Olu of Warri is dead

King, Ogiame Atuwatse II, the Olu of Warri, has joined his ancestors, THISDAY has gathered. He was said to have passed on while on admission at a Lagos Hospital. He was 70 years old.

There was heightened anxiety in Itsekiri Kingdom yesterday, over speculations about the state of health of the king after various reports on online platforms had alleged that the renowned monarch had joined his ancestors.

Although there has not been any official confirmation from the Delta State government, THISDAY was able to confirm from the palace and other sources on the demise of the revered monarch.

The news was being discussed in hushed tones all over the oil-city of Warri and its environs till late last (Saturday) night but nobody seemed to have any concrete facts about the actual cause of the reported transition of the Olu.

The premier Itsekiri monarch had apparently not been in the best of health since he reportedly suffered a minor stroke over two years ago. However, his health seemed to have improved tremendously with the monarch seen at many public functions especially before the last general election in the country.

THISDAY learnt that Atuwatse II was in a Lagos hospital preparatory to being flown abroad for more intense medical care when his condition worsened from a domestic accident he reportedly had recently in Warri, which eventually led to his demise.

It was further learnt that his stroke had worsened recently following the alleged domestic accident during which he allegedly suffered brain injury.

Initial spirited efforts by THISDAY to get some prominent Itsekiri personages last night to confirm or deny the report only met a brick-wall. At least two of those contacted in Warri by THISDAY for their reaction were practically hostile and would not discuss the matter further.

However, THISDAY gathered that it is considered an abominable thing for an Itsekiri son or daughter to speak to any “outsider” in particular about the death of the Itsekiri king.

Aside this year’s celebration of the anniversary of his ascension to the throne as Olu, the last major outing where THISDAY encountered the royal father was during the visits to Delta State by former President Goodluck Jonathan for the groundbreaking ceremony of the multi-billion gas city project at Ogidigben near Escravos in Warri South-west Local Government Area.

Ogiame Atuwatse II ascended the throne of his forefathers on May 2, 1987 during an elaborate ceremony which was recorded as the last official engagement of renowned politician and publisher, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Awolowo died on May 9, 1987, a week after attending the Olu’s coronation in Warri.

The famous Itsekiri monarch last May celebrated what might be termed low-keyed 28th anniversary of his coronation, choosing to mark the occasion mainly with Christian religious services.

Nonetheless, the demise of the Itsekiri King is coming on the second anniversary of the celebrated crisis-of-interest over the alleged “pagan” or fetish etymological background of the royal title of the Itsekiri monarch - Ogiame.

The Olu of Warri had, in September 2013, attempted to jettison the traditional title of ‘Ogiame’ because of his Christian beliefs, thereby drawing the ire of practically all his chiefs and subjects.

However, after several days of peaceful protest by the Itsekiri people demanding that Atuwatse II choose between retaining the title of Ogiame or vacant the royal stool he occupied in trust for the entire Iwere-land (Itsekiri Kingdom), the king eventually capitulated.

The decision to rescind his earlier plan to do away with the title of Ogiame was greeted enthusiastically by his subjects, leading to wide jubilation in Warri in early September, 2013.