As CNN don report, Warri Kingdom wey dey inside heart of Nigeria Niger Delta oil region, na area wey produce plenty oil wey don support one of Africa biggest economy for decades. But many neighboring communities still no get basic things like potable water, schools, health care systems. The Kingdom suffer from wetin dem call resource curse – everything dey extracted, but nothing dey developed.
When Tsola Emiko become Ogiame Atuwatse III, di 21st Olu of Warri for 2021, he and im wife decide to rethink wetin modern monarch fit be. Di king establish Office of di Olori – di queen official platform to lead development initiatives wey focus on women, children, and education.
Olori Atuwatse III talk say: “I no take dis on with glamour. I feel di burden. I feel di responsibility… di responsibility to use dis privilege to serve.”
Together dem found Royal Iwere Foundation for 2021, wey now focus on three pillars: education, women empowerment, and environment. Di programs cover STEM education, environmental initiatives, and entrepreneurial initiatives wey aim to help women develop sustainable businesses.
Olori Atuwatse III yarn say: “Everything really centers on developing human capital.”
During EstablishHer graduation ceremony – a six-month mentorship and leadership program wey di foundation start – for March, Olori Atuwatse III announce say since launch, 44 participants don officially register dia businesses, others don attract new clients, expand operations, and gain access to mentorship, professional networks, and funding. Di Foundation also announce credit fund of 150 million naira, about $110,000, wey dey meant to help women grow dia businesses.
“Our greatest resource na people,” Olori Atuwatse III talk. “My view, my hope na to build our people so dem fit build our communities.”
For di queen, economic development begin long before anybody start business. To truly change something, we must first change di way we think – not just wetin we think. Olori Atuwatse III personally don live through di lessons. For 2018, after she born her son, she publicly yarn about postpartum anxiety, describing di experience as a “mental breakthrough” wey change her understanding of goals and leadership. E now inform her approach to everything: from youth development to supporting women potential.
Dis philosophy extend beyond Warri Kingdom. Through di Elevate Africa Fellowship – a 10-month mentorship program for mid-career professionals wey dem found together – Olori Atuwatse III donate $1 million to developing young African leaders, arguing say cross-continental collaboration na di key to long-term progress. She also hope to reshape how Africans see demsef.
Olori Atuwatse III state say dia work no limit to improving one community – e dey about changing how Africans and di world view di continent. “We must begin to lift Africa across di continent. We cannot lift Nigeria alone in isolation.”
For di queen, di legacy she aim to leave no dey measured in oil reserves but in confident, influential people. “We no see Africa as a problem to solve; Africa rich. Africa resilient. African excellence require increased impact.” Such initiatives point to a new path of development, where human talent become di main resource for sustainable prosperity of di region and di continent.
