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Olu of Warri's fifth Anniversary: Celebrating culture, homecoming, and empowerment
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Olu of Warri's fifth Anniversary: Celebrating culture, homecoming, and empowerment

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Context piece
  • The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, is celebrating his fifth anniversary on the throne with events promoting Itsekiri culture and development.
  • The anniversary includes a Global Homecoming of Itsekiri people, an Itsekiri language competition, and various cultural activities.
  • Chief Lawrence Wilbert highlighted the Olu's focus on economic empowerment and restoring confidence in Itsekiri identity over the past five years.

The Warri Kingdom is abuzz with celebrations as the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, marks his fifth year on the throne. Activities across the kingdom are designed to foster the culture, identity, and development of the Itsekiri people.

His Majesty is looking forward to personally welcoming them and participating in events with them.

— Chief Lawrence WilbertOn the Global Homecoming event during the anniversary.

Chief Lawrence Wilbert, the Agura Tete of Warri Kingdom, spoke about the significance of the anniversary, emphasizing the Olu's vision for the kingdom. The celebrations kicked off on August 17 with a Global Homecoming event, preceded by an Itsekiri language competition aimed at engaging the younger generation. Other activities, including the Benin River Life series and performances by gospel artists, have also taken place.

We have a history and a traditional institution that goes back more than 500 years. That heritage cannot simply be written away.

— Chief Lawrence WilbertHighlighting the deep-rooted heritage of the Itsekiri people.

Wilbert described the five-year milestone as an opportunity for Itsekiri people worldwide to return home, including friends and those with blood ties to the community. "His Majesty is looking forward to personally welcoming them and participating in events with them," he said. The anniversary serves as a moment for collective celebration and a reaffirmation of the Itsekiri people's rich history and traditional institution, which spans over 500 years.

For at least the past two years, His Majesty has focused increasingly on what is happening to his people economically.

— Chief Lawrence WilbertDescribing the Olu's recent economic focus.

Beyond cultural preservation, Wilbert highlighted the Olu's increasing focus on the economic well-being of the Itsekiri people over the past two years. He noted the paradox of the region's significant contribution to Nigeria's oil and gas industry while its people remain among the poorest. The Olu's vision aims to restore confidence in Itsekiri identity and foster economic progress, creating a brighter future for the kingdom.

We are a people who sit on the wealth that feeds Nigeria from an economic perspective, particularly through the oil and gas industry, yet we remain among the poorest.

— Chief Lawrence WilbertAddressing the economic disparity in the region.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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