•State Government promises not to meddle in the selection process of any Monarch.
Ogbe-Ijoh, the headquarters of Warri South West Local Government Area and the traditional headquarters of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom was agog yesterday as the Deputy Governor of Delta State Barr. Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro on behalf of Governor Okowa present staff of office to the 12th King, His Royal Majesty, Couple Mackson Oromoni, Monbene lll, the Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom.
The Deputy Governor in his speech during the occasion charged the monarch to use his position as a King to complement the State Government efforts in cementing a cordial and symbiotic relationship with the people of Aladja community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.
In his words. “I thank the entire ancient people of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom and indeed all Deltans for the support and cooperation offered the Senator Okowa led administration in the last one year. I employ you to do same in your relationship with your neighbors especially our brothers, the Aladja people. There is no gainsaying the fact that Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom and Aladja share common boundaries and there have been problems concerning the boundaries. And Delta State government as you all are aware, we are doing our very best to ensure that we bring the boundary dispute to fruition to an amicable settlement; and we want to use this very special occasion to appeal to the very capable monarch to gear up and do much more to ensuring we are able to cement the cordial relationship between the great Ogbe-Ijoh people and the Aladja communities. The state government encourages peaceful coexistence in every part of the state. I also want to use this opportunity to appeal to the youths to stop every form of pipeline vandalism which is inimical to the economic well being of our state and indeed our country Nigeria. We have listened to your request and assure you that all the requests and challenges which we all know were channeled to appropriate agencies for appropriate attention.”
Barr. Kingsley uses the medium to appeal to Youths of the Kingdom and by extension the entire Youths of the State to shy away from pipeline vandalism which he described as inimical to the economic wellbeing of the Country while assuring that all complaints have been channeled to appropriate quarters for necessary actions.
The welcome address reads in part:
“It is my honour and privilege to stand in the stead of His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the Governor of Delta State at the presentation of staff of office to His Royal Majesty, Couple Mackson Oromoni, Monbene III, the Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom today Friday the 22nd day of July, 2016.
“My dear people of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, we have come to share the joy of today on this auspicious occasion of the presentation of the staff of office to HRM, Couple Mackson Oromoni, Monbene III, the Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom. I warmly congratulate HRM on his successful ascension to the respected throne of his ancestors. It is particularly commendable that the processes leading to today’s ceremony were carried out peacefully; for some of us are very much aware that the processes have been fair; the processes have been transparent, and they have been equitable; and i have no doubt that the institution of the Pere have great significance for the people of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom. I should therefore expect you to strive to promote the integrity of the stool by according His Majesty all the respect it truly most deserve. I urge you therefore to give him your full support, understanding, love and cooperation at all times. This administration has not meddled and will not meddle in the selection process and processes and procedures of any traditional ruler in the State. We have religiously adhered to the tradition and custom of the people including the laws of the State.
“While congratulating your Royal Majesty on your ascension to the throne and on your becoming the custodian of the land, people and tradition of the great Ogbe-Ijoh people, it is most important that you do not, in ways or actions give any cause to your subjects to doubt your abilities to uphold the sanctity of their customs, traditions and cultural values. I sincerely appeal to you to imbibe the democratic virtues of dialogue and consultation in all your dealings with the ancient people of great Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom and beyond.
“I charge all Ogbe-Ijoh indigenes not to shy away from their responsibilities to the Pere. I urge you to cooperate with him to facilitate rapid development of Ogbe-Ijoh communities including the Ogbe-Ijoh town itself which of course is the traditional headquarters of the great Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom as well as the headquarters of Warri South West Local Government Area, by shunning every form of political bickering, mudslinging, and unwarranted lack of cooperation and total support which can limit progress.
“It is my honour and privilege as Deputy Governor of Delta State in accordance with the laws and statutes of Delta State, I today, by the grace of God, present to you this staff of office, your Royal Majesty, Couple Mackson Oromoni, the Monbene III as the Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, to the glory and praise of God in Jesus name.”
Deacon Otuaro, however, reiterates on the State Government’s resolve to stay away from the selection of a traditional ruler in any part of the state while hailing the people of Ogbe-Ijoh for a free, fair and transparent process of the selection of their new King.
In a welcome address presented earlier by the Ogbe-Ijoh traditional Council of Chiefs, they expresses their continued support for the Governor Okowa led administration, while particularly thanking the State Government for their laudable role in settling the Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh boundary dispute.
The traditional council of Chiefs in the Kingdom noted that the new King is the 12th Monarch in the Kingdom from the Perebiri ruling house while noting that the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom had existed since the 15th century and has five ruling houses like the Aretonghan, Perebiri, Ikiandumu, Oturubiri and Lotiebiri with Tambiri what vested with the traditional powers of kingmakers in the ancient Kingdom.
The traditional Council of Chiefs also expressed confidence on the new King while noting that his rare leadership pattern is not in doubt as it has been proven politically and as a community leader with a versatile experience.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied by politicians and Royal fathers, prominent among them are the Chairman, Delta South Senatorial District for the PDP; Prince Emmanuel Angbaduba, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Steve Eruitor; and Mr. Bratei, the Permanent Secretary, Chieftaincy Affairs, Delta State, His Royal Majesty Bosu Dio, the Pere of Iduwini Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Capt. Joseph Timighan, the pere of Ogulagha Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Evah, the pere of Oporomo Kingdom and His Royal Majesty, the Pere of Akugbene Kingdom, the commissioner representing Ijaw ethnic nationalities in the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief favour Izoukumo with the host of others.
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