By Toju Apoh
In what can be described as part of Africa’s Renaissance and preparation for Elevate Africa Global leaders for Transformative Dialogue (ongoing), His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III CFR, the Olu of Warri, hosted King Oyo of the Kingdom of Tooro in Uganda at his palace in Warri.
Notably, in recent years, the Olu of Warri has been observed to foster intercultural ties with traditional rulers of various kingdoms across national borders in Africa.
We can recall that the Olu of Warri had previously been to Uganda to visit the Kingdom of Tooro, which paved the way for the two kingdoms to establish intercultural connections.
Appreciating the significance of the occasion of King Oyo’s visit, the Olu, in his address to King Oyo and his entourage at his palace in Warri, said, “this doesn’t happen too often in Nigeria, and it’s sad because this is something that should happen frequently.”
He remarked, “when I was privileged to visit Uganda last year, and I met your president, Mose (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni), there was something he said that really touched me. It was a confirmation of a conviction that I have always had. But to hear the leader of another African country say it, my eyes and my mind were really open to it. And he said, Africa is really a land of kings. Oh! And he said, Our kings all over this continent should step up to bringing the continent together so that we see that we are truly similar and united, and the world tries to present it as though we are so divided and different.”
The Olu continues, “what we have in Africa that is really our own, our identity, our culture, all over this continent. And no matter how different ideas will come and go as they have done over centuries, our culture and our identity, it remains the same. Today, East Africa has come to West Africa. There is a lot of powerful symbolism in that.”
While appreciating the warm reception by the people of Warri, the Special Assistant to King Oyo, Prince Jonathan Bugama presenting King Oyo’s address at the occasion, said, “We love culture, our King is a custodian of culture that is why we are all paying attention to the great culture of the people of Warri. We love and enjoyed the cultural dances.
He continued, “We celebrate every 12th of September a day that His Majesty King Oyo was crowned. So it’s the greatest King Day in the Kingdom of Torro. And we pray and hope with His Majesty’s visit, we probably will be blessed to host the great King of Warri, and I think the people of Torro would be very happy to host the people of Warri in the Toro Kingdom.”
Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of an artifact of the traditional royal boat to King Oyo.
Amongst King Oyo’s entourage were Fabrice Brad Rulinda Mayor of Entebbe, Hon. Joan Kanya Kantu, Minister of Tourism for Tooro Kingdom, Bugama Jonathan Special Assistant to King Oyo amongst others.
