By Eruotor Cynthia
Cote d’Ivoire’s Deputy Senate President Senator Chantel Fanny has bagged humanitarian award from the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III. Senator Fanny, the illustrious daughter of the kingdom received this honour on Friday at her visit to her ancestral home during the Kingdom’s Town Hall Meeting titled:” The Role of Women in Community Development”
In his brief speech, the Royal Father said the kingdom will continue to recognise and honour any Itsekiri son or daughter who distinguishes himself or herself in the kingdom as he had earlier said years ago during his coronation. He charged all persons especially of Itseriki Kingdom to come forth with ideas that would move the kingdom forward saying, such a person would be recognized accordingly. He charged the Itsekiris to open minded and put forth exemplary attitude for people to partner with. His words:”Our minds, our attitude must be open for people to partner with to build our kingdom” While welcoming Senator Fanny to the kingdom, he urged her to continue to do good for the growth of the Warri Kingdom.
Earlier in her presentation, Senator Fanny said, she left the Kingdom 59 years ago but today, she has been able to visit the kingdom by the grace of God again. While thanking the Monarch for the award, she promised to do her best to contribute her quota to the growth of the kingdom just as she has promised to carry the wife of the Monarch, Her Majesty Olori Ogiame Atuwatse III in all her doings. According to her, among other things, she would establish bilingual primary school in Warri Kingdom just as she would establish many institutions of learning in other parts of world.
She charged women to be role models and do whatever within their power to take care of their family and be in position of leadership as she has found herself in political sphere. On her part, Her Royal Majesty Olori Ogiame Atuwatse III, the wife of Olu of Warri, thanked the Senator and her entirely family including the mother of the Senator for the visit and assured them of maximum co-operation to move Warri Kingdom forward.
According to her, the visit of the Senator was symbolic. She said just as the Senator has been connected to her ancestral home, so also, other Itsekiris in the world would be connected home to contribute their quota to the development of the kingdom. Her Royal Majesty Olori Ogiame Atuwatse III also spoke on the need for women to take their place in leadership position and take care of their homes.
The programme which was well attended by many sons and daughters of the Kingdom from home and abroad saw the presentation of the award to the Senator just as the Senator presented gifts she brought from Cote d’Ivoire to the Monarch amidst cheers.