The party tents are dismantled, and the crowd dispersed but the celebrations continue for the people of the Warri Kingdom on the coronation of the new Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty, Atuwase III.
On 28 August, 2021, the PIND team lead by our Executive Director – Designate, Tunji Idowu paid a courtesy visit to the newly crowned monarch; The Olu of Warri, Atuwase III. The PIND team included the PIND Operations Manager, Florence Agbejule; Economic Development Program Manager, James Elekwachi; Access to Energy Program Manager, Dr. Teslim Giwa; Senior Market Development Advisor, Misan Edema-Sillo; and Field Office Administrator (Warri), Yemi Omire who were received by former Executive Director, Projects, Niger Delta Development Commission, NNDC, Tuoyo Omatsuli; Businessman and Philanthropist, Benson Onuwaje among others at the Palace.
During his presentation to Atuwase III, our Executive Director – Designate congratulated the monarch on his coronation and wished him a long, and prosperous reign. He informed him about PIND’s work and results in the Niger Delta region and with Itsekiri communities working with the Itsekiri Regional Development Committee (IRDC). He also reiterated PIND’s support to building peaceable communities with sustainably thriving economies within the Warri Kingdom and the Niger Delta at large.
In response, His Royal Majesty Atuwase III welcomed the PIND team and traced his relationship with Tunji Idowu, acknowledging his contributions to the development of communities in the Niger Delta. His Royal Majesty also talked about his own passion for community development having been involved in community development work during his professional career, especially work at the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) company and Sahara Energy. He recalled what his father, Atuwase II used to say about development when he was growing up – that the Warri Kingdom was full of mangroves, indicating a lack of development which is why he is disposed to partnering with PIND for Sustainable Development and meaningful empowerment of youth in the Warri Kingdom and the Niger Delta at large.
