Tag: Olu of Warri

• Gives condition for chieftaincy, other positions

The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III has charged the people of Itsekiri to begin development of their villages by “returning to” and rebuilding” the riverine areas.

The monarch also declared that henceforth to become chiefs, elected government officials and community leaders, individuals are to own “homes” in their communities.

The traditional ruler in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri, Delta State, Saturday evening, noted that the Itsekiri nation had found favour with the current Delta State Government with the recent inspection of the Trans-Warri Road by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and an assurance that it will be completed in two years.

Describing the development as a “symbolic victory” as it (the bridge) will connect the people to their ancestral home, the monarch said “this isn’t just meant to make transportation to and from Ode-Itsekiri easy, it’s also a clarion call to signify the return of Itsekiri to its roots, and to the things that made us great in the first place.

“It is also a symbolic directive, for our people to start returning back to their various homes, especially in the riverine areas.

“First of all, we cannot keep living in the trauma of the aftermath of the crisis that drove our people out of their various villages all over the riverine.”

The monarch urged all Itsekiri sons and daughters to be “united” and determined to achieve the goal as neither “government,” nor “neighbours who are encroaching” their lands would develop the place for them.

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Atuwatse III said he would take the lead by rebuilding “the Ejo Hall in Bateren. After that is done, the land given to Atúwàtse II in Ajudaibo, will be developed, marking his presence in Benin River and Escravos River areas, respectively.”

He further directed that burial and temotsi (marriage) rites be conducted in the villages, unless cases where the deceased gave otherwise instructions for his or her funeral.

Encouraging his subjects to be proud of their villages, he pointed out that such activities would bring life to the hinterlands.

The traditional ruler re-emphasised his position on discrimination against persons of women’s lineage, stating “we will not tolerate discrimination against people because they are of a woman’s lineage. Not only are they welcome to bring development, they are welcome to serve in elders councils and other administrative structures at the community level. We cannot afford to be discriminating against ourselves any longer. We need each other.”

…receives Royal Order of Iwere Distinguished Award

Group Managing Director and CEO of UTM Offshore Limited, Dr. Julius Rone, has described the inaugural Royal Order of Iwere Distinguished Award conferred upon him by His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri, as the best award he has ever received so far.

Speaking after the ceremony, Dr. Rone expressed gratitude to the revered monarch, acknowledging that despite being honoured globally, this recognition stands out.

Rone who described himself as a “palace boy” while speaking after the ceremony on Saturday, pledged his unwavering loyalty and support to the Olu of Warri’s vision for Warri’s development.

The UTM boss was honoured on Saturday alongside other accomplished Itsekiri personalities in a grand ceremony held at Aghofen, the Palace of Olu of Warri to celebrate the 3rd coronation anniversary of the monarch

The Royal Iwere Society is devoted to fostering a culture of performance and excellence by honouring outstanding Itsekiri individuals who have made exceptional and significant strides in their respective fields.

In conferring the award, the Olu of Warri commended Dr. Rone for his exceptional achievements, which have deeply resonated with the Itsekiri Kingdom, setting exemplary standards for future generations and fostering a pioneering spirit that fortifies the cultural and economic fabric of the Warri Kingdom.

The monarch further stated that Dr. Rone’s dedication and impact have not only elevated his stature but also contributed to the overall enrichment of the Warri Kingdom and beyond.

Speaking after receiving his royal honour, a highly elated Rone expressed deep appreciation to the Olu of Warri while describing the Royal Iwere Society Award as his most cherished conferment and restating his unalloyed loyalty and support to the Monarch.

Dr. Rone’s emotional response was rooted in his family’s historical ties to the Warri kingdom, having had his father serve four monarchs in the past.

“I thank God for the great honour done to me today by the most respected and most revered monarch in the world, the Olu of Warri. I have been honoured around the world, but this is the best award I have received.

“I want to assure you and pledge my unreserved loyalty to you and promise that we will support you to take Warri to where you want to take it.

“I am filled with joy in my heart because I am a palace boy. My father has served four Monarchs in this Warri kingdom. So, for me to be honoured today shows that charity begins at home”, he said.

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The UTM boss stressed that the reign of His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has blessings and prosperity leading to the achievement of outstanding feats in various fields by Itsekiri sons and daughters including his pioneering role in establishing Nigeria’s first Indigenous Floating LNG company.

“I believe that the blessing that Itsekiri sons and daughters will receive under your reign will be unprecedented. Your son is developing the first Nigerian Floating LNG; the first black man to develop a floating LNG”, Dr. Rone stated.

When completed the UTM FLNG is expected to produce 2.8 million metric tonnes of natural gas, 450 metric tonnes of LPG, and other liquids per annum for export and domestic consumption, which is expected to leapfrog the national economy by ensuring the availability of gas at lower cost as well as generate massive employment and multi-million Naira business opportunities for Nigerians.

Other dignitaries honoured with the Royal Iwere Society Award include the Publisher of the Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka, Nigeria’s representative on Fédération Internationale de Football Association, FIFA and member executive committee of Confederation of African Football, CAF, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Mr. Ade Mabo, Mr Alfred Temile, Dr Mrs Ajoritsedere Awosika, Master Eworitsewarami Justin Wilbert and Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan.

• Ogiame Atuwatse III, Muftwang bag awards in UK

Wife of the Olu of Warri, Olori Atuwatse III has urged African to propagate positive cultural and traditional values to stamp the continent identity.

She said since her husband, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri ascended the exalted throne of his fore bears has taken notable positive steps to change  negative traditional connotations that portray others as inferior.

According to her African identity must be maintained in dignity and pride.

Olori stated this in her address at the 14th African Achievers Awards (AAA) at the Parliament House United Kingdom.

The conference is with the theme : “Africa’s Sustainable Future: Redefining its Global Identity”

She  insisted that stories we hear and tell about us have a far reaching effect.

She noted that addressing some of these challenges His Majesty Ogiame Atuwaste III and herself founded (Elevate Africa) in order to contribute their quota  to channelling Africa ideas into solutions for the continent and the world.

She urged other change-maker to come together and speak in one voice.

She said: “I’m here to share my thoughts with fellow lovers of our great continent.  My husband and I share your passion, so it feels fitting that I should start by telling you something he did a few years ago.

“As the king of the Warri Kingdom, he had long been burdened by how certain traditional terms of identity had taken on negative connotations promoting segregation. So, he boldly changed those long-used terms to ensure everyone is seen and identified as freeborn. He also explained why redefining our communal identity mattered, and his words still echo in my mind.”

 “Some weeks ago, while speaking in London, I talked about how my heart sometimes skips when I hear an African country mentioned in a movie or show. I brace myself, wondering if it will be yet another negative portrayal. Unfortunately, time and time again, some Africans and the rest of the world have produced the outcomes of these seeming “prophetic” narratives. But when someone mentions “the city of love,” Paris immediately comes to mind. These examples might seem small, but they’re a stark reminder of how powerful identity and narrative can be.

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“We must come together, trade together, build solutions together, and speak with singularity on the global stage—we must stop saying what Africa does not want and we must begin to speak to who we are and what we want for ourselves and for our continent. She added.

Part of the ceremony was the presentation of Leadership & Community Development awards category to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, by Baroness Verma, member of the British House of Lords.

Verma expressed joy that African have taken up the responsibility to shape the continent by telling their stories the way it should be and not as others want to see it.

Other awardees  includes, Visu Thembekwayo, founder/CEO MyGrowth Fund venture partner South Africa and  Caleb Muftwang , Governor of Plateau State, (Excellent & Outstanding Leadership) category while Dr.Rex Idaminabo is the organizer of Africa Achievers Awards.

Others are  Moses Bliss, (Excellence in Contemporary Music) category, Abena Opong-Asane, Minister for Implementation, United Kingdom, Sam Shivute, Chairman, Namibia Revenue Agency and Member of Parliament for Mafinga Constituency , Zambia.

Niger Delta youths’ coalition under the auspices of the Coalition of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders for Peace Group (NDENYLPG) has warned some Ijaw groups allegedly blackmailing the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, over unfounded allegations concerning pipeline surveillance contract.

An ex-militant leader and the national coordinator of NDENYLPG, ‘General’ A. Osama and the National Secretary, ‘General’ Jemine Josiah, in a statement yesterday, vehemently warned the sponsored Ijaw groups to henceforth stop their lies and cheap blackmail by some unscrupulous elements calling for the termination of the contract awarded the revered monarch.

Rising from a crucial meeting recently, the youths’ coalition said: “The NDENYLPG deems it fit to come from all parts of the Niger Delta where our leaders from Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo, Kalabari, Okrika, Egbema, Isoko, Bini and others converged on Edo State from the creeks of the Niger Delta recently for an all-important emergency meeting to deliberate and address some pressing issues that are threatening the sustained peace existing in the heart of the region.

“We totally condemn calls for the termination of the contract of Ocean Marine Solutions Company that is handling the Trans-Forcados Pipeline (TFP), of which the Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse III, OFR, is the Chairman.

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“The Itsekiri tribe in Delta State owns over 60 per cent of that Trans Forcados Pipeline, while only 30 per cent of that TFP crisscrosses the Ijaw communities in the creeks and by virtue of this, who is supposed to be awarded the responsibility of the security of the TFP pipeline surveillance contract? Definitely it is well deserved for the revered first class monarch, the Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse the III, OFR, to handle it.

“Therefore, we want to warn that the so-called disgruntled fellows of a group, Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum (NDSF), headed by one Chief Julius Daukoru from Ijaw ethnic nationality to call for the cancelation of the surveillance contract handled by OMSC, chaired by the revered monarch, the Olu of Warri Kingdom, is an insult, aberration and sacrilege to the Itsekiri nation as whole.

“The call to re-award it to Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, an ex-militant leader, who is an Ijaw man from Gbaramatu Kingdom, is totally condemnable, disheartening and uncalled for. We deem it as adding petrol to the fire and we stand against this move being made by the so-called disgruntled, unscrupulous and notorious group of persons that are playing the script of their paymasters.”

The coalition said that for the purpose of clarity and putting the records straight, the Ocean Marine Solutions Company had never breached its contract terms and guidelines of the agreement entered with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) as falsely alleged by the group.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, on his 40th birthday anniversary, wishing him good health and many more years of prosperity. 

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu extolled the Olu’s strength of character, clear-sightedness, and zest for peace, describing him as the Renaissance monarch. 

“President Bola Tinubu heartily congratulates His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, on the occasion of his birthday.

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“The President joins the good people of Warri Kingdom in celebrating the Renaissance monarch, extolling his strength of character, clear-sightedness, and zest for peace, progress, and development of Itsekiri land and its people. 

“President Tinubu commends the Olu of Warri for his support for youth-centred initiatives and development programmes, acknowledging Nigeria’s youths as the nation’s greatest asset.

“As His Royal Majesty marks this milestone birthday, the President wishes the monarch good health and strength and many years of prosperity on the throne of his forebears,” the statement reads.