As part of efforts to broaden the Binyamin Regional Council’s international relationships, King Ogiame Atuwatse III, ruler of the Warri Kingdom in Nigeria, arrived for a goodwill visit on Tuesday, accompanied by an international delegation. Binyamin Governor and Yesha Council Chairman Israel Ganz hosted the monarch at Psagot Winery. They guided him on an extensive tour of Ancient Shiloh to show the region’s historical roots and rapid community development firsthand.
1+The official guest, Ogiame Atuwatse III, is the 21st Olu of the Kingdom of Warri in Nigeria’s Delta State—a historic kingdom dating back over 500 years—and the paramount leader of the Itsekiri people. His kingdom sits in the heart of the Niger Delta, a pivotal global hub for crude oil and natural gas production. Alongside his traditional title, the king is an active entrepreneur in the infrastructure and energy sectors, dedicated to advancing international investments and trade partnerships. He travels to Israel alongside a global Christian delegation.
The tour began at Psagot Winery, where Ganz outlined the Binyamin region’s biblical and historical significance, highlighting its agricultural and communal renaissance as the delegation sampled local vintages. The delegation subsequently proceeded to Ancient Shiloh, where Eliana Passentin, Director of the Binyamin Council’s International Desk, introduced the delegation to the historical site where the Tabernacle stood for centuries, reviewing ongoing archaeological excavations and the Jewish people’s deep-seated biblical heritage in the region.
1+The meeting took place amid significant regional economic undertakings led by the council, most notably plans to advance a state-of-the-art power plant in the future Rantis industrial zone—a strategic project intended to position Binyamin as a vital anchor of Israel’s domestic energy grid.
Concluding the visit, Binyamin Governor Ganz remarked: “I was delighted to host the king of the Warri Kingdom, a leader of prominent international standing, and showcase our thriving region. The Land of the Bible naturally draws leaders from across the globe. Anyone who comes here, engages with the residents, and walks through Ancient Shiloh witnesses firsthand the profound, unbreakable bond of the Jewish people to their land. We are actively building partnerships and opening Binyamin to the world. We will continue expanding our circle of international friends, turning these warm ties into tangible support for Israel and our communities.”