The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ògíame Atúwàtse III, has said the insinuation of conflict between traditional thrones and Christendom is non-existent.
The monarch who stated this when he received the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, in his Palace in Warri, Delta State, stressed that the two were not necessarily antithetical to each other.
He also debunked the assumption that traditional institutions were synonymous with superstitions and the worship of creations made by human hands and reasoning.
He, however, noted that the two institutions could play a complementary role that would contribute to the growth and development of the country.
The Olu who stated that he was elated by the visit, said the Soun’s choice of Warri kingdom as his first place of visit was divinely directed, just as his choice for the throne was divinely ordained.
He noted that traditional rulers owed it to God to lead to the benefit of their people, especially against the fast-changing technology-driven world.
“We have a divine obligation to lead in righteousness, justice, fairness and equity and they are not empty abstractions, but compelling ideals.
“Only when driven by a singular commitment to these ideals can we lead our people into visible, functional development materially, mentally and spiritually,” the Warri monarch stated.
He noted that the Warri traditional throne and that of Ogbomoso were bonded by the same tradition and should collaborate in areas of mutual interest to the benefit of their subjects.
In his address, the Soun of Ogbomoso advocated the adoption of cultural diplomacy for development to transform traditional institutions to impactful partners in the quest for accelerated growth and development for the people.
“Your Majesty Ògíame and I are destined to lead in using what I have termed cultural diplomacy for development to transform our traditional institutions into impactful partners in the quest for accelerated growth and development for our people.
“Your majesty’s masterful play as the lead cultural ambassador of the Iwere people is evident today in our country and around the globe.
“We and others who discern this virtue can see how it will attract ever-needed economic progress to your people.
“Our observation of these noble sentiments in your majesty’s reign is the motivating choice of the great kingdom of Warri as our first port of call in our gesture to reach out and make friends and partners as we commence our sacred duty to lead the people of Ogbomosoland,” he stated.
The new Soun was installed on September 8, 2023, succeeding Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, who transited to the great beyond on December 12, 2021.
He was a senior pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) before his call to the throne.
Both Warri and Ogbomoso have rich histories that date back to centuries.
The Soun was accompanied on the visit by Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani (rtd); Prof. Shola Adepoju (rtd); Air Vice Marshall Bolaji Adigun (rtd) and Akogun of Ogbomosoland and Pastor Agu Irukwu.
Olaoye used the occasion of the visit to announce scholarship for 10 children, six girls and four boys, from Warri Kingdom in Ogbomoso through junior and Senior Secondary School beginning next academic session.
“Your Majesty, I would like to kick-start this new reality by inviting you to send 10 Itsekiri children, four boys and six girls, to Ogbomoso on our full scholarship through junior and Senior Secondary School – JSS and SSS – beginning next academic session.
“We fervently hope that this gesture will be reciprocated by your majesty, thus enabling the educational exchange to start and seal this relationship between us – as a first step.
“Once again, I thank you for the immense goodwill demonstrated by the exceptional warmth we have received today. Your majesty Ògíame, we very much look forward to welcoming you as a special guest in Ogbomoso for the ceremonies of our formal coronation,” he stated.
