President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met with Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Nigerian traditional monarch of the Kingdom of Warri in Delta State, who paid him a visit at the State Lodge in Nakasero.
Museveni and his visitor discussed oil development and agricultural processing at the meeting on December 12.
President Museveni briefed the Nigerian team on oil and gas, informing them that Uganda is progressing well, particularly on the refinery, and that Uganda is prepared to collaborate with other like-minded parties to exploit her oil resources.
“For the refinery, we’re moving with some people, but you can also give your ideas to the Ministry of Energy, and we’ll see how we can move together,” H.E Museveni remarked, according to a Presidential Press Unit statement.
In addition, the guests informed the President that Aliko Dangote, a Nigerian industrialist, is establishing a refinery in Lagos. The project is intended to contribute to the country’s energy independence.
President Museveni stated that Uganda requires investment in agro-processing.
“Whereas Ugandans are enthralled by oil,” I usually remind them, “agriculture is everlasting oil.” It will always be there. This underground oil can be completed. Agriculture is a significant source of prosperity for our people,” remarked the President.
He cited the thriving dairy business, which has increased tremendously.
“When we returned from the war in 1986, I advised the Ugandans to develop their dairy industry because they were importing milk powder from Denmark.” I told them that we’d been raising cows for 12,000 years, so how could they import milk? That industry is now quite large. “They’re producing around 5 billion litres of milk, up from 200 million at the time,” Museveni remarked, adding that the main issue is a lack of a market for milk products.
According to President Museveni, this explains why Uganda’s inflation remains among the lowest in the world at 2.3%, owing mostly to the availability of food, although not producing at the projected capacity as per his command.
On the cultural front, President Museveni asked His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III and other traditional African leaders to work on unifying the continent’s nearly related people.
“I generally advise these rulers here that you should endeavor to bring us all together. You should find how similar you are rather than how dissimilar you are. “Show us the links between Africans because they exist,” Museveni remarked. While in Uganda, Ogiame Atuwatse III met with Busoga King Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope III.
As a history student, Ogiame Atuwatse III expressed his admiration for the President’s recall of Nigeria’s recent political conflicts.
Mr Fabrice Rulinda, the Entebbe Municipality Mayor who accompanied the Nigerian delegation, informed the President that His Majesty and the team had already met with relevant oil and gas authorities, such as the Petroleum Authority of Uganda and the Uganda National Oil Company, and that they are ready to train young people in oil and gas and agriculture.
He also said that the Nigerian visitors steam has indicated an interest in agriculture and has selected some lands in Mubende.
Prince Toju Emiko led the Nigerian delegation, which also included Chief Elijah Temile, Chief Walter Bovo, and Chief Wilson Olley.
Others were oil and gas experts Mr. Kolawole Olaleye and Mr. Sola Nesiama, Engineer Obi Charles Nnanna, Chief Executive Officer of Kaltani, Mr. Osahon Okunbo (CEO Ature Energy), and Dr. Morris Idiovwa (Chairman Bicens group of enterprises).
On April 2, 1984, Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, popularly known as Tsola Emiko, was born to Olu Atuwatse II, the 19th Olu of Warri, and Gladys Durorike Emiko. He is also related to Olu Akengbuwa.
On August 21, 2021, in Ode-Itsekiri, he was crowned the 21st Olu of Warri, succeeding his uncle, Ogiame Ikenwoli.
