Following the coronation of the 21st Olu of Warri ‘Ogiame Atuwatse III’, the Ooni of Ife, King Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has taken to his Instagram page to share a picture of himself and the new king also falicitate with the people of Warri.
Ooni of Ife’s Message
“I led the children of Oduduwa to the coronation of the Olu of Warri which marks another milestone in the history of the Oduduwa dynasty.
It was a sacred moment for the Itesekeri nation to host the descendants of Oduduwa that graced the occasion.
“Indeed, our ancestral bond, shared purposes, precious grace, and noble historical memories are a guiding light and spiritual bond.
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On behalf of the House of Oduduwa, I congratulate the Itsekiri nation for its courageous attributes in fostering the unity of its ethnic nationalities.
“I must pay a special tribute to the newly crowned Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse III, for his positive disposition and dedication to the unity of the Itsekiri nation.
As the 21st Olu of Warri, your noble mission of heralding a new dawn of socio-economic transformation in Itsekiri nation is an indivisible value that we all must respectfully pursue.
May the centuries wisdom of your forefathers be your unquenchable passion.
“I commend all our Royal institutions across Nigeria.
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We all must solemnly pledge to find common values and chart cohesive pathways through determination in expanding and achieving enviable cultural and economic growths that befit the ambitions of our young populations and the 21st century, Nigeria.
History beckons on us all today to fulfill the manifolds responsibilities that our forebears entrusted into our hands”.
The new king, Omo Oba Utienyinoritsetsola Emiko, 37, ascended the throne as the 21st Olu of Warri at the ceremony in Ode-Itsekiri, his people’s ancestral home.
The US-educated prince was crowned by traditional chiefs of the ancient town in the presence of ministers, governors, senators, religious leaders and diplomats.
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After the crown was placed on his head, the kingmakers bowed to pay homage to the new king to applause from the ecstatic crowd of onlookers.
The new king, now officially known as Ogiame Atuwatshe III of Warri kingdom, urged Itsekiri to support him, as guests were treated to displays of music, dancing, acrobatics and a boat regatta.
“We strongly believe the reign of King Emiko will usher in peace, progress and development in Warri kingdom,” retired civil servant Felix Agbeyegbe, told Agence France-Presse, wearing a black hat with white and red clothing.
The 77-year-old, who has witnessed the ascension of three Olu of Warri, described the new king as “a child of destiny who should be supported to succeed”.
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Emiko rose to the throne after the death of the former king, his uncle, but his ascension was not without controversy.
Some traditional leaders disagreed because his mother is not from Itsekiri.
Rumours of a cancellation of his coronation also emerged after local media reports his traditional crown, the symbol of authority, was missing.
Two sons of the late king were reportedly invited for questioning by the police over the matter.
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“The dispute has been resolved as the crown has been found,” a palace source told Agence France-Presse. “Prince Emiko will receive his crown.”
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari urged the new king to put the controversy surrounding his emergence behind him and to work for his people.
Streets and corners in Warri and its environs were adorned with festive banners and buildings, offices and markets were decorated with white and red, the symbol of the Itsekiri.
Security was heavy and police helicopters hovered over the town. Warri businessman Jolomi Otiri, 32, hoped the king “with his pedigree, will attract more development to the town”.
But he urged the king “to unite all the sons and daughters of Warri irrespective of their religious and political affiliations and beliefs.”
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Recall that the coronation ceremony took place on Saturday, 21st August 2021, at the Ode-Itsekiri, the ancestral home of the Itsekiris in Delta State.
Dignitaries who graced the coronation include; Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, The Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy Governor of Edo State Phillip Shaibu, and several others.