Crown Prince Tshola Emiko ascends to throne of Olu of Warri as Ogiame Atuwatse III

The Crown Prince of Itsekiri nation, Omoba Tshola Emiko, on Saturday was coronated the 21st Olu of Warri, assuming the royal name of Ogiame Atuwatse III.

The ascension to the throne of the Olu of Warri on Saturday was heralded by several cultural activities. These include cultural dance groups performing at the event, as well as musical shows by the Warri Royal Choir and Laz Ekwueme Orchestral, among others.

During the coronation, the Olu was led to the selection of a ceremonial sword with his eyes covered with cloth from a set of 21 swords.

The high chiefs in the kingdom explained that the royal father is mandated to adopt the name of the predecessor on the sword he picks as his title al through his reign as the 21st Olu.

The high chiefs also explained that of the emergent royal father picks a sword without any name, he is free to adopt a new title or picks any of the predecessors he chooses.

 The Olu of Warri was crowned by the Uwangue of Warri, Chief Gabriel Awala, after he had been administered the oath of office, adopting a title. The royal father was subsequently addressed as Ogiame Atuwatse III, abandoning his initial name of Omoba Tsola Emiko.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, was said to have represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the coronation.

Other state actors at the coronation were identified to include: Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State; Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu of Edo State; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase; and former Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, among others.

Prominent traditional rulers and dignitaries in attendance included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe; Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams; and President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick.

Ogiame Atuwatse III, a descendant of Olu Akengbuwa, was born on April 2, 1984, in Warri to the then Prince Godwin Toritseju Emiko, who later became the 20th Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, and Gladys Durorike Emiko.