History was made 2 weeks back when a young prince, Tshola Emiko became the 21st Olu of Warri. It was a historic event that attracted all the paraphernalia of the cultural heritage of the Itsekiri Kingdom.
The young prince is the first son of the late 19th Olu of Warri, Prince Godwin Toritseju Emiko (the late Ogiame Atuwatse 11) and his queen, Gladys Durorike Emiko in Warri, Delta State.
It will surprise you to know that the Olu of Warri’s mother who now has a new title, Iye Olu given to her by her son is of Yoruba heritage. She is from a town called Ogere Remo. She was not only born in Ijebu, she schooled in Ijebu where she did her HSC at the popular Ijebu Muslim College in Ijebu-Ode Muslim. This shows that the New Olu of Warri has a deep Yoruba root. She hails from Ogere in Remo, Ogun State.
She also shone like a star that she is haven been present at her son’s coronation. The new Olu of Warri also mentioned that in the history of any Olu of Warri’s coronation, his was the first to have been witnessed by the King’s mother. This was also historic and it was at the coronation he gave his mother a new title, Iye Olu where he announced that is what she begins to bear officially.
Speaking at his coronation, the new Olu said, “By the special grace of God, I am the first Olu, in well over two centuries, whose mother is alive and well to witness him sit on the throne.”
Honouring his mother, the Olu said, “Where we have unofficially addressed the mother of the Olu as Iye Olu simply because she happens to be his mother, I hereby officially and formally bestow the honour on my mother. You shall no longer be referred to as Olori Atuwatse II, but Iye Olu Atuwatse III.”
Her husband, the late Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse II also passed on not too long after Oni Olubuse’s demise was born for the throne. Regal in a carriage and distinct in conduct, he conferred on the Olu throne an infectious aura of serenity. He was crowned the 19th Olu of Warri on May 2, 1987, an event that was witnessed by the renowned Nigerian politician and statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, among other important dignitaries and his son who is now the Olu of Warri was barely 3 years old. He reigned for 28 years before he passed on.
Without a doubt, Ogiame Atuwatse II contributed immensely to the development of the country, his native Delta State and indeed the Itsekiri nation. And he has always been supported by his wife, Iye Olu. This will also be put to bear in this new reign where her son is emerging as the new Olu after her Late husband.
He would be remembered for his worthy service and invaluable contributions to the sustenance of the cultural heritage of his people.
Ogiame Atuwase II loved his people and was a philanthropist who gave much of his resources to them throughout his 28-year rule. Apart from his philanthropy, he was very humble. The friendship and relationships he built even before ascending the throne were still nurtured and never undermined by his monarchical status. He was renowned for remembering all his friends and honouring them. Also, he was a devout Christian, a faith that was to put him in conflict with the traditional beliefs of his people.
Formerly Olori Atuwatse II, Iye Olu did her HSC at the Ijebu Imushin college, Ijebu Ode and her mother-in-law who happens to be Olu of Warri, Tshola Emilko’s paternal grandmother is also a Yoruba woman, known as Olori Eyinagboluwade.
-TAYO OYEDIJI
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