Olu of Warri hosts historical Christmas Carol, introduces new festival

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, on Friday hosted the first Christmas Carol in the history of the Warri Kingdom at the Aghofen Warri (The Palace).

An Instagram post on the 21st Olu of Warri page announcing the development reads; “Olu of Warri – Ogiame Atuwatse III hosted an inspirational maiden edition of Christmas Carol Service in Warri

“As Christmas fast approaches, Warri Kingdom is adorned in robes of many colours for a grandiose ceremony that had never been held before in the history of the Kingdom, designed to memorialize its cultural heritage and thrill indigenes and members of the public to a striking display of music, arts and culture. 

“For the first time in the history of the Kingdom, the 21st Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, on Friday, December 17, 2021, hosted a Christmas Carol Service at the Aghofen Warri (The Palace). The festive event birthed the perfect spotlight for the city of Warri and spurred its residents to experience the true spirit of Christmas”.

The king also “for the first time in the history of the Itsekiri Kingdom” has “introduced a new festival into the Warri Kingdom scheduled to hold tomorrow, December 18, 2021.

“Ghigho Aghofen (also known as The Palace Watch) is a ceremony that ushers in one of the indigenous Itsekiri communities to keep watch over the Kingdom, reminiscent of England’s “Changing of Guards” ceremony- this time more radiant and colourful.

“The festival will create the perfect spotlight for members of the individual communities to showcase their wealth of art and culture through dance, fashion and food.

“The Kingdom’s over 500-year-old history and the brimming potential of the local populace provides the backdrop for this event to become the first of its kind ever to be held in the Kingdom of Warri”.

Omoba Tsola Emiko was crowned the Ogiame Atuwatse III at a festive ceremony in Ode-Itsekiri on Saturday, August 21, 2021.

Omoba Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, shortened, Omoba Tsola Emiko,  is one of the sons of the 19th Olu of Warri, His Majesty   Ogiame Atuwase II who reigned 28 years, precisely from 1987  to  2015.

The Itsekiri kingship stool had often revolved around the monarchical structure where the kingship naturally devolves to the son of a deceased monarch.

However, this was not the story after the passage of his father the late Atuwase II.  It was gathered that several considerations came up and one of his Uncles, Ikenwoli Gbesimi Emiko was crowned the 20th Olu on December 12, 2015.

He too passed on barely two weeks after he celebrated the fifth anniversary of his coronation as Olu of Warri last year.

Tsola Emiko, was nominated as successor to the throne by Ginuwa 1, Ruling House.