The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, has urged women to recognise the enormous influence they wield in society, saying they have the capacity to either lift people to greater heights or bring them down.
The monarch stated this on Wednesday when he received the FOOG Women Support Group for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who paid him a visit at the palace in Warri to seek his royal blessing for their women empowerment programme.
Speaking to the women, the Olu said he had been quietly following their activities across Delta State through photographs and videos and commended them for their awareness and empowerment efforts.
He said their work, particularly their efforts to empower and encourage women across the state, was a worthy contribution to society.
The monarch, while reflecting on the influence of women, recalled a comment made to him by someone about the power of women in society.
According to him, women are uniquely positioned to influence the direction of those around them because of the support, decisions and choices they make.
He told the women that their influence could determine whether people rise to greater heights or experience a downward turn.
The Olu said: “God has blessed women in such a way that when men decide, they can help a man rise, and when women decide, they can help him go down.”
He added humorously that the only thing he would not want women to do to him was to “make me go down.”
The monarch’s remarks drew attention to the significant role women play not only in families but also in politics, community development and economic empowerment.
Ogiame Atuwatse III also prayed for the women, asking God to answer their individual prayers and grant their specific needs and heart desires.
He prayed that their travels, sacrifices, businesses, families and investments would continue to produce positive results.
“My prayer for all of you is that the good works you are doing, God is going to answer each and every one of you. All your specific needs, your special needs, the quiet prayers in your heart that you cry to God about, God will begin to show Himself in your lives,” he said.
The Olu subsequently announced a N10 million donation to the FOOG Women Support Group.
He said he had directed his office to obtain the group’s account details so that the money could be transferred to support its activities.
The women, who came from Delta Central, Delta North and Delta South Senatorial Districts, said they considered it important to first visit the traditional ruler and receive his blessing before proceeding with the empowerment programme.
The group is supporting the 2027 re-election bids of President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori under what it described as the Renewed Hope for More Initiative.
Earlier, the Director-General of FOOG Women Support Group, Chief (Mrs) Esther Okotie-Eboh, the Iye of Warri Kingdom, said the gathering marked the grand finale of the group’s women empowerment programme across Delta State.
She said the programme had already been extended to the three senatorial districts, where it recorded what she described as massive turnout and success.
Okotie-Eboh said the initiative was aimed at consolidating the successes recorded while mobilising women to support continuity and stability in government.
She said FOOG believed in continuity, stability and a better Nigeria, urging the women to work together and responsibly mobilise the womenfolk ahead of the 2027 elections.
She also expressed appreciation to the Olu of Warri for his support and goodwill towards the group.
The Director-General equally commended Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe for supporting the empowerment programme and contributing to efforts aimed at improving the welfare and economic capacity of women in Delta State.
She said the empowerment items were intended to assist beneficiaries in their daily activities and businesses.
The delegation included Chief Gabriel Awala, Chief Helen Oritshejafor, Chief Brown Meme and Chief Elijah, alongside coordinators and representatives from different parts of the state.
Among those introduced were Mrs Evelyn Abro, Delta South coordinator, as well as representatives from Warri North and Warri South-West.
The women later expressed appreciation to the Olu for granting them an audience, offering prayers and supporting their empowerment initiative.
The visit ended with the women receiving the monarch’s blessing as they proceeded with their programme across the state.