Emiko Crowned as 21st Olu of Warri, Reverses Grandfather’s Curse

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The 37-year-old, Utienyinoritsetsola Emiko was yesterday 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.

The new Oba was crowned at exactly 3.28 p.m. at a colourful ceremony attended by dignitaries from across the globe.

The 21st Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has also reversed an ancestral curse placed on Nigeria by his grandfather, Olu Erejuwa II, as a result of alleged injustice meted out to 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.
The new Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, yesterday reversed his grandfather’s curse during his coronation.
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.”

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and Minister of State, Labour, and Employment, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the event.

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Idris Wase; Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Bagudu; Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Phillip Shaibu; witnessed the historic occasion.
Oni of Ife, Arole Odua, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and Oba of Benin, Ewuare 11 led many other traditional rulers, which added glamour to the event.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor; Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Faruk Yahaya, were also represented by Rear Admiral AO Ibuchukwu; Rear Admiral SS Lasah; Air Marshal EO Omoyibo; and Brig. Gen. A. Idris, respectively.

Before Olu was crowned, he had fulfilled all the traditional processes precluding the picking of the sword (Uda) that depicts the title of his reign Atuwatse III.
In his speech, President Muhammadu Buhari, whose address was delivered by Omo-Agege, expressed the confidence that the new monarch will 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.

He appealed to the new king to be the father of all Itsekiri, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
On his part, the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa congratulated the new Olu of Warri and the entire Itsekiri for a hitch-free coronation.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Festus Agas, Okowa praised the itsekiri for the glamour, candour, and coordination which brought colour to the event.

Meanwhile, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has congratulated the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality and expressed delight at the peaceful and grand coronation of the 21st Olu of Warri.

PANDEF in a statement issued yesterday by its National Chairman, Senator 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”.