Warri agog as monarch marks second anniversary on throne
Two years into his coronation, the Olu of Warri Kingdom, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has become an object of admiration to his subjects, particularly on achievements and developmental strides. At home and in the diaspora, he has been seen to be marshalling solutions to the nagging issues dogging Iwere land, as the oil-rich domain of Warri is also traditionally known. OLUSEGUN OLANREWAJU writes on the experiences of a revered monarch, one of the youngest in his cadre in the country, who is changing the fortunes of his people, as the testimonies go.
Monday, August 21, 2023, is a day the sons and daughters of Warri Kingdom in Nigeria’s oil-drenched Delta State will not forget in a hurry. It was a day they trooped out in large numbers to celebrate the second anniversary of the coronation of their 37-year-old monarch, who was celebrating his two years on the throne.
When he assumed the throne of his forefathers on August 21, 2021, the Olu of Warri Kingdom, assured his subjects of his palace’s readiness to develop Iwere land to the admiration of all sons and daughters.
As a prelude to this, the revered monarch of the Warri Kingdom who was crowned on the grounds of Ode-Itsekiri, met with groups, in Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK), to marshal out the larger solution to the nagging issues affecting Iwere land. He reassured his subjects of the palace’s readiness to develop Iwere land to the admiration of all sons and daughters.
Dignitaries far and near had congregated at the ‘Aghofen Palace’ in Warri-South Local Government Area of Delta State, to mark the second anniversary with an appraisal of the monarch’s traditional administration of his people.
On assumption of office in 2021, the monarch had enjoined Itsekiris, home and abroad, to join in the nation-building of Iwere land (as the ancient Kingdom of Warri and its environs are known), as well as Delta State and Nigeria in general.
His ricocheting words of wisdom then were, “Once again, this is an open invitation for all the Itsekiri, home and abroad, to join build Iwere land better because together, we can attain a greater height. We will lead by example.”
To kick start the development of Iwere land, the palace had completed the new house in Warri, and would soon start the renovation of Agbofen, the grand palace in Warri.
The monarch said when completed, they would proceed to reconstruct that of Ode Itsekiri, the ancestral home of his subjects.
The monarch also gave his words, with a vow to use the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for the execution of an Iwere master plan, which he said was in progress.
His words, “The Iwere master plan is in progress, and a vital component of the plan is using the PIA to our advantage.
“As we develop the areas that produce oil in Iwere land and link these areas to those that are not so fortunate to have oil, under our watch, we will not encourage taking resources from one place to develop another, but they will all be lifted. We must be our brothers’ keepers.”
The traditional ruler thanked God Almighty for His faithfulness and mercies, adding that without Him, nobody would be there to celebrate.
“We also thank every member of the Warri Council of Chiefs under the leadership of the Ologbotsere of the Warri kingdom.
“We thank every member of the Ginuwa ruling house and acknowledge your unflinching and unwavering support. Two years is a short time in our lives, and the life of Iwere land, but as your king, appointed by God, two years on the throne has brought one of joy.”
The Olu added, “It is far easier to destroy, pull him down, but it is harder to build. We must build Iwere land. We must build our communities. We must build our children. We must join hands and build Nigeria.
“To get better things is to work hard, and as your king, we are ready to work hard for you. This is an open invitation to all the Itsekiri, home and abroad, to join us to build Iwere land. Let us make Iwere land better. Together, we can attain the height of greatness.”
Echoing the graceful monarch’s declaration, Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, described Ogiame Atuwatse III as a king and as a great image maker, a great marketer of the Warri kingdom and Delta State.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Monday Onyeme, said, “It gives me great pleasure, indeed, a great honour, to be here to celebrate a king who is a great image maker, a great marketer of Warri Kingdom, nay Delta State, to the world.
“Your Majesty, we are aware of your success stories in breaking new ground in bilateral relationships with countries. This is highly commendable as it is in line with our administration’s commitment to making Delta State the investment destination of the world through our MORE Agenda.
“It is remarkable that within your two years on the exalted throne of your forefathers that the Federal Government, has also, recognised your achievements and conferred on you the prestigious award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
“As you mark this great anniversary, may God continue to grant you the means to ensure good, purposeful leadership, and may your people, our people, continue to support you to ensure that your good intentions yield desired results.”
Aspects of the new development initiative, according to the celebrating Olu of Warri include the ‘fact’, to which he has also pledged that women would be given ‘agency’ to play an active role in the community.
“We will ensure that women, both old and young, are honoured and respected, not only by word but in actual cultural practice. So, I say to our women today, you will no longer be invisible,” he vowed.
The anniversary had in attendance famous environmentalist, Newton Jibunoh, Niger Delta activist, Sunny Ofehe, Deputy British High Commissioner, Ben Llewellyn-Jones; United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Matthias Schmale, and other members of the diplomatic corps from Germany, the Netherlands, Uganda, etc.
Meanwhile, praises for the monarch also came from abroad and in different quarters. For instance, the globally-recognised United States-based influential news medium, Cable Network News (CNN), had earlier penned a headliner praising Olu on his developmental strides on the road to his two years on the throne, thus far: ‘A New King Was Crowned in Nigeria’s Oil-rich Delta Region and Young Nigerians Are Inspired’.
Thousands thronged the streets and dignitaries and well-wishers flew in from around the world as the Itsekiri people of Iwere Kingdom in Delta State crowned a new king, Ogiame Atuwatse III.
The article was to significantly note that the monarch has been ‘inspiring a new generation’.
It added, “The prince has inspired a new generation with his progressive attitude and his speech was the highlight of the ceremony for many who have often lamented the failures of leadership in the country.
“In a wide-ranging speech, he (the Ogiame) called for the region to look “beyond oil and gas. Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa, contributing 86% to the country’s total export revenue.
“The Niger Delta, in the southernmost part of the country, has had to battle with insurgents, oil spills, and pollution caused by behemoth energy companies in the region.
“We must look beyond oil and gas, and channel our energy in the right direction, towards the endeavors that will result in added value across the board,” he said in the speech.
“Many have expectations of the new Olu of Warri to set things in motion to rewrite the narrative of the region.
“The Niger Delta has had either the narrative of pollution or the narrative of insecurity, and I feel like this is a turning point,” Oritsema Jemide said.
An Itsekiri entrepreneur, Tara Fela Durotoye, who attended the coronation ceremony said citizens of Warri, from all the strata of society, were filled with excitement at the promise the new king brings.
thisnigeria.com
