The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, has established the Iwere Trust Foundation (ITF) with a personal seed donation of ₦750 million, in a landmark initiative to advance the socio-economic development of the Itsekiri nation. The launch coincided with activities marking his fourth coronation anniversary.
The announcement was made before thousands of subjects, dignitaries, and traditional leaders at the Aghofen Palace in Warri. Declaring that genuine development must come from within, the monarch urged the Itsekiri people at home and in the diaspora to rally behind the foundation.
“It is only the Itsekiri people that can truly develop themselves and their ancestral homeland,” Ogiame Atuwatse III said. “I have sown my seed of commitment with ₦750 million, and I now call on every well-meaning Itsekiri across the world to join me in watering these seeds of collective development.”
The crowd responded with thunderous applause and traditional chants of “Oba-oke, Oba-omi, Ogiame Suoooii!” as the monarch unveiled his vision.
According to him, the foundation will pool resources to finance transformative projects that directly impact Itsekiri communities, with the king himself serving as Chairman of the Fund. The ITF, he explained, is designed to translate the promise of progress into concrete realities, building a prosperous and self-reliant future.
Observers described the launch as a defining moment in his reign, shifting from symbolism to tangible action. They noted that the foundation represents both a rallying call for unity and a strategic framework for sustainable development—making it the highlight of the anniversary celebrations and a symbolic gift of hope to the Itsekiri nation.
