….Prayers, praises at the Olu’s palace
…..As dignitaries start arriving oil city of Warri
The oil city of Warri in Delta State is now a behive of activities as the formal crowning of the 21st Warri monarch, Omoba Tsiola Emiko started Friday with prayers and praises at the Olu palace along Ajamimogha, Warri.
The activities, The New Diplomat learnt, will climax tomorrow in Ode Itsekiri (Ancestral home of the Itsekiri), where the Olu-designate will be officially crowned the 21st Olu of Warri in a colourful ceremony.
The New Diplomat’s correspondent who has been monitoring the event in Warri reports that starting from the Osubi Airport through the NPA expressway to the Olu palace in Ajamimogha road, security personnel are already taking position in preparation for tomorrow event when dignitaries from across the country and beyond will arrive to grace the occasion.
The Delta State police command has reportedly deployed over 1,000 personnel for the occasion just as the State Police Commissioner, Ari Ali has directed his men to ensure watertight security before, during and after the ceremony. He warned criminally-minded individuals to stay away from the ceremony just as he promised maximum security.
It has also been reported that the Olu-designate, has taken delivery of two choice cars – a Rolls Royce and a Bentley for a royal drive as part of the ceremony.
At the Warri Club Jetty where visitors are expected to be ferried by boats to Ode Itsekiri, security is also taking shape as at today. When The New Diplomat visited the Jetty Friday’s afternoon, several boats were seen parked ostensibly waiting for activities that would kick off early morning tomorrow.
It was also gathered that a very colourful boat regatta will be on display to usher in visitors as they head to Ode Itsekiri where the formal crowning of the 21st Olu of Warri will take place.
All sons and daughters of the Itsekiri nation, including friends and well-wishers from other nationalities in the State and across the country are expected in their thousands to felicitate with the Itsekiri people as they celebrate the official crowning of the Warri monarch.
The Chairman of Publicity Sub-Committee, Prince Yemi Emiko was reported to have assured that all is set for the ceremony to start, adding that the event will present a unique opportunity for the Itsekiri people to showcase their rich cultural heritage, just as he extended invitation to friends and well-wishers to find their way to the oil city of Warri and Ode Itsekiri to participate in the event.
