THE cosmopolitan city of Warri is set to play host to prominent personalities from all walks of life for the 1st coronation anniversary celebrations of the 20th Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli.

The modest, peace-loving monarch, who incidentally is the third university graduate to ascend the pristine Itsekiri royal stool, has conferred chieftaincy titles on some deserving Itsekiris, as part of activities to commemorate this epoch making event.

For the Olu, who ascended the throne on December, 12, 2015, the occasion calls for appreciation to God for giving him the opportunity to kick-start the process of restoring the dignity and aspiration of the Itsekiris from a commerce oriented people to the promise of intellectual beacon that the Itsekiri ethnic nationality has evolved to become in modern times.

Apart from this, he has also marked himself out as a bridge builder, peacemaker and genuine patriot as exemplified by his peaceful overtures initiated immediately after his coronation, which saw him paying historic visit to the Akugbene of Mein Kingdom, the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, and Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom all in Delta state. This royal investment in strengthening fraternal ties with neighbouring ethnic nationalities is already paying off with numerous commentators attesting to the fact that His Majesty’s royal tour has stood him out as a true man of peace.

In the words of Chief Sunny Popo, the Eriabome of Uvwie: “It takes a humble person who wants a good future for his people and their neighbours to do what he has been doing for some time now. This is truly laudable, and I hope other monarchs will take a cue from him”.

Indeed, it is most commendable that His Majesty’s reign this past one year has undisputedly fostered inter-ethnic harmony with our Urhobo, and Ijaw brothers and sisters thus helping the government of the day to engender peace and tranquility needed for the advancement of the state and the nation.

Inspired by the fact that Ogiame Ikenwoli, though barely a year on the throne already bestrides the Nigeria landscape like a colossus, Hon. (Mrs.) Omawumi Udoh, the Honourable Member representing Warri South 1, Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly said about His Majesty: “Baba’s passion for his people is immeasurable. We appreciate his contributions to the society through his selfless roles as a statesman and an upscale philanthropist. As a monarch of principle, he has carved a niche for himself in the traditional institution. He is a very rare monarch.”

While undoubtedly a simple man as well as a heartwarming personage, His Majesty is nevertheless a monarch of many parts. He is quite devout and humble before God, while being a dedicated professional, consummate intellectual and an astute business leader. Instructively, the monarch actually made a mark as an activist when as Chairman of HOSTCOM, Delta State Chapter, he led his colleagues in agitating and securing judicious use of the 13% Derivation accruable to the Oil and Gas Producing communities.

On this auspicious occasion of marking his one year on the royal stool, Ogiame Ikenwoli has chosen once more to challenge his subjects, particularly those holding political offices in trust for the Itsekiris, to use their privileged positions to attract development to Itsekiriland, thus providing jobs to thousands of Itsekiris and other residents of his kingdom.

As Nigerians from all political divides, royal fathers, bureaucrats, technocrats, brass-hat politicians, religious leaders, and the moguls in the various professions assemble in Warri to felicitate with His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, the Olu of Warri, let us as a people reflect on the state of things in Itsekiri land and support Ogiame Ikenwoli and his progressive Chiefs in their efforts in repositioning Itsekiri in the world map of reckoning.

It is against this background that some rather highly untoward subterfuges and condemnable excesses on the part of a handful of our fellow Itsekiris must be noted with regret. Indeed, it is most depressing that from the obviously mundane to the utterly ridiculous, habitual traducers would look for ways to pitch Itsekiri youths against one another while casting aspersions on the character and integrity of eminent Itsekiris whose only crime is that they are stoically and patriotically championing the cause of their people with appropriate deference to the revered crown of His Majesty.

As a matter of fact, the manner in which certain persons seem to claim greater ownership of Itsekiri land and indeed the Olu in Council than other Itsekiris is not only worrisome but completely intolerable. Against the background of the fact that His Majesty’s agenda is aimed at restoring the glory of the Itsekiri, it goes without saying that there must be collaborative efforts from all to ensure a derailment from Ogiame’s divinely inspired vision to steer our ethnic nationality towards its proper destiny. Needless to say, His Majesty’s relentless call for peaceful coexistence is a lesson in humility and should be rightly emulated by each and every serious minded leader amongst us.

As we celebrate this first anniversary of a God-given king, I heartily congratulate the Itsekiri people, the Emiko Royal family, and other stakeholders for giving us an astute King with a clear vision to restore the dignity and aspiration of the people of Warri.  Ogiame Suo!

While it is the dream of every political leader to be renowned as a man of the people, we already have in Ogiame Ikenwoli, a true King of the people! As such, we most heartily pray that he outlives his predecessors.

Ogiame Suo!

Michael Tidi, is the eldest son of Oritsetimeyin Tidi and the late Princess Roli Emiko of the Royal House of Emiko.