‘I Don’t Mix Tradition With Modernity’ – Ayirimi Emami On Why Traditional Rulers Must Preserve Heritage, Keep Tradition Intact

Popular Warri-based business mogul and Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Ayirimi Emami, has opened up on his unwavering commitment to preserving cultural heritage and the driving force behind his promotion of Itsekiri tradition.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports that Chief Emami said that if given the opportunity to speak to any traditional ruler, he would advise them to maintain their institutions’ integrity, free from external influences as well as preserve the tradition the way the forefathers left it.

He spoke early this week when he made an exception after turning down numerous awards over the years, because he didn’t want “undeserving recognition” for the “Prime Promoter/Protector of Itsekiri Traditional Heritage” award conferred upon him by the Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN), Delta State Council.

Emami accepted the honor at his palatial residence in Egbokodo, Warri, citing the award’s focus on tradition as the reason for his acceptance.

Speaking at the event, Chief Emami expressed his commitment to preserving Itsekiri culture and tradition, stating, “I am of the philosophy that you do not modernize it… As individual, you will come and go, but the institution remains.”

He also spoke in defence of why traditional rulers should be given constitutional roles, maintaining that traditional rulers are closest to the community and grassroots, and their honesty is crucial to the community’s well-being.

He said; “I don’t think I am the only Deltan that deserves this. I have turned down a lot of awards for many years now. But when I was informed by one of your colleagues and he said that it has to do with tradition, saying, “I am one of those promoting and protecting the culture and tradition of our people”, I accepted to receive the award, especially because the Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria, has ‘community’ in its name, which is my constituency.

“I know a lot of traditional rulers are clamouring that they should be given constitutional roles, some of us welcome that idea. If you are talking about traditional rulers, they are the closest to the community and to the grassroots. If a traditional ruler is honest, the community will be blessed.

“In every tradition and community, they have a way of installing their traditional ruler. If you wake up today as a traditional ruler and support Illegality in your domain or a publisher begin to publish what is not right in his locality, that means such person is trying to destroy the community.

“As at today, if I have the opportunity to speak to any traditional ruler, you must keep your institution the way your forefathers left it. You do not allow money to influence our traditional institution, because before government, the traditional institution existed.

“They were the ones directing and dealing with the locals and dealing with the White men, even when we now have establishment of the government in place, is the same traditional rulers, that is the first point of call, but if you decide to do the other way round, that means your kingdom and your community, will be destroyed.

“I am of the philosophy that you do not modernize it, and that’s why when it comes to tradition, I will do the right thing and I don’t mix it with modernity.

“As individual, you will come and go, but the institution remains, so do not try to mess with the institution, but ensure to stand for the institution.

“There’s no short cut, you do not bend it. In every institution in a state, there are lay down procedures and when you encourage wrong things, wrong things will come to your doorstep.

“I am not going to take this honour for granted, it is for me to do more. The Ologbotsere, represents the Omajaja and 80% of us sitting here are Omajaja. I am the Head of the Omajaja, which makes me the Ologbotsere. Therefore, I dedicate this award to the Almighty God, our good ancestors and all the descendants of the Ologbotsere dynasty.”

ACNPN Chairman Comr. Jude Obiemenyego, in his remarks earlier commended Chief Emami for promoting and protecting Itsekiri tradition, as well as his philanthropic efforts in youth empowerment.

His words; “The association recognise you on what you have done in the area of tradition, as the Promoter and Protector of (Itsekiri) Tradition in Delta and Nigeria. You have done well. We also plead with you to continue in your traditional settings, to make sure that traditional institution has a place in Nigeria and the world.

“We celebrate you (Chief Ayirimi Emami) for being a man. Outside tradition, you have done well in the area of youth empowerment in the state and beyond, a lot of people have benefitted from your philanthropist gesture. I do not have much to say, but with these few words of mine, I pray that you will continue to partner with the media.”

Chief Mike Odeli, Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli, Barr. Richard Omare, Mr. Austin Oribioye, Mr. Canaan Ajagbawa and Mr. Alex Eyengho, were among prominent members of Ologbotsere descendants and political bigwigs present during the award ceremony.