By Assin Godstime

Agbarha-Warri Kingdom is one of the three kingdoms in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. The others are Okere-Urhobo and Warri (Iwerre) Kingdom.

Warri Kingdom is for the Itsekiris, while Okere-Urhobo and Agbarha-Warri Kingdoms are among the 24 Urhobo Kingdoms.

Furthermore, the Urhobo ethnic nationality is the largest ethnic nationality in Delta State. Aside from being the largest, it houses more of the state’s enterprises. Uvwie Kingdom houses the largest number of banks in Delta State in terms of numbers and sizes. The banks in Agbarha-Warri are neck-to-neck with those in the state capital, Asaba.

The biggest market in the state is the Igbudu market, located in Agbarha-Warri Kingdom. Agbarha-Warri Kingdom was the first Urhobo kingdom to produce a professor, in the person of Professor Frank Ukoli. He was appointed Professor of Zoology in 1973 at the prestigious University of Ibadan.

St. Gideon Urhobo of Agbarha-Warri Kingdom was the first Deltan to singlehandedly establish a church outside of the early mission churches such as the Roman Catholic, Anglican, etc. The name of the church which was founded in the early 1930s and has its headquarter located in Agbarha-Warri kingdom is God’s Kingdom Society (GKS).

When Delta State was created from the defunct Bendel State (now Edo & Delta States), Frank Ukoli of Agbarha-Warri was the pioneer vice-chancellor of Delta State University. He was the second Deltan to become a Vice Chancellor after Professor Philip Kuale, another Urhobo and pioneering Professor of Electrical & Electronics Engineering. Ukoli was the first black dean at the University of Ibadan. Agbarha-Warri Kingdom is made of Otovwodo, Igbudu, Oteghelle, Edjeba, Ogunu, Ukpokiti and Okurode communities.

Agbarha-Warri is often erroneously classified as part of Warri Kingdom by those who are unaware of the multi-ethnic nature of the local government. Quite a number of educated people even made the mistake until lately, when the Agbarha-Warri people witnessed their first transition.

The Agbarha-Warri people successfully crowned a king who was widely accepted, celebrated, loved, and cherished. His ascension to the throne was widely publicised, both locally and internationally. Ascending the throne, he pronounced for himself, a name with an enormous cloud, HRM Kingsley Emakpo Orereh, Igbi II. This event was able to enlighten many who, hitherto, did not know the differences between the various kingdoms in Warri South and their boundaries.

In the ranking of kingdoms with highly educated people in Delta State, Agbarha-Warri holds a place. This is evident in the newly coronated king of the kingdom, alias, the City King.

Without mincing words, the newly coronated King of Agbarha-Warri Kingdom came prepared. He is so refined, cultured, versatile, courageous, educated, outspoken, polite, committed, successful, invaluable, and accessible. His business empires alone are testaments to the fact that he has enormous wisdom in management, which is required of a leader. No doubt, he has the capacity and exposure to transform Agbarha-Warri into a city to be admired by all.

As they say, a little time would convince everyone that, indeed, HRM Igbi II is a choice divinely chosen by God for a people in need of a vocal voice.

Congratulations to the City King!