… Announce new Olu designate

By Francis Sadhere, Warri

Scores of Itsekiri across the nation on Monday were thrown into mourning as the demise of His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, the Olu of Warri was announced by the Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Johnson Atseruleghe.

The event which took place at Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri) drew other personalities within and outside the state.

Clad in full traditional regalia, the Iyatsere symbolically broke three earthen pots containing white native chalk in the floor, followed by twenty cannon shots to announce the demise of the late king that reigned for five years.

He therefore announced a period of three months mourning, forbidding any social activities in Iwere land.

Subsequently, Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko was presented to thousands of Itsekiris as the successor to the throne. He is aged 37

The new Monarch who was Educated in Nigeria and abroad, is regarded as a nation builder and widely accepted by Itsekiris as their new Olu.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, was represented at the occasion by Oba Akinola Oyetade Aderera, the Olubosin of Ife and Adekunle Adeayo Adeagbo, the Ore of Otun Eketi.

Prince Utieyinoritsola Emiko was born in April 2, 1984 to Prince Godwin Toritseju Emiko(the late Ogiame Ikenwoli Atuwatse 11) and Gladys Durorike Emiko in Warri, Delta State,

He attended the prestigious NNPC primary school in Warri and for his secondary Schools education he went to Adesoue College, Ofa, Kwara State from 1995 to 2001.

Continuing his interest for studying, Prince Emiko got admitted into Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA where he bagged his bachelor of Art , majoring in international studies and Political Science, while minoring in History and Economic between 2002 and 2006.

The elegance personified Prince went further to earn a Master’s of Science in Management from Case Western Reserve University in 2007.

He returned to Nigeria for NYSC in 2008 where he served in Public Affairs Department of National Petroleum Investment Management Service (NAPIMS)

From 2009 to 2010, he worked as Officer at the Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Find Administrator (SNCPFA) and worked for Sahara Energy as Government Relations Officer (2010-2012)

Emiko, a serial entrepreneur is the founder of Noble Energy Ltd and Corral Curators Ltd. He is the chairman, Ocean Marine Security Ltd and Director, Golf of Guinea Ltd and Vessellink Nig Ltd. Good business acumen may be said to have flowed from his late father.

Prince Utieyinoritsetsola is a loving and caring husband of Mrs Ivie Uhunoma Emiko and an inspiring father to Oritsetsemaye, Oritsetemisan and Oritsetimeyin Emiko.