After concluding all traditional rites involved, Omoba Tsola Emiko has been crowned the Olu of Warri and will be recognised as the Ogiame Atuwatse III. At 37 years old, he is the youngest to ever ascend the throne. Ogiame Atuwatse III was crowned by the Uwangue of Warri, Chief Gabriel Awala.
Omoba Tsola Emiko on Saturday ended his traditional 90 days Isolation period (Idaniken) with a long procession through some roads in his kingdom. Thousands of Itsekiri sons and daughters joined him in the procession chanting his praises and prayers.
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The coronation, which took place at Ode-Itsekiri Island in Delta State, was held yesterday with a host of activities such as dance performances by different cultural groups and also musical performances by Warri Royal Choir and Laz Ekwueme orchestra, etc.
A daughter of Itsekiri Kingdom and popular singer, Omawumi Megbele, performed the national anthem at the coronation.
Traditional rites that were performed at the ceremony include the Olu’s blindfolded selection of the ceremonial sword out of 20 others. Other cultural events were the Regatta and cultural displays.
In attendance was President Buhari who was represented by the deputy president of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege.
President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier congratulated all Itsekiris, home and abroad, on the coronation of Prince Tsola Emiko as the 21st Olu of Warri.
The president, in a congratulatory message issued by his Spokesman, Femi Adesina, on Friday in Abuja, saluted the kingdom for overcoming the issues that arose after the initial appointment of the Olu-designate.
He pleaded that any other outstanding matter be amicably resolved in the interest of peace and tranquillity in the kingdom.
President Buhari, while acknowledging the peaceful disposition of Itsekiris to peace in the Niger Delta zone and the country in general, urged Olu Emiko to use his gift and intellect to serve his people.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, thanked all the chiefs of the Warri kingdom and urged all to uphold the cultures and traditions of the society.
Other dignitaries present at the event are Kebbi State governor, Atiku Bagudu; Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase; and a former Delta State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, among other political leaders. Traditional rulers present include the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe; Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams; and President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick.
The Olu of Warri in his ceremonial speech noted that he is the first Olu in over two centuries blessed to have their mother witness their ascension to the throne. He officially bestowed the title of Iya Olu Atuwatse III on his mother and Olori Atuwatse III on his wife, Ivie Uhunoma Emiko.
“Africa has always been shaped as a gun and Nigeria the trigger. Today, that gun has been fired and full restoration comes out of the barrel. This land will begin to yield its riches to us, all that has been hidden below comes to the surface and the world shall marvel as to how we have defied projected economic trends. This time around, we shall be the ones to chart our own destiny,” he said.
He called on all sons and daughters of Iwere kingdom to join in repositioning the kingdom.
He also addressed the Niger Delta youths saying “We have heard the narratives several times about how the Niger Delta is blessed in terms of resources. The truth, however, is that we must look beyond oil and gas and channel our energy towards endeavours that will result in added value across board. What we have is our culture and identity and we must use this as an instrument to influence the minds of our youths for their own development in ways that are completely devoid of partisan politics,” he said.
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