New Olu of Warri for Coronation Today

The end of the final rites of passage no more makes Ode-Itsekiri and every stretch of the homeland/kingdom the wailing land, and Itsekiri both at home and abroad are ready, are set to start a new beginning with the crowning of a new Olu, a new monarch and Ogiame of the rich rivers and mangroves in their one and only homeland of Warri.

The Itsekiri nation is in revelry, carnival mood, having successfully buried their late king, the Ogiame Atuwatse II, the late Olu of Warri. Itsekiri all over the world are converging at Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri) today for the coronation of a new Olu.

The new monarch of Warri Kingdom is His Royal Majesty Godfrey Abiloye Ikenwoli Emiko,who history henceforth shall record as the third university-graduate Olu of Itsekiri-land after Dom Antonio Domingo (Olu Oyenakpagha or Obanighenren (1625-1643)) and the immediate past Olu (Ogiame Atuwatse II (1987-2015)). His two predecessors have gone down in Itsekiri recorded history as Christian Monarchs as well.

The story surrounding the ascension of Omoba Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko to the throne of his forefathers as the 20th Olu of Warri Kingdom is as interesting as it is instructive. The narrative is a lesson on the virtue of patience, for not only his Itsekiri people, but for every human.Sixty years before his selection as the 20th Olu of Warri and head of the Itsekiri nation on Saturday, September 19, his birth had made him a front runner for the position.

His Royal Majesty Godfrey Abiloye Ikenwoli Emiko’s royal destiny marked and chose him for his present state when right from his infant years, none but his father, His Royal Majesty Gbesimi Emiko, Erejuwa II, saw his destined star and appropriately named him ‘Abiloye’ (The begotten one for the throne) and ‘Ikenwoli’ (“The prince has entered the throne.”).

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