Ugé Oyo-ekòró: Culture as Capital

As part of the 4th Coronation Anniversary of His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III shared reflections on the power of culture to shape economies and societies. She noted that the creative and cultural economy — the Orange Economy — contributes approximately 3.1% of global GDP, sustains nearly 50 million jobs, and employs more young people than almost any other sector. For Her Majesty, this demonstrates that culture must be understood not as leisure, but as critical infrastructure for sustainable growth.

Her Majesty highlighted Ugé Oyo-ekòró, the coronation anniversary itself, as a living example of this truth. Over the course of one week, Warri became a showcase of heritage and innovation through the regatta, homage, and investiture. These ceremonies honoured tradition while energising creative enterprise across tourism, fashion, music, and media — presenting a model for African culture that strengthens identity while driving vitality in the creative economy.

Reflecting on the deeper meaning of the celebration, Her Majesty emphasised that the value of culture is measured in unity, pride, and resilience. Ugé Oyo-ekòró reaffirmed the strength of the Itsekiri people and projected their heritage onto national and global stages. In her view, for Warri, Nigeria, and Africa, culture is not a relic of history but a strategic resource that can shape prosperity and leadership in the future economy.