Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
Excitement has engulfed Warri Kingdom as President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, conferred the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri.
This is much more as the revered Warri monarch becomes the only traditional ruler from the Delta State Traditional Council to be so honoured and also the youngest Nigerian to be so honoured in this category.
Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of Itsekiri Consultative Congress (ICC) and immediate past president of the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG), Edema Collins Oritsetimeyin, has described the national honour as a testament the Olu of Warri “has not just taken Warri Kingdom to a new height, but has also taken Delta State Traditional Council to a new level by making Delta State have a Traditional Ruler to be conferred with the title of CFR”.
According to him, “Your Imperial Majesty, my family and I wish to congratulate you on the conferment of the award of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on you today in Abuja by His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.
“Baba, this award does not only depict your place as a First-Class Traditional Ruler in Nigeria, but also define your personality as someone who did not just come to fill a role but to use it as a launch pad to drive National transformation and attract Direct Foreign Investment (FDI) as can be seen from your various trips abroad.
“Your Majesty, going through Nigeria’s history, it is note-worthy to state that with this award today, your name will go down in Nigeria’s history as not only the youngest Traditional Ruler to be conferred with this honour, but also the youngest Nigerian to be so honoured.
“Ogiame, we are honoured and blessed to have you as our King in our life time. Dòh San Gbi Baba Ni-ekété.”