By Charles Pemu 
WARRI, DELTA STATE — Her Majesty, Olori Atuwatse III, the Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom, has asserted her commitment to a brilliant future for the youth, stating that Warri will be the “envy of the world” within the next two decades, provided the ‘Warri Child’ dares to dream beyond current challenges
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The Queen Consort’s declaration was made on Friday, October 24, during the second edition of ‘The Future of the Warri Child’ seminar, themed: “Beyond Limit: Unlocking the Potential of the Warri Child.”
“I am determined to bring the world to the Warri child and send the Warri Child to the world,” Olori Atuwatse III stated, sharing a personal story of dreaming of becoming a Queen since age five.
Buoyed by the commitment of Prince Edema Collins Oritsetimeyin, Sole Representative of the Olu of Warri and Convener of the Cora Care Foundation, to sponsor 300 participating SS3 students for the upcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), the Queen Consort pledged to enrol an equal number of students for the sub-regional examination.
Redefining the ‘Warri Child’ and Shifting Economic Focus
In her keynote address, Deaconess Florence Ovweriavwose, a Senior Lecturer at the College of Education, Warri, provided a crucial definition: the ‘Warri Child’ is not confined only to indigenes but includes all who grew up in Warri, whether by heritage or by residence.
Deaconess Ovweriavwose noted that the former celebratory identity of “Warri boys” and “Warri girls” has been eroded by the city’s socio-economic downturn, largely due to the absence of sustainable peace and a vibrant economy.
She strongly advised a foundational shift for the region’s renewal:
- Non-Negotiable Peace: She averred that the economic strength of Warri lies not in oil, but in the peace and unity among its people, calling for a “permanent and non-negotiable commitment to the peaceful and shared identity of the Warri Region.”
- Focus on Intellectual Economy: She urged a shift from the extraction economy (oil) to the intellectual and creative economy, emphasizing professionalism, talent, and innovation.
Inspiration from Trailblazing Professionals
The seminar, attended by approximately 1,000 students from 70 public and private secondary schools across seven Delta State Local Government Areas, featured powerful motivational sessions from diverse professionals:
- Prince Edema Collins Oritsetimeyin, explained that the seminar was birthed “To build a Warri, where every child is inspired to pursue their passions, attain maximum potential, and refill the jar that has poured into them.”
- Chief (Dr.) Suo Chapele, a veteran Sports Commentator and Journalist, charged the students to harness the inherent “grit, brilliance, and potential” of Warri, urging them to get educated, own their story, and define themselves.
- Tara Fela Durotoye, a renowned motivational teacher, advised participants to seek knowledge, embody integrity, renew their minds, and invest in service for growth.
- Designer Oghenetejiri Ogodo, challenged the youth to maintain their identity and purpose despite inevitable failures and rejection, asserting, “There’s no limit to what you can achieve.”
Other facilitators included Dr. Weyinmi David Ogbobine (NDLEA), Roli Otsemaye (Curator), and Coker Tuoyo (Executive Secretary of Cora Care Foundation).