Olu Of Warri Has Died Of COVID-19

Olu of Warri, Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko, has died of COVID-19.

The monarch died on Monday morning, barely a week after his
fifth coronation anniversary. He was said to have met with the late
Major General John Irefin, who died earlier this month from
COVID-19 complications.

But no palace official was willing to confirm the demise of the
foremost traditional ruler until the traditional rites have been
complied with.

There was also no statement from the palace.

But sources said he might have joined his ancestors on Sunday
night.

“We have not been authorised to speak on such issue”, one palace
official contacted, said on Monday.

At markets and other public places in Warri, residents were seen
in clusters discussing the issue in hushed tones.

Their mood showed that something untoward had happened but
activities around the palace appeared normal.

The Olu celebrated his fifth anniversary on the throne about a
few days ago.

Ogiame Ikenwoli was born on March 19, 1955 to Olu Erejuwa II who
reigned between 1951 and 1986. Ikenwoli, the 20th Olu of Warri,
succeeded his younger brother, Ogiame Atuwatse II, on December 12,
2015 at an elaborate ceremony at Ode-Itsekiri, the ancestral home
of the Itsekiri.

Olu of Warri, Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko, has died of COVID-19.

The monarch died on Monday morning, barely a week after his
fifth coronation anniversary. He was said to have met with the late
Major General John Irefin, who died earlier this month from
COVID-19 complications.

But no palace official was willing to confirm the demise of the
foremost traditional ruler until the traditional rites have been
complied with.

There was also no statement from the palace.

But sources said he might have joined his ancestors on Sunday
night.

“We have not been authorised to speak on such issue”, one palace
official contacted, said on Monday.

At markets and other public places in Warri, residents were seen
in clusters discussing the issue in hushed tones.

Their mood showed that something untoward had happened but
activities around the palace appeared normal.

The Olu celebrated his fifth anniversary on the throne about a
few days ago.

Ogiame Ikenwoli was born on March 19, 1955 to Olu Erejuwa II who
reigned between 1951 and 1986. Ikenwoli, the 20th Olu of Warri,
succeeded his younger brother, Ogiame Atuwatse II, on December 12,
2015 at an elaborate ceremony at Ode-Itsekiri, the ancestral home
of the Itsekiri.