Her Royal Majesty Olori Ivie Atuwatse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, has been honoured with the Leadership Newspaper’s Social Impact Person of the Year 2024 Award, adding to her growing list of recognitions for humanitarian efforts across Nigeria and beyond.
The award ceremony, which took place on April 8, in a prestigious ceremony held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, brought together dignitaries from various sectors including Executive Governors of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf and Jigawa State, Malam Umar A. Namadi to celebrate individuals who have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s development, with Olori Atuwatse III being recognized for her extensive work in community empowerment, education, and healthcare initiatives.
As the Founder and Convener of Elevate Africa and a driving force behind The Royal Iwere Foundation (RIF), Olori Atuwatse III has implemented numerous life-changing programs in the Warri Kingdom and beyond. Her foundation’s initiatives include the Teacher’s Training Programme, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo STEM and Innovation Lab, Love Garden project, and Wuwu Ore – all designed to provide education, skills training, healthcare, and economic empowerment to underprivileged children, women, and communities.
In her acceptance speech, the Queen Consort reportedly referenced one of her guiding principles: “Seeming failure does not disqualify you. It is just an indication that you’re going in the wrong direction and that it’s time to learn something new,” reflecting her resilient approach to community development work.
A graduate of the London School of Economics with a legal background, Olori Atuwatse III combines her entrepreneurial acumen with social impact goals. She has successfully established startups in both the fashion and hospitality sectors while serving on multiple corporate boards.
Beyond her work in the Warri Kingdom, the Queen Consort collaborates with the Nigerian government as an appointed member of the High-Level Advisory Committee (HLAC) on Women’s Economic Empowerment and Gender in Nigeria, addressing systemic challenges facing women nationwide.
Her influence extends to international platforms, having delivered addresses at the Global Reputation Forum, the African Achievers Award ceremony, the 6th USAFRICA Business Week during the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and at prestigious institutions including the University of Oxford Saïd Business School.
The Leadership Newspaper Social Impact Person of the Year 2024 award joins Olori Atuwatse III’s impressive collection of recognitions, which includes the African Achievers Award from the House of Lords in London, the African Leadership Magazine Pearl Award, the US President’s Lifetime Achievement Award presented by President Joe Biden in 2024, and the Freedom of the City of London Award, among many others.
In March 2024, she also served as a member of the judging panel for the prestigious Diana Awards, further cementing her status as a respected voice in international humanitarian circles.
As a devoted mother of three and partner to His Royal Majesty, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III CFR, the Queen Consort continues to champion educational empowerment with particular focus on the girl-child, having provided hundreds of scholarships through her foundation.
The Royal Iwere Foundation Skills Institute (RIFSI), another of her initiatives, provides critical support to women and youth cooperatives through seed funding, skills development, and financial empowerment programs that align with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Leadership Newspaper’s recognition of Olori Atuwatse III highlights the growing importance of traditional institutions partnering with modern developmental frameworks to address Nigeria’s social challenges through sustainable, community-focused interventions.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
