At about 3:30pm on Saturday, August 21, 2021, the 37-year-old Utienyinoritsetsola Emiko was crowned as the 21st Olu of Warri at Ode Itsekiri, the ancestral home of Iwere people in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
This was done amid colourful ceremony attended by dignitaries from all walks of life, with his first public gesture towards the healing of the land reversing an age-long ancestral curse placed on Nigeria by his grandfather, Olu Erejuwa II, as a result of alleged injustice meted on him.
Erejuwa II was Olu of Warri from 1951 to 1964 and from 1966 to 1986. He was the 18th Olu of Warri Kingdom with the title: Ogiame Erejuwa II, and with the new Olu of Warri adopting the name Ogiame Atuwatse III, the reversal of his grandfather’s curse at this August occasion became imperative.
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In his words: “As the spiritual, cultural, political, and traditional ruler of this land, I, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the 21st Olu of Warri, the first son of Olu Atuwatse II, the grandson of and direct descendant of Olu Erejuwa II, who was offended on this throne, hereby reverse the curse placed over this land.
“In its place, I release forgiveness and healing to the Federal Government of Nigeria whose might was used to propagate that offence; and I decree unprecedented and an uncommon peace, prosperity, progress, and development upon this land.
“I bring down the government of heaven unto this land and I direct it to flow as a course that can neither be sabotaged nor slowed, stopped.
“It goes out as a strong ripple effect emanating from this kingdom to the rest of the Niger Delta, to the rest of the Nigerian nation, and even to the African continent.”
Before now, Goodluck Jonathan, former president of Nigeria, has sent congratulatory message to Tsola Emiko, then Olu designate.
According to a congratulatory letter dated July 23, 2021, Jonathan stated that the selection of Emiko gives hope of bright future for the people of the Warri Kingdom, and in extension Nigeria.
The ex-president spoke glowingly of his hope that the opportunity given to the new Olu is divinely ordained and would likely enable him to contribute his quota to national development.
“The Itsekiri Kingdom is renowned for its rich and colourful history, one that has lasted for hundreds of years. The royal stool to which you have been found worthy is a national treasure, an emblem of patriotism that has produced notable leaders in our country. As President, I met your father during his reign as the 19th Olu of Warri and I am confident that your family background places you in good position to serve your people with dignity and diligence,” the letter read in part.
To many therefore, it is not surprising that the new Olu decided to start from the point of reconciliation and healing of the land.
The Olu is an avid sportsman, having participated in different sports including swimming, kayaks, basketball, American football, and soccer.
Following his return to Nigeria in 2008, he served in the Public Affairs Department of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
Thereafter, he worked as an officer at the Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administration and later at Sahara Energy as Government Relations Officer between 2010 and 2012.
As an entrepreneur, he founded Noble Nigeria Limited and Coral Curator Limited. He is also the chairman of Ocean Marine Security Limited as well as a director in Gulf of Guinea Limited, Vessel Link Big Limited, among others.
The monarch is married to Ivie Uhunoma Emiko, daughter of Edo business mogul, late Idahosa Okunbor, and they are blessed with three children.
Among the dignitaries that graced the coronation are Ovie Omo-Agege, deputy Senate president, and Festus Keyamo, minister of state, labour and employment, represented President Muhammadu Buhari.
In his speech, President Muhammadu Buhari, whose address was delivered by the deputy Senate president, Omo-Agege, (corroborating what Jonathan wrote), expressed the confidence that the new monarch would bring the expected peace and development, not only to Warri Kingdom but Nigeria as a whole.
“I am here to felicitate with you on your ascension to the throne of your forefathers as the 21st Olu of Warri Kingdom. I pray God to bless you with wisdom and vision to rule and bring development to the people of Iwere kingdom and Nigeria as a whole,” Buhari said.
Oni of Ife and co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, described the new Atuwatse 111 as a 21st Millennium King.
“As a very dynamic lover of his people, from the throne of Oduduwa, we are very happy and excited as Oduduwa with the 21st Olu of Warri that was crowned on 21st day of August in the 21st Millennium.
“With the turnout today, it shows you are loved by your people. Indeed, you are loved by your people,” Oni of Ife said.
On his part, the Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa congratulated the new Olu of Warri and the entire Itsekiri for a hitch-free coronation.
Represented by Festus Agas, his chief of staff, Okowa praised the Itsekiris for the glamour, candour, and coordination that brought colour to the event.
Deputy speaker, House of Representatives, Idris Wase; Kebbi State governor, Abubakar Bagudu, and deputy governor of Edo State, Phillip Shaibu, also witnessed the important occasion.
Of note was the glamour the Nigerian traditional rulers, led by the Oba of Benin Ewuare 11, and Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, added to the historic event.
Since the coronation, encomiums have not ceased to pour in for the Olu.
Among the groups that felicitated with the new Olu on Sunday, were the Delta State chapters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The APC in a statement, signed by its publicity secretary (caretaker), Sylvester Imonina, and made available to the media in Asaba, said Delta APC was proud to associate with Tsola Emiko and would support clear vision.
Imonina said there was no gainsaying the fact that from the first day of the presentation of Emiko as the Olu-designate, there had been celebration by the people of Itsekiri, within and outside Delta.
“The sound of joy by the Itsekiris and their friends is a testimony of the love of the people for Emiko. Delta APC proudly associates with His Royal Majesty and supports his clear vision for a better society for humanity as a whole.
“We prayer God to grant him good health of mind and body, and the Solomonic wisdom to lead the Itsekiri People in prosperity, unity and peace,” he said.
Also, the Delta PDP publicity secretary, Ifeanyi M. Osuoza, the party congratulated the traditional ruler, saying the Delta PDP heartily congratulated the new Olu of Warri, Prince Emiko, as the 21st Olu of Warri.
“We wish him a happy, prosperous, and peaceful reign as he assumes his royal heritage as the custodian of the great Odé Itsekiri ancestral throne of Warri Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has congratulated the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality and expressed delight at the peaceful and grand coronation.
PANDEF in a statement by its national chairman, Emmanuel Ibok Essien, extended the sincere felicitations and best wishes of the Board of Trustees, National and State Executive Committees, and entire membership of PANDEF to His Majesty on ascending to the ancient throne of Olu of Warri.
While wishing the new Olu of Warri a successful and lasting reign, PANDEF expressed hope that the Olu would, with the benefit of his background; education, exposure and ingenuity, “provide the climate and setting to bolster the peace, unity and development of not only his Kingdom, the Itsekiri Nation and Delta State but the entire Niger Delta region and the country at large.”
Tall these the Olu has started with the very first public gesture of seeking forgiveness and praying for healing for the land, showing that “indeed, wisdom does no often come by age.”
As a businessman, he is respected among his contemporaries, and for the Itsekiri Kingdom, it is hoped that Emiko would translate his experience and worldview into a long-lasting impact on the lives of his people in this new assignment.
The oil and gas mogul is a staunch believer that youth unrest in the Niger Delta can be reduced significantly through an early foundation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education furthered by dedicated access to skill acquisitions in the technology, vocational and creative industries.
