By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Warri Kingdom in Delta State on Saturday conferred the Royal Order of Iwere (ROI) Award on Pastor Ayodele Joseph Oritsegbubemi Oritsejafor, popularly known as Papa Ayo Oritsejafor, alongside six other distinguished personalities.
The investiture took place at Aghofen, the Olu of Warri’s Palace, as part of activities marking the fourth coronation anniversary of His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the 21st Olu of Warri.
Speaking after receiving the honour, Pastor Oritsejafor, founder and Senior Pastor of Word of Life Bible Church, described the recognition as a “generous award.” Quoting from Psalms 133, he commended the spirit of unity in the kingdom and prayed for continuous blessings upon the land.
Oritsejafor, a former President of both the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), is a global Christian leader credited with pioneering Africa’s first satellite miracle crusade in 1987. He was also conferred with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2008.
Others who received the Royal Order of Iwere Award include Dr. Ebi Omatsola, Director of Con Oil Plc; Mr. Oti Ikomi; Dr. Helen Boyo-Ekwueme; Mrs. Eva Omaghomi; Mrs. Tara Fela-Durotoye; and Hon. Dr. Godwin Ebosa.
The Royal Order of Iwere Award was established by Ogiame Atuwatse III to recognize excellence, integrity, and service among individuals contributing to the progress of Warri Kingdom and beyond. Recipients automatically become members of the Royal Iwere Society, a platform dedicated to fostering civic progress and advancing excellence.
The award, which is secular and distinct from traditional chieftaincy titles, is open not only to Itsekiris but also to all who identify with Warri by birth, residence, or association.
Past recipients include Vanguard Publisher Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, FIFA Executive Council member Amaju Melvin Pinnick, energy executive Julius Rone, technocrat Dr. Ajoritsedere Awosika, and young academic achiever Master Eworitsewarami Justin Wilbert.
The Olu of Warri’s fourth coronation anniversary continues with a series of cultural, religious, and civic activities celebrating the monarch’s reign.