Itsekiri people had awaited this day — Saturday, December 12, for coronation of their new king. Installed as His Royal Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli, the crowning name was not a continuity of neither his immediate predecessor nor any of his predecessors down the centuries. It was unique. This told the Itsekiri something peculiar. Unlike Atuwatse II, there was a first of the same name.
We had Ginuwa first and second. But not so, now. What the people experienced on this coronation did not relate to this hallowed fact. The message he sent to the world on the first day by the name is exactly how he intends to make his vision of a peaceful and prosperous Itsekiri nation realistic.
Resilience, patience, hope and faith in God that a glorious dawn will come at the end, summed up the colourful coronation of Prince Godfrey, Ikenwoli Gbesimi Emiko as 20th Olu of Warri in Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri), ancestral home of Itsekiri people. The quiet, ancient town located deep in the creeks and mangrove forests along Warri River suddenly went agog, thronged by over 30,000 people, visitors, well-wishers, highly-placed government officials, political leaders and traditional rulers from various parts of the country to witness a rare historical event of a lifetime for many.
As early as 7am, people were already arriving at the Warri Naval Boatyard by the side of the Warri Club facing the waterfront. Most of them were Itsekiri indigenes from the three local government areas of Warri, including several others from different parts of Nigeria. Stationed on the water were speed boats, barges, engine-propelled canoes and arrays of rivercraft to transport people, guests, visitors to the venue of the coronation.
Olu of Warri coronation
One major event that took place before the coronation was the boat/canoe Regatta, like an Armada of boats escorting the main royal boat conveying the Olu-designate to Ode-Itsekiri for the ceremony. It was like a flotilla. All the canoes for the regatta were decorated in colours of white, red, blue and green, hoisting flags of assorted colours.
Most of the canoes and boats which sailed in the Regatta were either owned or sponsored by some prominent Itsekiri Chieftaincy families, towns and villages along the Warri River and beyond. The paddlers in colourful attires. the drummers were hitting away, singing and paddling in rhythmic sequence.
It was a marvel to behold. Gaily dressed Itsekiri men with their hats, long sleeved native shirts that crossed the knees called “Kemije,” wearing long beads (okun) and the women with beautiful wrappers and blouse, adorning necklaces, bangles on their wrists, could not hide their emotions as they waited to be transported to Ode-Itsekiri.
Among the boats in the Regatta were those from Jakpa, Tebu, Ifiekporo, Okere community, Eyinmisan, Eregwa Itsekiri, Ale Oba Uwangue, Chief Ologbotsere, to mention a few. While the pressure was getting too much at the Warri Waterfront where many dignitaries were being transported in the morning before 10am, another point of departure was at Ugbuwangue village nearby.
Hundreds of people were taken to Ode-Itsekiri from there as engine boats operators were making brisk business transporting visitors to the venue, a distance of 10 minutes on water for a fee of between N300 and N400, but risky without life jackets. Men, women and children carried by their mothers took the trips without fear. A boat carried 15 and 20 persons while a barge at the Warri Waterfront took over 200 persons.
Between 10am and 12 noon, thousands had arrived at the venue, waiting for the new king and other important personalities to emerge from the wharf. They were coming in different batches and groups, as people lined up at a short distance adjacent to the newly constructed ancestral palace. Itsekiri women and men clad in coronation wrappers took position here, singing and dancing, awaiting the new king and other VIPs from Warri.
At 11.15 am, ex-governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan emerged with a small group. Later , other personalities, traditional rulers from the North and others from different parts of the country followed in quick succession. Then came the Olu-designate. This elicited loud applause as the waiting crowd surged to have a glimpse, walking briskly into the palace accompanied by some chiefs, masquerades and singers.
Some moments after, APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu emerged, attracting ovation, going straight to the inner chamber of the Ancestral Palace to meet the Olu. Other important guests entered through various points. After brief stay, the new king, not yet crowned, emerged with Tinubu at the frontage smiling. Three masquerades came to pay homage to the duo as they left. Meanwhile, coronation hall was getting filled to the brim with invited guests and cultural groups.
Focus then shifted to the sacred place in the precinct of the ancestral palace. This was where the new king performed some traditional rites before the crowning. The crowd was heavy. People shoved, moved forward and backward simultaneously. Many climbed the outer wall, stood up to catch a glimpse of what was happening.
Tension mounted, a retinue of guards were overwhelmed and the gates were opened. Some of the Senior Chiefs managed to get there, including a foremost Oba in Yorubaland. The Olu had performed some chores such as splitting firewood, fetching water in a pot and paddling a canoe which he can never do again in his lifetime. Several swords called “Uda” in Itsekiri marked with the names of previous Olus in every reign were lined up, but he picked a new one, signifying he wanted a new name entirely different from what had existed in the past.
When he took the new shining sword, he raised it up to the crowd, watching in the sacred place. He later returned to the sacred place in front of Ogua Ogbowuru where traditional priest administered an Oath on him to serve, protect and defend the Itsekiri nationality at all times, for progress, unity and prosperity. It was a solemn vow and the Olu intoned the vow before the priests.
Olu of Warri Coronation celebration
After that, a carpet rug was rolled on the ground for the new Olu to walk on as he made his way to the Coronation Hall already jam-packed. The expansive stage which he sat on majestically, bedecked with royal beads, red attire and huge red curtain blinds. It was on this stage that the Olare-Aja of Jakpa, acting in his capacity as the Ologbotsere (Traditional Prime Minister) of Warri Kingdom, crowned him as Ikenwoli with a diamond crown from Portugal used since early 15th Century.
It was exactly 2.15 pm. Many Itsekiri traditional dance groups entertained and also non-Itsekiri groups thrilled the distinguished, royal and eminent audience. In his maiden speech in Itsekiri language translated in English, His Royal Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli thanked all the persons who came for the coronation, was full of gratitude to those who took time to be part of the event, wishing them God’s blessing and journey mercies going back home.
He pledged himself for the Itsekiri people and hoped that this bond of affection will grow stronger leading to greater progress in the future years ahead. Earlier, goodwill messages from a cross-section of political and traditional rulers across the country were delivered including President Muhammadu Buhari represented by Secretary to Federal Government, Bachir David Lawal and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.
The ceremony rounded up with singing of the Itsekiri Anthem before the curtain on the royal stage was closed. Among those present were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme; King Jaja of Opobo, Orodje of Okpe, Orhue I; former Lagos State Governor Tinubu; Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; SGF, Babachir David Lawal; Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe; Deputy Governor of Delta, Kingsley Otuaro; Vanguard Publisher, Mr Sam Amuka; Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, CAN President; Chief Rita Lori, Igtba of Warri and several eminent personalities were present. The majestic Egwen Dance was staged to finish up the coronation ceremony as many others who could not enter the hall settled all around the town eating and drinking happily in carnival fashion.
-Vanguard
