Traditional King and Queen of the Warri Kingdom Stop by Spoorstraat

01.05.2023

The Warri King and Queen seated in front of Wittenborg students, staff and alumni.

Royals in the Royal City

The King and Queen of the Warri Kingdom, Olu of Warri and Olori Atuwatse III, made a visit to Wittenborg's Spoorstraat campus in Apeldoorn on 21 April, just a few days before Kings Day (27 April) in the Netherlands. The purpose of the visit was to meet with students and alumni of the most international business school in the Netherlands. Together, they held a dialogue on topics like sustainable development in Nigeria and the Warri region, as well as how to support the internationalisation of education without causing “brain drain”, or the mass exodus of skilled workers from a country. The King and Queen of the Warri Kingdom are social entrepreneurs who are passionate about creating positive change in their region. They believe that education is a powerful tool for sustainable development in Nigeria and the people of the Warri region.

The visit was hosted by long-time Wittenborg lecturer Adeyemi Banjo, a Nigerian himself, and Myra Qiu and Karen Penninga, members of Wittenborg's Executive Trust, who provided the King and Queen with detailed information about the Wittenborg model. The couple showed a keen interest in the Wittenborg model of internationalised education and were interested in bringing similar quality education to the Warri region. During the questions and answers session, students got the chance to raise concerns about how to continually improve Nigerian society while respecting the climate in addition to the problem of “brain drain”. There was talk that students are more likely to stay in Nigeria after their studies if they are able to complete all or most of their studies in their home country. The royal couple was also interested in generating more projects local to the Warri region in order to improve living standards in the community.

After the dialogue, the royal couple were presented with a Wittenborg certificate and patiently took time for individual photos with the students and alumni, some of whom were from the Warri region. The students and alumni were impressed by the King and Queen's passion for social entrepreneurship and their commitment to making a positive difference in their country. Students expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the royal couple and to learn from their expertise. It is worth noting that Apeldoorn, where Wittenborg is headquartered, is known as the “Green and Royal City” with a long history of royalty. The city is home to one of the Netherlands' largest royal palaces and is also known for hosting some of the most famous annual celebrations of Kings Day. Overall, the visit was a success, with both the King and Queen and the students and alumni of Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences gaining valuable insights and experiences. The visit highlighted the importance of quality education in creating positive change and inspired students from Nigeria to take what they have learned back to their home country to positively impact the society around them.

Wittenborg's Karen Penninga and Myra Qiu presenting a certificate to a Warri representative on behalf of the King and Queen.

The Olu and Olori of Warri

The Olu of Warri is the traditional ruler of the Warri Kingdom, located in the southern part of Nigeria. The current Olu of Warri is Ogiame Atuwatse III, who ascended to the throne in August 2021. His kingdom has a rich cultural heritage and a long and fascinating history. The Olu of Warri continues to play an important role in the affairs of his kingdom and wider Nigerian society. He is a custodian of the culture and traditions of his people, and he is responsible for promoting their interests and well-being. In addition to his traditional roles, the Olu of Warri holds degrees in International Studies, Political Science and Management from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He is also involved in various charitable and social initiatives aimed at improving the lives of the people of his kingdom, and holds positions on various company boards. He is a strong advocate for education, healthcare and sustainable development, working closely with government officials and other stakeholders to achieve these goals.

As the Queen of the Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III has various responsibilities, including representing the kingdom at important events and promoting its culture and traditions. She is also involved in various charitable and social initiatives aimed at improving the lives of the people of the Warri Kingdom. Prior to her ascension to queendom, she obtained a degree in law from the London School of Economics and became a member of the Nigerian Bar in 2010. As the daughter of a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur, she has had a successful career in business, having founded multiple social enterprises ranging from fashion to catering and more.

As a highly educated and accomplished woman, Olori Atuwatse III is a role model for young women in Nigeria and around the world, having shown a passion for mentoring young people. In her role as queen, she has been a strong advocate for sustainable development in the Warri region. She believes that it is important to balance economic growth with environmental protection and social responsibility and has been involved in countless initiatives aimed at achieving this goal. She is known for her warm and friendly personality and is loved by many in the Warri Kingdom for her kindness and generosity.

As the King and Queen of the Warri Kingdom return to Nigeria, they will undoubtedly continue to work towards their vision of quality education that students and professionals do not have to go abroad to receive. The visit to Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences was just one small step towards achieving this goal, but it was an important one that will have a lasting impact on the students and alumni who had the opportunity to meet with the royal couple. Wittenborg thanks the King and Queen, as well as their entourage for making such a memorable visit to the school and for inspiring staff, students and alumni alike.