Ogiame Atuwatse III (born Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko; 2 April 1984), also known as Tsola Emiko, is a Nigerian traditional ruler and the 21st Olu of Warri, the monarch of the Kingdom of Warri in Delta State, Nigeria. He was crowned on 21 August 2021, succeeding his uncle, Ogiame Ikenwoli I.
He is a son of Atuwatse II, the 19th Olu of Warri, and a graduate of Case Western Reserve University. Before becoming Olu, he worked in Nigeria's petroleum industry and held business positions in the maritime sector. His accession followed a dispute over his eligibility and the succession procedure.
Early life and education Emiko was born in Warri to Godwin Toritseju Emiko, who later reigned as Atuwatse II, and Gladys Durorike Emiko. His paternal grandfather was Erejuwa II, another Olu of Warri.
He attended NNPC Primary School in Warri and Adesoye College in Offa, Kwara State. He subsequently studied at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, graduating in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in political science and international studies. He completed a master's degree at the same university in 2007. During his undergraduate studies, he played on the university's men's soccer team for two years.
Career In 2008, Emiko undertook his National Youth Service Corps service in the public affairs department of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS). He worked at Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administrator from 2009 to 2010 and as a government relations officer at Sahara Energy from 2010 to 2012.
Before his coronation, he founded Noble Nigeria and Coral Curator and was chairman of Ocean Marine Security.
Accession Selection and succession dispute The Ginuwa I Ruling House nominated Emiko to succeed Ikenwoli. During the selection process, the ruling house announced the suspension of Ayiri Emami, the Ologbotsere of Warri. It accused Emami of improperly disqualifying Emiko and maintained that neither the Ologbotsere nor the Olu's Advisory Council had authority to reject a candidate nominated by the ruling house. Emami rejected the suspension and asserted that the 1979 succession declaration gave him responsibility for convening the general assembly involved in the succession process.
Opponents of Emiko's selection also argued that his mother's Yoruba origin made him ineligible under the 1979 declaration, which they said required a candidate's mother to be of Itsekiri or Edo origin. In an interview with The Punch, lawyer Kayode Ajulo disputed this interpretation, arguing that exclusion on grounds of maternal origin conflicted with constitutional protection against discrimination by circumstances of birth.
On 5 April 2021, the Iyatsere of Warri, Chief Johnson Atserunleghe, announced Ikenwoli's death and presented Emiko as Olu-designate. In July, Emami said that he would seek a judicial determination of the succession dispute under the 1979 declaration.
Coronation Emiko was crowned at Ode-Itsekiri on 21 August 2021 and took the regnal name Atuwatse III. In his coronation speech, he called for economic development beyond oil and gas and a greater role for women in the kingdom's affairs. He conferred the title Iye Olu on his mother and the title Olori on his wife.
Reign Council of chiefs In September 2021, Atuwatse III dissolved the Warri Council of Chiefs, the Olu's Advisory Council and the Olu-in-Council, together with their committees. He announced that the revalidation of chieftaincy titles would begin on 2 September.
He removed Emami as Ologbotsere on 5 October 2021. On 16 April 2023, he installed Chief Oma Eyewuoma, previously the Aboludero of Warri, as Ologbotsere. Emami declined the alternative title of Eyeku, which had been held by his father, and continued to claim the Ologbotsere title. In May 2025, a suit challenging Eyewuoma's appointment was dismissed on procedural grounds.
Community affairs In January 2023, Atuwatse III announced that the palace would cease using the term Omajaja and would instead refer to Itsekiri people as Omiwere. He said that the change did not alter the succession rules reserving the throne to the Ginuwa ruling house.
In September 2024, he urged Itsekiri people to return to and rebuild their riverine communities. He also opposed excluding people of Itsekiri maternal descent from community administration and elders' councils. During a visit to Bateren and neighbouring communities, he proposed restoring the Ejo Hall in Bateren and developing land associated with Atuwatse II in Ajudaibo.
Development initiatives Atuwatse III established the Office of the Olori as a platform for his wife's work on women, children and education. The couple founded the Royal Iwere Foundation in 2021, with programmes in education, economic empowerment and environmental work.
They also co-founded the Elevate Africa Fellowship, a mentoring and leadership programme for professionals in the middle of their careers. In April 2026, the organisation announced a second cohort of 23 fellows from 18 African countries.
Honours On 11 October 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari conferred on Atuwatse III the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR). He received The Sun newspaper's Most Impactful Royal Father award for 2023 at its awards ceremony in 2024.
Personal life Atuwatse III married Ivie in 2014; they have three children. She is a daughter of businessman Hosa Wells Okunbo.
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