Olu of Warri, Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko, has died at 65 on Monday, throwing Delta State into a state of mourning.
The monarch reportedly passed earlier today, which is barely a week after his fifth coronation anniversary.
According to reports, Olu of Warri died from coronavirus complications as he was said to have physically interacted with the late Major General John Irefin, who died earlier this month from the virus.
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Though no official statement was released as at the time of filing this report, a source, according to SaharaReporters, confirmed the death.
Another source said many palace workers besieged the adjoining shops selling strong alcoholic drinks to buy from them as they believed it would cure them of COVID-19, should they have contracted it from the monarch.
It added;
Olu of Warri is dead but the palace chiefs are trying to keep the information hidden from the public till they are sure the time is right.
An official announcement is said to be made soon by the Ologbosere of Warri, Chief Emami Ayiri, who, as the traditional Prime Minister of the town, is empowered to break the news of the monarch’s death.
The deceased, who was born on March 19, 1955, 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.
Emiko is survived by his wife, Olori Mary Emiko, who he had three children with.
May his soul Rest In Peace.
