The Olu-designate is the first of three children (two male and a female) born by his mother to the late Olu Gbesimi Emiko (Erejuwa II), who died in 1987. His siblings are Prince Benjamin (Beliami) Emiko and Mrs Ogbemi Daibo.
Various sources told the Sunday Nation that the Olu-designate was trained and tutored for the role he is set to assume since his birth. As the Abiloye, the first male son born to his late father Olu Erejuwa II, after he assumed the throne, he was the natural and traditional choice to succeed his father.
“Before the 1979 gazette, the most qualified prince to succeed the Olu is the son of the reigning Olu, who was born after he ascended his throne. He may have older brothers, but only the son born after an Olu was crowned that is qualified. That is why he was named Ikenwoli.
“So, everyone had expected Prince Ikenwoli to succeed his father, who had also shown and told several of his close chiefs that his Abiloye would succeed him,” an Itsekiri community leader said.
However, it was gathered that following the 1979 gazette, his older half-brother, now the late Olu, became the successor in spite of some resistance by people who felt that the Ikenwoli should not be deprived.
Twenty-eight years after, the Olu-designate, is set to fulfil his late father’s dream for him.
He is a graduate of Business Administration from the University of Benin and has experience working in the private sector before his elevation to the highest traditional position in Warri (Iwere) kingdom.
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