By Francis Sadhere, Delta
The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, will mark his fifth coronation anniversary with a 10-day celebration focused on cultural renaissance, unity, tourism, innovation and transformational progress in Warri Kingdom.
The anniversary, themed “Global Home Coming: Celebrating Our Cultural Renaissance, Unity and Transformational Progress,” will run from August 14 to 23, 2026, featuring a blend of royal ceremonies, community engagements, cultural displays and sporting activities.
Chairman of the Anniversary Oversight Committee and Ologbotsere of Warri, Chief (Dr.) Engr. Oma Eyewuoma, disclosed this on Monday at a press conference held at the Palace of the Olu of Warri in Warri, Delta State.
Chief Brown Mene, the Ogwa-Olusan of Warri Kingdom, who read the speech on behalf of Eyewuoma, said the 10-day programme would provide an opportunity for sons and daughters of Warri Kingdom, both at home and abroad, to return home and celebrate the reign of the monarch while promoting the rich cultural heritage of the kingdom.
He said the activities would include massive cultural displays, exhibitions of family heirlooms, homage-paying by various communities, a Royal Boat Regatta, Bike and Scooter Competition, Itsekiri Language Competition for children, football and other sporting events.
According to him, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, has established a strategic partnership with Warri Kingdom to leverage the anniversary for global tourism development, investment and youth empowerment.
He said the development was in line with the vision of Ogiame Atuwatse III to reposition Warri Kingdom through peace, innovation and global engagement.
Eyewuoma said the Olu had recognised the youth as critical to the future of the kingdom, hence the introduction of the Iwere Innovation Hub, which, according to him, would promote digital literacy, software engineering and entrepreneurship among young people.
He said the initiative represented a significant shift towards developing a digital economy alongside the kingdom’s traditional economic base.
The committee chairman further disclosed that high-profile guests were expected from across Nigeria and beyond for the anniversary celebrations.
On the Warri Unity Game, Chief Mene said the sporting activities would involve neighbouring communities in the kingdom and environs, noting that the proximity of the communities would make the games an effective platform for strengthening unity and fostering peaceful relationships among the people.
He said the celebration was not merely a royal anniversary but an opportunity to bring people together, promote peace and deepen the bonds among communities within Warri Kingdom.
The programme will commence on Friday, August 14, with Praise Day, while subsequent activities include the Warri Unity Game, Grand Finale Bini Riva Live, Bike and Scooter Competition, Itsekiri Language Competition for Children, homage-paying by communities, the Royal Regatta, the main celebration, football match and thanksgiving.
The anniversary will also feature activities at venues including Nana College Warri, Federal Government College Warri, Oboghoro, Ode-Itsekiri and Aghofen, Warri.
Eyewuoma urged journalists to use their platforms to publicise the celebration widely and ensure that the message of the royal anniversary reaches people across Nigeria and the globe.
He described the occasion as a celebration of joy, unity and the cultural heritage of the Itsekiri people, urging sons and daughters of the kingdom to respond to the call for a global homecoming.
“The joy is to be celebrated,” he said, urging members of the media to spread the information across the globe and encourage the people to return home for the historic celebration.
