By Oluwayemi Davidson, Warri
For the Itsekiri nation in Delta State, Monday, April 5, 2021 was a day filled with a paradox of mourning and jubilation as the transition of the ‘indisposed’ Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, was formally announced just as Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko from the Ginuwa I Ruling House was presented as the Olu-designate of Warri Kingdom.
The Iyatsere of of Warri Kingdom, Chief Johnson Atserunleghe who is also the Acting Ologbotsere of Warri, announced the passage of the 20th Olu of Warri, at the Itsekiri National Assembly held at their ancestral community, Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri) by symbolically breaking on the floor three (native) pots containing white native chalks, one after the other, and announcing “Ale-jefun-oooh” after each occasion.
This was followed by the firing of 20 cannon shots to officially announce the departure of His Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli, and signify that 20 Olus had reigned over itsekiriland so far.
The Iyatsere thereafter pronounced a mourning period of three lunar months throughout the Itsekiri nation during which there shall be no drumming, dancing or merry making of any kind anywhere while all Itsekiri sons and daughters must tie their wrapper upside down for the duration of the mourning period.
Consequently, the Iyatsere unveiled Prince Tsola Emiko as the Olu-designate of Warri Kingdom, the presentation which was greeted with a thunderous ovation from the visibly elated Itsekiri sons and daughters who burst into dancing and endless celebration.
Prominent Itsekiri sons and daughters from all parts of the country including the Regent of Warri Kingdom, Chief Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh; Chief (Mrs.) Olivia Agbajoh, the Egudeghe (Oyewumi) of Warri; Chief Solomon Areyenka, Chief (Dr.) Adams Timeyin, Chief (Dr.) Charles Ikomi, Prince Yemi Emiko and Chief Brown Nene, among others were at the event.
Among other dignitaries in attendance was the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, represented by two frontline monarchs from the South West, Oba Akinola Oyetade Aderere (the Olubosin of Ifetedo) and Oba Adekunle Adeayo Adeagbo (the Ore of Otun-Ekiti).
The Olu-designate was born on April 2, 1984 to Prince Godwin Toritseju Emiko, the late Ogiame Atuwatse II and Gladys Durorike Emiko in Warri.
He.attended NNPC Primary School in Warri and later Adesoye College, Offa, Kwara State for his secondary education between 1995 and 2001 before proceeding to Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA where he bagged his Bachelor’s of Arts between 2002 and 2006, majoring in International Studies and Political Science while minoring in History and Economics. In 2007, he earned a Master’s of Science in Management also from Case Western Reserve University.
On returning home to Nigeria in 2008, Prince Tsola Emiko served in the Public Affairs Department of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) for the NYSC scheme.
Thereafer, from 2009 to 2010, he worked as an officer at the Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administrator (SNCFPA) and later at Sahara Energy as Government Relations Officer between 2010 and 2012.
A serial entreoreneur, the Olu-designate is the founder of Noble Nigeria Ltd. and Coral Curator Ltd. He is the Chairman of Ocean Marine Security Ltd. and Director, Gulf of Guinea Ltd. and Vessel link Big. Ltd. while his business acumen may be said to have flowed from his late father.
He is happily married to Mrs. Ivie Uhunoma Emiko and blessed with children namely Oritsetsemaye, Oritsetemisan and Oritsetimeyin Emiko.
The Olu-designate is a go-getter who loves travelling, hiking, swimming, football and basketball while he also enjoys movies Above all, he is renowned as a devout Christian, nation builder and lover of History.