Dr. Michael Tidi has expressed his profound reverence to the departed Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli as his funeral rites kick-started on Monday, May 10, in Warri.
Tidi, Chairman, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta made the expression in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday morning in Warri.
“As the funeral rite for the 20th Olu of Warri kickoff on May 10, 2021.
“I wish to on behalf of the government and people of Warri South Council Area express my profound reverence for the departed monarch,” he said.
Tidi described the departed king as an accomplished Nigerian, a seasoned administrator, quintessential unifier, unique personage and exemplary monarch.
He said that the highly respected monarch who was crowned in 2015 amidst cheers, despite his brief stint on the stool of his forefathers, succeeded in raising the status and reckoning of the Itsekiri people.
The Warri South council boss said that Ikenwoli as peacemaker, built bridges across Edo, Osun, Oyo, Lagos and Sokoto and admonished his subjects to be thoroughbred wherever they find themselves.
According to Tidi, Ikenwoli was known and perceived as one of the country’s greatest monarchs, adding that he was a peacemaker of no mean repute who fiercely and unyieldingly protected itsekiri interests.
“He simultaneously fostered inter-ethnic harmony thus helped the government of the day in engendering peace and tranquility needed for the advancement of the state and the nation.
“Our hearts are heavy, laden with pains and grief as our highly revered Olu, a distinguished Itsekiri numero uno, a seasoned administrator, quintessential unifier and exemplary monarch transit to the great beyond.
“He was a leader whom the lust of office did not kill, whom the spoils of office could not buy, a monarch who possesses opinions and a will.
“A king who honor, resent lie, a legend that stood before demagogue and fanned his treacherous flatteries without winking.
“To us at the Warri South council, he was our strongest supporter; both in his uncommon faith in our ability.
“And his readiness to offer uncommon advice to sharpen public discourse in our shared commitment to transform our Council area.
“We are enveloped with a deep sense of nostalgia that our great uncle and iconoclastic royal father of exemplary carriage who sustained the dignity of the average Itsekiri mind, has joined his ancestors.
“We are, however, encouraged by the fact that another great son of the Great Warri Kingdom, Omo oba Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, who is already showing manifest quintessential attributes of his forefathers, will step into the regal big shoes.
“Warri people will miss our iconoclastic royal father of the great Warri Kingdom. Nigerians and Nigeria will miss this great exemplar of a Royal Father, an Olu of distinction and integrity. Adieu until we meet to part no more,” he said.
