A Throne Beyond Borders: Ogiame Atuwatse III’s Visit Rekindles Itsekiri Diaspora Identity

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Sahara Weekly Unveils When Ogiame Atuwatse III CFR, the revered Olu of Warri, visited South Africa recently, it wasn’t merely a royal courtesy; it was a cultural revival and a historic reconnection with the Itsekiri diaspora. Hosted by the ever-dedicated Ugbajo Itsekiri South Africa Chapter, led by Mr. Eyitemi Jakpa (Olaga), and guided by the unwavering support of the Chapter’s Patron (Dr. Oritseweyinmi Anthony McNeil), the event became a symbol of unity, identity, and the resilience of tradition.

For the first time, the Itsekiri diaspora in South Africa welcomed their monarch not through screens or stories but in flesh, spirit, and majesty.

“This is not a visit; it is a revival,” declared Chief Richmond MacGrey, the Ugiaga Nusi of Warri Kingdom, who commended the organizers and gave his blessings. “The king’s presence among us has rekindled our ancestral pride. I score Ugbajo Itsekiri South Africa 100% for this historic achievement.”

Chief MacGrey was invisibly moved and affirmed his commitment to future engagements. “I will be in South Africa again when Ogiame returns next. May this be the beginning of deeper bonds between our homeland and our diaspora.”

A Community That Delivered

From airport reception to traditional festivities, every detail was meticulously arranged. The Ugbajo executives delivered not just an event, but an experience worthy of a revered king. Their coordination with South African officials, the Nigerian High Commission, and the Zulu nation, with their traditional groups, showcased the Itsekiri nation’s prestige.

Dr. McNeil, a respected medical practitioner, academic, and cultural leader, was instrumental throughout the scenes. His vision has always been to fuse diaspora engagement with heritage preservation.

“Royalty is not just about tradition but about consciousness,” Chief Richmond MacGrey said.

“Ogiame’s visit reminds us who we are and, more importantly, who we must become. Our children must inherit pride, not confusion.”

The King’s Message: Build Where Your Roots Lie

In his address, Ogiame Atuwatse III CFR emphasized a sacred duty: that all Itsekiris, no matter where they reside, must stay connected to Warri—not just emotionally but economically, politically, and spiritually.

“Let not distance dilute your duty,” Ogiame said. “Build where your ancestors lie. Let your success abroad be Warri’s gain, not its loss.”

This message echoed with urgency. The monarch’s visit was not a photo opportunity. It was a call to service, investment, and unity.

Chief Richmond MacGrey expanded on this during a panel session in his first visit to South Africa: “We must send more than remittances. We must send ideas, education, and influence. We must be intentional architects of Warri’s future.”

Cultural Diplomacy on Display

Ogiame’s engagement with the Zulu King, cultural leaders, and diplomatic stakeholders elevated the Warri monarchy’s standing beyond Nigeria. He symbolized Africa’s royal Legacy, dignified, enlightened, and forward-looking.

“Ogiame is not just the king of Warri,” said Chief MacGrey, “he is a son of the African soul.”

The cross-cultural respect on display proved that Nigerian traditional institutions still command immense global reverence when represented with clarity, class, and consistency.

Diaspora as Custodians of Identity

For Itsekiris living abroad, the challenges of assimilation are real. Culture fades. Language is lost. Roots blur. But this visit has sparked a revival. Parents brought their children. Songs were sung. Traditional attire returned. And most importantly, a generation saw their king walk among them.

“We are one people, one heritage, one destiny under one crown,” Ogiame declared to a cheering crowd.

Such words are not merely poetic; they are prophetic.

The synergy between Mr. Jakpa, Dr. McNeil, and their executive team is a textbook case of effective diaspora organizing. Through unity and devotion, they turned what could have been a routine courtesy into a historical homecoming.

“Leadership is not position, it is devotion,” Chief Richmond MacGrey said. “This team has shown uncommon devotion to our king, our people, and our future.”

A Model for Other Ethnic Diasporas

The success of this visit should inspire other Nigerian and African communities abroad. Culture must not be archived. It must be activated. The crown must not be hidden but must be honored.

Ogiame Atuwatse III’s visit to South Africa is now part of living Itsekiri history. It reminded the diaspora that no matter how far one travels, the crown travels with them.

With strong leaders and visionary minds like Dr. McNeil and organizational anchors like Mr. Jakpa (Olaga), the Itsekiri nation is not only surviving abroad, but it is thriving.

And as the drums of Warri echo across continents, one thing is clear:

A throne that commands love from across oceans is not just a symbol of tradition, it is a beacon of cultural immortality.

Telecommunications giant Airtel Nigeria says its newly launched solution, the Airtel Spam Alert Service, is designed to shield its subscribers from fraudulent and spam SMS

The company stated that the service was developed as part of its ongoing commitment to user safety and digital security.

In a statement on Thursday, Airtel emphasized the growing threat posed by telecom-related scams and how its latest innovation aims to combat the menace head-on.

“The Spam Alert Service is a proactive solution created to protect our customers. It is built with intelligent filters that automatically detect and block suspicious SMS before they reach the end user,” the company said.

According to Airtel, the service will notify users in real time when a suspected spam or phishing attempt is detected. It will also flag known scam numbers, allowing subscribers to make informed decisions about who they engage with.

“The app leverages a robust AI algorithm that analyzes over 250 parameters.

“These parameters include sender behavior, message frequency, message geographical distribution, and unusual activity patterns.

“Impressively, the service completes this process in under two milliseconds, offering near-instantaneous alerts while maintaining the privacy of user data by not reading message content.

“We understand how sophisticated digital fraudsters have become.

“That’s why we have invested in an AI-powered system that scans communication patterns and flags anything that seems suspicious,” the company added.

In his comments, Dinesh Balsingh, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, stated: “Nigeria is not just a critical market for us—it’s a leader in digital adoption within the continent. Our AI Spam Alert Service reflects our dedication to safeguarding our customers from the growing threat of SMS fraud.

“As the first of its kind in Africa, it addresses a fundamental issue of trust and security, which is paramount to our digital ecosystem.

“We’re proud to offer this service to Nigerians and extend it across our African footprint.

“The AI Spam Alert Service not only protects users but also sets a new benchmark for mobile security standards in the region.

“Our goal is to build a safer digital environment for our users.

“This innovation is part of our broader strategy to incorporate advanced technologies that address real challenges while enhancing the overall customer experience.”

Following its successful deployment in Nigeria, the Spam Alert Service has now launched in Tanzania and Kenya and is set to cover Airtel’s entire African operations.

The service’s automatic activation for all Airtel customers—across both smartphones and feature phones—ensures maximum reach and accessibility.

Early feedback from subscribers has been overwhelmingly positive, with users praising the AI’s efficiency in flagging potentially harmful messages without interfering with their everyday communication.

By pioneering this AI-based spam detection technology, Airtel Africa demonstrates its commitment to leveraging cutting-edge innovation to resolve critical issues facing its subscribers.

A northern civic advocacy organisation, Coalition for Safer North-West Communities (CSNC), has blamed the persistent insecurity in Zamfara State on what it described as the “lack of courage and gross administrative ineptitude” of Governor Dauda Lawal.

A strongly worded statement signed by its President, Alhaji Murtala Shehu Gusau, on Wednesday, said the worsening wave of kidnappings, killings, and banditry in the state reflect a failure of leadership at the highest level of the state government.

The group said despite the deployment of military personnel and federal government interventions, Zamfara remains one of the most dangerous states to live in, owing largely to the governor’s inability to take decisive action and coordinate effective security responses.

“We are alarmed at the continued deterioration of security in Zamfara State, and after a critical assessment, we have no choice but to hold the state government accountable. Governor Dauda Lawal has shown a worrying lack of courage in the face of terror and has consistently failed to provide strategic leadership that inspires confidence among residents or security agencies,” the group declared.

CSNC said Zamfara’s rural communities have become killing fields, while residents in the capital live in daily fear of abductions, despite the governor’s repeated assurances and media statements.

“It is not enough to issue statements from Gusau. What the people need is action. From Dansadau to Maru, Anka to Tsafe, farmers can no longer access their farmlands, women are being kidnapped in broad daylight, and children are growing up under the sound of gunfire,” Alhaji Gusau said.

According to the group, the governor’s approach to security management has been marked by inconsistency, lack of collaboration with federal authorities, and an inability to rally local leaders and traditional institutions towards community-based intelligence gathering.

“Zamfara is bleeding, and the government seems more interested in political propaganda than real solutions. How many more people need to die before we begin to see seriousness? The governor needs to admit that his strategy, if any, has failed and make way for fresh thinking,” the statement added.

CSNC also accused the Lawal administration of sidelining critical stakeholders in the state’s security architecture, including traditional rulers, local vigilantes, and federal agencies, in a bid to centralise control without the capacity to manage such complexity.

“We must stop pretending that things are normal. The situation in Zamfara is a full-blown emergency, and if Governor Dauda Lawal cannot show the willpower to govern in a crisis, then he must accept that leadership is not for him. Zamfara deserves more than photo-ops and empty meetings,” the group insisted.

Alhaji Gusau said the group’s position is based on consistent engagement with affected communities, civil society organisations, and humanitarian workers in the North-West, many of whom have raised alarm over the governor’s silence or delayed responses to critical incidents.

The group also questioned how billions allocated to security in Zamfara’s state budget have been spent, demanding transparency and accountability from the administration.

“We challenge the Zamfara State Government to publish the breakdown of its security spending for 2023 and the first quarter of 2024. We deserve to know what has been done with public funds meant to protect lives,” Alhaji Gusau said.

The group called on the National Assembly, particularly lawmakers from Zamfara, to conduct an independent assessment of the security situation in the state and recommend a pathway to restoring peace.

“This is not the time for partisan silence. Zamfara’s future is at stake. We urge Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis and other representatives to raise their voices and ensure that the suffering of our people is not ignored at the national level,” the statement added.

CSNC said it would continue to mount pressure on elected officials at both the state and federal levels until Zamfara experiences a turnaround in security and governance.

“We want peace. But peace will not come through platitudes. It requires bold leadership, integrity, and vision — all of which are sorely lacking in the current state government. Governor Dauda Lawal must wake up to his responsibilities or respectfully step aside for someone who can,” the statement concluded.