5th Anniversary: Warri Monarch Calls for National Unity, Cultural Renewal

* Oborevwori hails Olu’s reign

Sylvester Idowu in Warri 

The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, has tasked Nigerians, including his subjects, to embrace unity, rethink outdated approaches and deliberately build a future anchored on purpose, excellence and collective responsibility.

The monarch gave the task weekend, at a ceremony marking the fifth anniversary of his coronation at Aghofen (palace) in Warri, attended by prominent Nigerians, including top government officials, ministers, fellow traditional rulers, diplomats, captains of industry and military commanders from across the country.

The Olu specifically acknowledged traditional rulers from the North led by the Emir of Zazzau, who represented the Sultan, as well as the Emir of Kano; monarchs from the South-west, including the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olowo of Owo and a representative of the Ooni of Ife; the Eze Arochukwu, who led the traditional rulers from the East; and traditional rulers from Delta State.

“We are deeply inspired by the kindness that God has shown us which calls for all of us to reunite, rally around the crown and the greater purpose we have been entrusted with,” he said.

Atuwatse III stressed the need for the traditional institution to look beyond ceremonial functions and become an instrument for unity, development and inter-generational responsibility, noting that the crown was “not merely an ornament,” but “a carried responsibility to be stewarded, a legacy to be protected and a purpose to be fulfilled together”.

According to him, the strength of a people should not be measured by those excluded, but by the number of people who can be inspired, empowered and united around a common purpose.

“Our strength is not found in the numbers we exclude, but rather in the multitude that can be inspired, empowered and brought together for a common purpose,” the monarch said.

He therefore urged the Itsekiris to put past differences behind and build bridges rather than walls, adding: “We cannot allow past distances to prevent future unity; we must rightly build bridges where necessary and not walls. If our future must be different, the way we do things must change.”

A major thrust of the Olu’s anniversary message was a call for a mindset change in the approach to culture, tradition, leadership and development, noting that while traditions remained important, societies must be willing to examine inherited practices and adapt them to meet the demands of the future.

He drew a distinction between tradition and culture, explaining that culture represents the way people do things, while traditions are practices inherited from the past.

According to him, the past cannot be changed, but the future can be deliberately shaped by the choices people make in the present.

“God, in His omniscience, does not allow any man to go back into time to make amends. This means, we cannot change the facts from our history, we cannot change past traditions or rewrite our past.

“While we cannot change our past or deny the reality of the present; it is this same God who gives us the power to shape the future in the way we want it,” the monarch said.

He challenged the Itsekiri people to critically examine their present circumstances and make decisions that would produce a better future for generations yet unborn.

Speaking at the anniversary celebration, Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, described the five-year reign of Atuwatse III as a period of renewed glory, peace-building, uncommon leadership and remarkable progress for the Itsekiri people, Warri and Delta State.

The governor said the Olu had demonstrated exemplary leadership and shown strong commitment to peace and development, describing Atuwatse III as “a cerebral monarch, a peace-builder and an exemplary leader, a man of grace who leads from the front”.

Oborevwori said the monarch’s passion for the progress of Warri extended to the entire state, adding that Atuwatse III had shown consistent support for the administration.

“I want to place it on record that the Olu has taken more than a passing interest in my administration. You have shown your love and support for this administration,” he said.

The governor recalled the Olu’s endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration during the Itsekiri nation’s interaction with the government, describing the gesture as courageous, particularly given the monarch’s traditional responsibility to all.

He also commended the monarch’s interest in infrastructure development, recalling his presence during the inspection of the ongoing Ode-Itsekiri road project.

According to Oborevwori, the road, which includes more than 15 bridges, has been completed and would soon be insugurated.

He noted that the Olu had helped draw attention to the infrastructure transformation by personally visiting and showcasing sections of the completed road.

Oborevwori said the fifth coronation anniversary was therefore more than a traditional celebration, describing it as a reflection of five years of impactful leadership and partnership in the development of the state.

He used the occasion to appeal to the different ethnic nationalities in Warri to preserve the peace that has characterised their coexistence.

Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion were the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; Senator Joel-Onowakpo; the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor and representatives of the Federal Government.