The Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has announced the activation of a N750 million Iwere Trust Fund (ITF), to drive development across Warri Kingdom, with a call on Itsekiri sons and daughters to join hands in rebuilding the Iwere nation.
The monarch made the declaration on Thursday, at his palace (Aghofen) at Ajamimogha, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, during activities marking his fourth coronation anniversary.
Addressing thousands of Itsekiris who throne the palace to pay homage, Atuwatse III said: “I want to use this as an opportunity to announce the activation of Iwere Trust Fund, ITF, of which I am the chairman. I am personally funding this trust with the sum of N750 million. This trust, is for the development of our people and our home.
“I am leading by example and I have put my own resources into this vehicle, a vehicle that God willing, will inspire much progress and development for our people. Eyiwe ewa di akpeunje. I invite all well-meaning sons and daughters of Iwere, our friends, our partners and those that believe in what we have set out to do, to come and join us in this effort to build Iwere.”
Ogiame Atuwatse III further used the occasion to stress that peace and unity in the Itsekiri nation must be built on repentance and truth.
“For as much as we all desire peace and unity, it has to be on the right foundation of repentance, without which, true reconciliation cannot occur,” he said.
“As long as all these conditions are in place, that door will remain open and we shall achieve the peace and progress we all desire as a united kingdom.”
Acknowledging lingering grievances within the kingdom, the monarch noted: “Amongst us, they are still a few, who remain aggrieved and continue to justify their course of action. As long as they are Itsekiri, they remain our children.”
The Olu, who intermittently addressed the gathering in Itsekiri and English, described his four years on the throne as a journey of resilience and divine grace.
“For me, this is more than a show or a celebration, it is a sign of God’s kindness, His blessings and His love towards us. We will continue to acknowledge history and fact in our life
“In this past years, there have been many storms, even though we still have a long way to go, we remain resolute, committed to ensuring that the affairs and direction of Itsekiri Nation does not go off from us. As we remain alive to our responsibilities, God will bless us and will not let us see shame. Beyond that He will lead us to the path of restoration,” he said.
The monarch likened his role as traditional ruler of the Itsekiri people to that of a keeper of the forest:
“We are not under illusion that this is a kingdom of only domesticated animals. The king is the keeper of the forest, and he’s responsible for balancing the ecosystem between the wild and the domesticated animals and every animal has its use and it is the responsibility of the keeper of the forest to ensure that natural equilibrium is firmly in place.”
Reaffirming the palace as the rallying point for order, the king charged Itsekiris to embrace kindness and trust.
“As a father, I encourage you all, let us continue to be kind to one another, let us be supportive to each other, let us patronize each other and be our brother’s keeper. God has already blessed us. But He will not leave his throne to come down and help us.
“If we keep perpetuating the notion that we cannot trust ourselves, we are only delaying the breakthrough that we so desperately desire. We have torn ourselves and pulled ourselves down long enough, the truth must be spoken and it must be spoken with love. It is because God loves Itsekiri, that He has given us Ogiame,” he added.
The anniversary celebration drew dignitaries including representatives of Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in person of Hon Emomotimi Guwor (Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly); the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Service Chiefs, the Commissioner of Police, and local government chairmen, among others.
The event saw diverse cultural display of Itsekiri heritage, including dance performances by different troupes robed in colourful traditional attires.
