The Warri Kingdom Online Gathering and Games would hold its 5th edition on the 26th of December 2021. The event which is an annual event started in 2016 with Engr. Norris Orighoye as host. It started with the aim of bringing together Itsekiri online active users for the sake of familiarization, navigating on how to harmonize the Itsekiri social community (active online participants), games/leisure, and advocacy in one location. Thus, creating synergy among active users who engaged in online bickering at the end of every year while playing indoor games ranging from PS 2, 3, and 4 to ludo, eyo, snooker, table soccer, monopoly, cards, chess, draft, etc.
Role of Advocacy as part of the Gathering
Some of the other silent inspiring factors that motivated the organizing and that characterised the first edition alongside this picture were the critical analysis of the then newly published eye-opening well-detailed book ‘ODYSSEY OF WASTE’ jointly sponsored by Mr. Emmanuel Etsano, NAIG and Movement for the Protection of Iwere Homeland, Development and History (MPIHDH) worldwide aimed at exposing the abandonment and embezzling of hundreds of project funds amounting to tens of billions from both the government and developmental agencies. Furthermore, factors such as advocating for the control of individual/group negative statements towards the traditional institution of Warri Kingdom online as it was becoming the order of the day then, the agitation for the need for effective sports activities (most especially soccer) in Warri Kingdom, the need to familiarise with ourselves (Itsekiri online active users) to eliminate fake news and the unholy use of proxy accounts. While we have succeeded in reducing some of these factors, a lot more needs to be done and it is our hope that this gathering would continue to help mitigate these factors.
Previous Hosts and Venue
The initial edition was hosted by Engr. Norris Orighoye at his residence in 2016. The second edition was hosted by Mr. Tuoyo Abiloye in 2017, with Mr Tseyi Paul Wyse hosting the third edition. In 2019, we had issues with late preparation and the Itsekiri National Youth Council hosted the fourth edition. This was hosted at a hotel as against the previous tradition of hosting at individual houses. In 2020, the event could not hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and as a responsible group, the painful decision was taken to skip that year’s edition. The 2021 edition is being hosted by Chief Mrs Josephine Onemu and the venue is at GT Floating Garden at Ajamimogha link road, Warri.
Entertainment
One of the key aspects of the event over years has been the showcasing of various Itsekiri traditional meals for the entertainment of participants (cooked by ladies from the Itsekiri online community). This year’s event though would have an official food vendor, our very own Buka Plus (owned by Mrs. Tuoyo Omadoye Adoro).