From Entrepreneurship to Palace as 21st Olu of Warri
Sylvester Idowu
With just a few days to the coronation of Omo Oba Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko as the 21st Olu of Warri, precisely on Saturday, August 21, the entire ancient town has been gripped with excitement and joy. Reason being that the new monarch would be coming on board as the youngest ever to mount the throne of his forefathers. chronicles his life to the throne
As Omo Oba Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, prepares for his coronation as the 21st Olu of Warri on August 21, 2021, the entire ancient town has been gripped with excitement and joy. The new monarch is said to be the youngest ever to mount the throne of his forefathers, since the demise of the immediate past king.
The youthful 36-year-old Tsola Emiko comes as a blessing to the kingdom and a harbinger of good things to the Itsekiris. It will surely be a season of good tidings and glamour as the new king will be officially coronated in a ceremony at Ode-Itsekiri, which promises to be a spectacle. Many distinguished first-class traditional rulers and dignitaries across the country are expected to grace the monumental occasion.
His Background...
Son of the 19th Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atunwase II, the Olu-designate, Prince Tsola Emiko, was born and bred under the stewardship of the respected Ginuwa Royal House of the Itsekiris and underwent training in the walk of Princes by his late father.
As the new Olu, providence has not only vested in him these responsibilities, his academic exploit, as well as his accomplishments as a business man has also placed him in a pole position to ensure an enduring legacy in Itsekiri land.
Omo Oba Emiko received his early education at the NNPC Primary School, Warri before proceeding to Adesoye College, Offa, Kwara State, for his secondary education between 1995 and 2001.
Not satisfied with only a postprimary education, the young prince then proceeded to the Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America from where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree between 2002 and 2006.
He majored in International Studies & Political Science, even as History & Economics were his subsidiary areas of specialisation.
In 2007, the young prince returned to Case Western Reserve University from where he obtained a Master of Science in Management.
He returned to Nigeria in 2008 for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and served in the Public Affairs Department of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS).
Between 2009 and 2010, he worked as an officer at the Shell Nigeria Closed Pension FundAdministrator (SNCFPA) and Sahara Energy between 2010 and 2012 as a Government Relations Officer.
Olu-designate as an Entrepreneur...
With his exposure and education overseas, Omo Oba Emiko has been able to galvanise 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.
With his rich educational background, the youthful Olu, a trailblazer, known for many positive acts to many people, would superintend over a population of more than one million people.
His coming on the throne is expected 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
Journey to the Throne...
In appreciation of his modernist world-view, entrepreneurial savvy and deep commitment to the ancient customs and traditions of the people of Itsekiri, the kingmakers of the respected Itsekiri kingdom proclaim Prince Tsola Emiko as the next Olu of Warri with the coronation slated for August 21, 2021.
In the morning of May 27, 2021, Itsekiri nation and the world was told about the emergence of a new Olu of Warri-designate, Tsola Emiko by the Acting Chairman of the Olu Advisory Council and Iyatsere of Warri kingdom, Chief Johnson Amataserunlege at a press conference held at Olu Palace.
While unveiling the brand new monarch, Chief Amataserunlege said Omo Oba Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko will be crowned on Saturday, August 21 at Ode-Itsekiri, the ancestral home of the Itsekiris in Warri South Local Government area of Delta State.
The Acting Chairman of the Olu Advisory Council, Chief Amatserunleghe disclosed that the Omoba’s choice came after a “rigorous process, which included a painstaking search within and amongst the descendants of the last three Olu’s, as required by tradition, custom and extant laws as well as several consultation and eventual confirmation by the Ifa oracle”.
Chief Amatserunleghe, who is also the chairman of the Warri Council of Chiefs, formally announced the final rites of passage for the late king, His
Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, which lasted for 14 days.
The Chairman of Warri Council of Chiefs therefore disclosed that on behalf of the Warri Council of kingmakers that Omo Oba Tsola Emiko will be crowned and formally installed as the 21st Olu of Warri kingdom on August 21 this year.
“It is my singular honour to declare to you on behalf of the Warri Council of kingmakers, that Omoba Tsola Emiko will be crowned and formally installed as the 21st Olu of Warri on Saturday, the 21st day of August 2021, by the grace of God,” he stated.
The Iyatsere of Warri kingdom thanked all Itsekiri sons and daughters, especially the people in diaspora who stood and have remained steadfast in their desire for a peaceful transition, in line with their wishes and those of the Gods of the land.
His reign is not expected to fall short of the developmental stride and transformation that the 28 years reign of his father, Ogiame Atuwatse II, brought to Warri.
Described as a serial entrepreneur, Emiko is expected to bridge the gap of unemployment amongst the youths of the kingdom through his wealth of experience.
From his background, he is expected to provide the leadership that will ensure an enduring peace between his people and oil majors that the Itsekiri nation play host to.
He is expected to cement the relationship of the kingdom with the state government as well as the federal government in order to attract developmental projects as well as ensure the completion of abandoned projects in the area.