The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, and his wife marked the fifth anniversary of his coronation on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, with a scooter and bike ride through Ode-Itsekiri, the ancestral capital of the Itsekiri Kingdom in Delta State. The event, which was the fourth day of the anniversary festivities, saw the royal couple joined by professional cyclists, scooter riders, members of the Itsekiri community, and young people as they travelled along the newly completed Trans Warri Ode-Itsekiri Road.
Royal Ride Through Ancestral Capital
The video shared on the Olu of Warri's Instagram account described the ride as passing through "Ode-Itsekiri, the ancestral capital of the Itsekiri people." The celebrations are set to continue with a cultural homage-paying ceremony at Aghofen, the royal palace.
The ride was widely seen as a celebration of Itsekiri heritage, community spirit, and the progress made during Atuwatse III's five-year reign, including the completion of key infrastructure like the Trans Warri Ode-Itsekiri Road, which connects the mainland to the island ancestral home.
Online Reactions to the Anniversary Ride
Reactions to the anniversary ride were lively, with fans and critics alike weighing in on Instagram. Some praised the monarch's style, while others questioned the relevance of the event to community development.
@do2dtun wrote: "King wey get swag pieces ?"
@msmogul_ observed: "At least his guards are on bikes and scooters this time unlike b4 where they'll be running after him on foot."
@vanjaydee quipped: "In life this life have money oh? If not you go suffer aje"
@iamcheemar simply reacted: "Cooooooool! ❤️"
@miriam_ijeomah raised an eyebrow: "why is she riding bikes meant for disabled ?"
@andre27_star echoed the sentiment: "Is this not for disable people the one the wife is using"
@i_am_thetomi_ struck a more critical tone: "How does this translate to a good life for his community. I don't understand the need for this or why people are liking the picture."
Previous Scooter Ride and Other Royal Visits
Legit.ng recalls reporting that the Olu of Warri shared a heartwarming video of him inspecting a road project on a scooter in 2025. The recent ride also follows a visit from BBNaija's Kellyrae and Kassia, who exuded royalty as they visited the Olu of Warri, spotting Itsekiri-themed outfits as they posed for pictures with the traditional ruler.
The anniversary celebrations continue with the cultural homage-paying ceremony at Aghofen, marking a continued focus on tradition and community engagement under Atuwatse III's reign.
