The Itsekiri Congress UK (ICUK), the umbrella body representing Itsekiri people in the United Kingdom, has called on all Itsekiri sons, daughters, children of Iwere Land, and every Itsekiri resident in the United Kingdom to come together to celebrate the Inaugural Itsekiri Heritage Day 2026, themed "Our Heritage, Our Voice: Inspiring Our Future with One Voice."
The celebration is scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m., at Deptford Park, 23 Scawen Road, London, where Itsekiris from across the United Kingdom are expected to gather in a grand celebration of their rich cultural heritage, unity, and identity.
In a statement jointly signed by the President of ICUK, Mr. Sunny Oritsegbubemi Okuku, and the organisation's Public Relations Officer, Mr. Norris Orighoye, the group urged all Itsekiri sons, daughters, children of Iwere Kingdom, and every Itsekiri resident in the United Kingdom to attend the event in large numbers and celebrate their heritage with one voice, one accord, and one purpose.
The statement noted that the Itsekiri Congress UK is made up of six affiliate bodies working together to promote the welfare, unity, and cultural heritage of Itsekiris in the United Kingdom. These organisations are Warri National Union UK, Warri Progressive Society (Otonloye) London, Warri Ladies Vanguard London, Ugbajo Itsekiri UK, Itsekiri Cultural Heritage UK, and Ugbajo Eberen Iwere (Omutse) UK.
According to the organisers, this year's celebration will feature colourful traditional dance performances, cultural exhibitions, children's games, music, and a wide variety of delicious Itsekiri delicacies. The event is expected to provide an opportunity for Itsekiris in the diaspora, particularly the younger generation, to reconnect with their roots, customs, language, and cherished traditions.
The ICUK leadership emphasized that the Inaugural Itsekiri Heritage Day is more than a cultural festival, describing it as a symbol of peace, unity, and solidarity among the Itsekiri people. They stressed the importance of preserving the rich cultural heritage handed down by their forefathers while inspiring future generations to remain proud of their identity and work together for the progress of Iwere Kingdom.
The organisers further encouraged all Itsekiri families, friends, and well-wishers to attend the celebration and experience the warmth of Itsekiri hospitality, rich cultural displays, music, dance, traditional cuisine, and community spirit. They assured participants of a memorable day filled with fun, networking, cultural pride, and the strengthening of bonds among Itsekiris in the diaspora.
ICUK reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the unity, progress, and cultural heritage of the Itsekiri people across the United Kingdom and beyond, calling on every Itsekiri resident in the UK to join the celebration and proudly showcase the enduring heritage of Iwere Kingdom while inspiring the future with one voice.