Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Federal Government of Nigeria is partnering with Warri Kingdom to promote tourism, attract investment and empower youths as part of activities marking the fifth coronation anniversary of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.
The partnership, through the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, will leverage the anniversary to promote the cultural heritage of Warri Kingdom while creating opportunities for tourism development and youth empowerment.
The Chairman of the anniversary Oversight Committee and Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Oma Eyewuoma, represented by Chief Brown Mene, disclosed this to journalists on Monday at a press conference held at the Olu of Warri Palace in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Eyewuoma said the partnership formed part of broader efforts under the reign of Ogiame Atuwatse III to reposition the kingdom through initiatives focused on culture, innovation, youth development and economic transformation.
The 10-day anniversary, themed “Global Home Coming – Celebrating our Cultural Renaissance, Unity and Transformational Progress”, will run from 14 to 23 August 2026, featuring cultural, sporting and community activities across Warri and Ode-Itsekiri.
The committee said the celebration would feature cultural displays, exhibitions of family heirlooms, traditional dances, a royal boat regatta, sporting competitions and homage-paying by communities across the kingdom.
A major focus of the anniversary will also be youth development, with the Iwere Innovation Hub expected to provide opportunities in digital literacy, software engineering and entrepreneurship.
Eyewuoma said the initiative reflected the Olu’s vision of preparing young people in the kingdom for a changing economy and reducing dependence on the traditional oil-based economy.
He said the development agenda was driven by the recognition that young people would play a central role in determining the future of the kingdom.
“His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, Olu of Warri, recognises that the future of Warri Kingdom lies in its youths,” Eyewuoma said.
He added that the Iwere Innovation Hub would help challenge existing stereotypes about the kingdom by bringing digital skills and entrepreneurship opportunities closer to its youths.
According to him, the initiative signals a broader economic transition under the present reign, with greater emphasis on technology and innovation.
“Therefore, gentlemen of the press, under the reign of His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, Olu of Warri, there is a shift from crude oil to a thriving digital economy,” he said.
The anniversary activities will begin on Friday, 14 August, with a Praise Day at Nana College, Warri, at noon, followed by the Warri Unity Game at Federal Government College, Warri, on Saturday.
The Grand Finale, featuring Bini Riva Live, will take place at Oboghoro on Sunday, 16 August.
On Monday, 17 August, the programme will feature a bike and scooter competition at Ode-Itsekiri, as well as an Itsekiri Language Competition for children.
Homage-paying ceremonies will hold from 18 to 21 August at Aghofen and other designated locations in Warri, while the Royal Boat Regatta is scheduled for 20 August.
The main celebration will hold on 21 August, followed by a football match on 22 August at a venue to be announced.
The programme will end with a thanksgiving service in Warri on Sunday, 23 August.
Eyewuoma urged the media to help communicate the significance of the anniversary and its cultural and developmental initiatives to audiences within and outside Nigeria.
He said the media had an important role to play in projecting the kingdom’s cultural heritage and development efforts to the wider world.
“The chief reason for this press conference is for you as the Fourth Estate of the Realm to disseminate this Royal message to the world,” he said.
Present at the press conference were the Ogwa-Olusan of Warri, Chief Brown Mene; the Uwangue of Warri Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Awala; the Oshodin of Warri Kingdom, Chief Tony Onuwaje; the Secretary, Warri Council of Chiefs and Olulaye of Warri Kingdom, Chief Eugene Ikomi; the Iye of Warri Kingdom, Chief Esther Okotie-Eboh; and the Olujuwa of Warri Kingdom, Chief Elijah Temile, among others.
