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From Ben Dunno, Warri
The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, and his wife, Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III, on Tuesday commissioned a refurbished six-classroom block at Ologbosere Primary School in Bobi, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, under the auspices of the Royal Iwere Foundation (RIF), igniting a new ray of hope for the indigenes.
The project transformed the once-dilapidated school, established in 1956, which had suffered decades of neglect by successive governments, making access to foundational education difficult for pupils both within and outside the community.
The intervention also provided staff quarters, furniture, solar-powered electricity, potable water and a Love Garden designed to enhance learning and improve the welfare of pupils and teachers.
Speaking at the ceremony, Olori Atuwatse III said the project reflected the kingdom’s commitment to education rather than waiting for government intervention.
“As a kingdom, we understand that education is paramount. That is why we decided to refurbish this school, and we hope this will be the first of many projects across our riverine communities where children are deprived of quality education because of poor facilities,” she said.
Explaining the idea behind the Love Garden, the Queen Consort said the initiative was aimed at improving food security while teaching children practical life values.
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“The Love Garden addresses food security because the children can grow their own food. It also teaches entrepreneurship, patience and integrity, helping them understand that what they plant is what they harvest. These are qualities that will prepare them to become better leaders tomorrow,” she stated.
On sustaining the project, the Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom stressed the need for community ownership. “We are integrating the community into this project. Once the people take ownership, it is no longer our school but their own, and that is how it will be preserved,” she added.
A United States-based Itsekiri leader, Chief Frederick Edegbele, urged corporate organisations to emulate the monarch’s example in community development.
“His Majesty has shown us the direction to follow. We are fortunate to have a visionary king who has demonstrated the path to developing our communities, and I encourage corporate bodies to support this noble cause,”.
The Secretary of the Bobi Community, Barrister Johnson Boyo, and the Headmaster of Ologbosere Primary School, Mr Anthony Omashola, described the intervention as life-changing. Boyo recalled that the school had leaking roofs and collapsing structures before the renovation, while Omashola said repeated appeals to government yielded no results until the royal couple intervened.
“Today, we have a befitting learning environment with solar power, running water and staff quarters. This is a dream come true for our community,” Boyo said.
In addition to commissioning the project, the royal couple donated N2 million to the Bobi community and N1.5 million to the youth body. The donations were received with appreciation by residents, who hailed the monarchs for bringing renewed hope to the riverine community through investments in education and human development.
