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Tag: Olori Atuwatse III

  • Olori Atuwatse III vows to ‘bring the world to Warri child

    Olori Atuwatse III vows to ‘bring the world to Warri child

    Wife of the Olu of Warri, Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III, has vowed “to bring the world” to every child in Warri, Delta state.

    Speaking at the second edition of “The Future of the Warri Child” seminar, she announced she would be funding the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) of 300 students.

    Declaring that “Warri will be the envy of the world in the next 10 or 20 years,” if its young people dare to dream, despite the odds, the Queen said: “I had a dream at age five that I was going to be a queen. I had no idea that I was going to meet my husband. I always said: Don’t touch me anyhow, I’m going to be a queen. I am determined to bring the world to the Warri child and send the Warri child to the world.”

    The programme with the theme: “Beyond Limit: Unlocking the potential of the Warri child,” and convened by the Sole Representative of the Olu of Warri and Liaison to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Prince Edema Collins, gathered over 1,000 students and professionals in a determination to shape the city’s future.

    Prince Edema had earlier pledged to fund the WASSCE enrollment of 300 students.

    In a keynote address, Deaconess Florence Ovweriavwose, Senior Lecturer at the College of Education, Warri, redefined the Warri Child. 

    She said: “The Warri Child is not confined only to children who are indigenes by birth, but to all who grew up in Warri, whether they are indigenes by heritage or residence.”

    She lamented how the once-celebrated “Warri boys” and “Warri girls” have been weighed down by years of socio-economic decline, noting that the city’s true wealth lies not in oil, but in peace, unity, and innovation.

    “Our foremost priority for renewal is a permanent and non-negotiable commitment to the peaceful and shared identity of the Warri Region. Our focus must shift from the extraction economy to the intellectual and creative economy,” she said.

    Edema, who is also founder of the Cora Care Foundation, said the seminar was designed “to build a Warri where every child is inspired to pursue their passions, attain maximum potential, and refill the jar that has poured into them.”

    “This vision is not just a statement for us; it is a call to action. Too often, children grow up in environments that tell them what they can’t do. Cora Care Foundation is here to change that narrative. Together, we are planting seeds, seeds of hope, creativity, and resilience.”

    Notable broadcaster, Chief (Dr.) Suo Chapele charged up the crowd, reminding them that the “Warri factor” still commands respect nationwide.

    “People expect so much energy from you if you are from Warri. Warri has grit, brilliance and potential. If you passed through Warri, you will have confidence. Get educated, own your story and define yourself for you to excel,” she stated.

    Renowned entrepreneur Tara Fela-Durotoye, an art curator, Roli Otsemaye, award-winning designer Oghenetejiri Ogodo, Dr. Weyinmi David Ogbobine of Ruth Foundation and Coker Tuoyo, Executive Secretary of Cora Care Foundation, all encouraged the participants to seek knowledge and persist through failure.

    The excited students drawn from 70 public and private schools across Warri South, Warri North, Warri South-West, Okpe, Sapele, Udu, and Uvwie LGAs, expressed thanks to the organisers, with promises to abide by what they had learnt.

  • Olori Atuwatse III urges inclusion of women in Africa’s growth

    Olori Atuwatse III urges inclusion of women in Africa’s growth

    The Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom, Her Majesty, Olori Atuwatse III  has called on African nations to recognize and elevate women’s leadership at all levels of society from homes and markets to statehouses and boardrooms.

    She state this in her keynote address at the 2025 FLAIR Summit in London.

    Speaking during a high-level session of the First Ladies of Africa Impact and Resilience (FLAIR) Summit, the Queen emphasized that Africa’s growth will remain incomplete unless women who already play central roles in families, economies, and communities are fully empowered and included in policy, leadership, and nation-building efforts.

    The event drew dignitaries including the First Ladies of Oyo and Kwara States, lawmakers, investors, and global development partners.

     The summit featured exclusive engagements at iconic venues such as the UK House of Lords, House of Commons, the London Stock Exchange, and the Royal Leonardo Hotel.

    In her keynote titled “Elevating the Role of Women in Africa’s Development,” Olori Atuwatse shared a deeply personal experience from her life. “Shortly after my father passed on, I his firstborn was told to watch from the sidelines. ‘There’s a difference between a firstborn and a first son,’ they told me,” she recounted.

    That moment, she said, was a reminder of how traditional norms still attempt to reduce women’s roles regardless of their qualifications or achievements.

    Read Also: Olori Atuwatse III harps on importance of entrepreneurial skills among students

    That painful experience, she explained, reaffirmed her purpose as a leader and strengthened her drive to advocate gender equity. “Nothing not privilege, not age, not achievement insulates women from the limitations society tries to impose.”

    Olori Atuwatse praised recent milestones in African leadership, highlighting Namibia’s President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan. “For the first time, Africa has two sitting female heads of state .It’s remarkable. And it shows that change is possible.”

    She emphasized that African women have always led often without titles or applause. “In Warri and across Africa, women are breadwinners, entrepreneurs, teachers, and caregivers. They are birthers, binders, and builders of communities,” she said. “Yet people still ask whether women can lead. What a tired question.”

    Her speech stressed that Africa’s future depends on mobilizing this untapped leadership force. “Africa cannot thrive on the efforts of a few prominent female leaders alone,” she said. “We need grassroots women those without formal power seen, heard, and empowered.”

    Through her EstablishHer mentorship program in Nigeria, Olori Atuwatse has been helping women recognize their value and unlock their potential. “We don’t make them leaders,” she said. “We help them see they already are.”

    She cited economic research suggesting that if African countries close the gender leadership gap by 2043, they could lift 53 million people out of extreme poverty and boost GDP per capita by 5 percent. “The impact would be staggering,” she said.

    To achieve this, Olori Atuwatse laid out a three part framework: Mentor, Reform, and Empower.

  • Olori Atuwatse III harps on importance of entrepreneurial skills among students

    Olori Atuwatse III harps on importance of entrepreneurial skills among students

    Her Royal Majesty Olori, the wife of Olu of Warri,  Ogiame Atuwatse III, has said  training of students on entrepreneurial skills will equip them for future challenges aside from boosting national economy through the small, medium and large scale businesses and investments.

    Speaking at the second day of the entrepreneurial training programme for students of selected schools in Warri South Council area on Tuesday ,Olori Atuwatse III, noted that the first phase of the process which is ‘Train-The Trainers’, commenced with the training of teachers of these schools who in turn trains students in their various schools.

    According to her, the Set4LYf project of Junior Achievement Nigeria l, in partnership with Royal Iwere Foundation is set to train thousands of young people for six months to enable them  have entrepreneurial skills to impact  positively on themselves and their  various communities.

     She said:” The programme  is poised to equip these young people who are the next set of leaders for leadership positions to  improve, build and develop their communities. With this training, they are prepared and set for global stage”.

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    According to her, in the next couple of years, with the training to these  young people, they would be able to compete with their counterparts in any part of the world in business, leadership and entrepreneurial Skills. 

    She said the teachers being trained by Junior Achievement Nigeria for  the day are those who volunteered to implement the training in different schools as it impossible to reach all the students in different schools across the  three  local  government areas of Warri: Warri South, North and  Warri Southwest, considering the number of students in different schools. 

    In her words: “This Junior Achievement Nigeria’s team train  the teachers who have volunteered to partner with us to be our implementation arm. As you are aware, dealing with over a thousand kids effectively, it means, we have to plug into already existing educational system and the teachers are the hearts for that. So, equipping the teachers is equipping the children is the best the foundation can do”.

    According to her, apart from the teachers, the foundation also has ad hoc volunteers  staff to partner them for the next six months who will be in  classroom, playground, among others to ensure the robust curriculum is achieved.

    Royal Majesty Olori Ogiame Atuwatse III who was represented in the ceremony by Chief Operations Officer,.Royal Iwere Foundation – Humanitarian arm of Warri Kingdom Monarchy, Ogechukwu Abiago Ezeobiorah, charged the teachers for the training to take it seriously to enable them impact on the students just as she charged the students not to take the programme for granted but be serious while the programme lasted.

     Executive Director, Junior Achievement Nigeria, Ugonna Achebe said the Set4LYf is a programme  to train young people have  entrepreneurial skills

    and develop entrepreneurial mindset where they are able to identify problems, find opportunity and create solutions that can build an economic sphere.

    According to him, they  make  their training more  practical as much as possible. He said,  the  teachers’  training for the day is focused on Ideathon and the teachers have responded accordingly. 

    He said:” Today, the trainees were exited, the response has been very encouraging. The teachers were active contributing, engaging. We make the programme  as practical as possible. We were able to identify a problem in a community and identified  the solution to the problem”.

    The Executive Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria who was represented by the Assistant Programme  Manager, Oluwaseyi Hassan expressed hope that  the teachers would be able to put into practice by impacting the acquired skills on the students when  they go back to their various schools. 

    He charged the students that would be trained in the various schools to take their studies seriously to enable them  get the right knowledge and skills that would be bequeath on them for their future endeavours.

    The Set4LYf  training programme which started on Monday continues tomorrow.

  • Olu of Warri, Olori Atuwatse III host Côte d’Ivoire’s Dep. Senate President

    Olu of Warri, Olori Atuwatse III host Côte d’Ivoire’s Dep. Senate President

    In a historic moment for diplomacy, cultural exchange, and female leadership, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the 21st Olu of Warri, and Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III are set to host Senator Fanny Moussokoura Chantel, Deputy Senate President of Côte d’Ivoire and 1st Vice President of the ECOWAS Female Parliament Association (ECOFEPA).

    Taking place from 23rd to 25th January 2025, this visit underscores the Warri Kingdom’s commitment to forging international partnerships and advancing sustainable development across Africa.

    Described as a milestone in fostering regional collaboration and promoting the role of women in leadership, the three-day visit will feature impactful events that spotlight the Warri Kingdom’s rich heritage, commitment to empowerment, and dedication to environmental sustainability.

    The Royal Court of the Warri Kingdom emphasised the importance of this engagement, stating that it represents not just a celebration of shared values but a bold step towards creating a lasting legacy of cooperation and progress between the Warri Kingdom and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

    “This visit represents a unique opportunity to celebrate our shared values, strengthen our collaboration, and create meaningful dialogue for the betterment of our communities,” said His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III.

    Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III added, “It is a privilege to welcome Senator Chantal to the Warri Kingdom. Together, we will explore ways to empower women, preserve our heritage, and advance sustainable development across Africa.”

    Programme Highlights

    Day 1: January 23, 2025

    The visit begins with a grand cultural reception at the airport, offering a vibrant display of the Warri Kingdom’s rich heritage and traditions. This ceremonial welcome will set the tone for three days of high-profile engagements.

    Day 2: January 24, 2025

     The second day features the Women’s Town Hall Meeting, hosted by His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with Senator Chantel as the keynote speaker. Discussions will centre on women’s empowerment and sustainable community development, with distinguished attendees including:

    Dr. Toyin Agbolayah, Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Community Development.

    Hon. Commissioner Orode Uduaghan, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs & Girl Child Development.

    Senator Chantal will then visit the Royal Iwere Foundation project site and participate in a tree-planting ceremony at the Orugbo Love Garden, symbolising a shared commitment to environmental sustainability.

    The day concludes with a private dinner hosted by Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III, bringing together the visiting dignitary and select high-profile guests for an evening of dialogue and camaraderie.

    Day 3: Strengthening Ties

     The final day will provide an opportunity for regional dialogue, reinforcing ties between the Warri Kingdom and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

    A Milestone for Female Leadership and Regional Collaboration

    Senator Chantal, a leading advocate for female leadership and regional cooperation, brings a wealth of experience in advancing the role of women across West Africa. Her visit represents an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, share ideas, and address pressing regional issues.

    The Royal Court has expressed its excitement about the visit, highlighting its importance in building bridges and creating a legacy of collaboration and progress.

    This historic occasion underscores the Warri Kingdom’s commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships that promote empowerment, sustainability, and unity across the West African region.

  • Olori Atuwatse III awarded Freedom of the City of London

    Olori Atuwatse III awarded Freedom of the City of London

    In an illustrious ceremony held at Guildhall, Olori Atuwatse III, a transformational female leader, philanthropist, and advocate for sustainable development across Africa, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London.

    This is one of the United Kingdom’s most esteemed civic recognitions—a rare honour that celebrates her transformative leadership and her commitment to amplifying Africa’s authentic narratives on the global stage.

    Historically, this distinction has been conferred upon notable figures including Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, Stephen Hawking, and Princess Diana. Olori Atuwatse III now holds the unique position of being the first female African royal to receive this recognition.

    The Freedom of the City of London Award, dating back to 1237, is one of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies still in existence today, symbolising a unique bond between the City of London and its most distinguished recipients. This award recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society, embodying values of leadership, courage, and philanthropy.

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    As a distinguished advocate for Africa’s development, Olori Atuwatse III, the Queen Consort of Warri, is recognised as a visionary and a trailblazer. Through her initiatives with the Royal Iwere Foundation and Elevate Africa, she has dedicated herself to creating sustainable pathways for growth, poverty alleviation, and social equity in her community and beyond. Her leadership extends to initiatives that inspire resilience and promote innovation across the continent, reflecting her commitment to shaping a prosperous future for Africa.

    In an impassioned speech at a recent event that has since gone viral, Olori Atuwatse III shared her dedication to telling Africa’s authentic stories—narratives of resilience, innovation, and rich culture. “The Africa we see is a land of boundless potential, and by sharing our stories, we inspire the world to recognize the continent’s true strength and potential,” she said, advocating for a redefined global perspective on Africa’s contributions to the world.

    Statement from Olori Atuwatse III on the Freedom of the City of London Award: “I am deeply honoured to receive the Freedom of the City of London, a recognition that speaks to the power of unity, resilience, and the shared desire for progress. As I stand alongside legendary figures who have each left their mark on history, I am inspired to continue my work to uplift communities, especially in Africa. This award is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the growing importance of Africa on the global stage. I dedicate this to the people of Warri, Nigeria, and to everyone who believes in the transformative power of compassion and leadership.”

    Olori  Atuwatse III’s receipt of the Freedom of the City of London highlights her role as a champion of Africa’s future, standing alongside icons who have made lasting impacts on the global stage. This recognition further establishes her legacy as a modern African queen who is redefining leadership—combining tradition with a profound vision for sustainable progress and social impact.