The Itsekiri are one of the Yoruboid subgroup of Nigeria's Niger Delta area, They speak a Yoruboid language and can be found in Delta State. The Itsekiris presently number 2.7 million people and live mainly in the Warri South, Warri North and Warri South West local government districts of Delta State on the Atlantic coast of Nigeria. Significant communities of Itsekiris can be found in parts of Edo and Ondo states and in various other Nigerian cities including Lagos, Benin City, Port Harcourt and Abuja. Many people of Itsekiri descent also reside in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. The Itsekiris are closely related to the Yoruba of South Western Nigeria and also close to the Okpe people and Edo peoples. The Itsekiris traditionally refer to their land as the Kingdom of Warri or 'Iwere' as its proper name – which is geographically contiguous to the area covered by the three Warri local government districts. The area is a key centre of Nigeria's crude oil and natural gas production and petroleum refining and the main town Warri forms the industrial and commercial nucleus of the Delta State region.
Koko is the major town in and the headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, South South Nigeria. Koko is one of the major towns in the Niger Delta region with a rich history and is known for its unique cultural heritage, natural resources, and vibrant economy.
Ayodele Joseph Oritsegbubemi Oritsejafor, known as Papa Ayo Oritsejafor, is the founding and Senior Pastor of Word of Life Bible Church, located in Warri, Nigeria. He became the national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) on 7 February 2005, a position he held for five years. In July 2010, Oritsejafor was elected President of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), the apex body of all Christians in the country. In doing so he became the first Pentecostal leader to hold the position. Oritsejafor was the first to launch a Miracle crusade from Africa to a world audience via satellite in 1987 with evangelist Joe Martins.
The Kingdom of Warri, Warri Kingdom or Iwere Kingdom, was established in 1480, was part of the Nigerian traditional states its ancestral capital is based in Ode-Itsekiri, Warri South LGA, Delta State, Nigeria with a palace erected in 1950s in the heart of the city of Warri, Warri South LGA, Delta State, Nigeria.
Hussey College Warri is a secondary school located along Upper Erejuwa Road in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious colleges in Delta State and Nigeria, having produced many notable figures in the Nigerian professional and political scenery. The school has literally raised several generations of Nigerians from all tribes and backgrounds and schooled them in the best tradition of scholarship, athleticism, citizenship and morality. The 60th anniversary celebration of the foundation of Hussey College, Warri was organised by the Old Students Association in 2007.
Oluremi "Remi" Tinubu is a Nigerian politician and current first lady of Nigeria since 2023, as wife of President Bola Tinubu. She was the first lady of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 when her husband was governor. She was the senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District at the Nigerian National Assembly from 2011 to 2023. She is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) political party.
The Netng also known as NET is an online entertainment news organisation based in Lagos, Nigeria. It is a leading source of African entertainment, fashion and lifestyle news. Netng formed part of NET Newspaper Limited (NNL) until 2019 when it was acquired by ID Africa. Netgn is the organiser of NECLive and the NET Honours.
Ayiri Emami is a Nigerian businessman, politician, and philanthropist, the chairman and chief executive officer of A & E group, a company with investments in oil and gas, construction, haulage, entertainment and the hospitality industry.
Idahosa "Hosa" Wells Okunbo was a Nigerian business magnate, investor, philanthropist, and trained commercial pilot. He served as chairman and director on numerous company boards in Nigeria, spanning multiple business sectors such as the agro-allied, petroleum, telecommunications, power, real estate, and banking industries.
Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko was a Nigerian traditional ruler.
Anita Alaire Afoke Asuoha is a Nigerian stand-up comedian, actor, and social media host, known by her stage name Real Warri Pikin.
Olu Oyenakpagha was the 8th Olu of Warri who ruled over the Itsekiri people. He was named Omonighenren which translates to Prince with the golden skin. On ascension to the throne as Ogiame, Olu of Warri Kingdom, he was named Obanighenren which translates to King with the golden skin. His other name was Don Antonio Domingos. He was the son to Olu Atuwatse I and succeeded his father as the 8th Olu of Warri. He wrote a letter to Pope Clement X in 1652 which was delivered to the Pope successfully. He was educated at home and at an institute in Angola. Like his father, he married a Portuguese noblewoman. His son Olu Omoluyiri succeeded him.
Olu Atuwatse II was a Nigerian traditional title holder and paramount leader of the Itsekiri who was Olu of Warri from 1987 to 2015. He was the 19th Olu of Warri Kingdom with the title Ogiame Atuwatse II. He was born Godwin Toritseju Emiko. He succeeded his father Erejuwa II as the Olu of Warri. He was a lawyer by profession and was a recipient of the Commander of the Niger (CON) award from the Nigerian Government. He died in 2015 and was succeeded by his brother Ikenwoli.
Ode-Itsekiri is a community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. It is also called Itsekiri-Olu and Big Warri. It is the capital of the Itsekiri people and one of the first autonomous communities before the crowning of the Olu Ginuwa. It existed long before 1480, with exact data not known. The Olu's Palace in Ode-Itsekiri has always been used to crown the Olu of Warri Kingdom, while the Kings are buried at Ijala-Ikenren Community.
Eyimofe Doyle Atake, is a Nigerian lawyer. He was named a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1999.
Ogiame Atuwatse III is a Nigerian traditional king of the Kingdom of Warri in the Delta State. He was born Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, also known as Tsola Emiko, on April 2, 1984 to Olu Atuwatse II, the 19th Olu of Warri, and Gladys Durorike Emiko. He is also a descendant of Olu Akengbuwa.
Wado City is the proposed name of the urban, commercial and industrial Urhobo territories in Warri City in Delta State, Nigeria. It shares boundaries with Warri North and Warri South West.
Ureju Community is an indigenous Itsekiri rural community in the Warri Kingdom. Ureju Community is one of the aboriginal five communities that make up the Warri Kingdom before the coming of Olu Ginuwa I alongside other Itsekiri communities like Ugborodo, Ode-Itsekiri (Okotomu-Irigbo), Inorin and Omadino. It is located in the Benin River axis of Warri North Local Government Area of present-day Delta State, Nigeria. Ureju Community has two main families - Olero and Kokolo.
Omadino Community is an indigenous Itsekiri urban community in Warri Kingdom. The people of Omadino are the descendants of Nenuwa, the legendary ancestor and founder of the Omadino community who migrated with his followers from Ode in the Ijebu kingdom following their unsuccessful bid for the throne of the Ijebu kingdom. Omadino Community is one of the oldest communities in the Warri Kingdom having existed before the formation of the Warri Kingdom in 1480. Omadino Community is one of the biggest communities in the Warri Kingdom as it falls under Warri South with extensions to Warri North and Warri South-West. It is located in Warri South Local Government Area of present-day Delta State, Nigeria.
Osahon Okunbo is a Nigerian entrepreneur and investor specialising in oil and gas. He is the founder and chairman of The Wells Carlton, a luxury hotel and apartment complex in Abuja, and the founder of Live Lounge, an entertainment venue in Lagos. He is also the patron of the Nigeria Film Museum, which is expected to open in 2024.
