By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

ABUJA—THE Senate, yesterday, expressed sadness over the death of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, saying the death was a great loss not only to his family, the people of Warri and Delta State government, but the entire nation.

The Senate, which observed one minute silence in honour of the deceased royal father, sent a four-man delegation, led by its Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to condole with the family, the people of Warri, and the Delta State Government, on the demise of the revered first class chief.

It also congratulated the  Olu of Warri-elect, Prince Ikenwoli Gbesimi Emiko, the immediate younger brother of the late monarch.

The development was sequel to a motion, titled: Demise of Olu of Warri, sponsored by Senator James Manager, and 25 other senators.

In the motion, the senators noted with a great sense of loss, the demise of His Majesty, Atuwatse II, the Olu of Warri, which sad event took place on September 4, 2015, at the age of 71.

The sponsors of the motion, who recalled that the late monarch was born on September  26, 1944,  at Ode-Itsekiri in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, lauded him for the peace in his kingdom since ascending the throne.

The upper legislative chamber noted that before his coronation, the Olu of Warri had worked as a partner in Emiko and Associates and as a councillor, Warri Local Government Management Committee.

It said that  prince Godwin Edomi, was crowned Ogiame Atuwatse II, the Olu of Warri on May 2,1987, and ever since he had been an embodiment of unity and peace in the kingdom.

Following his coronation, he had served in the state as Permanent Vice Chairman of the old Bendel State Council of Traditional Rulers from 1987 to 1991.

He was also Chairman, Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers from 1995 to 1997, member, Delta State Security Council, 1995 to 1997 and Chairman, Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers from 2012 till his demise.

At the federal level, he served as member of the Constituent Assembly in Abuja in 1989, Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, member, Joint Committee of Traditional Rulers and Leaders of Thought, as well as member, Foreign Affairs Committee of Traditional Rulers and Leaders of Thought.

The late monarch was also member, Committee on University Crises in 1996, member, Committee on the Future Higher Education in Nigeria, member, Committee on Vision 2010 and Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna from 2001 to the date of his demise.