The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has called for a fundamental shift in African development strategies, advocating for the central involvement of traditional institutions in global growth and governance.
 
The monarch asserted this during a historic visit by the Secretary-General (SG) of the Commonwealth, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, to the Warri Kingdom.
 
Hosted by the Olori Atuwatse III, the visit represents a landmark moment for the Commonwealth, marking the first time the head of the 56-nation organisation has conducted such a mission to a traditional Nigerian kingdom to position community-rooted leadership at the heart of international partnerships.

Addressing the high-level delegation at the palace, Ogiame Atuwatse III underscored the necessity of prioritising long-term human development over short-term economic or political gains. He cautioned that Africa’s progress cannot be measured by speed alone, but by the sustainable elevation of its people’s living standards.

The monarch stated: “We cannot build Africa’s future by playing a speed game. Development is patient work. We must raise minimum standards for how our people live, dignity, exposure, environment, and opportunity, because if communities are left behind today, we will all pay the price tomorrow,” he said.
 
In her response, the Commonwealth Secretary-General emphasised Africa’s centrality to the organisation’s future and commended the leadership model exemplified by the Warri monarchy.
 
Highlighting the shift toward grassroots diplomacy, she said: “The strength of the Commonwealth does not lie in institutions alone, but in communities where leadership listens before it speaks and serves before it commands.”
 
She noted that Africa’s values and traditional institutions remain critical to the organisation’s relevance and effectiveness in a rapidly changing global landscape.
 
Supporting this vision of structural growth, Chief Partnership Officer of Elevate Africa, Dr Tonye Rex Idaminabo, highlighted the critical intersection of governance and economic trade. Dr Idaminabo noted that Elevate Africa is focused on ensuring that traditional leadership serves as a catalyst for investment.