In a stunning event which took place in Warri Delta State, Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has been honoured with a revered traditional title by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, in a ceremony that underscored her ancestral ties to the Itsekiri people.
At a colourful event held in Warri on Thursday, the monarch installed Senator Tinubu as the Utukpa-Oritse of Warri Kingdom, formally recognising her as a distinguished daughter of the kingdom through her maternal lineage.
The investiture, attended by traditional rulers, political leaders and dignitaries from across the country, blended pageantry with symbolism, reflecting the deep cultural heritage of the Itsekiri nation.
In his remarks, the Olu of Warri praised the First Lady’s record of public service and her role in projecting Nigeria positively on the global stage. The conferment, he noted, was both an honour and a reaffirmation of her roots in the Warri Kingdom.
As part of the ceremony, Senator Tinubu was also admitted into the Royal Order of Iwere (ROI), one of the highest honours of the kingdom, reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to society and maintained strong ties with the Itsekiri nation.
The event drew a distinguished audience, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi I, alongside other traditional rulers, senior government officials and community leaders.
Their presence highlighted the broader national relevance of the occasion and the continued influence of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s public life.
Celebrating Heritage and National Service Observers described the honour as a symbolic bridge between heritage and national leadership. While Senator Tinubu serves in the highest circles of governance, Thursday’s ceremony reinforced her enduring connection to her ancestral homeland.
The Warri Kingdom, renowned for its rich history and strong cultural identity, has long celebrated sons and daughters who excel in public service while upholding their roots.
With the conferment of the Utukpa-Oritse title, the First Lady joins the ranks of eminent personalities recognised by the throne — a gesture seen as strengthening the bond between the Itsekiri nation and Nigeria’s seat of power.
The ceremony marked another significant moment in the kingdom’s royal tradition of honouring excellence, service and cultural pride.
