This past Saturday, in the opening installment of the Ghigho Aghofen “Palace Watch” ceremonies for the year 2025, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III hosted all and sundry to a rich display of tradition at Aghofen (royal palace) in Warri.
Ugboegungun Community had the privilege to take over from Ogheye-Eghoroke after their successful period of watch duties in a ceremony that has come to symbolize peace and harmony, ideals intended to be promoted when His Majesty conceived the series, not just among the Itsekiri communities but among all peoples who call Warri home.
Led by Chief Samuel .K. Omaebeyinje, the Olugbo of Warri, the community marched in gloriously in their large numbers and beautiful matching wrappers. Dancing to the sonorous music rendered with the Iye Ogume, Oton Ogun, Okiri, Pokiri, Agba, and Oma—our native Itsekiri drums—the air was filled with celebratory excitement.
In the usual fashion, the chiefs and elders who oversee the outgoing (Ogheye-Eghoroke) communities lowered their flags while the incoming (Ugboegungun) received their flag from the throne to be hoisted on the palace grounds for the next three months.
His Majesty, speaking through Chief Oma Eyewoma, the Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom thanked all communities that have participated in the watches so far and announced the communities who will be taking on guard duties for the remaining quarters in 2025.
The occasion, coloured by various groups from across the length and breadth of the Kingdom, featured indigenes from different communities and ethnicities in attendance at the Ghigho Aghofen. Among them were the Yorubas, Ilajes, Binis, Esans, and Igbo, to mention a few.