Thousands attend coronation of new king in Nigeria’s oil hub Warri
- The king, or olu, of Warri is one of the most important traditional rulers in Nigeria, reigning over a kingdom dating back to the 15th century
- The new king, Omo Oba Utienyinoritsetsola Emiko, 37, ascended the throne as the 21st olu of Warri at the ceremony in Ode-Itsekiri, his people’s ancestral home
Thousands of people in traditional red and white attire thronged to the riverine community of Ode-Itsekiri in southern Nigeria’s oil hub Warri on Saturday to witness the ascension of their new king.
The king or Olu of Warri is one of the most important traditional rulers in Nigeria, reigning over a kingdom dating back to the 15th century with a trading hub and seaport once used by Portuguese and Dutch slave merchants.
Nigeria’s kings and emirs hold no official political powers, but they wield enormous influence as custodians of spiritual and cultural heritage in Africa’s most populous nation which has more than 300 ethnicities.
The new king, Omo Oba Utienyinoritsetsola Emiko, 37, ascended the throne as the 21st Olu of Warri at the ceremony in Ode-Itsekiri, his people’s ancestral home.
The US-educated prince was crowned by traditional chiefs of the ancient town in the presence of ministers, governors, senators, religious leaders and diplomats.