Change Of Watch In The Palace (Ghigho Aghofen: Riro Aja N’aghofen)

Since His Imperial Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, launched one of his innovative projects, the “change of watch in the palace’, also known as “Ghigho Agghofen”, in December 2021, the town has suddenly changed. Visitors, travel enthusiasts, and diverse organisations have been swarming into the Warri Kingdom in their grooves to get a glimpse of the rich cultural spectacle. The quarterly event has arrived with a warm welcome from the inhabitants of the Itsekiri kingdom, who now look forward to it.

Unlike his predecessors, the monarch’s principal goal for the quarterly event is to bring him closer to his people and familiarise himself with the various cities and villages under his dominion. Accordingly, the monarch has been visiting each of the towns before the start of their palace watch. At the same time, he is learning their customs and traditions while praying for their welcoming community.

The initiative started with the aboriginal communities of the Itsekiri kingdom. Then, after three successive aboriginal communities had completed their three-month “watch” over the palace of the Olu of Warri, the current community of Omadino rounded off their watch.
It is now the turn to pass the watch over the palace to Okotomu-Irigbo Community in the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

So far, the festivities have been vibrant. Members of the host community have flocked to the Olu of Warri palace, magnificently adorned in colourful costumes, to display their rich cultural heritage as they assume duty (guarding the palace) for the next three months. In addition, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, presented the Okotomu community with a new flag.

The hoisted flag symbolises the Okotomu community’s acceptance of responsibility (over the palace watch). Other high-profile monarchs from around Nigeria have attended the event as guests of the Olu of Warri on each “Ghigho Agghofen.” Traditional dance ensembles from the six geopolitical zones, including the Yorubas, Hausas, Igalas, Igbos, Edos, Ijaws, Urhobos, and the Ilajes community, delighted the large audience. In addition, the excellent initiative of the king, “Ghigho Agghofen.” has undoubtedly opened a new door of opportunity and tourism for the Warri people.