Twenty-four hours after his coronation as the 21st Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Atuwatse III has been admonished to quickly effect the process of healing wounds and uniting the entire Itsekiri Nation.
This was top of the admonitions given on Sunday at the Coronation Thanksgiving Service held at Warri Palace Chapel in Warri, Delta State by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, among others.
Dignitaries from all walks of life, home and abroad, including former governors James Ibori, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator James Manager, presidents of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and Nigeria Football Association (NBA), Olu Akpata and Amaju Pinnick, Speaker, Delta Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as well as notable clerics were at the thanksgiving service.
Speaking after the Holy Communion presided over by the former president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Oritsejafor, President Obasanjo prayed for a peaceful and long reign of the Olu, adding he “I don’t want to see fourth Olu,” having witnessed three crowned in his lifetime.
While acknowledging that the title “His Majesty” carries a lot of responsibilities, the three-time former Nigerian leader charged the Olu of Warri to not shun the experience and advice of elders as well as stay very close to God in all his dealings.
“Congratulations. May your reign be long, peaceful, bring unity and prosperity to Itsekiri. May your reign contribute to the development, unity and prosperity of Nigeria.
“I’m one of the happiest people for your installation. God has specially favoured me to see one, two, three Olu of Warri and I don’t want to see four,” he prayed.
The Owu-born former president further reassured Atuwatse III of his legitimacy from God and should diligently perform the task God has entrusted to him.
“The position you occupy is given to you by God but with your people surrounding you. You’ll be offending God not to perform the task He has given to you.
“All our kings are as good as the Queen of England. In the British days, they’ll say “Your Highness.” What’s highness? They don’t want anybody to share the title with them, we reject that. So, you’re “Your Majesty.
“But the title carries a lot of responsibilities. Two things must guide you: one, don’t shun the experience and advice of elders. It’s useful. Experience is wisdom. Make use of the experience of people around you.
“Two, be very close to God. In whatever situation, be close to God,” Obasanjo charged.
Obasanjo who was accompanied to the altar by Okowa and his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro, promised not to be far from the king, saying “and if there’s any reason to summon me, use your majestic power to do so.”
President Obasanjo, in concluding, declared that “Itsekiri land has got a new dawn and it will happen and continue to happen.”
Earlier, Senator Okowa, who regretted and apologised for his absence at the Coronation ceremony of the Olu of Warri on Saturday, urged the Olu to extend the olive to any aggrieved Itsekiri.
“I wish it were possible to be at the two events yesterday. But my spirit was with you. I know you’re a man of peace and God has chosen to ascend the throne this time.
“I’m aware a lot of healing process is ongoing. It’s time for healing; ensure the entirety of the kingdom comes together.
“Whether stubborn or not, extend the olive branch to them. You have a lot of work to do in Nigeria.
“We cannot afford any distraction at home so that the larger nation will have your presence in that nation-building.
“Your reign will truly bring peace and development. God has prepared you for this time. God’s presence be with you,” Okowa prayed.
In his message at the Thanksgiving Service, Guest Speaker, Apostle Tomi Arayomi, said God ordained the Atuwatse III and a prophecy of three years being fulfilled.
The prophet narrated how God mysteriously instructed him from the UK to come to Warri that he was not familiar with in 2018 to restore the “stolen” crown for the new king.
The cleric further said it was a divine arrangement for Atuwatse III to rule at this time, adding that God was willing to partner with people who were willing to partner with the Spirit of God to develop nations, especially Nigeria.
“In 2018, I came to Warri as instructed by God through a dream. Tsola was at the service. God directed me to him in the middle. I held his hands.
“I saw his crown being taken away. I saw his ancestors standing behind him and God asked me to restore his crown.
“Three years later, prophecy fulfilled in Warri. I want to see what God does in heaven in Nigeria before I die.
“You can’t talk about nation-building without talking about nation-bulldozing. We need the person who’ll get the job done not the one who got the job.
“God wants a prophetic solution to Nigeria. God is raising up a people who can disciple nations for him,” he declared.
Recall that Atuwatse III was crowned as the 21st Olu of Warri in a top-notch ceremony on Saturday at Ode-Itsekiri, the cradle of the Itsekiri, in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
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Obasanjo, Okowa, Oritsejafor, others charge Olu of Warri on unity, healing in Itsekiri nation
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