By Dorcas Francis Koji
The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has said the newly introduced Warri Unity Games are designed to strengthen peaceful coexistence, unity and mutual understanding among the various ethnic groups in Warri and Delta State.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the competition held at the Federal Government College, Warri, the monarch said the initiative was founded on the belief that the people of the area have more in common than what separates them.
He described unity as a critical foundation for collective development, peace and prosperity, adding that the Games would become an annual event.
According to the monarch, the competition will be held every year on the first Saturday of the week marking his coronation anniversary.
He said the initiative was not merely intended to preach peace but to create an avenue for people from different communities to interact, build friendships and strengthen cooperation.
The Olu recalled that a similar carnival organised during the reign of his father, Ogiame Atuwatse II, in the early 1990s was disrupted by violence and conflict.
He regretted that the divisions of the period prevented Warri from developing the carnival into a nationally recognised cultural celebration.
Determined to avoid a repeat of the past, Ogiame Atuwatse III said his reign would focus on promoting unity, peace, progress and prosperity while deliberately working to heal longstanding divisions among neighbouring communities.
He also disclosed that the palace had banned the use of derogatory expressions against neighbouring ethnic groups, stressing that such language had no place in the kingdom.
The monarch urged residents to put old grievances behind them and embrace a future built on mutual respect, cooperation and understanding.
He called on the different communities to see themselves as partners rather than rivals, warning that suspicion, hatred and domination could not produce meaningful development.
Ogiame Atuwatse III also appealed to stakeholders to reject violence and channel their energy towards peaceful and productive activities, while urging those with genuine grievances to seek lawful means of resolving them.
He expressed optimism that the palace’s reconciliation efforts would receive support from all communities, saying Warri should become a place where peace is built both on the streets and in people’s hearts.
The event attracted traditional rulers, government representatives and other stakeholders, including Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III, the Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom; His Imperial Majesty Obi (Dr.) Gregory Nnamdi Oputa III of Aboh Kingdom; and His Royal Majesty Kingsley Emakpo Orereh, Ataneru Igbi II, the Ovie of Agbarha Kingdom.
Representatives of the Delta State Government, including the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, also attended the event and commended the initiative as an important step towards achieving lasting peace and development in the region.
The Warri Unity Games featured several sporting events, including football, relay races, tug-of-war and paintball, with teams representing the Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko, Bini and other ethnic groups.
At the end of the competition, Team Ijaw emerged overall champions and received the top prize of N10 million.
Team Urhobo finished as runners-up and pocketed N5 million, while Team Itsekiri placed third and received N3 million.
Beyond the competition, the event provided an opportunity for participants and spectators from different backgrounds to interact and celebrate sportsmanship, with the organisers emphasising cooperation rather than ethnic rivalry.
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