As the daughter of the late billionaire philanthropist, Capt Hosa Okunbor, Olori Atuwatse III, the Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, grew up amidst privilege, but her parents instilled in her a deep sense of compassion and a burning desire to give back to the community. This calling to serve others would later become the cornerstone of her reign as Queen. Assuming the throne brought forth a plethora of responsibilities, ones that she has embraced wholeheartedly.
Beyond being a symbol of elegance, Olori Atuwatse III is a champion for social causes, touching the lives of the less privileged in ways that only a compassionate soul can. From educational initiatives to healthcare projects, her tireless efforts make a lasting impact, aligning perfectly with her late father’s philanthropic legacy. But being a Queen in a traditional kingdom like Warri requires more than just charitable endeavours. It entails preserving and promoting centuries-old customs and beliefs, and that’s where Olori Atuwatse III’s unique strength shines through. She is a perfect blend of modernity and tradition, seamlessly marrying the two worlds. While she respects the customs of her forefathers, her unshakable faith in God plays a vital role in shaping her decisions and actions.
Many people have different expectations of what it means to be a Queen. Is it everything you hoped it would be, or are there surprises and challenges that come with the position? What have the past two years been like for you?
The past two years have been a journey of self-discovery, growth, and service. One of the most rewarding aspects of being a Queen Consort is the opportunity to serve and positively impact the lives of the people within the kingdom. Engaging with the communities, listening to their needs, and working towards addressing them has been a privilege. Witnessing the positive changes and improvements in the lives of the people I serve brings me immense joy.
However, the weight of expectations from various stakeholders can be daunting at times. Striking a balance between traditional customs and evolving societal dynamics requires careful navigation and diplomacy. I have had to adapt to the demands of my role, continuously educate myself, and seek guidance from experienced individuals within the kingdom. Despite these challenges, the opportunity to contribute to the advancement and well-being of the Warri Kingdom has made it a truly rewarding experience. I am committed to working alongside my husband and King, His Royal Majesty, Olu Atuwatse III CFR, the Olu of Warri, and the community to create a brighter future for all.
Before ascending to the throne, what was your life like? How did your experiences and background shape your approach to your current role?
My life thus far has been shaped by a wide range of experiences that have greatly influenced my approach to my current role as Queen Consort and my empathy for the people I am fortunate to lead. I come from a family of high achievers who are avid believers in quality education, hard work, and commitment. Though we were born with a silver spoon, our parents never failed to remind us of how hard they worked in life, teaching us to be grateful for the opportunities we had. My siblings and I were raised with discipline and nurtured to understand responsibility from a young age.
Growing up, we would go on visits with our parents, meet people from diverse backgrounds, and learn to respect cultures, races, and institutions, which made us appreciate the broader society and how to interact with others irrespective of social status.
I can tell you that all my experiences—the good, bad, and ugly—have instilled in me the importance of continuous learning, adaptability, and embracing new ideas in navigating the complexities and challenges that come with being a mother to the Itsekiri people and identifying with them in their aspirations, dreams, and struggles to become.
Did you entertain any apprehensions or fears, knowing that life as you knew it was about to change forever?
Of course! Initially, as with any major, drastic change, I was afraid. Whilst I suspected that my husband would become King one day, one never really plans for these things. However, this was where my well-grounded faith and belief in God weighed in. I was taught to embrace challenges growing up, so my faith was able to give me a much-renewed perspective on dealing with transitions, embracing transformation, new challenges, and opportunities, and I was encouraged to navigate them with grace and resilience. Rather than succumbing to fear, I chose to focus on the possibilities that lay ahead. I accepted my new role as an opportunity to contribute to the betterment of my community and fulfil my mandate as a servant leader. I have always been devoted to social impact and development, so I quickly saw this as the blessing it is: to use my platform for true and lasting change to touch lives and bring much-needed good to society. Change is an inherent part of life. Rather than being intimidated by it, I saw it as an invitation to evolve and thrive.
Though we were born with a silver spoon, our parents never failed to remind us of how hard they worked in life, teaching us to be grateful for the opportunities we had. My siblings and I were raised with discipline and nurtured to understand responsibility from a young age.
I can see you are fully settled in now. Balancing royal responsibilities and family life must be very demanding. How do you attend to your duties while also focusing on building and nurturing your family?
Balancing royal responsibilities and family life is demanding, but I have much help. I try to adhere to a disciplined schedule to manage both aspects effectively. For me, family comes first, and my husband and children are my number one priority, taking preeminence over any other duties I have. I devote my time to caring for my family, making meals, running through schoolwork, and putting the kids to bed as often as possible. However, I am aware that there is no easy way to do everything at once or by myself. Thankfully, I have a strong support system made up of a dedicated team that ensures that my official duties are carried out efficiently, allowing me to allocate much-needed quality time for my family. Ultimately, finding balance requires continuous effort and adaptability.
You hold a significant role as the Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom. How would you describe your responsibilities and the impact they have on your daily life?
So imagine the role of a mother who has thousands of children. My responsibilities are multifaceted and carry great significance. I see myself as a representative and advocate for the women and children of our Kingdom. My daily life is intertwined with these responsibilities, and they shape my actions and decisions.
One of my primary responsibilities is to support and assist the King in his duties. This includes attending ceremonial events and participating in community engagement. I also play a role in promoting unity and inclusivity by fostering positive relationships with other leaders and stakeholders. Furthermore, I am dedicated to uplifting the lives of our people and championing social initiatives that bring progress and development to our people under the aegis of the parent organisation, which His Royal Majesty established, known as the Royal Iwere Foundation (RIF). These projects advocate for and provide quality education and engaging mind-transforming and empowerment programmes that steadily impact our Kingdom.
While the demands are significant, I find purpose and fulfilment in serving our people as I support the King by contributing to the growth and prosperity of the Warri Kingdom.
Your interest in social enterprise, education, and capacity building for women and children is commendable. Please tell us more about your initiatives in these areas and the impact you hope to achieve.
Thank you for your kind words. I am deeply passionate about social enterprise, education, and capacity building for women and children. In line with these interests, I have initiated several impactful programmes and initiatives within the Warri Kingdom under the Royal Iwere Foundation (RIF). The RIF is the chief project of the Palace and seeks to transform the socio-economic conditions of indigenes through formal and informal education, mentorship programmes, healthcare, funding, and training for upcoming and fresh entrepreneurs.
In education, I have established the first STEM centre in Delta State that educates hundreds of children within the kingdom and its environs. Across the communities, we have the Love Garden and Edu-Playground project that teaches children how to grow and nurture some of the delicious foods they enjoy with their own hands in a fun and educative manner. To improve the quality of teachers within and outside the Kingdom, I currently partner with the CleverMinds Foundation and other institutions to hold the Teachers Training Programme (TTP) periodically.
I recently launched StoryTime with Mama Iwere, a reading club where I read stories to the children in our community and teach them core values and soft skills such as communication, curiosity, and emotional intelligence. The aim is to encourage early literacy skills, freedom of expression, and critical thinking in young children and form a good moral foundation early on.
My passion for women’s empowerment led to the creation of the Royal Iwere Foundation Skills Institute (RIFSI), which aims to accelerate human capital development by empowering women and youth cooperatives with seed funding in communities and providing scholarships for indigent children.
I have championed financial empowerment drives in collaboration with financial institutions, such as point-of-sale (POS) training and the distribution of POS machines. We also have the Warri Women’s Enterprise Fund programme, designed to assist young business owners with funding for their enterprises.
Wuwu Ore is our medical outreach that caters to the healthcare needs of communities within the Kingdom with qualitative medical services, with a particular focus on children, maternal care, and the overall well-being of the most vulnerable in our Kingdom.
Honestly, it’s a long list, but some of these initiatives are featured on my website and various platforms. I remain grateful to my husband for His immense support and the valued partnership of our local and international stakeholders.
The goal is to impact lives and steadily transform the Warri Kingdom into a 21st-century destination via education, empowerment, and mind transformation. It is a tall task, but I am grateful to God that we are progressing.
Your late father, Captain Hosa Okunbo, was a renowned philanthropist. How has his legacy influenced your approach to philanthropy and community engagement as a Queen?
My father’s legacy has profoundly influenced my philanthropy and community engagement approach. He had an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others, which instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility and compassion for my community. Despite his numerous accomplishments, he was humble and believed in human dignity irrespective of culture, gender, or social status. He believed in a greater Nigeria and purposefully walked in this light to leave his world a better place for others. For me, it was an experience more caught than taught. My parents demonstrated that service to humanity could change the world for the better, and today, I continue to walk with that mindset and heart posture of service, generosity, and impact.
How do you envision the role of women evolving within the traditional structures of the Warri Kingdom?
Women are integral to the growth and development of the Warri Kingdom and Nigeria at large. Here at home, women have continued to create immense value in their various leadership positions since time immemorial. I am deeply proud of the efforts of His Royal Majesty in driving more inclusivity for women in the Kingdom, and I am convinced that as a nation looking to expand our economic horizon, it is crucial to prioritise women’s education and empowerment. By providing access to quality education and skills training, we can equip women with the tools they need to succeed and contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Nigeria.
My father’s legacy has profoundly influenced my philanthropy and community engagement approach. He had an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others, which instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility and compassion for my community.
Community engagement and involvement are essential for effective leadership. How do you connect with the people of the Warri Kingdom and ensure their voices are heard and valued?
I visit communities as often as possible and enjoy listening to and interacting with my people. Each time I engage in community visits, either accompanying His Royal Majesty or alongside my team, it is essentially about their welfare. We go out to meet our people, community by community, with open ears to listen and, more importantly, welfare packages to restore hope and put smiles on their beautiful faces.
This is what royalty is truly about. Our people are our reason for our service, and so at all our functions within Aghofen (the Palace) or out there next to their homes, they can feel us and know their voices are heard.
Faith plays a significant role in many people’s lives. How does your personal faith in God intersect with the traditional rites and beliefs that come with your position as Queen?
As mentioned earlier, I am thoroughly grounded in my walk with God. My faith in Christ is the anchor that holds my entire being and existence in an incredible balance characterised by impact and service. I am blessed to be in this noble position of leadership. As Christ demonstrated to his disciples the lessons of humility by washing their feet, I approach my office as a call to servanthood, a servant leader who, like Esther in the scriptures, is aware of the high calling of God and dedicated to seeing His Kingdom established on earth.
My faith walk is an uncompromisable absolute. My identity is entrenched in who I am in Christ Jesus and His purpose for me on earth, which drives my passion for seeing lives redeemed and their dignity restored in our kingdom and worldwide.
How do you strike a balance between upholding traditional customs and embracing progress and development in the Warri Kingdom?
As you would already know, the Warri Kingdom has a rich cultural heritage that dates back to the 15th century, when the kingdom’s influence spread across the region to the Gulf of Guinea. We also witnessed early trade relations with the Europeans, which have influenced several aspects of our culture and traditions to date, including the origination of our world-famous pidgin language.
It is, therefore, important that we preserve and honour our cultural heritage. Remembering where we are coming from is significant to mapping out the future we desire, and because our world is ever evolving, we encourage innovation, education, and sustainable economic development that aligns with our values whilst also celebrating the rich tapestry of our enviable history.
We have always been a highly illustrious and hospitable kingdom, and this aspect of our culture engenders foreign collaborations that pave the way for the restorative growth and development we desire for our people. By fostering constructive dialogue and oneness within our Kingdom, we can identify growth opportunities while preserving our cultural identity. We are happy to embrace progress in a way that respects our traditions and ensures a prosperous future for the Warri Kingdom.
The special bond you share with His Majesty, the King, is evident to all who observe. Could you share some insights into your partnership and how you support each other in your respective roles?
Well, the best cakes have a secret recipe, and I’d like to keep our recipe a secret for now. However, I will say this: I am extremely blessed to have His Majesty as my husband and life partner. It is my life’s blessing to be his wife.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the Warri Kingdom, both in the immediate and long term?
Fostering sustainable development and improving the well-being of our people through various initiatives under the RIF and her partners. It’s a building phase, so I am committed to supporting His Royal Majesty in laying the foundation for the growth and development we envision in the coming years.
I am presently working to improve my people’s access to quality education and human capital development, ensuring that every Itsekiri child, woman, and man has equal opportunities for growth and prosperity.
In the long run, it’s about establishing a legacy of peace, progress, and oneness. I am eager to witness the Warri Kingdom as a thriving 21st-century hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development where the youth thrive and gender equity is realised, paving the way for our Kingdom to attain its fullest potential as a force to reckon with both locally and internationally.
