Jubilation as Delta State Govt presents Staff of Office to new Agadagba of Egbema kingdom
…Traditional rulers must give attention to security in their areas – Okowa
…A new era has begun in Egbema kingdom – Binipere IV
The new Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom in Warri North Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Pere Meshach E. Ubabiri (JP), Binipere IV, has been presented with Staff of Office by the Delta State Government. The development caused jubilation in Ogbudugbudu and the entire kingdom on Thursday.
While presenting the staff of office to the newly crowned monarch, the state governor, represented by his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, described the ceremony as the beginning of peace, prosperity, unity, and cooperation in the Egbema kingdom.
ALSO READ: Egbema Traditional Council announces new Agadagba of the Kingdom
“I warmly congratulates our dear royal majesty for the smooth ascension to the royal stool. Today marks the perfection and confirmation of various traditional rites and processes which mark the ascension of the throne of the Agadagba to this historic kingdom.
While reassuring that his administration will continue to hold traditional rulers in high esteem, Okowa advised traditional rulers to give priority attention to the matters of security in their respective areas.
“I urge our dear Royal Majesty to walk closely with all enforcement agencies, to the local community council to ensure that peace prevails in Egbema kingdom. I urge you especially to encourage youths in this community to indulge themselves in productive development activities.”
Okowa told the gathering that his administration will continue to see the traditional institution as an indispensable partner in the socioeconomic, cultural development of the state, promising that the welfare of traditional rulers in the riverine communities is so dear to the heart of his administration.
In his response, the new Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom, Binipere IV, appreciated the Delta State Government for promptly presenting him the staff of office as well as extended his profound appreciation to all that have supported, or contributed to the success of the process in one way or the other.
In his words; “It is with great delight that I welcome you to witness this occassion of the presentation of Instrument of Appointment and staff of Office to me as the Agadagba of Egbema kingdom by The Delta State Government.
“Firstly, all glory goes to God Almighty for making it possible for me to ascend the throne of my fathers’ and making this auspicious occasion a reality.
“My Selection, Installation and Traditional coronation as Bini-Pere IV, Agadagba of the revered Egbema Kingdom, is not by accident. As you would recall, the stool of the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom became vacant in June, 2020 following the demise of HRM G.O.E Tiemo, Bini Pere lll, Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom of blessed memory who hailed from Opuama/ Polobubou Ruling House. In line with the gazette establishing the kingdom, it was the turn of Ogbudugbudu Ruling House to produce the next king. Providence fell on me having fulfilled all traditional rites and the traditional coronation, I was proclaimed and presented as the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom on the 23rd of November, 2022.
“I want to use this occassion to thank all who participated at various stages of my installation as the Agadagba Of Egbema Kingdom.
“There is no doubt therefore, that today’s occasion marks the beginning of a new era in the history of Egbema people. The unanimous decision of the kingmakers and the king making process to select me as the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom places anarduous task on my shoulders, and indeed to all the stakeholders in this kingdom to work harmoniously with all and sundry to better the lot of our people.
“It needs to be placed on record that Egbema Kingdom transcends beyond the borders of Delta State as part of my domain is in Ikpoba Okha and Ovia South West Local Government areas in Edo state due to the splitting of the defunct Bendel State.
“History also reminds us of the importance of the present time which is the only opportunity we have to take the different and too often fragmented components of our collective past to prepare the foundation for a unifying and collective future. A long line of succession of Agadagbas’ (kings) in the Kingdom known as Egbema, started in 1100AD.
“At this juncture, I have the distinguished honour and pleasure to formally thank His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, CON, Your Excellency, Deputy Governor Barr. Deacon Kingsley Otuaro for your revered presence, The State Executive Council for the approval of the Staff of Office and All Other Government Functionaries who played significant roles along the way. His Excellency, I also want to use this medium to appreciate your people oriented government for the laudable projects you have executed in my kingdom such as the overhead bridge at polobubou, the slipway at Ogbinbiri, water projects in all my major communities, renovation of health facilities, construction of school buildings, the recently approved two kilometer Ogbinbiri/Ogbudugbudu road and other projects.
“His Excellency, not trying to sound like Oliver Twist, I will greatly appreciate if the following projects are considered for award in view of their socio-economic importance to my people:
“The dredging of Tsekelewu creek as this will aid navigation and movement of goods and services
“The over head bridge from Ogbudugbudu/Ogbinbiri to Ofunama, as this will link up my communities in Edo and Delta States and facilitate access to market of farm produce. The Agadagba’s landing Jetty. Sand filling of the already cleared site at Opuama. The completion of the Udo/Ofunama Road.
“His Excellency, I know that some of these projects will require inter-state and inter-agency collaboration to implement. I therefore plead with you to use your good offices to collaborate with the relevant state and agencies of government to make my request a reality.
“In concluding, I want to on behalf of the good people of my kingdom thank you for coming to perform this important assignment that is dear to our hearts and to pray that God grant you your heart desire in the forth coming elections, he concluded.
The event was well attended by public office holders, first class traditional rulers from across all the Ijaw kingdoms, religious leaders, captains of industries, sons and daughters of the kingdom, among others.
GbaramatuVoice reports that Egbema is one of the foremost ancient kingdoms in the Niger Delta region and is situated in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State; Ovia South West and Ikpoba-Okha LGAs of Edo state.
Report by Enaibo Asiayei, Samuel Abai & Chairman Ojumiri
See photos below…
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