Olu of Warri was a peace-maker, says Atiku

Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has described the passing away of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, as a great loss to the nation.

 A press statement released by his media office in Abuja on Tuesday, 8 September described the late foremost traditional ruler of the Itsekiri nation as, “a peace-maker and nation builder who went to great lengths to ensure peace and harmony reigned in his domain, and among Nigerians.”

 According to Atiku, the harmony that characterises the daily lives and activities of Nigerians who live and work in Warri, to a large extent, depended on the love, tolerance and patriotism that were part of the life of the late Olu.

 The Turaki Adamawa recalled that during the 28 eventful years he reigned as Olu, “Warri grew beyond its known limits and became a magnet of sorts for Nigerians and foreigners alike plying their different trades.”

 “The result was that the social and economic circumstances of the people improved raising Warri to a major economic hub in the country.”

 The former Vice President said Nigeria has lost a wise and thoughtful counsellor in the late Olu. “In this era of change, the counsel of the late Ogiame Atuwatse would have been invaluable.”