Olu of Warri Marks Fourth Coronation Anniversary With Cultural Festivities and Landmark Hospital Commissioning

The Itsekiri Kingdom of Delta State has launched a week-long celebration to mark the fourth coronation anniversary of His Majesty Ògíamè Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri.

Festivities began with a thanksgiving service at the Palace Church in Aghofen, where members of the Iwere Nation gathered in prayer and song to honor what they describe as four years of prosperous leadership under the monarch’s reign.

The program includes traditional homage ceremonies, educational lectures, cultural exhibitions, and novelty football matches featuring Nigerian football legends. Organizers say the events aim to showcase the unity and resilience of the Itsekiri people while highlighting the monarch’s leadership achievements.

A central highlight of the anniversary came with the commissioning of the Renewed Hope Mother and Childcare Hospital at Ugbuwangwe on August 19. The 80-bed state-of-the-art facility, constructed by the Presidency through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulure, was inaugurated with the support of the Olu of Warri.

The hospital, designed to provide specialized services for mothers and children, is seen as a critical addition to Warri’s healthcare infrastructure. Palace officials described the project as a “tangible gift of renewed hope” for the community.

“This hospital is not just a building; it is a testament to our collective commitment to protecting our most precious assets: our mothers and our children,” a palace spokesperson said.

The commissioning ceremony drew dignitaries including representatives of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and was marked by expressions of gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the federal government’s investment in the kingdom’s well-being.

As celebrations continue through the week, Warri Kingdom is balancing deep cultural traditions with tangible socio-economic progress, reflecting what many describe as the defining hallmark of Atuwatse III’s reign.