By Emma Arubi
A UNIVERSITY Don has revealed that it is only the Oracle (IFE) that has the final say in whosoever emerges as king in Itsekiri tradition and not the law Court, saying that those planning to seek redress in our judiciary system to upturn the selection and acceptance of the Olu-elect, Omoba Tsola Emiko would only succeed in making a foolery of themselves.
Prof. Lucky Akaruese of the University of Port Harcourt made this assertion shortly after the pronouncement of the demise of His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli and the introduction of Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko as the Olu-elect at a general assembly of thousands of Itsekiri sons and daughters at Ode-Itsekiri (Big-Warri) the ancestral home of the Itsekiri people Monday, April 5, 2021.
In the same vein, the Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Johnson Amatseruleghe has disclosed that those bent on truncating the succession process to installing a new monarch for the kingdom would have the entire Itsekiri nation and the gods of the land to contend with.
Chief Amatseruleghe who performed the Ale-Jefun ceremony at Big-Warri cladded in full traditional regalia like other equally dressed chiefs of the kingdom 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 throughout 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 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 Adesoye 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 Economics between 2002 and 2006.
The charming and charismatic Omoba 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 (SNCFPA) and worked for Sahara Energy as Government Relations Officer (2010-2012)
Emiko, a serial entrepreneur is they 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 inspiring father to Oritsetsemaye, Oritsetemisan and Oritsetimeyin Emiko.
Chief Atserunleghe further disclosed that no court papers have been served on him and that he is also not aware of any court case against the succession process so far, noting the Iyatsere was the most senior chief that led Prince Ginuwa 1 from Benin Kingdom to found the Warri kingdom in the 15h century.
Present at the ceremony were the regent, Prince Emma Okotie-Eboh, General Emiko,Naval officers, member representing Warri South constituency 1 in the state house of Assembly, Hon.(DR) Austin Uroye, former House of Representatives member, Hon. Daniel Reyenieju and other top government functionaries.
