History was recently made in Brampton, Ontario as Olu of Warri Kingdom; Ogiame Atuwatse III, was awarded the key of Brampton City for his great impact, outstanding community contribution and support
Olu of Warri is following the footsteps of his father Ogiame Atuwatse II, as his father was also presented with the key of a city in the United States during his reign.
While making the presentation during a colourful ceremony, the Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, expressed satisfaction with Olu of Warri for his show of love and desire to support community efforts in Brampton
Patrick told the visiting King that though His Majesty lives in Nigeria, he still monitors where the Nigerian community goes.
He said: “This may not be known but His majesty as part of his visit is showing a lot of love to the community. I was asked by his majesty’s team if there is any local course that he can support in our city. For me, what became most important was the abundant recommendation for a hospital which comes with an enormous price tag of over a billion dollars.
“In a city like Brampton, we need to have the best possible health care. We know there are challenges in the health sector and as part of his visit, His Majesty has made a substantial contribution to our local hospital.
“So in honour of that friendship for the hospital in our city, I have a token of our city friendship and appreciation. His Majesty’s father was awarded a key to a city in the United States for his generosity and so keeping to that history in the family it is my pleasure today to present the city key of Brampton to honour your contributions. It is one thing to visit a city from abroad and another thing to come and say “how can I help and show love”.
Olu of Warri was excited as he thanked the Mayor and the people of Brampton for the honour and added that the symbolic gesture would bring about a better relationship between the Itsekiri and Nigerians alike.
He said: “First of all I want to thank you for the honour. Thank you to the city of Brampton for this warm reception and recognition. I was chatting with the Mayor and he was really proud of the positive contributions of the Nigerian community in Brampton and for me, that is what gives me joy.
“I have always likened myself as a diplomat of sort and we always represent home and I’m confident that Nigerians will be celebrated much more by the city of Brampton. I’m really overwhelmed by this. I believe that this symbolic gesture will open more doors to every single one of us. On behalf of myself , the Itsekiri Nation and the Nigerian people I say thank you”.
Ogiame reciprocated the gesture by presenting a replica of his mode of transportation two Red Canoe to the Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown and the entire city of Brampton.
City key presentation is a sign that the City wish that a guest can come and go at will and a great honour to the receiver.
SUPPORT NIGERIAN CANADIAN NEWS
If you like our work and want to keep enjoying what we offer, kindly support us by donating to the Nigerian Canadian News through the button below.
