Olu of Warri, UAE Minister Sign Cooperation Protocol to Deepen Global Tolerance

Sunday Ehigiator

The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, have signed a Cooperation Protocol aimed at strengthening global collaboration on peacebuilding, cultural exchange and social inclusion.

The agreement was signed during an event at the AIM Congress 2026, themed, ‘World Governments as Incubators for Tolerance and Shared Growth’.

The protocol, executed between the UAE Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence and the Royal Iwere Foundation, an initiative of the Olu of Warri, is expected to promote dialogue among institutions and nations while advancing initiatives that foster peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity.

Speaking at the event, the Olu of Warri delivered a guest lecture titled, “Tolerance as a Tool for Advancing Peace, Social Cohesion and Shared Prosperity: The Case of Africa.”

The monarch advocated greater investment in tolerance, inclusion and dialogue, describing them as critical pillars for sustainable development in Africa and beyond.

According to him, Africa possesses enormous potential to leverage tolerance, dialogue and unity to drive economic growth, strengthen social cohesion and promote lasting peace across the continent.

He said embracing diversity and mutual respect would not only help reduce conflicts but also create an enabling environment for innovation, investment and shared prosperity among African nations.

Illustrating his approach to tolerance and social cohesion in the Warri Kingdom, the monarch said his administration had prioritised reconciliation and unity among the diverse communities and ethnic groups residing in the kingdom.

He said, “What sounds like a ceremony is governance. And once the house was stronger, we opened the field. Last month, we brought every tribe in the kingdom together for the Warri Unity Games.

“Football, paintball, tug of war, a march past, a full opening ceremony. Every major tribe competing, sweating, celebrating, and going home together.”

The monarch noted that Warri was home to people from diverse tribal backgrounds, including the Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Bini and Ilaje communities.

According to him, each community carries its own history, pride and memories of grievances with neighbouring groups, making deliberate efforts at reconciliation essential to sustainable peace.

“Some of those wounds were still open when I ascended the throne five years ago. I understood something from the very first day. You cannot build bridges with your neighbours while your own house is divided. So I began at home.

“Among my own Itsekiri communities, I introduced a ceremony called Ghigho Aghofen,” he said.

The Olu said the initiatives were designed to strengthen relationships within the kingdom and demonstrate how traditional institutions could contribute to peacebuilding, social inclusion and development.

The Cooperation Protocol is expected to provide a framework for further collaboration between the UAE Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence and the Royal Iwere Foundation in areas including cultural exchange, peacebuilding, dialogue and initiatives promoting social cohesion.

The event was attended by the UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, government officials and leaders of international institutions.

Also present was the Olori of Warri, Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III, who joined the royal delegation at the event.