There was anxiety last night over the health of the paramount ruler of Warri Kingdom, the Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwase II.
Unconfirmed reports said he had passed on in a Lagos hospital. However, there was no confirmation from the palace.
Movements around the palace on Ajamimogha Road, Warri, yesterday might, however, suggest that something was wrong.
It was gathered that the Olu of Warri, who had battled with partial stroke for some years, passed on in a hospital in Lagos, where he had been taken for medical care.
The last public appearance of the respected monarch was about two weeks ago when he saw the Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who paid him a visit, off to the entrance of his palace.
Although there were no official sources to confirm the rumoured passage of the Ogiame last night, it was learnt that even if the report was true, no Itsekiri son would confirm it until the palace does its traditional duty of announcing the Olu’s passage.
When reached for confirmation last night, one of those believed to be closest to the monarch, Chief Brown Mene, simply said “I cannot confirm that to you right now.”
The second son of Olu Erejuwa II, 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.
He was a lawyer by profession and the second university graduate to ascend the great throne of Warri Kingdom on May 2, 1987.