema Olley, Ajo-lor Tenuma, and Joseph Erikowa—have allegedly persisted in opposing the palace directive, and trying to hand twist the community to install an elder as youth chairman, a move the youth promise to resist both legally and physically.
More concerning, the youths claimed, are allegations that some persons aged 40 years and above are plotting to intimidate, set up, and facilitate the arrest of outspoken youths who are defending the royal proclamation and the rights of the recognised youth age bracket. The protesters described such alleged actions as provocative and a direct challenge to the authority of the Olu of Warri.
Addressing the gathering, the protest leaders— Okotie Temisanren, and Bawo Akpafu—emphasised that the protest was peaceful and rooted in loyalty to the throne of Warri kingdom and the growth of Ekurede Community. They appealed to His Majesty to urgently intervene by calling the affected individuals to order and ensuring strict compliance with the palace directive, before things go side ways in the community.
The youths also called on the leadership of the Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths (UIY) and Itsekiri youths across Warri Kingdom to step in and resolve the matter, urging unity and collective defence of the Olu’s proclamation.
The protest remained peaceful at the time of filing this report, with participants reaffirming their commitment to peace, unity, and respect for traditional authority.
Long live His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR.
Long live Warri Kingdom.
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