The Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, has joined his ancestors barely one week after his fifth coronation anniversary celebration.
Jomog News Nigeria reports that the monarch died after contracting the deadly COVID-19 disease, his health was said to have deteriorated on Sunday evening. This news threw the people of Delta into mourning on Monday morning.
As the news of the passage of the monarch spread on Monday, shops and offices in the Warri royal palace vicinity closed as people were seen in groups discussing the development in hush tones.
There were claims that the king had contact with the late Major General John Irefin, who died earlier this month from COVID-19 complications.
Late Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko, born 19 March 1955 to Olu Erejuwa II (1951–1986) and Olori Eyinagboluwade Emiko, was the 20th Olu of Warri.
The deceased succeeded his younger brother Olu Atuwatse II who died in March 2015.
He was crowned Ogiame Ikenwoli on the 12th of December 2015 at Ode-Itsekiri, the ancestral home of the Itsekiri people in a ceremony which was witnessed by many dignitaries in Nigeria such as the Secretary to the Federal Government at the time, David Babachir Lawal, the Delta State Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Emmanuel Uduaghan (former Governor Delta State), and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Nigeria’s ruling party.
Recall that the monarch was lively and did now show signs of illness as he joyfully received well wishers from far and near who paid him royal homage during his fifth coronation anniversary, less than a week ago.
