Olu of Warri Launches N750 Million Iwere Trust Fund to Drive Itsekiri Development
The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, has taken a bold step toward uplifting the Itsekiri people by unveiling the N750 million Iwere Trust Fund, an initiative directly financed and led by the monarch himself. Announced at the Aghofen Palace in Ajamimogha, Warri South Local Government Area, this trust was launched during the solemn commemoration of his fourth coronation anniversary The Nation Newspaper.
Amidst crowds of Itsekiri subjects paying homage, the Olu declared: “I am personally funding this trust with the sum of seven hundred and fifty million naira (N750,000,000). This trust is for the development of our people and our home. I am leading by example… I invite all well-meaning sons and daughters of Iwere, our friends, our partners and those that believe in what we have set out to do, to come and join us in this effort to build Iwere.” The Nation Newspaper
By anchoring the project with his own resources, the monarch emphasizes not only his personal investment but also a deeper commitment to Itsekiri society. The Iwere Trust Fund (ITF) positions itself as a platform for inclusive development, one that is expected to unlock opportunities across education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth empowerment, and beyond.
The timing of the launch, during the Olu’s coronation anniversary, carries symbolic weight, merging celebration with a clarion call for unity, responsibility, and collective action. In urging Itsekiri sons, daughters, friends, and allies to join the cause, the Olu underscores that sustainable progress demands communal participation.
This initiative resonates with prior development efforts linked to the Olu of Warri’s visionary leadership. In 2022, he launched the Itsekiri Health Insurance Program under the Itsekiri Trust Fund, aimed at delivering primary and secondary healthcare to thousands of Itsekiri residents Vanguard News. In 2024, he partnered with Omilola Oshikoya and the Royal Iwere Foundation to launch a business incubator program designed to nurture innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth within the Warri Kingdom The Guardian NigeriaTechCabal.
Together, these initiatives reflect a coherent development agenda: one anchored in personal leadership, strategic investments, and community inclusion. The N750 million infusion further amplifies this momentum, signaling scalability and adaptability to address emerging needs across the Itsekiri homeland.
Beyond material impact, the Olu’s move demonstrates a model of transformational leadership, where symbolic action and shared responsibility intersect. By inviting financial, intellectual, and moral participation, he transforms the narrative from passive beneficiaries to active nation-builders.
As ITF activities kick off, transparency, accountability, and strategic allocation will be pivotal. Clear communication about the fund’s governance, investment priorities, and outcomes will be essential to maintain trust and inspire broader support, from local elites to diaspora stakeholders.
The Iwere Trust Fund stands as a defining moment in contemporary Itsekiri development. Its success hinges not only on the magnitude of the funds but on the vision for inclusive growth and the unity it galvanizes. If nurtured well, it may well serve as a blueprint for future ethnic and traditional leadership-driven development interventions.
