Ogiame Atuwatse III (born 2 April 1984) is a Nigerian traditional king of the Kingdom of Warri in the Delta State. He was born Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, also known as Tsola Emiko, on 2 April 1984 to Olu Atuwatse II, the 19th Olu of Warri, and Gladys Durorike Emiko.[1] He is also a descendant of Olu Akengbuwa.[2]
Ogiame Atuwatse III, born Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, commonly known as "Oritsetsola" or "Tsola" Emiko, was born on 2 April 1984 to then Prince Godwin Toritseju Emiko, and Gladys Durorike Emiko. He was born in Warri during the reign of his grandfather, the 18th Olu of Warri, Erejuwa II.[4][5] His paternal great-grandfather was Olu Ginuwa II, and he is the 16th great-grandson in a direct male line of Olu Ginuwa, the first Olu of Warri. He is a distant relative of the Benin royal family through Ginuwa's grandfather, who was Oba Ewuare the Great of the Kingdom of Benin.[6] He is also descended from Oranmiyan in a direct male line through his father, via the first Oba of Benin, Eweka, who was a son of Oranmiyan, and an ancestor to Olu Ginuwa and Oba Ewuare. [7][8]
His father rose to the throne as the 19th Olu of Warri, Olu Atuwatse II, when Tsola was 2 years old after the death of his grandfather Olu Erejuwa II.[4]
Education and career
He attended NNPC Primary School in Warri and Adesoye College, Offa, Kwara State for his primary and secondary education respectively. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Political Science from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA in 2006. In 2007, he obtained a Masters of Science degree in Management from the same university’s Weatherhead School of Management.[1][9]
In 2008, Ogiame Atuwatse III returned to Nigeria for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps and served in the Public Affairs Department of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS).
After NYSC, he worked as an officer at the Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administrator (SNCFPA) and Sahara Energy between 2010 and 2012.
He is a serial entrepreneur, having founded Noble Nigeria and Coral Curator. He is the Chairman of Ocean Marine Security and a Director at Gulf of Guinea and Vessellink Nig.[10]
The former Ologbotsere of Warri, Chief Ayiri Emami, attempted to delay the selection process of an Olu designate. Many alleged that he sought to create an interregnum following a letter from the royal family, which was sent to the Ologbotsere for their screening of the candidates. In a controversial act, the then Ologbotsere, Ayiri Emami, tore the letter, an action perceived as an insult to both the Warri Royal Family and the Itsekiri people.[11][12]
Ayiri Emami defended his actions by claiming adherence to the tradition of succession outlined in the 1979 Edict. However, he faced significant opposition, particularly from the Itsekiri people, who supported Emiko despite his mother's Yoruba heritage. The Itsekiri nation viewed Emami's stance as ignorant, given that they themselves have Yoruba origins. Emami argued that the 1979 edict stipulated that the mother of the Olu of Warri must have either Itsekiri or Benin heritage. This claim sparked conflict, as many Itsekiri people considered the edict to be foreign to their identity, asserting their unity by blood and roots with the Yoruba.[13][14]
Previously, Olu Atuwatse II the father of Olu Atuwatse III had addressed this issue with his own declaration, which stated that only a prince with Itsekiri, Yoruba, or Edo mothers could ascend to the throne, emphasizing that the latter two were fundamental to the formation of the Itsekiri people. Despite this clarification, Ayiri Emami remained resolute in his position, leading to his immediate suspension as Ologbotsere by the Warri Royal Family and the Warri Council of Chiefs to facilitate the selection process.[15]
In response to Emami's claims that the council lacked the authority to suspend him, asserting that only a sitting Olu could do so, the chiefs of Warri kingdom proceeded with their plans. Following the announcement of the death of Olu Ikenwoli, Prince Tsola Emiko was declared the Olu-designate by the Iyatsere, who serves as the second-in-command after the Ologbotsere.[16]
A few days prior to the coronation of Prince Tsola Emiko, it was reported that the 400-year-old crown of the Olu of Warri was stolen. Due to multiple crowns existing, this did not hinder coronation.[17]
Awards
Humanitarian Royal Father of the Year Award Awarded by Dotcom Communication, publisher of Pleasure Magazine, for his humanitarian contributions since ascending the throne. The award was presented at a ceremony at Transcorp Hilton Hotels, Abuja.[18][19]
Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) Conferred by President Muhammadu Buhari on 11 October 2022, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Olu Atuwatse III was noted as the youngest recipient of this national honor, the third-highest in Nigeria.[20][21]
Key to the City of Brampton, Canada on 6 June 2022 Presented by Mayor Patrick Brown during a six-day visit to Canada, recognizing his efforts to drive foreign direct investment to the Warri Kingdom and his support for community efforts in Brampton. The Olu reciprocated by presenting two red canoe replicas to the mayor and the city.[22][23]
His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, won the Most Impactful Royal Father of 2023 and was presented by the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Peter Mbah.[24][25]
Leadership and Community Development Award Received at the 14th African Achievers Awards (AAA) held at the Parliament House, United Kingdom, presented by Rt Hon. Baroness Verma, a member of the House of Lords. The award recognized his efforts in promoting positive cultural values and community development.[22][26]
His Royal Majesties, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, Her Majesty, Olori Atuwatse III, the Queen Consort of Warri kingdom were both honoured with the 2024 Most Influential 100 Hall of Fame award in New York, the United States of America.[27]
100 Most Reputable Africans Named by Reputable Poll International (RPI) in collaboration with the Global Reputation Forum (GRF) as one of the 100 Most Reputable Africans for 2025, recognizing his influence and leadership.[28]
African Leadership Excellence Award Conferred in Cape Town, South Africa, in May 2025, by the African Leadership Organisation during the African Leadership Summit. The award honored his contributions to fostering African unity, economic empowerment, and sustainable development through initiatives like the Elevate Africa Fellowship.[29]
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