As a standard authority in Nigeria, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, stands as a testomony to purposeful management, grace, and an unwavering dedication to the development of his individuals. Three years have handed since his ascension to the throne, and these years have been marked by transformation, resilience, and a deep connection to each historical past and modernity. His is a reign of imaginative and prescient, deft management, and a mirrored image of his dedication to the betterment of Iwereland and Nigeria as a complete.
From the second he ascended the throne in August 2021, Ogiame Atuwatse III made it clear that his reign can be divinely impressed. He acknowledged this in his first-anniversary speech when he mirrored on the position of God in his ascension: “There is no part of this that has been of my own doing, it was and remains God’s divine project.” This sense of divine goal has been the inspiration upon which he has constructed his management philosophy, positioning the Warri kingdom for development and prosperity.
Ogiame Atuwatse III’s reign has been steeped within the knowledge of his ancestors, and he has repeatedly emphasised the significance of connecting with the previous to chart a greater future for his individuals. In his speech commemorating his first anniversary, he paid homage to his predecessor, Ogiame Ikenwoli, and acknowledged the ancestral steerage that might propel Iwereland ahead. This connection to the previous shouldn’t be mere nostalgia; it serves as a reminder that the challenges and triumphs of historical past inform the selections of the current.
The monarch additionally made it clear that the Itsekiri individuals should reposition themselves throughout the evolving dynamics of recent Nigeria. He asserted that “our ancestors are at this moment, smiling down on us filled with pride and joy as they see us ready and braced for the journey towards repositioning our dear Iwere Kingdom within the prevailing reality of today’s Nigeria and the world at large.” This assertion highlights Ogiame’s foresight in recognising the need for the Warri Kingdom to adapt to up to date realities with out dropping its cultural identification.
One of probably the most vital moments in Ogiame Atuwatse III’s early reign was the introduction of a brand new pair of gold and silver crowns. The development from coral to silver and now gold represents the bodily and symbolic evolution of the Warri kingdom. It is greater than only a change in royal apparel; it’s a manifestation of the non secular, social, and financial development that Ogiame envisions for his individuals. This imaginative and prescient is deeply tied to his perception that the Warri kingdom has a divine goal within the formation of a profitable Nigeria, a goal that transcends political divisions and historic grievances.
Central to Ogiame Atuwatse III’s management is his unwavering dedication to training and the empowerment of the individuals of Warri. Through the Royal Iwere Foundation, the humanitarian arm of the Warri Kingdom Monarchy, Ogiame, has spearheaded initiatives aimed toward bettering the standard of training within the South-South area. One such initiative is the Teachers’ Training Programme, which equips early childhood educators with trendy methods for efficient classroom supply. The masterclass, which came about in August 2024, was designed to align with Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on guaranteeing inclusive and equitable high quality training for all.
The Queen Consort, Olori Atuwatse III, who has been instrumental to the success of the Royal Iwere Foundation, lauded the significance of empowering lecturers, stating, “Educating and empowering the teachers of the South-South region and beyond is crucial for combating the alarming out-of-school population in the Niger Delta and is salient for strengthening quality foundational education which is required for nation-building.” This give attention to training underscores the idea that the way forward for the Warri kingdom—and certainly Nigeria—is determined by the mental and emotional growth of its younger individuals.
The Teachers’ Training Programme is only one instance of how Ogiame Atuwatse III has leveraged partnerships to deliver growth to his kingdom. In 2023, the Warri kingdom entered right into a partnership with Tampere City in Finland, aimed toward fostering cooperation in training, digital transformation, and regional growth. The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Warri kingdom and Tampere City is a groundbreaking step in selling information switch and capability constructing, important elements for the dominion’s development.
Ogiame Atuwatse III’s reign has been marked by a give attention to unity, not solely throughout the Warri kingdom but in addition all through Nigeria. He has repeatedly referred to as on all Itsekiri little kids, each at dwelling and overseas, to hitch within the efforts to construct a stronger, extra affluent Iwereland. His invitation to his topics throughout his second coronation anniversary was clear: “Let us make Iwereland better. Together, we can attain the height of greatness.” This name to motion displays his perception in collective duty and the necessity for all Itsekiri individuals to contribute to the event of their homeland.
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Beyond Iwereland, Ogiame Atuwatse III has positioned himself as a pacesetter with a imaginative and prescient for nationwide growth. His efforts to harness the advantages of the Petroleum Industry Act show his dedication to leveraging Nigeria’s sources for the event of the Warri kingdom. The Iwere grasp plan, which goals to develop oil-producing areas in Iwereland whereas guaranteeing that non-oil-producing areas usually are not left behind, is a testomony to his inclusive method to governance.
One of the hallmarks of Ogiame Atuwatse III’s reign has been his give attention to the empowerment of youth and girls. Recognising that the way forward for the Warri kingdom lies within the arms of its youthful era, he has constantly urged the youth of the Niger Delta to look past oil and gasoline and to channel their power into endeavours that may create long-lasting worth. “We must look beyond oil and gas, and channel our energy in the right directions towards endeavours that will result in added value across the board,” he mentioned throughout his first 12 months on the throne. This forward-thinking method encourages the youth to discover alternatives in expertise, entrepreneurship, and different sectors which have the potential to drive sustainable growth.
In addition to youth empowerment, Ogiame has positioned vital emphasis on the position of ladies within the growth of Iwereland. His dedication to honouring and supporting ladies is clear in his phrases: “We will ensure that our women, both old and young, are honoured and respected, not only by word, but in actual cultural practice.” This shouldn’t be mere rhetoric; it’s a promise that has been backed by motion. The Royal Iwere Foundation has actively sought to empower ladies by way of numerous initiatives, recognising that their contributions are important to the dominion’s progress.
Ogiame Atuwatse III’s management has not gone unnoticed on the worldwide stage. Within two years of his ascension, the Federal Government conferred on him the distinguished award of Commander of the Federal Republic, recognising his contributions to nationwide growth. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori described Ogiame as a “great image maker” and a “marketer of Warri kingdom and Delta State to the world,” lauding his diplomatic outreach and bilateral partnerships.
Ogiame Atuwatse III has efficiently used his platform to strengthen diplomatic ties with numerous nations, furthering the dominion’s growth agenda. His collaboration with Finland, as an example, is a testomony to his dedication to forging worldwide partnerships that deliver tangible advantages to his individuals. These diplomatic efforts align with the Delta State authorities’s MORE Agenda, which seeks to place the state as an funding vacation spot.
As Ogiame Atuwatse III marks his third coronation anniversary, it’s evident that his reign has been outlined by purposeful management, a deep connection to the previous, and a forward-looking imaginative and prescient for the long run. His dedication to training, youth empowerment, and the event of Iwereland has already begun to yield outcomes, and his diplomatic outreach guarantees even larger progress within the years to come back. Under his reign, the Warri kingdom shouldn’t be solely reclaiming its rightful place within the historical past of Nigeria however can also be setting a brand new normal for conventional management within the trendy world.
Ogiame Atuwatse III’s reign is a reminder that management, when rooted in goal, can transcend challenges and create lasting change. As the Warri kingdom continues its journey underneath his steerage, there isn’t a doubt that the subsequent chapters in its historical past might be marked by continued development, unity, and prosperity.