Olu Of Warri: Agog as Omoba Tsola Emiko ends 90 days Isolation, ready for coronation today
Olu Designate, of the oil and gas rich Warri kingdom, Omoba Tsola Emiko yesterday ended his traditional 90 days Isolation period ( Idaniken) with a long procession through some roads in his kingdom, thus preparing him for his coronation today, Saturday as the 21st Olu of Warri. The city has been agog.
He was accompanied by thousands of Itsekiri sons and daughters on the procession.
Shouts of “ May your reign be fruitful”, May your reign take the kingdom to greater heights”, “ May your reign bring greater glory to Warri kingdom and the Niger Delta” were loud as the procession continued.
It will be recalled that the Olu Designate, Omoba Emiko proceeded into the traditional Isolation period in May , shortly after rites of passage for the late monarch, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, held at the Royal cemetery in Jalla, Warri South Local Government Area.
Attends a Praise and Worship event
He later, in company of his wife and some family members, attended a Praise and Worship session (one of the programmes lined up before the coronation) at the Warri Boatyard close to the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, on Warri-Sapele Road, Warri south local government.
His wife, Mrs Emiko , Mother Inlaw, Mrs Evelyn Okunbo were among relatives who came with him for the Praise and Worship programme.
Some notable gospel musicians were on ground to minister in songs. The Olu Designate and his wife stood up to dance to some of the gospel songs rendered in Itsekiri
Prayers were offered for Itsekiri nation, Niger Delta and Nigeria.
There was heavy security presence around the venue of the event. The coronation programme will hold today, beginning with a Boat Regatta on the Warri River.
He will later head to Ode Itsekiri, ancestral home of Itsekiri nation for the coronation proper.
His road to the Crown
Omoba Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, shortened, Omoba Tsola Emiko, is one of the sons of the 19th Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwase II who reigned 28 years , precisely from 1987 to 2015.
The Itsekiri kingship stool had often revolved around the monarchical structure where the kingship naturally devolves to the son of a deceased monarch.
But this was not to be after the passage of his father the late Atuwase II. Vanguard gathered that several considerations came up and one of his Uncles, Ikenwoli Gbesimi Emiko was crowned the 20th Olu on December 12, 2015.
He too passed on barely two weeks after he celebrated the fifth anniversary of his coronation as Olu of Warri last year.
Ginuwa 1 Ruling House settles for Prince Tsola Emiko as successor
The Regent of Warri kingdom, Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh at a press conference disclosed that Prince Tsola Emiko , was nominated as successor to the throne by Ginuwa 1, Ruling House . “ The Ginuwa 1 Ruling House which has the exclusive powers to nominate a successor to the throne has been meeting in the last three months after a convocation of bonafide members of the House, to nominate a successor to the throne. In the end Prince Tsola Emiko was picked as the most qualified person to sit on the throne at this time”, he had said in the statement..
Iyatsere, Chief Johnson Amatserunleghe unveils Prince Emiko as Olu Designate
The Iyatsere of Warri kingdom , Chief Johnson Amatserunleghe on April 5th at Ode Itsekiri officially unveiled Prince Emiko as the Olu Designate, this was after he had also formally announced the passage of the late Monarch. Prominent Itsekiri Chiefs, leaders and many others attended the ceremony . A three month mourning period was declared across Itsekiri communities for the late monarch.
Olu Designate goes into Idaniken —traditional Isolation
In May, the Olu Designate proceeded for the traditional Isolation period that lasted three months. Ngnews247 gathered that the Isolation which is called Idaniken is like an indoor training period for an emerging king on the traditions and other things around the stool.
Tsola Emiko crowned 21st Olu of Warri
August 21 Tsola Emiko emerges the 21st Olu of Warri at a very colourful ceremony beginning with a Boat Regatta at the Warri River. He was finally crowned the 21st Olu of Warri at Ode Itsekiri, ancestral home of Itsekiri nation.