The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has called on African countries to unite and overcome long standing injustices to boost economic growth.
He urged Africans to stive and free themselves from the shackles of mental limitations and realize the potential of the continent.
He spoke at the King's Banquet, a special dinner hosted in his honor at Transcorp Hotel in Abuja.
Ogiame Atuwatse III underscored the need for Africas' to harness their natural resources for development purpose.
He said, “God has perfectly positioned this African continent for greatness and success. Seven great and mighty rivers. Every time I reflect on this, a particular Bible passage comes to mind, originally meant for Ethiopia, but it resonates deeply:
‘Go you swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth of skin, a nation mighty and conquering, whose land, the two rivers divide.’
“We need to elevate and empower our women. God has given them tremendous ‘birthing’ power. As African men, we should not only tap into this creativity and strength but also encourage, support, and elevate it.
“Africa is perfection: perfect weather, perfect soil, perfect geographical location. As our minds rise to leverage these blessings, we will dominate the world.
“The time is now, the day is here. God’s promise for this continent has long awaited fulfillment, and now, the king has spoken. Tonight, we bury outdated aspects that no longer serve our vision and embrace the new with gladness, gratitude, and thanksgiving.”
The banquet’s outcomes are expected to inform policy decisions and initiatives aimed at promoting African unity, economic growth, and cultural revival.