The king who is the head of the Itsekiri people in Warri town was
one of the most influential traditional leaders in Nigeria.
Naij.com researched on the life and times of the revered ruler
and bring to your reading 10 things about him that you should
know about.

Read below:

1. His full name is Godwin Toju Emiko and he was famously
known as ‘’The Defender Of The Warri Nation’’

2. The late king started his reign on April 2, 1987. In April this
year, the late king celebrated the 28th anniversary of his
coronation as the Olu of Warri in his palace.

3. He was the only son of his father, that was made a member of
the Warri Traditional Council since 1983 and was also a
member of Warri local government council, where he served in
several capacities.

4. He was a lawyer by profession and the second university
graduate to ascend the throne of Warri Kingdom.

5. He was a thoroughbred born-again Christian as he built a
Foursquare church inside his palace.

6. In 2013, the late king announced his decision to relinquish
the traditional title of Ogiame, saying it was from a river
goddess, but he later changed his mind after his plan was
vehemently resisted by the people and this palace chiefs.

7. Known for his bluntness, the late King told former president,
Goodluck Jonathan during a meeting before the general
elections that he failed the Itsekiri people during his tenure and
that he could not guarantee his people’s votes for him.

8. The late king was reputed to have put enormous pressure on
Jonathan and ensured the former president inaugurated the 16
billion dollars Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project in Warri
town before the general elections.

9. On the 7 th of January this year, President Muhammadu
Buhari visited the late king to solicit for his support during the
electioneering campaign

10. In 1997, the late king presided over the Warri kingdom in
one of its darkest days in history when riots ensued and
hundreds died because of the late Nigerian military leader, Gen.
Sani Abacha, created a number of local government areas,
including Warri south-west local government council,
headquartered in the Ijaw area of Warri. After much pressure by
the Itsekiri on the federal government, the council was relocated
to Ogidigben, an Itsekiri area of Warri, which sparked crisis
known subsequently as ” Warri Crisis”