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The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has offered to pay the tuition and clearance fees of students of Itsekiri extraction who graduated from Novena University, Ogume, in the Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, under the Presidential Amnesty Programme, but denied their certificates due to the reported failure of successive administrators of the PAP.

This was disclosed by the sole representative of the Olu of Warri to NNPCL and its JV Partners, Collins Edema, in a statement on Sunday.

Edema said the gesture was in line with the Warri monarch’s passion and unwavering commitment to the growth, development, and empowerment of Itsekiri youths.

He explained that the affected students are to complete a Google Form to submit their details between September 7 and September 30, assuring that the payment of the tuition and clearance fees of the affected graduates will be made.

He said, “The Office of the Sole Representative of His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri to NNPCL wishes to inform all Itsekiri students who are beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, and who have graduated from Novena University but have been unable to obtain their certificates or proceed for the National Youth Service Corps due to outstanding tuition and clearance fees, that His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, the Olu of Warri, has graciously approved an intervention to resolve this matter.

“In line with His Majesty’s passion and unwavering commitment to the growth, development, and empowerment of the Itsekiri youth, a structured process has been established to address these outstanding obligations.

“Immediately after the close of data collection, payments for tuition and clearance fees will commence in batches until all affected students are cleared.”

He asserted the commitment of the Olu of Warri to ensuring that Itsekiri youths enjoy unhindered access to education, empowerment, and opportunities to thrive.

Meanwhile, the monarch’s wife, Olori Atuwatse III, has called for greater inclusion of women in political, economic, and traditional leadership, stressing that their innate skills and influence are essential to shaping Africa’s future.

‎Speaking at the 2025 Women Allying Women Conference in Cape Coast, Ghana, an initiative of her organisation, Elevate Africa, Olori Atuwatse III urged African societies to harness women’s potential and leadership abilities to drive socio-economic and political transformation.

‎Delivering her keynote address, the Olori noted that women’s leadership qualities, often demonstrated within homes and communities, have consistently reflected empathy, fiscal discipline, and strategic foresight.

She lamented the limited presence of women in formal decision-making spaces, particularly in politics and business, and called for reforms to change the trend.

‎In the modern era, royalty demands complementary leadership from both men and women in building thriving societies,” she said. “It is time for constitutional reform to include more queens, mothers, and female traditional leaders in local and traditional councils.”

‎She described Women Allying Women as a platform for female leaders across Africa to collaborate, challenge stereotypes, and reshape societal perceptions of women’s roles.

‎The home is not just a domestic space; it is a microcosm of society,” she said. “We are the generation that not only climbs the ladder but steadies it and guides other women up. When we set the temperature of nations, incredible things will happen.”

‎The event brought together women from diverse sectors across Africa, with discussions centred on empowerment, leadership, and cross-border collaboration.

‎Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mrs. Maame Houadejote, hailed the conference as a “game changer,” noting that it also boosted Cape Coast’s economy and showcased its rich cultural heritage.