IT is important to learn from history, to examine the past in order to better the future. The same can be said for cities and their urban history. Few of us may know the origins or histories behind our community, but learning the stories of a region’s past can perhaps change the way we think about the present. It is thus vital to increase one’s understanding of historical processes and political impacts.
Nigeria’s ancient cities are veritable treasure troves, each unveiling a unique chapter in the country’s rich history. From the Great Wall of Kano to Benin Bronzes, the Ife Head to the Sokoto Caliphate and arguably to the Old-Warri legacy, these cities offer a captivating journey through time. The historical treasures of these ancient cities are not merely relics but living testaments to the resilience, creativity, and cultural wealth of the Nigerian people. Warri, a city that has long been the heart of Delta’s economic and cultural activities, which also has produced some prominent industry giants like; Ali-Baba (comedian), Ayo Makun,(Actor), NgoziOkonjo-iweala and others has not seen the robust developmental strides that it deserves.
The city, once a powerhouse of trade and industry has struggled under previous administrations to reclaim its past glory, but the emergence of His Excellency, Governor Sheriff F. Oborevwori, who has a rather progressive vision for Deltans, has begun to make an indelible mark of transformation from the heart of Delta’s economy, Warri, which was otherwise a fading legacy.
THE WARRI TALE AND GOLDEN AGE
To further refresh your mind about Warri’s golden age, perhaps it is necessary to delve a little bit into its history. The Warri kingdom, whose people are called ‘Wafarians’, is confirmed by historians to have been expanded during the reign of OluErejuwa, who reigned from about 1760 to 1800. It expanded politically and commercially, using the Portuguese to further its control of tributaries in river trade and to establish control over a wider area. Later, Warri served as the base for Portuguese and Dutch slave traders. Warri became a more important port city during the late 19th century, when it became a center for the palm oil trade and other major items such as rubber palm products, cocoa, groundnuts, hides, and skins. This led to Warri being established as a provincial headquarters by the British in the early 20th century. (Historynaija.com)
The Warri Crisis Is perhaps also a contributing factor to the rich history of the city. The crisis, as reported, was a series of conflicts in Delta State, Nigeria between 1997 and 2003 between the Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic groups.
Delta State (Warri), a city rich in history, has had Governor Sheriff, since assuming office on May 29, 2023, rightly made accounts on different occasions that he is committed to building a state that works for all through innovative programs and policies that can promote socio-economic development, improve healthcare delivery, and empower youth and women.
Within the past months, the governor has been dedicated to fulfilling his set promises. For further clarification, Warri City is recognized as one of the major hubs of the petroleum industry in Nigeria. As a town, it shares boundaries with Uvwie to the east, Udu to the southeast, Ogbe-ijoh to the south, and other communities in Warri South LGA. Due to its rapid population growth and linked roads, the city and its border towns, such as Uvwie and Udu, have merged into a conurbation collectively referred to as “Warri”.
Governor Sheriff’s contrast with his predecessors is stark. Unlike previous governors who often gave little attention to Warri with half-hearted initiatives and missed opportunities, and undertook grand projects that did not address the pressing needs of local communities, Oborevwori’s approach has been pragmatic and grounded in a clear understanding of Warri’s unique challenges and opportunities.
In its Inauguration day speech, did the governor say and I quote: “Warri the commercial nerve center of the State, will be given special attention under this administration. The process has already commenced with the establishment of Warri, Uvwie, and Environs Development Agency (WUEDA). Before the ongoing Storm Water Project will be completed, government will commence efforts at giving Warri and its environs a ‘TOTAL FACELIFT’. Similarly, the ongoing rehabilitation work on the Warri Township Stadium will be expedited.”
For clarification of what the agency WUEDA is about; Warri, Uvwie, and Environs Development Agency (WUEDA) is an agency that is been set up to keep Warri, Effurun and it’s environs clean, an“ for the strict supervising of states projects like road construction, drainage, clearing of wastes and the rest that are yet to be completed.
PROGRESS OF WARRI PROJECTS
In an exclusive interview early this year with Freshangle.ng, Hon. (Prince) Godwin E. Ejinyere, the Director General of WUEDA, revealed that a lot of projects have been awarded by the governor and he is very pleased. “The Warri Stadium (Warri International Stadium, a 30,000 capacity stadium and home of Warri Wolves Football Club, has hosted two editions of the African Women Football Championship in 2002 and 2006, respectively, and was considered as one of the venues for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria in 2009. The stadium also hosted the African Youth Athletics Championship (AYAC) in 2013. Warri Wolves is a professional football team based in Warri, playing in the Nigeria National League.) is one interesting area because the Governor has given us his word that he will give the Warri City Stadium a world-class facelift, pending the completion of the drains.”
This, he concluded in the interview, is that Warri ought to have a very serene environment, for it is called Oil City, and not be a city where strangers, upon entering for the first time, would ask, ‘where is Warri?’ Even when they approach further, they still insist on asking, ‘where is Warri?’, the same question lingering due to the dirty environment. “Warri ought to be seen as an Oil City, neat and serene.
Through the wise directives from the governor, we are hopeful as we plan to achieve all these in the next few years.” He said, “When that is done, when people are coming from Sapele Road approaching Warri, they should be happy that they are approaching Warri. It is our desire, and I know we will achieve it. Warri should be a place where you have flowers, trees, a beautiful place where lovers will want to take a romantic walk. So, we will ensure that peace and security are restored in Warri, because that is where you can attract investors. We will do our best to ensure the situation is clean, cool, and calm for the benefit of all Deltans.
The Oborevwori administration, keeping to its promise, has shown dedication to reviving Warri’s historic significance by translating its potential into real, impactful development. In the following area: The ongoing construction by Julius Berger, to construct three flyovers and a Cloverleaf Interchange, aims to tackle the perennial problems of traffic congestion in the twin cities of Warri and Effurun.
This ongoing project has garnered a lot of praise. Elder statesman Edwin Clark shared his excitement as he wrote, “On behalf of the ‘Warri Boys,’ I applaud the governor for the great work he is doing in the rehabilitation and urban renewal of our hometown, Warri/Effurun.”
The projects are progressing steadily, and the residents of Warri and its environs are pleased with this action. Also, during an inspection tour of the 20-kilometer Trans-Warri Road and bridges, as well as Omadino Technical College in Warri South Local Government area, the Governor promised that work on the protracted Trans-Warri Road and allied bridges, which started 17 years ago, would be completed in two years, even as he cautioned site engineers to live up to expectations. Governor Oborevwori, joined by the Olu of warri for the inspection of the project, later paid a courtesy visit on the Royal Father, who in turn showered praises on his administration’s consistency in executing projects. Aside from the Warri metropolis, the Oborevwori administration has approved and awarded contracts for the construction/reconstruction/rehabilitation of 91 roads spread across the 25 local government areas of the state. This figure, as reported, does not include the scores of inherited uncompleted road projects from the immediate past administration.
RECOGNITION OF ACTIVE GOVERNANCE
No good work goes unnoticed, so they say. Hence, former President Goodluck Jonathan, in a flush of political innuendo, said the best certificate Sheriff can advertise is his work for his people. And this was evident when Governor Oborevwori was recognized and honored with the Good Governance Award by the Association of Urhobo Sons and Daughters in the Federal Civil Service of the Federation, at a glamorous ceremony that took place at the Pauline Tallen Banquet Hall, Women Development Centre in Abuja. The Award, presented to Governor Oborevwori by the Grand Patron of the Association, is in recognition of the good governance strides of the governor, especially in the area of mega infrastructure and socioeconomic development since he assumed office on May 29 last year. Oborevwori is a visionary leader, meticulous planner, and prudent administrator whose primary objective is to build a robust economy through various flagship projects across the state’s three senatorial districts.
This is evident in the ongoing implementation of the MORE Agenda, which is already generating thousands of jobs and wealth for both skilled and unskilled workers in Delta State. With Governor Oborevwori’s unwavering commitment to transformation, prioritizing investments in industries that can create jobs and stimulate local economies, he is laying the groundwork for a future where Warri regains its status as a central economic player in Nigeria, and where the lives of Wafarians, as the residents call themselves, are totally transformed in a way that makes the town and its people the envy of others in various industries across the country.
