By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri
DELTA: The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, today said that there is need for strategic youth empowerment, stating that Africa’s future hinges on equipping young people with leadership skills, entrepreneurship, and a strong cultural identity.
The visit, facilitated by the Royal Iwere Foundation, underscored the need for partnerships between traditional institutions and development organizations to empower Africa’s youth and shape a prosperous future.
The Olu said this while speaking in Warri during a dinner in honor of the 2025 Elevate Africa Fellowship, a pan-African initiative nurturing young leaders, the monarch stressed that no nation can achieve lasting progress without investing in its youth.
The event brought together innovative young minds from across the continent who had been on a tour of Nigeria, engaging in cultural and business exchanges.
“It is imperative to bring people to Warri Kingdom so they can connect with our people and experience our culture, which embodies the essence of African identity,” Ogiame Atuwatse III said. He urged African leaders to take deliberate steps toward youth development, emphasizing that cultural heritage must be a cornerstone of empowerment efforts.
Her Royal Majesty, Olori Ogiame Atuwatse III, also welcomed the young leaders, describing them as ambassadors of Africa’s future. “Our culture is our identity. If you do not know who you are, you cannot understand your potential,” she noted.
Daniel Ikuenobe, CEO of Elevate Africa Fellowship, highlighted the program’s role in leadership development, trade, investment, and heritage promotion. “We have come together to identify future leaders and foster transformative work,” he explained.
Bola Edward, CEO and co-founder of Proud Africa Root, emphasized the importance of education, particularly for children and teenagers, as a foundation for leadership. “We raise the leaders Africa has been hoping for, and we must start with the children,” she stated.
Participants, including representatives from Egypt, Tunisia, and Ghana, expressed their excitement about experiencing the cultural wealth of Warri Kingdom.
They pledged to use their experiences to contribute to Africa’s development through education, innovation, and community transformation.