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.

Royal Alliance for African Renaissance: King Misuzulu Hosts Ògíamè Atúwàtse III at KwaKhangelamankengane

On the 16th of May 2025, a monumental event in the chronicles of pan-African unity unfolded at the KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace in KwaNongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, the reigning monarch of the Zulu nation, hosted His Imperial Majesty Ògíamè Atúwàtse III, CFR, the 21st Olú of Warri Kingdom in Nigeria, in a ceremonious and culturally rich royal engagement that symbolized not only a diplomatic alliance but a rekindling of historical ties between two of Africa’s most formidable monarchies.

This visit, though described by some as ceremonial, was in fact deeply strategic and historic. It was an intersection of legacies, Zulu valor and Warri nobility, an alliance of thrones rooted in precolonial African greatness, spiritual authority and sovereign dignity.

Reconnecting the Royal Dots Across Africa

To fully appreciate the depth of this meeting, one must understand the weight each monarch carries. The Zulu Kingdom, under the lineage of Shaka Zulu and the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, has long been the bastion of cultural pride, warrior resistance and leadership within southern Africa. The ascension of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini in 2021 marked a renewal of traditional leadership that resonates beyond South Africa.

Similarly, the Warri Kingdom, situated in the oil-rich Niger Delta of Nigeria, dates back to the late 15th century and is revered for its early adoption of diplomacy, Christianity and international relations, especially with the Portuguese. The current Olú, Ògíamè Atúwàtse III, who ascended the throne in August 2021, has transformed the narrative around traditional leadership in West Africa. Harvard-educated and forward-thinking, he combines ancient wisdom with global intellect to promote cultural revival, education, peace and pan-African solidarity.

According to Prof. Adeyemi Okunlola, a scholar of African monarchies, “When two thrones that stood firm through the storms of colonialism meet, it is not a coincidence but a prophecy manifest. This meeting is the spiritual and political awakening Africa needs.”

Pan-Africanism at the Level of Kings
In an era where Africa continues to grapple with neocolonial economic systems, fractured borders and leadership crises, this royal interaction sends a resounding message: Africa’s kings are not relics; they are pillars of identity, unity and hope.

Addressing the gathered elders, chiefs, diplomats and traditional dancers at KwaKhangelamankengane Palace, King Misuzulu emphasized the importance of unity among African nations and the role traditional leaders must play in shaping the continent’s destiny.

“We are not just here to exchange pleasantries,” King Misuzulu declared. “We are here to reconnect the broken bones of our continent, to renew bonds that colonizers tried to erase, and to build a new Africa from the roots.”

In response, Ògíamè Atúwàtse III offered profound insights into the spiritual and developmental duties of traditional rulers in the 21st century:

“We are custodians of both the past and the future. Africa does not lack resources; it lacks alignment and consciousness. Our thrones are not decorative, they are directional. From KwaZulu to Warri, the drumbeat of unity is louder than ever.”

These were not hollow words. Both monarchs have walked the talk. King Misuzulu has championed rural development, youth empowerment and land reform advocacy. Meanwhile, Ògíamè Atúwàtse III has restructured the Itsekiri Royal Court to include technocrats, diplomats and professionals, modernizing governance in a way that benefits his people without losing cultural identity.

Cultural Diplomacy as a Tool for African Integration
While Western diplomacy is often obsessed with trade, military alliances and economic metrics, Africa’s diplomacy has always started with relationships, respect, rituals and reciprocity.

The Zulu-Warri encounter was steeped in symbolism, royal greetings, traditional drumming, libations, gift exchanges and storytelling. Cultural exchange is not merely aesthetic; it is the most authentic African foreign policy model. As Chinua Achebe once said, “A man who does not know where the rain began to beat him cannot say where he dried his body.” This visit reminds Africans of where the rain began and inspires a future where they collectively seek shelter under the same ancestral umbrella.

This is especially important at a time when xenophobia, regional distrust and tribal divisions continue to plague African societies. The meeting of these two monarchs stands in sharp contrast to the rising tide of anti-African sentiment in South Africa. In fact, the warm embrace of Ògíamè Atúwàtse III by King Misuzulu stands as a royal rebuke to xenophobic politicians who preach division rather than unity.

Strategic Importance in 2025 and Beyond
2025 marks a critical juncture in Africa’s development. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is still in its fragile implementation phase. Continental security is threatened by insurgencies in the Sahel, political instability in West Africa and socio-economic discontent across southern Africa. In such times, state institutions have largely failed, but traditional institutions have endured.

In the words of Prof. Thabo Moletsane, a leading South African political anthropologist, “Where presidents fail, kings remain. Africa’s future will not only be determined in parliaments and boardrooms, it will be shaped in palaces.”

The presence of the Olú of Warri in KwaZulu-Natal thus transcends tourism or courtesy, but a bold move to reassert indigenous leadership as a legitimate and critical stakeholder in Africa’s future. It is a reminder that while colonial borders may divide, ancestral allegiance unites.

Beyond Symbolism: Pathways to Collaboration
The visit also paved the way for collaborative development. Sources close to both royal courts have hinted at plans to explore partnerships in education, agriculture, cultural tourism and youth exchange programs. Ògíamè Atúwàtse III’s Royal Iwere Foundation and King Misuzulu’s development initiatives could form the backbone of a new pan-African model of grassroots progress, outside the bureaucracy and corruption that have riddled many state institutions.

This kind of bottom-up cooperation mirrors the wisdom of the African proverb: “When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.” In unity, African kingdoms can do more than survive; they can lead.

The Rise of a New Royal Order
As King Misuzulu and Ògíamè Atúwàtse III embraced, the symbolism was undeniable. It was a spiritual handshake that traversed time and space. It was a reminder that Africa’s true strength lies in its roots, in its royal families, in its cultural institutions and in the unity of its people.

We live in a continent where many leaders seek validation in Washington, Paris or Beijing. Yet, here we have two kings seeking validation in each other’s ancestral lineage, a far more powerful gesture that echoes the words of Kwame Nkrumah: “We face neither East nor West, we face forward.”

This encounter must not be buried in the back pages of history. It must be celebrated, studied and replicated. From the swamps of Warri to the hills of KwaZulu, a new Africa is rising, not from politics, but from purpose; not from presidents, but from palaces.

Author: George Omagbemi Sylvester
Date: May 16, 2025
Location: KwaNongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

*Tayo Folorunsho Partners with Fari Elysian Foundation to Host Content Creation Masterclass 2.0 in Abuja*

In a groundbreaking initiative to empower Nigeria’s next generation of digital storytellers, Tayo Folorunsho, Founder of Edutainment First International Ltd/GTE, has partnered with Farida Mirzebalaeva, Founder of the Fari Elysian Foundation, to host Content Creation Masterclass 2.0, scheduled to take place from July 10th to 11th in Abuja.

This highly anticipated two-day experience is set to be a transformative event for emerging content creators across Nigeria. The Masterclass will offer hands-on training in media production, digital storytelling, personal branding, content monetization, and digital entrepreneurship. Designed with a national vision, the initiative seeks to position participants as compelling digital voices and creative leaders in Nigeria’s rapidly growing content economy.

Farida Mirzebalaeva, whose foundation is recognized for empowering young people with practical digital skills and a growth mindset, shared her enthusiasm for the initiative:

“At the Fari Elysian Foundation, we believe the future belongs to those who create. By equipping youth with real, applicable creative and digital tools, we’re investing in a future where African voices shape global narratives. This Masterclass is not just a training—it’s a movement to spark confidence, competence, and community in the hearts of aspiring creators.”

Tayo Folorunsho, a respected voice in education-through-entertainment and community impact, emphasized the importance of this collaboration:

“Through Edutainment First, we’ve consistently championed innovation that resonates with the Nigerian reality. Partnering with Farida and the Fari Elysian Foundation to bring Content Creation Masterclass 2.0 to Abuja reflects our shared commitment to inclusivity, creativity, and impact. We are not just teaching content—we’re helping young people tell their stories, monetize their voices, and become change agents in their communities.”

Building on the success of its inaugural edition, Content Creation Masterclass 2.0 aims to expand its reach, deepen its impact, and foster a national community of empowered young creators. Attendees can expect expert-led sessions, networking opportunities, access to mentorship, and the chance to become part of a growing network of purpose-driven creatives who are changing the narrative of Africa—one post, one video, one story at a time.

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