Sylvester Idowu in Warri
Warri, the commercial nerve centre of Delta State, has been electrified with various festive preparations in readiness for today’s crowning of Omo Oba Utienyinoritsetsola Emiko as the 21st Olu of Warri Kingdom.
All the major roads, streets and corners are adorned with festive banners, balloons and buildings decorated with white and red clothes, the Itsekiri flag symbol.
It’s obvious the people of Warri Kingdom are prepared for today’s crowning of their brand new and young king as thousands of them have been adorning customized clothes, polos and jeans in preparation for today’s event.
The Palace of Olu of Warri has undergone paintings while the lawns have been trimmed to give the expansive palace a new and befitting outlook.
At Ode Itsekiri, otherwise known as Big Warri, and the ancestral homes of Itsekiris, is also wearing a new look in anticipation of hosting dignitaries from far and near for today’s crowning of Omo Oba Utienyinoritsetsola Emiko as the new Olu of Warri.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Oni of Ife. Oba of Benin, and host of other traditional rulers are expected to grace today’s event.
The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro will lead the state delegation to participate in the event. Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is to have been personally interested in hosting the dignitaries expected from far and wide but for the scheduled burial of his father which coincided with the coronation day.
Just yesterday, Omo Oba Tsola Emiko proved that he is physically fit to rule the kingdom as he personally led thousands of his subjects and admirers in a peaceful and endurance trek round some roads in Warri.
It’s going to be a forever memory walk his people trooped out with different customized polo and fully kitted attires specifically designed for today’s event.
At the end of the trek, the Omo Oba Emiko addressed the huge crowd that followed him to the Palace where he gave them words of encouragement and prayers.
To also bring class to today’s crowning ceremony, Omo Oba Tsola Emiko gifted himself two brand new customized luxury cars, a Rolls Royce and Bentley 2021ahead of the coronation.
The customized Rolls Royce will be used to usher in Emiko as the new king today, his glorious day, while the Bentley will be put to use on tomorrow, Sunday, for his thanksgiving service. The Olu will ride from his seclusion (Idaniken) to Warri Club.
On arrival at the Warri Club, he would walk into a waiting regatta boat and proceed to Ode Itsekiri, the ancestral home of his subjects, for the crowning proper.
About 1,000 police operatives have been deployed to ensure watertight security before, during, and after the coronation of Omoba Tsola Emiko as the 21st Olu of Warri, Kingdom.
Today’s event will mark another chapter in the history of Iwereland as Warri kingdom is traditionally called.
Omo Oba, Tsola Emiko, was on May 5, this year, announced by the Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Johnson Amataserunlege, on behalf of Warri Traditional Council, as the Olu of Warri designate after the demise of the 20th monarch, His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli.
He was selected by the Ruling House of Ginuwa 1 for the exalted Traditional stool, in accordance with the age long traditional practice.
Prince Utieyinoritsola Emiko was no doubt born into royalty, three years before his father; Prince Godwin Toritseju Emiko succeeded his father Ogiame Erejuwa in 1987. Prince Utieyinoritsola’s father, Olu Atuwatse II, was Olu of Warri from 1987 to 2015. He was the 19th Olu of Warri Kingdom, with the title of Ogiame Atuwatse II. He was crowned on May 2, 1987.
The blue-blooded and prince charming Emiko was born on April 2, 1984 to Ogiame Atuwatse II, the Olu of Warri and Olori Gladys Durorike Emiko, in Warri, Nigeria. He gained his early education at the NNPC Primary School, Warri and from there proceeded to Adesoye College, Offa, Kwara State, for his secondary education between 1995 and 2001.
He later proceeded to Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree between 2002 and 2006, majoring in International Studies and Political Science. In 2007, the young and very ambitious prince bagged a Master of Science in Management, from his alma mater.
With his exposure and education overseas, he has been able to galvanized himself into the corporate and business world, thus making him ready to face the business and industrialized world.
Industrious Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko sits atop many companies and business concerns like Noble Nigeria Ltd., Coral Curator Ltd; and he is a Director at the Ocean Marine Security Ltd., Gulf of Guinea Ltd and Vessellink Nigeria Ltd.
This brand new royal majesty is a caring husband to his heartthrob, Ivie Uhunoma, and an exemplary father to his children.
His coming on the throne today is definitely going to attract many developments and progress to the town, as he will deploy his experience as a businessman on all fronts.
This is definitely a testimony of a round peg in a round hole as the world gets set to witness the mother of all coronations in the South-South region of the country.
