Ogiame Atuwatse III

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]

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]

He has been married to Olori Ivie Atuwatse III, the daughter of late Nigerian billionaire businessman Hosa Wells Okunbo, since 2014.^[9] They have three children.^[1]

Following the death of Ogiame Ikenwoli, a dispute arose during the selection of his successor. The Ginuwa I Ruling House nominated Prince Tsola Emiko and subsequently announced the suspension of the Ologbotsere of Warri, Chief Ayiri Emami. The ruling house accused Emami of improperly disqualifying Emiko and maintained that the Ologbotsere and Olu Advisory Council did not have the authority to disqualify a candidate presented by the ruling house.^[11]

Emami rejected his suspension and disputed the selection process. He maintained that only a sitting Olu could suspend the Ologbotsere and argued that the procedure required under the 1979 succession declaration had not been followed. The Iyatsere of Warri, Chief Johnson Amatserunleghe, rejected Emami's objections and stated that the required traditional procedures had been completed before Emiko was presented as Olu-designate at Ode-Itsekiri.^[12] The Council of Chiefs subsequently stated that Emami would remain suspended while allegations against him were considered.^[13]

Emami later said that he would seek a judicial determination of the dispute, maintaining that the succession should comply with the 1979 declaration.^[14] He subsequently filed a suit challenging aspects of the succession process.^[15] Emiko was crowned the 21st Olu of Warri as Ogiame Atuwatse III on 21 August 2021.^[16]

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.^[17][18]

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, Nigeria.^[19][20]

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.^[21][22]

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.^[23][24]

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.^[21][25]

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.^[26]

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.^[27]

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.^[28]