The agenda for developing Warri Kingdom by His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III continues progressing steadily. The historical well-documented trade relations between Warri kingdom and the Western world is currently breaking new ground with the Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Her Excellency Leena Pylvänäinen visiting Warri Kingdom.
The Finnish Ambassador was received at Osubi airport by the Itsekiri Nation with fanfare and pageantry before being led to the Palace of the Olu of Warri, Aghofen Warri. While at the Palace, Ogiame Atuwatse III and the Itsekiri Nation entertained the Finnish Ambassador to a very wonderful welcome. The Ugborodo community dancers were on hand to entertain all that were present with their traditional community dance which was accompanied by the exhilarating drumbeats peculiar to the Itsekiri Nation.
Ogiame Atuwatse III, with Olori Atuwatse III and Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa, the First Lady of Delta State 
Olori Atuwatse III, Finnish Ambassador, Her Excellency Leena Pylvänäinen and Ugborodo community dancers 
Mr Ulisanmi Edukugho during the visit 
Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olori Atuwatse III, Leena Pylvänäinen, Mr Pasi Kokkonen, Chief Olley, Chief Solomon Arenyeka, Chief Brown Mene, Chief Dr Roland Oritsejafor, Chief Mike Odeli and Chief Roli Oritsejafor 
Ogiame Atuwatse III at the Stem Lab of CleverMinds primary school 
Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olori Atuwatse III and Leena Pylvänäinen 
Ogiame Atuwatse III 
Ogiame Atuwatse III and Leena Pylvänäinen 
Ode-Itsekiri community dancers 
Finnish Ambassador, Leena Pylvänäinen addressing the Itsekiri Nation while Ogiame Atuwatse III listens keenly 
Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olori Atuwatse III, Leena Pylvänäinen 
Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olori Atuwatse III, Leena Pylvänäinen at Ode-Itsekiri 
Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olori Atuwatse III, Leena Pylvänäinen and Dame Edith Okowa
Visit to CleverMinds school by the Finnish Ambassador
Yesterday, in the royal company of His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III and Her Highness Olori Atuwatse III, the Finnish Ambassador, Her Excellency Leena Pylvänäinen and Finnish embassy Trade Counsellor, Mr Pasi Kokkonen had a full day where they were led on tour first to CleverMinds Primary school, Iyara. CleverMinds, a school that provides free education as well as meals with future-proof learning models and curriculum is supported by Her Highness, Olori Atuwatse III.
Visit to Ode-Itsekiri community
Next, the party set sail on the Warri River and through the mangrove forests heading to Ode Itsekiri, the capital of the Itsekiri Nation. Ode-Itsekiri community thronged out in beautiful Itsekiri attire and danced to the sounds reserved for August guests of Warri Kingdom. The envoy was here hosted to more cultural displays as well as a guided tour of prominent historical sites including the grotto commemorating the site of the first Church in Nigeria, The St Anthony Catholic Church (Satone).
Return to Aghofen, Warri
The royal party then sailed back to Aghofen, the palace in Warri, this time welcome with the rolling drums and scintillating dance of Ugborodo community, and the agenda was different. Her Excellency, the Finnish Ambassador, was made to see Warri in a form that is in both yesterday, today and most importantly, the future. This grand event was a round table conference where through various presentations, the vast opportunities of mutual interests between both entities were explored and discussed.
The two-day tour of Warri kingdom culminated with a farewell reception graced by Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa, the First Lady of Delta State.
#OluofWarri